FB: American Rivers Conference

[Purple Heys]

My 1st look analysis...subject to further review.

1. Wartburg
2. Central
3. Coe
4. DBQ
5. Simpson
6. BV
7. Cornell
8. Luther
9. Loras

I am concerned with grad losses of Jackson and Mashburn at the DBQ...tough to replace that much productivity and leadership on each side of the ball.  I give the Coe the nod at this point soley on the strength of their defense.  The loss of Tekippe and a new coach and DBQ's ability to replace Jackson may have me flip this around.

Last year I thought the Rams should have beaten both Loras and Luther.  With a more experienced and much more athletic QB in Bush, plus the complete backfield return and the hoped for emergence of Heys Jr. as a significant offensive weapon lead me to think good things can happen this year.  Still the O-Line scares me and we gotta replace Gus.  But I think the Serbian Sackmeister (Z. Zasada) will be a factor and an improved overall team defensive unit will help.  Depth...ah...well that's always an issue.

BV and Simpson are unknown quantities to me for the moment, but they work us every year, so I gotta give some respect to them.

Wartburg and Central are left to who is hurt the least by the graduation of very good players.  Wartburg has less turnover and a complete defense back.  Central's bend but never break defense doesn't have Tim Connell and Vance Schuring to turn to.

Wartburg looks to have the squad to beat...as long as they don't beat themselves; which Central rarely does.

Here was my earlier post...at this point I see no reason to revise.  Last year was last year.  Coaches leave, players move on.  Last year's success (or failure) doesn't necessarily guarantee similar results in the new year.

[Pat Coleman]

Hang on a sec, I think it's been almost a month since someone brought up the "What will the conference standings look like this year?" question.  Maybe it's a good time to do that again.  Maybe I will print out each teams schedule, give them all a good look-see and give you my thoughts later tonight.  

Coe 10-0

Somehow I knew my agreement with everything you said would be short-lived.   

that's right, i forgot the playoffs... 16-0

16, huh? Is there some IIAC title game we don't know about?

uh, yeah...  (i guessed on the number of playoff games, i didnt want to take the time to actually look it up)

Before a rival does it with some biting sarcasm, I'll just suggest that you should act like you've been there.

[the_mayne_event]

Hang on a sec, I think it's been almost a month since someone brought up the "What will the conference standings look like this year?" question.  Maybe it's a good time to do that again.  Maybe I will print out each teams schedule, give them all a good look-see and give you my thoughts later tonight.  

Coe 10-0

Somehow I knew my agreement with everything you said would be short-lived.   

that's right, i forgot the playoffs... 16-0

16, huh? Is there some IIAC title game we don't know about?

uh, yeah...  (i guessed on the number of playoff games, i didnt want to take the time to actually look it up)

Before a rival does it with some biting sarcasm, I'll just suggest that you should act like you've been there.

my comments were all fun and games.

[DutchFan2004]

Perhaps next time I'll suggest human sacrafice.  

You gotta be more specific.  Which humans?

I think you are safe no one said anything about the Johnnie fans! Yet anyways

[DutchFan2004]

I'll be in Dubuque eventually. Not making too many commitments on football yet since there are 11 weeks and about 30 schools in the area I've never seen. I'll have to see what the schedules look like.

Hmm, there being 18 D3 schools in Wisky and 12 D3 schools in Minny.  That leads me to believe Pat isn't planning on making it to the Hawkeye state too often!!! 

I think the key word there is never.  He has seen UWW and SJU and was at the Central Bethel game last year so I think you are misinterperating the post. 

[D1HawkD3CUI]

Perhaps next time I'll suggest human sacrafice.  

You gotta be more specific.  Which humans?

I think you are safe no one said anything about the Johnnie fans! Yet anyways

I'll pipe up and say that was one of the most gratifying wins I have seen at Central, especially with some of the chatter on here leading up to it. That was just flat out domination.

[DutchFan2004]

Hang on a sec, I think it's been almost a month since someone brought up the "What will the conference standings look like this year?" question.  Maybe it's a good time to do that again.  Maybe I will print out each teams schedule, give them all a good look-see and give you my thoughts later tonight.  

Coe 10-0

Somehow I knew my agreement with everything you said would be short-lived.   

that's right, i forgot the playoffs... 16-0

TME I think you hit the sauce a little early.  Where did Coe get the extra game.  There are 5 playoff rounds.  15-0 is perfect in D3.

[DutchFan2004]

Sorry did finish reading just replied.  Pat already had caught the 16-0 mistake. 

