FB: American Rivers Conference

[Spurrier]

The facilities at UD are outstanding...i hope the indoor practice facility was built because the Spartans plan on playing late in December in the near future...very impressed...had a great time in Dubuque and look forward to many more homecoming trips

[doolittledog]

I had yet another scholarship conversation this weekend.  While at the UD/Simpson game a friend of mine said his son that is a junior in high school is only interested in D2 because he'll get a scholarship.  He seemed totally shocked that almost no one, especially incoming freshman receive a full ride at the D2 level.  I had to explain that in D2 it's 36 scholarships divided among 85 players.  An incoming freshman these days (from parents I've talked to) gets somewhere between $1k-$4k as a "football scholarship" and that D3 schools in IA/IL/MN/WI can often offer a better out-of-pocket option than D2.  Not to mention a closer option for someone like him living in the Madison, WI area.  We shall see what they do as they move through the recruiting process now that he is getting into his junior year. 

As for the UD game this weekend.  I liked what I saw.  The offense seemed to finally figure things out and looked like the high powered offense I have become used to seeing.  The defense also seemed to have Simpson figured out. The defense and special teams gave up a few big plays, but over all looked good.  I'm hopeful for a good showing this weekend in Waverly.  My wife will be at a baby shower, so I will either have 1 or all 3 of mine with me...if good weather.  If the weather is poor I doubt I will talk my kids into travelling to Waverly. 

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Dare I say, maybe we will see a Wartburg bracket this post season.

They are looking good.

Don't worry Wartburg Burger Burglars, an opposing knucklehead can't jinx it just by writing it.

GO IIAC!

[Old Spent Knight]

Nothing, and I mean nothing warms my heart like a 43-ZERO win over Coe. The knights are extremely physical up front, and their skill guys are EXPLOSIVE. The offense gets a lot of credit, but that goose-egg on the board says all you need to say about the D.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Dubuque beats Simpson 44-10

Wow!  Quite a turnaround for the Spartans!  Congrats!

Congrats as well to Wartburg as beating Central 35-14 and Coe 43-0 sounds like something that hasn't happened in awhile (even in Waverly).  I ran into a couple Bethel people this weekend who really were impressed with not only the 2014 Wartburg team but how much they improved during 2013.

Luther beat Dubuque by gaining around 500 yards, eating the clock, and with the help of Spartan turnovers.   One week later the Norse were putting the ball on the ground, Central was eating clock, and Central was moving the ball at will.

Luther can clean up the turnover issues, but the Norse Defense was exposed as they could take nothing away from the Dutch Offense.  I like watching the running style of the Dutch RB as he has had a good career and reminds me of an old NFL back (not in talent, but running style).

Maybe another wacky week of IIAC Football will see Luther getting back in the win column?

[Stom12]

interesting match ups this week:
Dubuque vs Wartburg
Luther vs Buena Vista
Coe vs Simpson
and Loras vs Central

Thoughts/predictions?
Wartburg
Buena Vista
Simpson
Central

[Old Spent Knight]

interesting match ups this week:
Dubuque vs Wartburg
Luther vs Buena Vista
Coe vs Simpson
and Loras vs Central

Thoughts/predictions?
Wartburg
Buena Vista
Simpson
Central

Wartburg
Luther
Coe
Central.

[doolittledog]

The facilities at UD are outstanding...i hope the indoor practice facility was built because the Spartans plan on playing late in December in the near future...very impressed...had a great time in Dubuque and look forward to many more homecoming trips

Are you still coaching?  It would be nice if the UD coaches could use you in opening up FL recruiting again.  That indoor facility will help keep them warm 

[doolittledog]

interesting match ups this week:
Dubuque vs Wartburg
Luther vs Buena Vista
Coe vs Simpson
and Loras vs Central

Thoughts/predictions?
Wartburg
Buena Vista
Simpson
Central

My head says the home teams win this week.
 
Dubuque @ Wartburg - Wartburg seems to be an unstoppable force.  I'll make the short trip to see how my Spartans match up.

