FB: American Rivers Conference

[Fannosaurus Rex]

Patterns I've seen in D3 - There is a definite pecking order in the Midwest.  Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences are just better the past decade or so as the ARC has been hurt somewhat by recruiting competition from Iowan NAIA schools; Grand View, Morningside, Northwestern, and more recently Dordt have recruited well, while there is no NAIA presence in the other two states and no NCAA D2 in Wisconsin. 
I know size doesn't matter, but the resources available for schools 3 to 5 times larger in enrollment also comes into play, whether in finance or in available programs of study.  What's the cure?

I think that the cure is to remember that we are D3 fans and that football is just a part of the college experience and to encourage our favorite schools to continue to turn out educated well rounded graduates who will be contributing members of their communities and good citizens.

[bleedpurple]

The very visible battles over funding for education at all levels in Wisconsin misses the fact that WIAC colleges glean hundreds of millions of dollars from the taxpayers.  For example, UWSP is about to build a $75M science building with public funds.  Whitewater is spending $ 34M for a new residence hall ($ 84,500 per bed!).  UW Eau Claire is building a $ 256M science building, a $ 51M performing arts center, and a new recreation center.  The list goes on, and it's pretty impressive.  The advantages build over time and certainly include substantial subsidies of tuition.  There have always been price advantages for the publics, but I would argue that the huge spending on infrastructure at public institutions in Wisconsin has changed the competitive landscape, making it increasingly difficult for small and or private colleges to compete.  I'm not saying they can't compete successfully because the privates have proven to provide distinctive and excellent education.  But, it's tough.  The playing field isn't level; anyone who argues otherwise is smoking something unhealthy...

Made the trip to Dubuque.  Not feeling the "poor private" vibe.   Ummm...perhaps if we had this conversation in the indoor football/soccer training facility complete with field turf or the other beautiful buildings put up by the Babka's, we could add some relevant context.

[DBQ1965]

Former UD corner back Michael Joseph has been signed to the 10 man practice squad of the Chicago Bears.

[Kohawk Krazy]

BVU leads Hamline 20-14 at the half. 

The BVU announcers were saying records are new now that the conference changed its name.  I really, really, really hope those announcers are mistaken. 

Announcers saying the long term goal is to add schools from many different states.  I wonder what that means...Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota?  Have divisions?  North/South or East/West?  Are others hearing these same things?

That is 100% not true. All records are staying with the league. It's just a change in name. Everything else is the same.

[BLynn]

Because the change in the membership was rather limited; (one school added); it makes sense that existing records are maintained. 

Where NWU came from, there had been a 'major' change in membership in 2000, (added 3 schools from S.D. and 1 from Iowa), so records for the GPAC do not include the old NIAC statistics.

[Klompen]

A whole new world?  IIAC?  Gone!  First game under the belt and no comment from Klompen?  What is the world coming to?  Okay, I am finally back and need to get with it.  I am excited for this year's Central football team with Blaine Hawkins back at QB.  I sure do wish we had Sam Markum again, but like the IIAC, he has vanished.  Time for some new players to step up and shine.  I would love to see Pella Christian grad Hayden Vroom get some playing time at receiver and see what that could bring, but not sure how he stacks up with the rest of the talent.  Only know he had an outstanding HS career.  Tomorrow's game will not be as easy as last week's and it will be interesting to see how the young Dutch come out. 

Looking forward to another great year of football.

[doolittledog]

Halftime scores...

Simpson leading 14-0 @ Chicago
BVU down 14-7 @ Concordia (NE)
Wartburg down 7-6 @ Monmouth
NWU leading 17-6 @ Illinois College
Luther down 15-28 @ St Olaf

Final score
Central wins 16-10 @ Depauw

[scottie]

Monmouth 24 - Wartburg 18.  Final

[doolittledog]

Final scores...

Central wins 16-10 @ Depauw
Simpson wins 21-0 @ Chicago
NWU wins 31-12 @ Illinois College
Wartburg loses 18-24 @ Monmouth
Luther loses 29-34 @ St Olaf
BVU loses 20-27 @ Concordia (NE)

Night games...
Loras @ Benedictine 6pm
Coe @ Cornell 7pm
Dubuque @ Pacific 9pm

[doolittledog]

Final scores...

Central wins 16-10 @ Depauw
Simpson wins 21-0 @ Chicago
NWU wins 31-12 @ Illinois College
Wartburg loses 18-24 @ Monmouth
Luther loses 29-34 @ St Olaf
BVU loses 20-27 @ Concordia (NE)
Coe wins 42-7 @ Cornell
Loras wins 39-20 @Benedictine
Dubuque wins 21-10 @ Pacific

6-3 with all 9 teams on the road this week can be considered a success

[Old Dutch]

Final scores...

Central wins 16-10 @ Depauw
Simpson wins 21-0 @ Chicago
NWU wins 31-12 @ Illinois College
Wartburg loses 18-24 @ Monmouth
Luther loses 29-34 @ St Olaf
BVU loses 20-27 @ Concordia (NE)
Coe wins 42-7 @ Cornell
Loras wins 39-20 @Benedictine
Dubuque wins 21-10 @ Pacific

6-3 with all 9 teams on the road this week can be considered a success

Good week for the conference as quite a few are quality wins in my uneducated mind.  Shocker in Monmouth  stats show an uncharacteristically poor performance by the O-line. Only 31 yrds rushing and gave up 4 sacks.  An upset to us may just be a statement game for Monmouth?  Got to see the 4th qrt of the Dutch via stream, pretty heavy rain out that way and a back-up QB by that time, but the Dutch D looked pretty strong. 

[doolittledog]

So, what do you all think of the conference so far?

Any surprises?

Any clear favorites?

It doesn't look to me like you could call any school a bottom feeder. 

[DBQ1965]

So, what do you all think of the conference so far?

Any surprises?

Any clear favorites?

It doesn't look to me like you could call any school a bottom feeder.

This may be one of those seasons when IIAC/ARC teams take turns beating up on each other and the Conference champion drops out in the 1st round of the playoffs.

[BLynn]

too early for playoff talk, but if Wartburg's loss means they're not all that this year; the league could be really tight.  BVU's loss was to the 4th pick in the GPAC pre-season polls; 6 road wins are good no matter who you play.  I think 2 losses gets you at least a share of the title and three is not out of the question.  The NWU fans I've talked to have said the ARC is very balanced, much more so than the GPAC.  That equals 'fun' week-to-week

[matblake]

Re: the Wartburg loss.  I didn't see the game, but as a Wheaton fan who saw them the week before, they are a good team.  They are very solid defensively, especially the line.  Not as sure on their defensive backfield, but the front is the real deal.  That Lesniewski is as good as billed as a pre-season all american.  He was seemingly everywhere against the Thunder.