FB: American Rivers Conference

[Knights88]

Looking forward to a great semifinal next week! Where's the best place to get lunch and a beer before the game in Waverly next Saturday?

The Dirty Dog, Sasquach Jack's and The Other Place are all good and a short walk from campus.  Frederick's or Z's Pizza is also good if you go about 10 blocks down the main drag.
I'd probably steer clear of Joe's Knighthawk if you're a visiting fan...that's where the "crazyiest" Wartburg fans will probably be.

From the street view on Google Maps it appears that Joe's Nighthawk is a bar/grill AND a self-service carwash . Is the car wash safe for NCC fans? 

Joes is a great place!  Recommend it prior to the game in addition to Dirty Dog and the Other Place.  After the gam,Joe  is hosting Wartburg players, families and coaches. 

  NCC as an undefeated returning national champion should not be traveling.  The rules need to be fixed. Looking forward to a great game!  Safe travels and enjoy your time in Waverly!

[Cardinal773]

Should be, so long as NCC wears all white with the white helmets...Wartburg is black head to toe so an all white/black dynamic with the unis would look great

Like a Thursday night NFL game.  I like it!

All the best to the Knights.  Here's to a great semifinal!

[robertgoulet]

I wonder whether ESPN will dictate the uniform choices based on what looks good on the screen. Does Wartburg have orange jerseys?  ESPN might like that.

I'm just glad ESPN is taking over the stream as the UWL video and pbp was brutal and it sound like the Wartburg/UWW video stream was rough as well. I look forward to being able to see more than just the down linemen and QB.

[hazzben]

I'm pumped for this matchup. Wartburg doesn't put up gaudy NCC type stats (who does) or have any Stagg's to their name, but they are just flat out good. They remind me of Iowa, but with an offensive identity. Their D is just never in the wrong spot, experienced as you can get, and just make plays. They've got a workhorse RB, a QB with moxy and WR's who don't scare you, but also have a knack for making the big contested catch when it matters. Every time I watch you guys, or we play you, I leave thinking how well coached and disciplined you are.

NCC is loaded with physicality up front and speed to burn at all levels and on both sides. Sounds like they're a little banged up, but they've also got depth, so I'm not crying for them. Frankly if there were any teams I thought could give NCC a game it was UWL, UWW, and Wart. UWL was in it, though they couldn't quite close the gap to threaten. Reminded me a bit of last years Stagg in that regard.

Here's to a great game. If it's close in the 4th and comes down to the final possession, I think I like Wart to pull off the upset. Gotta get it to that point first though. Best of luck to both sides!

[DriftlessDuhawk]

As much as I want to look forward to this game I'm not sure how Wartburg's defense will hold up. In the games I have watched them play Wartburg has had 4/5 guys on the line with Owen Grover at about 7 (seven) yards. Grover may be the best LB in the country at covering space on a football field and is an incredible player but I'm just unsure how this will affect Wartburg's ability to stop NC's incredible run game. Grover will have to play the game of his life as it seems like there will be a lot of pressure on him to be the main run stopper.

[NCC2010]

I'm pumped for this matchup. Wartburg doesn't put up gaudy NCC type stats (who does) or have any Stagg's to their name, but they are just flat out good. They remind me of Iowa, but with an offensive identity. Their D is just never in the wrong spot, experienced as you can get, and just make plays. They've got a workhorse RB, a QB with moxy and WR's who don't scare you, but also have a knack for making the big contested catch when it matters. Every time I watch you guys, or we play you, I leave thinking how well coached and disciplined you are.

NCC is loaded with physicality up front and speed to burn at all levels and on both sides. Sounds like they're a little banged up, but they've also got depth, so I'm not crying for them. Frankly if there were any teams I thought could give NCC a game it was UWL, UWW, and Wart. UWL was in it, though they couldn't quite close the gap to threaten. Reminded me a bit of last years Stagg in that regard.

Here's to a great game. If it's close in the 4th and comes down to the final possession, I think I like Wart to pull off the upset. Gotta get it to that point first though. Best of luck to both sides!

As far as being banged up, the only injuries i am aware of are to Egbo (CCIW DPOY, DE) and Walker (2022 1st Team all-american CB).  Walker got hurt in the trinity game and did not look like himself against UWL, sat the 2nd half.  Egbo only missed the last few series of the UWL game but was limping pretty badly on the video after the game.  Obviously would hurt if neither can play as they are the best 2 defensive players for NCC but the matchup of NCC's O vs Wartburg's D is where the game will be decided imo.  really excited for the matchup.  2 region 5 teams in the final 4 for 2 years in row.

[WRMUalum13]

As much as I want to look forward to this game I'm not sure how Wartburg's defense will hold up. In the games I have watched them play Wartburg has had 4/5 guys on the line with Owen Grover at about 7 (seven) yards. Grover may be the best LB in the country at covering space on a football field and is an incredible player but I'm just unsure how this will affect Wartburg's ability to stop NC's incredible run game. Grover will have to play the game of his life as it seems like there will be a lot of pressure on him to be the main run stopper.

