FB: American Rivers Conference

[lorbec47]

This week will definitely spin a true tale. Top 4 teams squaring off against each other. Should be exciting. Is Sherden playing for Luther this week? That could be a huge factor for the Norse as their running game wasn't as effective last week.
Wartburg over Coe
Central over Luther
Loras over Simpson
UD over Cornell

[dbljay21]

Longtooth,
The Storm defense was definitely tough against Luther last week.  Dutchfan is right in saying that the offense turned the ball over.  The Storm had 3 turnovers in the 3rd quarter, one deep in their territory.  The only other point I can add is that the defensive backs were outsized against Pearson and Brantner.  And Scheetz does an outstanding job of finding holes in zone defenses.  Credit the Storm D for stopping the run and forcing Luther's QB to beat them.  Luther just made plays in the 4th quarter.

lorbec-I haven't heard if Sherden is available this week or not.  Sherden tore cartilage off his ribs and his status is up in the air.  I would say it is unlikely that he plays this week.

and what's up with my karma

[DuhawkFan00]

Can anyone fill me in as to what Simpson's record is and who they have lost to?  Also if anyone knows what type of defense they run that would be great as well.  Im looking forward to a Loras homecoming win this weekend in the Rock Bowl!

Go Duhawks!!!!!!!

[CaliRamRL6]

Dowjone$,
Are you going to be attending our homecoming this weekend?

[Dowjone$]

    As much as it pains me, I will not be in attendence to see the homeboyz get their first conference win, spoiling the homecoming of the spoiled brats in Mt Veron. instead I will be at the Northern Ill homecoming doin it real massive Chi-town style at the game, concert featuring (Twista, LUDA, and Cierra ) clubs and after parties .
    On tha real though, UD 31 CC 20 this iz the game that UD shows how good they can, and will be in the IIAC. Pick 2 click Steve Clements 6'3 210 pound inside LB from the Illest town in the state of  Iowa (Camanche Ia) I have not met an uncool person from Camanche, and yes I have been there. UD has the best diversity of any small college or university in the state of Iowa . We learn so much from each other that its imperative that we learn to live & function together. UD is doing a great Job of trailblazing for the rest of the IIAC and  the whole state of Iowa. You other colleges need 2 step yall game up. Shout out to all the homies from C-Town Josh Grundal, Steve Clements, Joe Lilly, the other Joe and last but not least Mike Mandott. ( Da Bears!)

[NorseFan]

BV @ Waldorf...ummmmm, I'm going to go out on a limb and say BV wins.  It will be closer than people think though.

Coe @ Wartburg...It just hasn't been the Knights year this year.    I think Suckow will solidify his place as one of the top backs in conference.  Injury questions are now in his past.  It seems that he is turning into an all around offensive threat.

UD @ Cornell...People have been saying Cornell is the new bottom feeder.  I'm going to say no.  Cornell will win this one.  Regardless if the score is close or a blowout we all agree that a win is a win, and that is what Cornell will do.

Luther @ Central...Geez, this is one I do not want to predict.  I believe this one could go either way.  Two quality teams so I think it will come down to turnovers and who makes the most mistakes.  I was impressed with how the Luther D stepped up in the second half against Simpson.  Hopefully they can do that the whole game against Central.  May the best team win. 

[Longtooth]

DBLJ and Dutchfan,

I am sorry for my mis-post, I meant, what is up with the Simpson Offense, I saw that the D is doing OK? 

[LCpumba16]

I had a nice drunken talk with the Luther head trainer last week at Subway as I stepped away from the tailgate...He informed me that Sherden's injury was thought to be worse at the time and it is only a bruise.  When the back-up went down last week in practice, it was almost possible to see him against the Storm, but the Bri-guy trainer pulled the plug on any chance of that.  Anyhoo...expect to see Sherden this week, whether or not he is effective, it really doesnt matter.  Having him on the field simply lifts the confidence of the Luther O, and also presents that breakway threat that he has been known attain at least once a game.

