FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

I am sure there will be some conspiracy theorists out there that notice the convenience of his suspention right before the Cornell game and their 18 game conference losing streak. 

You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to notice the convenience of a suspension that comes three weeks after the arrest yet before the matter has made it through court. You can't have it both ways. Either act quickly or wait until the legal process is completed.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was thinking.  My guess is Wartburg wanted to wait for the legal process to run it's course before acting.  Then I would think you had some student groups and some faculty that raised a stink so they decided to go ahead and act now.  I hope that is the case and they just didn't wait untill Cornell came up on the schedule.  If so, I have lost some respect for their program.  

[Norsedad]

maybe I dont have the AQ figured in

[Thunderbolt]

Tough call. If the story I initially heard was true, then I think even 1 game is a pretty harsh punishment. However this "release" says there was an internal review that took place so I wonder if they found something else?
On the surface, it definitely sounds like he is being made an example of.
This game vs Cornell is meaningless as far as Wartburg making the playoffs goes.
I'm convinced that there's no way Wartburg goes unless they are conf. Champs.
That means everything hinges on the Central game in 2 weeks.

Very tough call, but I think they did what was best for the school. I see nothing wrong with the timing, and can't imagine it being more than one game. Doing their own investigation only makes sense. To suspend him before doing an investigation and before his court case would be wrong. To wait until after the court verdict, (after the season) would bring a poor perception to the athletic department and the school, assuming he's found guilty. It appears his bad choise put the school in a tough spot.
I agree 100% Wartburg needs to be conference champs to go.

[DutchFan2004]

Tough call. If the story I initially heard was true, then I think even 1 game is a pretty harsh punishment. However this "release" says there was an internal review that took place so I wonder if they found something else?
On the surface, it definitely sounds like he is being made an example of.
This game vs Cornell is meaningless as far as Wartburg making the playoffs goes.
I'm convinced that there's no way Wartburg goes unless they are conf. Champs.
That means everything hinges on the Central game in 2 weeks.

Walston,

I really do think that this game has some meaning.  I think the West could have a two loss team get a playoff spot.  So if Central does win on the tenth this game by  the Knights would be important.  If SJU wins out the MIAC has a runner up with two losses.  The WIAC already has two and could be 3 losses for their runner up.  The NWC is on a huge bubble for a Pool B bid and then drops to a Pool C bid and they could have two losses.  The SCIAC runner up could also have two losses so this game is huge IMO.

[Walston Hoover]

A 2-loss IIAC team will not get in before a 2-loss NWC, WIAC, or MIAC with the national perception of our conference.

[DutchFan2004]

I may disagree with the comments about the timing and it would be wrong to suspend a player before his day in court.  The Coach of a team has a duty to protect his team and the reputation of the school.  Having said that IMO the Coach has the right and duty to determine who can play and who can't based on what is best for the team and winning all your games may not be the best for the team.  Sometimes lessons are best learned off the field and this may or may not be one of those times.  I am not privy to the details nor do I want to be, but I am just saying that a suspension of a player for any reason is the coaches perogative at any time.  There is no law that says benching a player for any reason goes against their constitutional rights.  So letting a court decide this matter may or may not be the right thing to do.  I have no idea if this is a good thing or a bad thing just saying that the coach could and can suspend a player at his choosing.  

[Norsedad]

Tough call. If the story I initially heard was true, then I think even 1 game is a pretty harsh punishment. However this "release" says there was an internal review that took place so I wonder if they found something else?
On the surface, it definitely sounds like he is being made an example of.
This game vs Cornell is meaningless as far as Wartburg making the playoffs goes.
I'm convinced that there's no way Wartburg goes unless they are conf. Champs.
That means everything hinges on the Central game in 2 weeks.

Walston,

I really do think that this game has some meaning.  I think the West could have a two loss team get a playoff spot.  So if Central does win on the tenth this game by  the Knights would be important.  If SJU wins out the MIAC has a runner up with two losses.  The WIAC already has two and could be 3 losses for their runner up.  The NWC is on a huge bubble for a Pool B bid and then drops to a Pool C bid and they could have two losses.  The SCIAC runner up could also have two losses so this game is huge IMO.

