FB: American Rivers Conference

[the_mayne_event]

personally, i dont think preseason rankings should be released.  they shouldnt release rankings until after the 1st game.

At the D1 level, I completely agree. I'm in the camp of the guys that think there's a bias of the pollsters to validate their preseason predictions at the end of the year as well.

At the D3 level, I don't think too much bad of it. Gives us something to talk about, and truthfully, thats about it.

true, that is about all pre-season rankings are for, is message board chatter

[the_mayne_event]

Football is getting closer. I speak at a clinic for our jr high coaches on Sunday and the little kids clinic start that night. JW's OL camp starts Monday and I'll be in Pella the following week for team camp. The next weekend, its full tilt Dowling camp.
The real question is when during that time my wife is going to go into labor.
Hopefully not when I'm in Pella.

probably when you're about 5 minutes from pella, and you have to turn back (assuming you don't live in pella)

[doolittledog]

Football is getting closer. I speak at a clinic for our jr high coaches on Sunday and the little kids clinic start that night. JW's OL camp starts Monday and I'll be in Pella the following week for team camp. The next weekend, its full tilt Dowling camp.
The real question is when during that time my wife is going to go into labor.
Hopefully not when I'm in Pella.

When my wife was pregnant with our first child I very nervously went to a Hawkeye game with my dad about 2 weeks prior to her due date.  I told her I had my cell phone on me and to only call if she was going into labor...otherwise I would have a heart attack if I saw the phone ringing with her number on it.  The house where we parked blocked us in with another car so that made me nervous.  At halftime my phone rang with the call being from my wife!!!  After I said hello, she replied "wow, what a great game!!!"  After I regained my breath I told her it was and to not call me again.  I spent the rest of the game sweating, thinking about not wanting to miss out on the birth of our first child.  Luckily our daughter was born right on schedule 2 weeks later and I was there. 

Now by the birth of our 2nd child she called me from the hospital and I told her I was going to finish the report I was working on and would be there in 45 minutes to an hour!!!

Walston, do you know if you are having another volleyball player or will it be a future football player???  And, you know, either way it COULD end up a soccer player 

[Walston Hoover]

My wife didn't want to find out this time. Of course the dr wouldn't tell me.
I was in Cedar Falls when my wife went into labor with our first. I was driving pretty fast to get to Ames.
I have a feeling this will be another VB player. Having a girl right now isn't as bad as I thought, although she is only 2 now. I'm sure once I give it another 12 years I'll be singing a different tune.

[DutchFan2004]

Actually, I can't remember a whole lot of player critiques on here...at least not negative. 

Sukow & Yordi took some flack

Never for the on field stuff did they take flack, none that I can remember any way.

[the_mayne_event]

Actually, I can't remember a whole lot of player critiques on here...at least not negative. 

Sukow & Yordi took some flack

Never for the on field stuff did they take flack, none that I can remember any way.

agreed.  they took none for on the field stuff.  everything the got, they deserved.

[doolittledog]

Some good IIAC info from the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald today.  They do a great job of covering Loras and UD and also keeping up with Dubuque area athletes that went on to other IIAC schools.

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=208529

The article mentions Wartburgs Ashley Rogers being nominated for NCAA woman of the year.  As well as Loras golfer Amy Kemp making the all-american scholar team for the 3rd time. 

For IIAC football it says...

Football forecasters: The nation's football meteorologists are forecasting familiar names to dominate the Iowa Conference this season. Central and Wartburg, the Ali and Frazier of the IIAC, are ranked in the top 20 of Lindy's Division III Preseason Top 25 and by USA Today Sports Weekly. Central, coming off its third consecutive IIAC championship, breaks into the USA Today Sports Weekly preseason power rankings at No. 14. Wartburg checks in at No. 17.

The Knights are 13th in Lindy's Preseason Top 25. Central, which has seven starters back, is 15th. Wartburg, which returns 18 starters and seven all-IIAC performers for coach Eric Koehler, are tabbed the country's 13th best team by The Sporting News

I liked the Wartburg/Central comparison to Ali/Frazier!!!  I was also surprised to hear Central only has 7 starters back, while Wartburg has 18 returning!!!

[New Storm]

personally, i dont think preseason rankings should be released.  they shouldnt release rankings until after the 1st game.

At the D1 level, I completely agree. I'm in the camp of the guys that think there's a bias of the pollsters to validate their preseason predictions at the end of the year as well.