Last week was huge for the Norse, proving that they have the weapons to win without their main offensive threat.  The Qb(s) and recievers were on the same page all day long.  If the passing game continues to progress as it did last week, and Sherden can produce even in the slightest, I look for the defense to step up and provide that exciting game both Norse and Dutch fans are looking for.  If Luther puts it all together, I dont think there is a team that can beat them in the IIAC, but I am still looking forward to a fun and exciting game which could potentially lead to a conference champ. (co-champ)

[DutchFan2004]

Longtooth,

The Simpson O looked good at times.  I think that the play calling was suspect sometimes.  The would be running the ball effectively at the Dutch and then they'd pass the ball.  A sack here an incomplete there and then they'd drop a ball.  It just seemed like they didn't click the day they played the Dutch.

[dbljay21]

Longtooth,
Simpson O against Luther was just off.  They brought in a different QB in the first quarter (No. 12 started and No. 19 played the rest of the game).  I don't know if this is normal for the Storm or not.  They did capitalize on a short field in the first half after a Norse turnover and the other touchdown was a long pass play down the middle of the field...looked like a missed assignment or blown coverage from the sidelines.  It was turnovers in the second half that killed them.  I said it previously, they had 3 in the 3rd quarter, one in the redzone and the other in their own end that led to a Luther score.  I would agree with Dutchfan about the play calling because they moved the ball pretty well in the first half against Luther, but got shut down in the second half. 

[Overseas Observer]

Picks of the week
BV and Waldorf: who really cares about this game except beaver fans but we need a winner so BV by 10
Dubuque and Cornell: Same sentiments here who really cares (sorry dowjone$) but i for see the rams coming up with an inspired homecoming victory by a touchdown.

THe games that matter
Coe over wartburg by 21. a little reverse psychology I think this trick was used to some knight fans advantage last year (go knights)

Finally central and luther, since I also didn't want to pick a winner like Norseman I left it up to my true TI-84 graphing display calculator probability simulator, by flipping a coin 100 times. Obviously i had to weight the coin in the dutch's favor 60-40 because of homefield advantage and a hurt sheriden. But in the end the results 51-49 norse. They win by a safety? that can't be right can it?
IN the battle of the kickers/punters norse 16-10
Go Norse

[Walston Hoover]

I'm kind of surprised at a lot of you picking the Knights. The Kohawks have been the raspberry seed in the Knights' wisdom tooth since 2000 and all the games have been quite close.
I have a bad feeling about the game, but loyalty leads me to take the Knights 20-17, and we'll party in the fieldhouse afterwards. Should be a beautiful day for homecoming and a ton of people there.

I like the Dutch in a blowout by their standards-7-3

UD will take out a lot of IIAC frustration on Cornell. I'll say 48-18

BV wins too- Their secondary is terrible and I think UD will beat them later this year.

[NorseFan]

Overseas you always were kind of a a nerd, get a life.   .

Walston, I like your blow out pick.  Not the winner but the score.  It wouldn't surprise me one bit if it was that low scoring.

Oh, for future reference for all parties involved, it is spelled Sherden.   

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Coe over Wartburg      24-10
Cornell over Dubuque  3-0 OT
Simpson over Loras     37-26
Central over Luther     10-7   unless Sheraton is healthy at running back then,
Luther over Central     14-10

[Floyd in Iowa City]

I wanted to follow up on some of the talk above Simpson.  IMO they do not have the QB play that they had a few years ago, but they still have the throwing targets.  I will be happy when Kain graduates as he almost made some outstanding catches last week on passes that were not that accurate.

That being said, the only thing that separates Simpson from the other top four teams in the IIAC is the running game.  The running game is the weakest part of that offense, and they were only average running it when Luther had most of its defenders spread out and out of the box.  They had a very hard time running in power formations when they needed the yards.

Simpson is not a weak team as they have had close losses (10-7 to Central, 23-20 to Luther, leading Wartburg at the half and I think it was tied in the 4th quarter), but they just haven't made enough plays so far this year.