FB: American Rivers Conference

[Kohawk Krazy]

5. Coe --------5-5  4-4  Goes on a run to end the year, lack of o-line hurts early

You really think Coe will lose to Illinois Wesleyan or Aurora?

[doolittledog]

5. Coe --------5-5  4-4  Goes on a run to end the year, lack of o-line hurts early

You really think Coe will lose to Illinois Wesleyan or Aurora?

Hmm, well I didn't do any non-con scouting like I have in past years on other boards.  I picked Coe losing at Aurora just because it was early and an away game.  Aurora has been decent in the past with 3 recent playoff appearances so that is why I picked Aurora over Coe...but I would not be surprised to see Coe win that one. 

Again, not a whole lot of thought went into this. 

To go a step further...and again, not too much thought went into this.  I had Coe beating Simpson, then losing 4 straight to BV, Dubuque, Central and Wartburg before ending the season with 3 straight wins against Luther, Loras and Cornell to go into 2008 with a whole lot of momentum and confidence in the future. 

[Purple Heys]

                           Conf.

1. Central            7-1
2. Wartburg         6-2
3. Coe                  5-3
4. Dubuque          4-4
5. Beyoona Vista  4-4
(Where I come from pronounced Bwayna Vista)
6. Cornell              3-5
7. Loras                2-6
8. Luther              1-7
9. Simpson           1-7


I'll have to go back and check my Math on the W-L, but that's the order I'm sticking to.

[Purple Heys]

                           Conf.

1. Central            7-1
2. Wartburg         6-2
3. Coe                  5-3
4. Beyoona Vista  4-4
(Where I come from pronounced Bwayna Vista)
5. Dubuque          4-4
6. Cornell              3-5
7. Loras                2-6
8. Luther              1-7
9. Simpson           1-7

I'll have to go back and check my Math on the W-L, but that's the order I'm sticking to.

Some rationale...
- Central ventures to OT one too many times and does not get the W
- Wartburg stumbles the week before Central, then loses a hangover game the next week.
- Cornell doesn't hand two games over due to TO's; proceeds in beating Loras, Simpson and Luther
- Dubuque misses Bellneus more than they realize.
- Coe pulls together but doesn't have the horses to get over the top

[Purple Heys]

OK, I am a Cornell Honk and not ashamed of it.

Probably will take this year to unhitch the trailer of the past futility before you see folks on this board move them up...fair enough.

However considering that last year, Cornell was in all but 3 games last year at half time (within 10 or less...including Central)  Depth (lack of) and injuries (plenty) the Rams faded badly.

Consider the facts of the present...
1) More depth for practice, less fatigued starters in games.
2) Most of the turnovers decided not to return to school.
3) Wing-T is a well-suited system for them, and they have a years experience
4) O-Line (where it all starts) is a veteran unit.
5) Their newfound size and strength is underestimated...one only needs to consult last year's 2-deep to this year's roster and match up the names.  It ain't the buffet line at Sodexho doing that.
6) They have a big receiving corps...Youngblood is the shortest at 6'2"; Krogman 6'4"; Macey 6'5"; Simon 6'4".  Might be nice to have bigger targetws when QB is not quite so accurate
7) Pass D should be improved in the secondary

Their 6'5" 200 Fr TE Macey has grown into a 6'5" 235 TE...Leading OL Eaglin goes from 252 to 271; Fr FB Thompson now plows into the line at 225; Former Fr DE Zasada was 221, now a DT at 240; ILB King goes from 212 to 235; Bladt at FS was 174 as a Fr, now 200.

Still, with their overall depth, Cornell does not go deep in the talent level.  There is a drop off from 1st to 2nd string.

They will be more difficult to handle early in the season.

[Walston Hoover]

I will try naming who will lead the IIAC this year

  leading tackler- Goodchild, Gerdardy  Wartburg   Can't help myself

No one from Wartburg will every lead the league in tackles.

[Kohawk Krazy]

5. Coe --------5-5  4-4  Goes on a run to end the year, lack of o-line hurts early

You really think Coe will lose to Illinois Wesleyan or Aurora?

Hmm, well I didn't do any non-con scouting like I have in past years on other boards.  I picked Coe losing at Aurora just because it was early and an away game.  Aurora has been decent in the past with 3 recent playoff appearances so that is why I picked Aurora over Coe...but I would not be surprised to see Coe win that one. 

Again, not a whole lot of thought went into this. 

To go a step further...and again, not too much thought went into this.  I had Coe beating Simpson, then losing 4 straight to BV, Dubuque, Central and Wartburg before ending the season with 3 straight wins against Luther, Loras and Cornell to go into 2008 with a whole lot of momentum and confidence in the future. 

