FB: American Rivers Conference

[kiltman85]

None of the Wartburg fans must worry...there will be something under my kilt.

[warthog]

WH:

So who are 1-2-3-4-5?

I assume Mount Union and St. Johns are 1-2.

[fightintitan2006]

So what are you IIAC folks predicting for the Monmouth Wartburg game? Do you expect Monmouth to hang around or get slobber-knocked like against St. Johns.

Due to the lack of time, effort and evaluation put into DIII Top 25 polls (this site aside of course) Monmouth will likely come in ranked in a few polls, while Wartburg will not. That being said, no one in their right mind can consider Monmouth the favorite...right?

[kiltman85]

I think the Monmouth-Wartburg game will be a good matchup because both teams seem to be in the same situation.  Both are trying to replace a QB and lose some vital defensive members.  Just a side note, this game is listed in Lindy's Football Preview as a game to watch in Division III this year.

[Walston Hoover]

Well I for one consider Wartburg the favorite, but I consider Wartburg the favorite in every game so Vegas won't be calling me to make odds anytime soon. There's plenty of untested, but very talented defensive personnel waiting in the wings, and all the new quarterback will have to do is be able to hand off to Hammes and everything should be alright. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Knights go for 300 rushing more than once this year.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Due to the lack of time, effort and evaluation put into DIII Top 25 polls (this site aside of course) Monmouth will likely come in ranked in a few polls...right?

WRONG!

However this will be a great barometer for the Midwest Conference.  As coach Koehler states, Coe and Central are the favorites.  If Monmouth gets beat soundly by the preseason third best team in the IIAC you will understand how far you have to come as a conference especially if Monmouth is the preseason favorite.  A close loss doesn't say much either, but a win may turn some heads and change some attitudes about the MWC.

[Walston Hoover]

Coocoo,
  Who all do you guys have coming back on Defense?

[Walston Hoover]

I also heard that Suckow transferred to Iowa. Any truth to that?
I heard that back in the spring, but totally forgot about it.
Judging from who I heard it from I wouldn't be surprised if it was false.

[knightlife06]

last time i talked to suckow he didn't mention anything about transferring so i doubt it's true.

[warthog]

Like my fellow orange bleeding compadres, I will pick the Wartburg as favorites in the IIAC/MWC match up between the Knights and the Scots.  I do this with complete disregard as to last season's records or any analysis of team strength.  I pick Wartburg only because of blind faith and unreasonable loyalty.  Heck, I'd pick the Knights if they were playing an all-star team made up of players from St. Johns, Linfield, Mt. Union and Monmouth combined. 

A fan can look past any number of solid reasons why his/her team should lose a contest and come up with a logical explanation as to why they should win.

Even Spurrier, self-appointed head of Spartan Nation, would regularly pick the University of Dubuque against higher placed teams in IIAC match ups.  Speaking of Spurrier, where is he?  Dutch Fan 1, did you see him stumbling around Manchester any time this summer?  I miss his insightful analysis and comments on the state of IIAC football.

I also miss Doc Dorman and Peacock.  I wish they would come on board and tell us how things are going for our old friends at UIU. 

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Coocoo,
  Who all do you guys have coming back on Defense?

Returning Defensive Starters (Pos, Ht, Wt, Cl)
Nick Hirth (CB, 5-11, 187, Sr.)
Clint Mersch (FS, 6-2, 207, Sr.)
Adam Jordison (DL, 6-1, 213, Sr.)
Jordan Wilkens (DL, 6-4, 213, So.)
Jonathan Fowles (DL, 5-10, 225, Jr.)
Zach Nosbisch (LB, 5-11, 212, Jr.)

Tackles GP Solo Assist Total TFL/Yds Sack INT BrUp
Zach Nosbisch 11 41 40 81 2.0/15 1.0 1 7
Nick Hirth 11 32 21 53 1.0/2 0 2 7
Jeremy Squires 11 23 21 44 0.5/0 0 3 4
Adam Jordison 11 24 18 42 13.5/48 6.0 0 2
Jordan Wilkens 10 22 17 39 8.5/37 4.0 0 1

We also have a total of 13 defensive letter winners coming back, what ever that means.

[sportsknight]

For what it's worth, Suckow's still registered as a Coe student on Facebook.  Not exactly an infallible source, but it's something.

As far as the Wartburg-Monmouth game, I'm not sure I want to make a prediction yet.  I think the Wartburg defense might be in trouble with an inexperienced d-line.  With a new QB coming in on both sides, I think both teams will run the ball on at least a 60-40 ratio, probably more.  If the Knights' front four can't hold their own, and Wartburg has to bring more linebackers or d-backs up for run support, that leaves the secondary vulnerable to the play action game.  I see a game with plenty of scoring, probably in the 34-28 ballpark.  I think it'll be a close one, a game decided by no more than 10 points.  But I'm not sure who comes out on top just yet.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

I haven't heard anything about Neal moving on.  Does anyone know where his brother is going to play, I think his name is Brad.

Charlie will know about Neal.

[Walston Hoover]

Warthog-
  I spent 3 days in Fayettenam last week with our kids at UIU's team football camp. The coaches seem awefully excited that they finally found a conference. The head coach spent the bulk of his time ripping on D3 schools and talking about how much higher level of play and how much better caliber of athletes they have now that they are D2. He mentioned other things as well. Lets just say it didn't sit well with the many High School coaches there that are either alums of, or have very close ties to D3 schools around the state.

[Charlie Kohawk]

Fear not, Iowa Conference football fans, Neil Suckow will be back in crimson and gold making life difficult on opposing defenses again this fall. His cousin, Blake, is walking on at Iowa. I always think its a shame when talented athletes opt to ride the bench as walkons rather than play for four years at an Iowa Conference school, but to each his own.

While we're discussing rumors, has anyone heard anything about Tyler Sherden at Luther? I heard a rumor on RAGBRAI that he was out for the year, but it could have just been a Luther grad yanking my chain.