At the D3 level, I don't think too much bad of it. Gives us something to talk about, and truthfully, thats about it.

true, that is about all pre-season rankings are for, is message board chatter

Lets hope no one believes it they just go on the past years results.

[Purple Heys]

Cornell Capsule by Purple Heys:

Cornell Rams
2007 Record  2-8; 0-8 IIAC       2008 record (predicted) 4-6; 2-6 IIAC

Season outlook:  Cornell once again finds the going tough in the rugged Iowa Conference.    Being one of the smaller schools in the conference always makes depth a concern.  But this year with the maturation of talent at key skill positions, where other IIAC schools are inserting replacements due to graduation; the Rams could very well earn a much sought-after conference win or two.

Running the Wing-T, the Cornell offense returns a complete backfield featuring leading rusher Travion Hardman (135 carries/750 yds 7 TD's), he has speed and quickness to break long runs and is deceptively strong.  QB Dallas Bush, who took over mid-season in '07 as a freshman, is a gifted runner with a strong arm and now has the benefit of game experience and Spring Practice.  Expect him to be hooking up frequently with his big TE Alex Macey (3 TD's in 15 catches), which could give operating space on the outside to WR's Kyle Tierney and Jesse Struble.  OL's Matt Pilger, Pierce Sweeney and Trevor Cipriano will need to become the anchors of an O-line that was hardest hit by graduation.

On defense the Rams the Rams will need to make up for the loss to graduation of All-American Chris Gustafson, by committee.  Returning LB's Brian Hess and Brian King now take over leadership of the defensive unit that will attempt to improve its ability to get opposing offenses off the field.  Sack leader DT Zach Zasada (10 TFL, 5.5 Sacks) is becoming a force inside while DE Jahmaal Onoh uses his quickness and deceptive strength to apply pressure on the outside.  OLB Leif Goleman has a knack for finding the football.  FS Don Bladt (86 Tackles, 2 INTs) is one of the league's better kept secrets, he has a nose for the football and has excellent athletic ability.  CB's Jared Sanches and Garrett Weddle will be challenged again but both are capable and experienced.

The Rams will need to pull together an improved kicking game to provide field position relief to their defense; and help the offense muster points should drives stall deep in opponents territory.  Last year even extra points were an adventure.

Offense (key players/ones to watch):  RB Travion Hardman SR, TE Alex Macey JR, QB Dallas Bush SO, OL Pierce Sweeney SR, OL Matt Pilger SR, OL Trevor Cipriano SR, WR Kyle Tierney SO, WR Jesse Struble SR

Defense(key players/ones to watch):  DT Zach Zasada JR, FS Don Bladt JR, CB Jared Sanches SR, DE Jahmaal Onoh SR, LB Brian Hess SR, LB Brian King JR, LB Leif Goleman SR, NG Andy Siar SO, CB Garrett Weddle SR

Cornell will have a good year IF:  They get out of the gate fast against Grinnell and Carleton, demonstrating consistent defensive effort and the offensive line comes together.  Cornell needs to develop an offensive line that enables long drives to keep the defense rested, or else they will have to outscore their IIAC foes to win games (never a good strategy in the IIAC).  QB Bush will need to be efficient and protect the football, while taking advantage of his ability to run or pass to keep the opposing defenses off-balance.  The Rams will improve as their ability to protect the rock improves.

Cornell will have a bad year IF:  The Cornell continues last year's tendency to turn the ball over on the short side of the field.  If the Rams can't control the football, their defense will get overworked.  Also if the kicking game can't provide improved field position, the short-handed defensive unit will eventually tire, and look for opponents to pull away late in games.

[Walston Hoover]

Is the Bush kid for sure coming back?

[footballdaddy]

On a side note-
Article out today about some preseason rankings for the Knights-
http://www.go-knights.net/news/Article.aspx?ID=2861

I found Coach K's reply the only real answer he could make. It's very possible that Wartburgs two toughest games might be in the first three. The other bad things about pre-season rankings are that they just put a bigger target on your back than that is already there. I know from personal experience that even though your season may not be going well, you can make your year by beating a ranked team, especially if you keep them out of the playoffs.( Did someone say Augustana?)

[footballdaddy]

I was just checking out the Cornell website (spying on Heys jr.), and noticed they have a large percentage of players from out of state. Maybe Heys can enlighten us on why that is and if it's unusual. I know Central and Simpson are pirmarily home-grown, and I think Wartburg is the same.

