FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

Didn't Dubuque's entire offense graduate?

People just think Michael Zweifel was Dubuque's entire offense 

Dubuque does lose two 1st team all conference WR's, a 1st team all conference RB, and 2 offensive linemen to graduation. 

That leaves 6 returning starters for the Spartans, who bring back a 1st team all conference QB, 1st team all-conference Center, 2nd team all conference TE.  Dubuque has 2 good RB's waiting for their turn, some good returning lineman and a recruiting class heavy with linemen, and supposedly a WR by committee approach this year.  I think the Spartan offense should be fine.

On defense, Dubuque loses 1 lineman and Michael Zweifel in the secondary...and he was only starting due to injury depletion.  Dubuque gave up some big plays to Wartburg and Coe was able go up and down the field, but pretty much everyone else in the conference had a tough day against the Spartan defense.  I look for good things from them this year. 

What do the other teams out there have coming back??? 

[DBQ1965]

Didn't Dubuque's entire offense graduate?

People just think Michael Zweifel was Dubuque's entire offense 

Dubuque does lose two 1st team all conference WR's, a 1st team all conference RB, and 2 offensive linemen to graduation. 

That leaves 6 returning starters for the Spartans, who bring back a 1st team all conference QB, 1st team all-conference Center, 2nd team all conference TE.  Dubuque has 2 good RB's waiting for their turn, some good returning lineman and a recruiting class heavy with linemen, and supposedly a WR by committee approach this year.  I think the Spartan offense should be fine.

On defense, Dubuque loses 1 lineman and Michael Zweifel in the secondary...and he was only starting due to injury depletion.  Dubuque gave up some big plays to Wartburg and Coe was able go up and down the field, but pretty much everyone else in the conference had a tough day against the Spartan defense.  I look for good things from them this year. 

What do the other teams out there have coming back???

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Go SPARTANS!

[Bird Dog]

In case you haven't already seen this ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/naia-school-unveils-nation-most-original-hideous-football-162913677--ncaaf.html

I hope the IIAC never has to deal with something like that!!!

I understand that green turf fields have a longer "life" than blue, red, etc.  That's a big investment for a field with a short shelf-life.

The article was written July 2012 and mistakenly identifies Lindenwood U as an NAIA school.  They are DII (recently switched) school in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  Which is the same conference as  the Central Missouri State Fighting Mules.  This will give Lindenwood an opportunity to kick somebody's _ _ _! 

[Pat Coleman]

The article was written July 2012 and mistakenly identifies Lindenwood U as an NAIA school.  They are DII (recently switched) school in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  Which is the same conference as  the Central Missouri State Fighting Mules.  This will give Lindenwood an opportunity to kick somebody's _ _ _! 

That's not true. This is Lindenwood-Belleville, which is indeed an NAIA school.

[Purple Heys]

So we would have...

Dubuque

Coe
Wartburg
Central

Simpson

Luther
Buena Vista
Loras

Hah!!!  Finally. Cornell is not picked to finish last in the IIAC.   

[Purple Heys]

Didn't Dubuque's entire offense graduate?

Everyone except Doolittle thinks: yes.

[5 Words or Less]

 

	ALL CONFERENCE	ALL CONFERENCE
TEAM	RETURNING 2012	GRADUATED
Buena Vista	2	4
Central	2	9
Coe	6	3
Dubuque	5	6
Loras	3	3
Luther	3	3
Simpson	6	5
Wartburg	5	8

[putmeincoach]

Am I hearing not everyone thinks Dubuque is deserving of the preseason favorite label???

Here it goes -

1)   Dubuque
2)   Coe
3)   Wartburg
4)   Central
5)   Simpson
6)   Luther
7)   Buena Vista
8)   Loras

for what it's worth - I seem to match up to doolittledog

if you're not picking the Spartans I would be interested in who you think will win the conference. 

PS – I have to admit the "Finally. Cornell is not picked to finish last" made me laugh

[doolittledog]

I would bet there are those out there (and it's in the back of my mind as well) that remember UD going 5-5 in the 1st year under Stan Zweifel and the next year when Michael Zweifel was injured the Spartans fell back to 4-6.  If you go back further, in 2008 Dubuque was coming off 2 straight 5-3 conference records and much was expected of that UD team.  Those on here were noting that with the graduation of Jermar Jackson that maybe Dubuque was in for a rough ride and indeed they fell back to a 1-7 conference mark. 

Therefore I could see how there could be the opinion that Dubuque might not have a great year ahead of us.  I, of course will go with the theory that the defending conference champ and the only team among the top 4 from last year that returns their starting QB should get the preseason nod for 1st place. 

I also don't think there is that much difference among the top tier of the conference and the right or wrong bounce here or there could make a huge difference in your season. 

[NewKnightDad]

I will say that the experience & depth Wartburg returns at RB and on Defense will carry them to a conference title.  Yes there are holes to fill on the offensive line and at QB but I believe WB has one of the best coaching staffs in DIII and will adjust to the talent on hand.

Two losses by a total of 4 points kept WB from a title in a injury plagued year.  Injuries happen to every team I know but I will say with confidence that what WB went through last year in injuries was well above average.

I will put Coe second and Dubuque third.

Now, lets play some football.

[putmeincoach]

I have heard of at least one team having a scrimmage (not intraquad) before they play their first game.  Is this typical in the IIAC?

[doolittledog]

Wartburg was the perfect example of a team that had the ball bounce the wrong way last year.  They lost two games they really had no business losing and there went the conference title over to Dubuque.  Of course, I thought they were fortunate to leave Dubuque with a victory...but there is the possibility that I might be a bit biased in my opinion 

To answer putmeincoach, you will see IIAC teams get a preseason scrimmage in.  Dubuque scrimmaged UW-Oshkosh last year.  There is video of that on their Hudl page. 

[putmeincoach]

We know Dubuque and Simpson are set at QB.  Anyone have any info on the QB competition at the other contenders?  Specifically Coe Central and Wartburg – is there a returner that is already penciled in?  ..or is it truly an open competition?   I know nothing about these schools.

[5 Words or Less]

Kohawk-to-be Mark Atwater plays QB

[Bird Dog]

The article was written July 2012 and mistakenly identifies Lindenwood U as an NAIA school.  They are DII (recently switched) school in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  Which is the same conference as  the Central Missouri State Fighting Mules.  This will give Lindenwood an opportunity to kick somebody's _ _ _! 

That's not true. This is Lindenwood-Belleville, which is indeed an NAIA school.

This is why you are the sports guru.  I was wrong confusing Lindenwood-Belleville with Lindenwood in St. Charles Mo.  I should have known better their colors are black and gold.  I apologize for my error which will never happen again until the next time.