Well said DF2004.that is kinda what I saw too.

[DutchFan2004]

I know that is the perception but with this new system they have maybe those perceptions will go out the door.  I know it is a long shot but I was saying that the game mathematically is important.

[DutchFan2004]

Linfield has the rep in the NWC I am not sure about Whitworth.  PLU even has it but if Whitworth gets the Runner up do they have a playoff run in the record?  I don't think that with the NCAA's adversion to fying teams to play the NWC gets two bids which opens up the case for Wartburg.  Do you think they will take 3-4 teams from way out West and have two flights?  I don't think that the powers that be will vote for that. 

[Walston Hoover]

On a related note-The back-up QB's give the Knights O a totally different look. They are both VERY good runners and average passers. Definitely a lot more double threat than Yordi.

[Thunderbolt]

Tough call. If the story I initially heard was true, then I think even 1 game is a pretty harsh punishment. However this "release" says there was an internal review that took place so I wonder if they found something else?
On the surface, it definitely sounds like he is being made an example of.
This game vs Cornell is meaningless as far as Wartburg making the playoffs goes.
I'm convinced that there's no way Wartburg goes unless they are conf. Champs.
That means everything hinges on the Central game in 2 weeks.

Walston,

I really do think that this game has some meaning.  I think the West could have a two loss team get a playoff spot.  So if Central does win on the tenth this game by  the Knights would be important.  If SJU wins out the MIAC has a runner up with two losses.  The WIAC already has two and could be 3 losses for their runner up.  The NWC is on a huge bubble for a Pool B bid and then drops to a Pool C bid and they could have two losses.  The SCIAC runner up could also have two losses so this game is huge IMO.

I respect your opinion and optimism, but even if St Johns wins, Bethel and St Olaf would be tied with Wartburg with 2 losses and Wartburg looses the tie breaker with common opponents,(Augsburg)

[DutchFan2004]

Thunderbolt,

I hear you my point is that there are two weeks left in the season.  Bethel and ST Olaf lose these two weeks they are out too.  This game with Cornell does have implications.  How would you feel at this point say in two weeks from now and look on the season as Wartburg did last year and say if we had only won the Cornell game we could still be playing.  I don't think they take 3 MIAC teams IMO.  That leaves the WIAC getting the nod or possible the IIAC.  With two weeks left all the games are still important in the race for the playoffs. 

[Norsedad]

If Wartburg goes 1-1 and Bethel goes 1-1....and even in St Olaf goes 2-0...Wartburg's loss to Augie and Bethel's loss to BV both mid-pack teams in each others conferences plus each teams only other loss to conference champ seems to equalize  Wartburg and Bethel.  St Olaf and DBQ seem to be also equalized losing only to the top 2 of their respective conferences.  So at least between the 2 conferences it seems to be a toss up.  Also NWC and SCIAC just dont seem to be as strong as IIAC and MIAC. 

[Thunderbolt]

Thunderbolt,

I hear you my point is that there are two weeks left in the season.  Bethel and ST Olaf lose these two weeks they are out too.  This game with Cornell does have implications.  How would you feel at this point say in two weeks from now and look on the season as Wartburg did last year and say if we had only won the Cornell game we could still be playing.  I don't think they take 3 MIAC teams IMO.  That leaves the WIAC getting the nod or possible the IIAC.  With two weeks left all the games are still important in the race for the playoffs. 

Agreed. I know, I spend way to much time speculating on playoff brackets. Especilly when my Norse were eliminated after week three.

[Walston Hoover]

  Also NWC and SCIAC just dont seem to be as strong as IIAC and MIAC. 

We've thought that before, but the truth of the matter is, had it not been for the Miracle in the Mud, The IIAC would not have any wins against the NWC if memory serves me correctly.