While I respect everyones opinion, Coe beat Aurora 45-0 last year.  They seemed to have dropped off since their playoff appearances.

[the_mayne_event]

1. Central
2. Coe same amount of losses, but beats the burg becasue they are sick of hearing about wartburg in CR
3. Wartburg
4. Loras
5. DBQ
6. Luther
7. BV
8. Simpson
9. Cornell - i agree, win a confrence game then talk about being out of the cellar

[doolittledog]

5. Coe --------5-5  4-4  Goes on a run to end the year, lack of o-line hurts early

You really think Coe will lose to Illinois Wesleyan or Aurora?

Hmm, well I didn't do any non-con scouting like I have in past years on other boards.  I picked Coe losing at Aurora just because it was early and an away game.  Aurora has been decent in the past with 3 recent playoff appearances so that is why I picked Aurora over Coe...but I would not be surprised to see Coe win that one. 

Again, not a whole lot of thought went into this. 

To go a step further...and again, not too much thought went into this.  I had Coe beating Simpson, then losing 4 straight to BV, Dubuque, Central and Wartburg before ending the season with 3 straight wins against Luther, Loras and Cornell to go into 2008 with a whole lot of momentum and confidence in the future. 

While I respect everyones opinion, Coe beat Aurora 45-0 last year.  They seemed to have dropped off since their playoff appearances.

You see, there you go, I never even took the time to look that kind of info up...and as I said...everything is subject to change.

[footballdaddy]

News form the Wartburg scrimmage last night:

The defense looked hungry and got to the ball well.

Bauder and Yordi looked good.

Suckow had a couple of receptions and a couple of runs.

The whole team looked ready for a little live work.

[NorseFan]

1. Coe - Playing angry.
2. Central -  They won't get the two OT wins they had last year.
3. Wartburg - More dynamic on offense
4. Luther - Proving last year was a mistake
5. Loras
6. UD
7. Simpson
8. Cornell

I feel that any of those top 4 could be in contention.  I also think UD and Loras could move up a spot or two.  Will be an interesting season.

I also vote for the whole season of pick ems.

[Ash Park]

I was looking at the Loras roster and did not see Mccaron(spelling?), I thought he was only a sophmore last year. Anybody know what is going on with that?

[sc_stormchaser]

Wow, no love for the Storm. I certainly don't think they'll be competing for the championship, but last place? Obviously I'm optimistic, but I think they'll finish in the top 5.

Sounds like Wartburg and Central had big freshman classes, the roster indicates that Simpson brought in around 40. Anyone else?

Show- Only 20 freshman at BV? I don't know if this is true, I heard it from a friend of a friend. You know, one of those deals.

[Ash Park]

I heard the same thing about BV that they only brought in 20 freshmen.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

1.  Central
2.  Wartburg
3.  Coe
4.  Dubuque
5.  Loras
6.  Luther
7.  B.V.
8.  Simpson
9.  Cornell

It would be easier for a lot of the other Iowa Conference schools if Coe were to struggle this year since Northern, Suckow, and a lot of other guys are not back in Cedar Rapids this year, but I have a hard time ranking them lower than 3rd on paper going into the season.  For the problems that they had last season they were still 7-3 with all 3 losses being by less than 3 points.

Besides tying for the title in 2005, 2004, and 2002, the only down season for Coe in conference play over the last several years in 2003 when they were 3-5 in the league and 5-5 overall.

Coe could be 4-4 or 5-3 in the league, but many of the Iowa Conference schools need to learn how to win games at a consistent level like they have done in Cedar Rapids.  Coe could be 4-0 at the start of the year.

Dubuque is a team that I honestly still don't have any sort of feel for.  Luther as an example moved the ball at will on them, but Belleus killed the Norse on offense, defense, and especially special teams play (why keep kicking to him ).  They have lots of guys back and lots of athletic ability, but that was a pretty special player that made everyone around him look so much better last year.  How much has the team improved a year later to make up for not having him?  They could be 3-0 going into the Wartburg game.

Luther will be much better on special teams this year (kickoff, kickoff return, at the least) and appear solid to good at OL, RB, WR, P, and DL.  They could be 0-3 at the start with the Oles, Dutch, and Knights.  Luther averaged 25.8 ppg last year while the defense gave up 25.7.  The offense still has lots of firepower if the QB play is at least average, but how much can the defense and special teams reduce the opponent ppg average?

B.V. played good defense for much of last season, but is their run game on offense going to allow them to be better than 4-6 or 5-5?  They could be 0-4 going into the Cornell game if things don't break their way early.

Seven games were decided in overtime last season.  It seems like every year it is getting crazier from week to week in terms of what teams show up or how certain teams match up with other opponents.  Good luck to all that are predicting games this year, as it will probably be a little easier if you are a fan of the Dutch or Knights.