[DutchFan2004]

Time has not changed my opinion yet.  I think the game will be early for the IIAC crown.  The game at Central with Wartburg will give that team the leg up in the race.  If the Dutch can replace their losses from graduation it could be another Dutch victory in Pella.  It will be the Dutch's second game and the Knights third.  Will the week break help the Dutch to prepare for the Knights?  Time will tell.  The Knights will have one more game to try to avoid injuries and the Ducth can use the week off to heal.  It is a very interesting matchup.  That being said Coe, UD, and Simpson, will be there fighting it out and could be in the mix.  Wartburg should IMHO be the favorite as they have the least holes to fill with the graduation losses.  I do like Central's chances as they have some quality kids coming back to fill the seniors shoes come this fall.  I like it that they are at home against the Knights as well.  The winner of this game does have a potential two game lead in the AQ race.  That is huge as the loser can not afford another loss the rest of the year to make the playoffs and the winner can suffer a conference loss provided their are not undefeated teams like Doolittle projects.  It will be a fun race no matter how you look at it. 


The Iowa thing:  I do think Warthog is entitled to his opinion.  I thought it was harsh and somewhat cruel generalization but it is his.  I was a Hawk fan way before a Dutch fan.  Now I am a Hawk fan from afar as their legal troubles are totally embarassing.  I would much rather follow the Dutch FB team and the rest of the IIAC teams than the Hawks.  If they do not start to control themselves I do not think Ferentz will last at Iowa. 

[Klompen]

Hang on a sec, I think it's been almost a month since someone brought up the "What will the conference standings look like this year?" question.  Maybe it's a good time to do that again.  Maybe I will print out each teams schedule, give them all a good look-see and give you my thoughts later tonight.  

Coe 10-0

Somehow I knew my agreement with everything you said would be short-lived.   

that's right, i forgot the playoffs... 16-0

Wish I could give karma, since you are obviously into wishful thinking!   

[Klompen]

I think D-Dog might have already checked ouit for the holiday. Sigmund Frued would have a field day analyzing that dream.

JUST KIDDING!!!!

I guess I'll follow the Knightline and put Wartburg first, Central second, and everyone else after those. My crystal ball only looks one week ahead, so it's still too early to specualte on results.I do think it's Wartburg's title to lose.

I've half-assed it all week thinking about the holiday!!!  I agree, Wartburg has to be considered the favorite...but one can dream!!!  Either way, I am hoping for a bunch of fall saturdays about 65 degrees and sunny coming up!!!

I love that Central comes off the season that it just came off of and WARTBURG is the favorite. Central is underrated again -- just where we like to be.

DF1, the beauty of that is that we get to sit back at our November and December playoffs and smile at the memories.

[DBQ1965]

Impressed as I was by Doolittledog's vision of IIAC in 2008 and UD's spectacular season ... I wonder what the fan base is out there for the various IIAC teams?

I've been faithfully and loyally following the Spartans since 1962 ... what about the rest of you blue-and-white souls?

And while we're at it ... let's hear from the Warts, Norse, Dutch, Beavers, et. al.

Happy Independence Day.

[doolittledog]

Impressed as I was by Doolittledog's vision of IIAC in 2008 and UD's spectacular season ... I wonder what the fan base is out there for the various IIAC teams?

I've been faithfully and loyally following the Spartans since 1962 ... what about the rest of you blue-and-white souls?

And while we're at it ... let's hear from the Warts, Norse, Dutch, Beavers, et. al.

Happy Independence Day.

We did do a census on here once that I can remember. 

Spartans on here that I can think of are yours truly, DBQ1965, spurrier, WillieU, Keith45, sometimes lorbec is a spartan fan.  Hmm, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. 

I have been a Spartan fan since 1986 when I came in as a freshman.  I have been fortunate to have kept life long friends from there.  Next weekend we are getting together for a hog roast.  We decided to do away with our annual golf outing because with a hog roast we can have the entire families there.  Kids and all, that we couldn't do with just a best man golf outing.  I am looking forward to the picnic and then being able to head over to the campus to take some pics of the new stadium.  Hopefully they have the turf on by then!!!

[Wartburg Fan]

 Just got my computer going after it took a break about 3 wks ago. Have spend the last couple of days catching up.  I want to says one thing about the statement made about the Iowa Fans. When I used to escort the ISU team to Iowa City, I just hate it cause I got tirer of things being thrown at me from the Iowa Fans and being called names all during the game. I was so happy when the Trooper's took over that job.

[DutchFan2004]

Well I started following the IIAC some when #2 son went to Wartburg.  Since he was playing tennis and not football I did not follow really close.  The Name DF2004 kind of says it for me.  Growing up in Southern Iowa I was always aware of Coach Schipper and the Dutch but never attended a game till #4 son was recruited there.  Only had been to a couple of Wartburg games before that.  D3 is a great brand of football and the IIAC top to bottom is competitive.  There are the blowouts but for the most part the games take more than a half to decide.  On a good day anyone can beat anyone with the exception of Cornell.  (Sorry Heys) Not an attack but the Rams were never close to the Dutch in the last 4 years.  I think their time is coming and I do think they get an IIAC win this year.