FB: American Rivers Conference

[Spurrier]

http://www.dbq.edu/index.cfm

check out dubuque's new stadium and fitness center which began construction. . .today

[redmen]

Simpson - Central scores from the past three years:

2005 - Central won 10 - 7
2004 - Central won 13 - 6
2003 - Simpson won 28 - 21

I would be surprised if Central gets the chance to send in the second-string for mop up time.

I think everyone would agree that those Simpson teams were much better than the 06 edition.

Actually, I wouldn't agree.  I don't see last years team as being any more talented than this years team.  I don't think Central will get a chance to pull their first string and cruise through the 4th quarter.  I'm not saying the storm will win...but to say we will see a route might be pushing it a little.

It's good to see UD's facilities moving up with their talent level.  The IIAC teams continue to push each other to have the best facilities (although the 'burg will once again be setting the standard when their new facility is done).

[CUI '91]

I was just saying I knew that this was a rivalry but I didn't know how much of one. 

It was really tight in the 90s.  MAN!  Everyone was on the edge of their seat until the scoreboard hit 0:00.

Having run to Indianola twice by foot in a state that could have landed us all in jail...I realized the importance when the team bus passed us and seeing Schipper wave and then pump his fist.

Old Beake, how old are you?  I graduated in '91.  The rivalry with SC really took hold in 1988 when a young up and coming Simpson team upset a veteran Central squad.  Mike Stumberg - Ricky Gales - Kris Reis - Joe Blake, there was some great talent on the field.

[doolittledog]

I think it would be nice if the IIAC ended the season with rivalry games.  Loras vs. Dubuque...Wartburg vs. Luther...Coe vs. Cornell...Simpson vs. Central...BV and um...hmm

I agree it is nice to see UD upping the ante in the facilities department.  I hardly recognized the place when my wife and I drove by there last summer.  It will hardly be the joke of the conference anymore.  Of course everybody is building new facilities these days.  

[DutchHawk]

Redmen
I was just confused. You see Simpsons team this year as being at the same talent level? I havent seen them yet obviously but would tend to think otherwise from what I have heard. With the loss of Kain, Ripke, and some more experienced Olineman, as well as a good linebacker perhaps? Just thought the talent level might be a reason for  the drop in wins this year, although I am definitely not going off much more than stats and Win Loss record

[sc_stormchaser]

I would have to agree with Redmen on the talent issue. Although they did lose some key players, I think everyone around the program has been really surprised by the outcome this year.

[Walston Hoover]

Dutchfan1-
Funny you bring up Skoal and Simpson since every convenience store in Indianola advertises it's chew specials out front.
The other thing about those scores of Central/Simpson from the last 3 years is that those were pretty good years for Simpson and some of the worst for Central.

[sc_stormchaser]

If I remember correctly, Central was a playoff team last year and Simpson was 3-5 in the conference, yet the score was 10-7. The last five year average margin of victory is 7.6. That's why I still believe it will be a close game. Again, I'm certainly not saying that SC will win, but I don't think Central will be sending in the second string in the second half.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

This is more like it.  It isn't much fun to have a one-sided rivalry.  Except when it was WmPenn.  I really hated those guys.  Even after they quit taking football seriously I still got fired up for that game.  I was always hoping for Central to put up 100 points on them.  The Simpson fans on here seem nice enough so this week I will be happy with a 50 point win, some play-off momentum and a couple of witty insulting banners and cheers.

And on the subject of bars, I would rather have ten drinks in one bar in Pella than one drink in ten bars in Indianola.

[Dsquared]

Sorry Fan Rex... the Dutch Reformed church has a 5 drink maximum.  Guess you'll have to drink out of a wooden shoe in private!

[lorbec47]

Well, are we ready for the last regular season pick'ems? This season has gone way too fast, but it was definitely a good one. I hope that everyone really enjoys the last game.

BV takes care of Waldorf on the lake.
Coe rips Cornell.
Central beats the storm.
UD over Wartburg. This might seem crazy to some. I really feel that UD's players would rather throw themselves in front of a train then lose this game. I know Wartburg has everything to lose in this game though. Should be a good one to watch in Waverly.
Loras over Luther. The rock bowl proves good to the seniors on the last game there. However, if Loras can't eliminate the Luther big plays, it will be a long day.

[Walston Hoover]

I don't think your prediction of UD over Wartburg is off base at all.
Obviously I'm going to pick the Knights, but UD has played relatively well in this game and a mobile QB has always given the Knights fits.

[oldbeake]

Old Beake, how old are you?  I graduated in '91.  The rivalry with SC really took hold in 1988 when a young up and coming Simpson team upset a veteran Central squad.  Mike Stumberg - Ricky Gales - Kris Reis - Joe Blake, there was some great talent on the field.

'95 grad (so I just missed ya). I had a number of friends that were upper-classmen, and they didn't hesitate to clue me in on the strength of Simpson in the league beginning around the time you mentioned.  I was at CUI for the Hummel, Mulder, (couple of) Sanger, (couple of) Helle, Shad Flynn, Mark Kacmarynski years.  The Simpson rivalry was really strong during that time.  I was also in Waverly in '93 (I think that was the year) for what at the time was a serious step in a positive direction for the Wartburg program.  A Central DB lost his footing in the 4th quarter...allowing the Knights to put the game away and after that, it seemed like Central was battling with Wartburg and Simpson for the conference crown.

The IIAC really has been a lot of fun to follow in the years since.  The competition seems to be stronger across all teams in the league.  Now...if a team or two could make a little noise in the playoffs...fingers crossed.

[hawk1015]

I would have to agree that UD will be playing for the chance to knock some one out of the playoffs this week.  Hats off to UD for the 180 they have done in the past couple of years.  Not to mention they were close to beating UW Platteville and should have be Loras (It hurts to say that but its true!) Coach B and his staff should be commended for building that progam back into IIAC contention.  I don't think they are ready for a run at the title but NOBODY is taking UD as an easy week anymore!  Good Luck all!

[Dsquared]

Picks for the week...

BVU gets one last win this season...
Coe over Cornell HUGE
Simpson over a Central team that already has their playoff ticket punched
Luther over Loras in a "what happened" game for Loras and a "what to look for" game from Luther
Finally, Wartburg over UD.  If this game were in Dubuque, I very possibly would've chosen differently.  As it stands, WB doesn't lose at home and UD is still in the infancy of their renaissance.  Close game, but WB comes out on top.

As for other news, looks like Mac may be done at ISU effective NOW.  Word out of Ames is that a press conference announcing his "resignation" could be coming this afternoon.  What a sad day for the Cyclones... they are going to regret this a la the Hawks forcing Dr. Tom out.  Would've been nice to see what he could've done with a competent coaching staff.