Luther @ BVU - BVU has some serious talent...they're just lacking in numbers, which could hurt as the season wears on.  Luther is tough to prepare for, but with the Norse making the long bus ride I'll go with the Beavers.

Coe @ Simpson - Hmm, Simpson starts 3-0 and then takes road losses @ BVU & DBQ.  Coe has wins against Loras and Cornell...losses against Wheaton, UW-Stevens Point, Wartburg.  With both teams coming off ugly losses I will go with the home team. 

Loras @ Central - Central with a big win...Dutch hope they can win out and Wartburg has an oops somewhere.  That might get them the Rose Bowl rule?  Not sure of the rules anymore. 

[Spurrier]

Nope...ran into a former Spartan at midway on the way home...if that staff can't go getum with those facilities as birm used to say...there is something seriously wrong

[Outside the Crate]

Wartburg.  May be their best team ever.
Buena Vista.  I think Luther's one dimensional attack was "exposed."  Now, how does one explain the victory over Dubuque? 
Coe.  They're better than the Wartburg score suggests.
Central.  They're still Central and the big win over Luther reminds us of that.

While we're at it, the MIAC is really interesting this year:  Bethel, Concordia Moorhead, St. Thomas, St. John's, and Gustavus all seem to have a shot at it.  Bethel is still probably the favorite since it's still undefeated in the conference and was predicted to win the marbles.

[TheOne89.1]

interesting match ups this week:
Dubuque vs Wartburg
Luther vs Buena Vista
Coe vs Simpson
and Loras vs Central

Thoughts/predictions?
Wartburg
Buena Vista
Simpson
Central

I am basing most of this on what I have read on here and/or stories on athletic websites as I have not seen anyone but Wartburg in action this year:

Wartburg
Luther
Simpson
Central

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Wartburg.  May be their best team ever.
Buena Vista.  I think Luther's one dimensional attack was "exposed."  Now, how does one explain the victory over Dubuque? 
Coe.  They're better than the Wartburg score suggests.
Central.  They're still Central and the big win over Luther reminds us of that.

While we're at it, the MIAC is really interesting this year:  Bethel, Concordia Moorhead, St. Thomas, St. John's, and Gustavus all seem to have a shot at it.  Bethel is still probably the favorite since it's still undefeated in the conference and was predicted to win the marbles.

Luther may have been "exposed" on defense.  They also exposed the ball too much.
I also think Coe is better than the scores from them so far this year.  Or perhaps they will be better.

If the weather gets nasty, I always like Bethel's chances!  They are usually built for those games at the end of the year.

[D3Dutchman]

I had yet another scholarship conversation this weekend.  While at the UD/Simpson game a friend of mine said his son that is a junior in high school is only interested in D2 because he'll get a scholarship.  He seemed totally shocked that almost no one, especially incoming freshman receive a full ride at the D2 level.  I had to explain that in D2 it's 36 scholarships divided among 85 players.  An incoming freshman these days (from parents I've talked to) gets somewhere between $1k-$4k as a "football scholarship" and that D3 schools in IA/IL/MN/WI can often offer a better out-of-pocket option than D2.  Not to mention a closer option for someone like him living in the Madison, WI area.  We shall see what they do as they move through the recruiting process now that he is getting into his junior year. 

As for the UD game this weekend.  I liked what I saw.  The offense seemed to finally figure things out and looked like the high powered offense I have become used to seeing.  The defense also seemed to have Simpson figured out. The defense and special teams gave up a few big plays, but over all looked good.  I'm hopeful for a good showing this weekend in Waverly.  My wife will be at a baby shower, so I will either have 1 or all 3 of mine with me...if good weather.  If the weather is poor I doubt I will talk my kids into travelling to Waverly.

Then you've got those NAIA scholarships to contend with 

[D3Dutchman]

I really do hope Wartburg makes a run this year.  Even if they do slip up once (which I don't see), they won't be beaten twice.  The IIAC needs to get some street cred back, so that the second place team might have a shot at the playoffs like they did not that many years ago.  Would be nice if the Dutch could be the team to go get it, but someone has to, so it may as well be the Knights with a shot to go deep.