FB: American Rivers Conference

[Wildcat'64]

Thank You to all who voted for D3 football today and Brett Elliot for the Heisman.  Your vote will make a difference and will give some much needed publicity for D3 football.
Over 800 + voters cast their ballot today from coast to coast for Elliot to put him in 7th place out of 41 nominees.

If you haven't voted, please go to www.voteforheisman.com and cast your ballot for Elliot.
Your vote can make a difference for all of D3 football players across the nation.

Thanks again for your support.

[The Show]

CoChuck - BV ran the ball down Luther's throat and took advantage of turnovers.

[dbljay21]

It is disappointing for the Norse to be struggling the way they are.  There were high expectations this year in Decorah.  The most disappointing thing from this season is the turnovers because ball security is one of the main focuses of the offense.  You can't easily overcome a minus turnover ration.  Anyway, picks for this week...

Coe over Cornell
Central over Dubuque
Simpson over BV
Luther over Loras

White Sox are the Champions!!!   Go Norse!

[Charlie Kohawk]

I disagree with the notion that the Kohawks haven't won any pressure games. This is the IIAC -- there's pressure in every game. Plus a few games stand out -- a 24-21 last-minute comeback win at St. Thomas, a three-point win over Central at Pella, a 14-10 homecoming win over Luther. Coe fell short at Wartburg, but certainly had the Knights sweating after a successful onside kick. The Kohawks have faced plenty of pressure, and for the most part they've overcome it.

That said, here are my picks for Saturday's games:
Simpson over BV
Central over Dubuque
Luther over Loras (this game could go either way)
and Coe continues it's dominance over historic rivals Cornell, winning its sixth straight game in the longest football rivalry west of the Mississippi.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Let's all hope for a St. John's victory over St. Olaf. 

We don't need any three headed monster coming out of the MIAC.

If St. Olaf's does win then lets hope they follow up with a win against  Concordia-Moorehead. 

[DutchFan2004]

Can someone explain these Regional rankings to me.  Who does them and what things do they look at.  Witworth is ahead of my Dutch in the regional rankings yet they are behind in quality of wins and both the AFCA and D-3.com rankings.  I'm not arguing what they are I am just wanting to know what they mean or how they come up with them.  Witworth even has one more loss that Central.  Any help or explanations are helpful and apreciated.

[dutchfan1]

DF'04 -- the ranking system is very subjective. To quote D3football.com's own site, "The D3football.com Top 25 is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country, and is published weekly." The SOS or Quality of Win category factors in statistical data on each team, opponent, etc. in determining the inherant "quality" or "level of difficulty," etc. The SOS is based on stats, supposedly blind of subjectivity. For more info on the QOW system, check out the site at: http://www.d3football.com/qow.php which provides the formula.

Clear as mud, right?

[Lance Harbor]

DF2004 - I wouldn't worry too much about the Regional Rankings.  Remember that playoff bids are awarded to teams and not regions.  If the West Region has 10 (or more) legitimate playoff teams (which is a real possibility), then the West will get all deserving teams in.  The Regional Rankings are a semi-acurate way of speculating how the seedings will go, and even after the seedings are laid down, teams get shifted around due to geography.

Bottom Line: Just keep winning ballgames and the rest takes care of itself.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

I think that a Central win over Wartburg coupled with either St.Olaf or Concordia-Moorhead having two losses at the end of the season would put the Dutch in the playoffs over Whitworth.

[warthog]

My guess is that there is little chance of two IIAC teams making the cut.  This will be especially true if Wartburg wins out.  I assume with wins over Coe and Central the Knights would be our auto rep.  The sad truth is that losses over a weak Millikin team and what turns out to be a mediocre Luther team wouldn't make the IIAC representative look very strong.  It would make it tough for Coe with a loss to Wartburg be given a chance to show their stuff in the playoffs.

Selfishly I want my Knights to at least share the IIAC football championship and claim a bid.  If I were a fan of anyone else I would be hoping for Central and Coe to win out.  If that happens we might get two.

[Lance Harbor]

Warthog - I'm not giving up hope yet.  I think that a lot is going to happen in the next two weeks.  Remember that most teams around the nation have three games left.  A lot will happen.  A lot of good times will bite the dust.  If Coe or Central wins out, they'll be a strong candidate for the Pool C bid.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

If we do get two into the playoffs we can be sure that the #2 IIAC team will be heading to McMinnville OR. in the first round.  The #1 IIAC team won't get higher than a five seed.

[The Show]

Since I havn't made my picks yet...

Central over Dubuque - Shouldn't be close.

Coe over Cornell - Rivalry game, at Coe...shouldn't be close.

Loras over Luther - Luther struggled against BV "D", Loras is a little tougher. Luther got pounded on by BV "O", Loras not as strong...Loras squeaks it out in the end.

Simpson over BV - Going for the warthog logic on this one...BV hasn't beat Simpson for awhile, so I'll try the reverse psychology.  BV is down to its #3 HB, but will still manage more yards on the ground than Simpson.  Should be an aerial show down in Indianola... (I think this is the first time I've ever picked BV to lose?!?!? )

[dutchfan1]

Sorry -- I'm really late in posting my predictions for the week -- I spent the weekend and the first part of the week in sunny San Diego, and have been playing catch up since then. Here are my picks for the week:

Coe over Cornell
Loras over Luther
BV over Simpson
Central way over UD

[norseguy8]

picks:
Simpson over BV -- a little home cooking for the storm  FINAL: 24-14
Central over Dubuque -- no explanation needed FINAL: 42-21 not as close as    the score makes it look.
Coe over Cornell -- rivalry or not, Coe blasts Cornell to stay in the hunt FINAL: 35-10
Luther over Loras -- Hefty/Marlow always figure out a way to beat the DuHawks, Senior day expect a huge game from Rolland.  FINAL: 35-24

Good luck to all...I'll be celebrating the SOX win from about noon until Sunday!