According to computer metrics, which I think do a nice job adjusting for opponents, Wartburg's D is by far the best that NCC will have faced all year. Will certainly be interesting.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

According to computer metrics, which I think do a nice job adjusting for opponents, Wartburg's D is by far the best that NCC will have faced all year. Will certainly be interesting.

No doubt the Wartburg defense is incredible and simply does not blow coverages and does not make mistakes. I just wonder if the methods they have used in their games prior will work against a team that has such a prolific run game.

[USee]

According to computer metrics, which I think do a nice job adjusting for opponents, Wartburg's D is by far the best that NCC will have faced all year. Will certainly be interesting.

No doubt the Wartburg defense is incredible and simply does not blow coverages and does not make mistakes. I just wonder if the methods they have used in their games prior will work against a team that has such a prolific run game.

Well, this is big question. Wartburg is the #1 run defense in the country, allowing 1.6 yds per carry. The next best defensive front NCC has faced this year isn't even in the zip code of how good Wartburg is up front on defense. NCC is the #1 offense and has an 8.15 yds per carry stat. Something's got to give. Of some relevance, UWW is the #9 rushing offense at 6.02 yds per carry and Wartburg held them to 94 yds (3.6 yds per carry). Never mind that Tamir Thomas only had 12 carries (at 6 yds per carry) or that UWW inexplicably threw it 39x and only ran it 26 times. That won't happen Saturday. NCC is going to run the ball around 40x at this Wartburg defense, guaranteed. Now, Wartburg hasn't seen an offense like NCC's this year either (UWW's rush offense is close, but not as good) as Lehnen is setting a Guinness Book of World Records for efficiency.

I'll be fascinated to see how this plays out (after the coin toss of course). I wonder what Emma's father will say!

On the other side, which is equally important, NCC's defense was #14, which I would argue is a little inflated, and Wartburg's offense is top 25. Wartburg can run the ball and have a balanced attack. I agree with Hazz, they have great schemes and are very well coached. If NCC is without their DPOY DE Egbo (#9) and/or (what I believe is) the best cover corner in D3, #26 Walker, I have serious concerns about NCC's defense.

My guess is Wartburg can score in the 24-34 pt range (maybe more if those two aren't avail). Can they hold NCC to their lowest output of the season?

[D3fanboy]

NCC's defense has shown a little vulnerability, it is not the '22 defense.  Wartburg should be able to string some drives together, converting 3rd downs will be likely be the biggest key to their chance to pull an upset, imo. 

[DriftlessDuhawk]

I totally agree I think that Wartburg should be able to move the ball a bit but I would more so think that they will want to limit possessions. No one is beating NC in a track meet... Give them the ball 8 times throughout the game, hold them to 4/5 scores on those 8 tries, and then try to do better yourself is the only path to victory I see.

[D3fanboy]

I totally agree I think that Wartburg should be able to move the ball a bit but I would more so think that they will want to limit possessions. No one is beating NC in a track meet... Give them the ball 8 times throughout the game, hold them to 4/5 scores on those 8 tries, and then try to do better yourself is the only path to victory I see.

it's going to take a perfectly played game to pull the monumental upset.  but a team full of 23/24 year old leaders has a much better chance than your typical college team.  Carroll College had two scoring drives of 60+ yards on NCC in the 1st quarter.  It can be done, just can't beat yourself and then pray.

[emma17]

I completely concur with USee's bafflement regarding the run/pass imbalance shown by UWW last week (in fact I've been holding off posting on the WIAC page as it's still too soon to criticize).

NCC likely will not have impatience if the run game gets stuffed now and then, which will put the true test to the Wartburg D. As many have commented, UWL did not tackle well frequently enough. Several big plays were made possible because UWL came too high at contact. I think Wartburg defenders will be much more disciplined. The battle to stop NCC's running game is ultra intriguing.

On the other side, I was heavily underwhelmed by NCC's defense. Now, I understand UWL QB Helterbrand is a unique athlete and put a ton of pressure on the NCC defense, but that doesn't explain the large holes opened up by the UWL Oline. If Turbo plays w that same energy, and the four pass-catchers continue to show great hands, I can see Wartburg having time-killing success on scoring drives.

Like my dad said, "son, there's always someone tougher than you".

[hazzben]

Like my dad said, "son, there's always someone tougher than you".

Are we entering an era where emma includes a little nugget of family wisdom with every post?? If so, I'm here for it! 

[emma17]

Like my dad said, "son, there's always someone tougher than you".

Are we entering an era where emma includes a little nugget of family wisdom with every post?? If so, I'm here for it! 

  Wisdom is overly generous.