[the_mayne_event]

I was just checking out the Cornell website (spying on Heys jr.), and noticed they have a large percentage of players from out of state. Maybe Heys can enlighten us on why that is and if it's unusual. I know Central and Simpson are pirmarily home-grown, and I think Wartburg is the same.

i'm guessing they can't get very many in-state recruits.  they are probably the last choice for anyone wanting to play d3 in iowa.
they are in a small town (so is wartburg and central, but atleast theyre good).  it makes it hard to recruit players to a program taht isn't all that good, and hasn't been for some time when there isn't atleast the draw of a bigger city with after college connections.

[Walston Hoover]

Cornell has been primarily out-of-staters for years. That's the makeup of the whole school. That's just their market.

[Ash Park]

Cornell Capsule by Purple Heys:

Cornell Rams
2007 Record  2-8; 0-8 IIAC       2008 record (predicted) 4-6; 2-6 IIAC

Season outlook:  Cornell once again finds the going tough in the rugged Iowa Conference.    Being one of the smaller schools in the conference always makes depth a concern.  But this year with the maturation of talent at key skill positions, where other IIAC schools are inserting replacements due to graduation; the Rams could very well earn a much sought-after conference win or two.

Running the Wing-T, the Cornell offense returns a complete backfield featuring leading rusher Travion Hardman (135 carries/750 yds 7 TD's), he has speed and quickness to break long runs and is deceptively strong.  QB Dallas Bush, who took over mid-season in '07 as a freshman, is a gifted runner with a strong arm and now has the benefit of game experience and Spring Practice.  Expect him to be hooking up frequently with his big TE Alex Macey (3 TD's in 15 catches), which could give operating space on the outside to WR's Kyle Tierney and Jesse Struble.  OL's Matt Pilger and Pierce Sweeney will need to become the anchors of an O-line that was hardest hit by graduation.

On defense the Rams the Rams will need to make up for the loss to graduation of All-American Chris Gustafson, by committee.  Returning LB's Brian Hess and Brain King now take over leadership of the defensive unit that will attempt to improve its ability to get opposing offenses off the field.  Sack leader DT Zach Zasada (10 TFL, 5.5 Sacks) is becoming a force inside while DE Jahmaal Onoh uses his quickness and deceptive strength to apply pressure on the outside.  OLB Leif Goleman has a knack for finding the football.  FS Don Bladt (86 Tackles, 2 INTs) is one of the league's better kept secrets, he has a nose for the football and has excellent athletic ability.  CB's Jared Sanches and Garrett Weddle will be challenged again but both are capable and experienced.

The Rams will need to pull together an improved kicking game to provide field position relief to their defense; and help the offense muster points should drives stall deep in opponents territory.  Last year even extra points were an adventure.

Offense (key players/ones to watch):  RB Travion Hardman SR, TE Alex Macey JR, QB Dallas Bush SO, OL Pierce Sweeney SR, OL Matt Pilger SR, WR Kyle Tierney SO, WR Jesse Struble SR

Defense(key players/ones to watch):  DT Zach Zasada JR, FS Don Bladt JR, CB Jared Sanches SR, DE Jahmaal Onoh, LB Brian Hess SR, LB Brian King JR, LB Leif Goleman, NG Andy Siar SO, CB Garrett Weddle SR

Cornell will have a good year IF:  They get out of the gate fast against Grinnell and Carleton, demonstrating consistent defensive effort and the offensive line comes together.  Cornell needs to develop an offensive line that enables long drives to keep the defense rested, or else they will have to outscore their IIAC foes to win games (never a good strategy in the IIAC).  QB Bush will need to be efficient and protect the football, while taking advantage of his ability to run or pass to keep the opposing defenses off-balance.  The Rams will improve as their ability to protect the rock improves.

Cornell will have a bad year IF:  The Cornell continues last year's tendency to turn the ball over on the short side of the field.  If the Rams can't control the football, their defense will get overworked.  Also if the kicking game can't provide improved field position, the short-handed defensive unit will eventually tire, and look for opponents to pull away late in games.

Good job heys. What is the bigger question though....the 0-line? or filling Gustafsons spot? I know you can't really replace a player like him but they will need to find some other people to make plays. I think Siar will also be a good addition to the d-line. The offense really needs to improve on ball control and not turning the ball over. Again good job heys on the preseason outlook for the rams.