FB: American Rivers Conference

[Klompen]

I do support and love ShowMe's optimism.  I think there are lots of reasons for teams and fans to have optimism and concerns.  In my mind, Cornell has the most reason for optimism because they can only do better, or at worse, the same.  From years of watching Central men's and women's basketball, both of which have seen down times, I know that when you are at, or near the bottom, there is always hope.  Every game is a reason for hope.  Maybe you aren't going to have the long run of good luck that ShowMe is predicting, but you can come into each game with hope that the team will really come to play.  They have nothing to lose because the expectations aren't there to the extent that they are with other teams.

Central is still my pick for first place.  But when I take off my red glasses, I can see that Central is really the team with the most to lose this year.  The expectations are high because all of us red glasses fans believe they will always find a way.  At the same time, they lost the most talent to graduation this year that I have seen in years and years of following the Dutch.  And let's face it, the IIAC was a challenge nearly every single week last year.  Granted, we had some extremely talented young men with injuries during the IIAC part of the season that added to the closeness of the games, but this year those players will not be there to step back in.  Dustin V and David Z. are both good players who could have started for some other conference teams, but they don't have the same spark as Vance did.  Sure Connell was an unknown entity for the most part until his sophomore year, but he stepped up big time and kept getting better and better.  Can Bandow follow his example?  The Dutch have the pressure of high expectations and a long regular season win streak.  Will this year's version be able to handle that?  Will Wartburg come too early in the season for a young team, or will the early season favor a relatively unknown team who may be unpredictable?  I think this is the year that people will stop questioning why McMartin wins coach of the year if he is able to pull off another championship.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

[the_mayne_event]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

big words for a football message board

[OzJohnnie]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

big words for a football message board

Or maybe voluminous expression?

[sportsknight]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

big words for a football message board Coe fan

Fixed it.

[DutchFan2004]

I do support and love ShowMe's optimism.  I think there are lots of reasons for teams and fans to have optimism and concerns.  In my mind, Cornell has the most reason for optimism because they can only do better, or at worse, the same.  From years of watching Central men's and women's basketball, both of which have seen down times, I know that when you are at, or near the bottom, there is always hope.  Every game is a reason for hope.  Maybe you aren't going to have the long run of good luck that ShowMe is predicting, but you can come into each game with hope that the team will really come to play.  They have nothing to lose because the expectations aren't there to the extent that they are with other teams.

Central is still my pick for first place.  But when I take off my red glasses, I can see that Central is really the team with the most to lose this year.  The expectations are high because all of us red glasses fans believe they will always find a way.  At the same time, they lost the most talent to graduation this year that I have seen in years and years of following the Dutch.  And let's face it, the IIAC was a challenge nearly every single week last year.  Granted, we had some extremely talented young men with injuries during the IIAC part of the season that added to the closeness of the games, but this year those players will not be there to step back in.  Dustin V and David Z. are both good players who could have started for some other conference teams, but they don't have the same spark as Vance did.  Sure Connell was an unknown entity for the most part until his sophomore year, but he stepped up big time and kept getting better and better.  Can Bandow follow his example?  The Dutch have the pressure of high expectations and a long regular season win streak.  Will this year's version be able to handle that?  Will Wartburg come too early in the season for a young team, or will the early season favor a relatively unknown team who may be unpredictable?  I think this is the year that people will stop questioning why McMartin wins coach of the year if he is able to pull off another championship.

Well said on both counts. 

[DutchFan2004]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

big words for a football message board Coe fan

Fixed it.

You are awful helpful today aren't you!

[the_mayne_event]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

big words for a football message board Coe fan

Fixed it.

deservingly so... me not talk or read so well... if you can't go to college go to Coe? ...
guess i left that one open

[doolittledog]

I thought I detected some facetiousness in the original statement.

I'm sorry if my last post seemed facetious.  My intent was to be hyperbolic.

big words for a football message board Coe fan

Fixed it.

deservingly so... me not talk or read so well... if you can't go to college go to Coe? ...
guess i left that one open

And I think that saying ends with...If you flunk out of Coe, then go to Dubuque!!! 

[ShowMe]

When does training camp begin?

Players arrive 8/16, first practice is 8/17

[ShowMe]

Good news for Cornell, i hope it's true and I hope we can improve our record from 2-8 to 8-2 in 08. We will need more seats. A good season will help move the plan from 2 to 3 years to less than 2 years. I'm the optimist, time will tell!

Oh, before the fans from the other IIAC schools get worked up over who will can beat, let me say I'll tell you after we win 

Just pick the 8 you want to beat as 8-2 is a heck of a turnaround . But if you don't dream big you won't get there

Grinnell
Carleton (Minn.) 
Coe
Wartburg
Loras
Simpson
Univ. of Dubuque
Central
Luther
Buena Vista

oh thats 10 isn't it? I'll take it, mark it!
The turnaround has to start at some point, who knows where the run ends?

Well, I would say after Carleton, the end is near.  Very near.  

Thats possible but not probable, we will see if your prodiction comes true.

[ShowMe]

I do support and love ShowMe's optimism.  I think there are lots of reasons for teams and fans to have optimism and concerns.  In my mind, Cornell has the most reason for optimism because they can only do better, or at worse, the same.  From years of watching Central men's and women's basketball, both of which have seen down times, I know that when you are at, or near the bottom, there is always hope.  Every game is a reason for hope.  Maybe you aren't going to have the long run of good luck that ShowMe is predicting, but you can come into each game with hope that the team will really come to play.  They have nothing to lose because the expectations aren't there to the extent that they are with other teams.

Central is still my pick for first place.  But when I take off my red glasses, I can see that Central is really the team with the most to lose this year.  The expectations are high because all of us red glasses fans believe they will always find a way.  At the same time, they lost the most talent to graduation this year that I have seen in years and years of following the Dutch.  And let's face it, the IIAC was a challenge nearly every single week last year.  Granted, we had some extremely talented young men with injuries during the IIAC part of the season that added to the closeness of the games, but this year those players will not be there to step back in.  Dustin V and David Z. are both good players who could have started for some other conference teams, but they don't have the same spark as Vance did.  Sure Connell was an unknown entity for the most part until his sophomore year, but he stepped up big time and kept getting better and better.  Can Bandow follow his example?  The Dutch have the pressure of high expectations and a long regular season win streak.  Will this year's version be able to handle that?  Will Wartburg come too early in the season for a young team, or will the early season favor a relatively unknown team who may be unpredictable?  I think this is the year that people will stop questioning why McMartin wins coach of the year if he is able to pull off another championship.

If Cornell can get a solid performance on the OL/DL, better defensive pressure and an average kicking game, we have reason to be optimistic because of the returning players in the skill positions on offense. My hopes are based on the principle that a few players can make a big difference. With the investment Cornell made in last years freshman class, I predict some of them will make a big difference this season along with the returning players that have carried the program. The combination will lead to something that hasn't been seen at Cornell lately

The expectations are high for Central and Wartburg. It's a lot easier for those teams to take other teams for granted and not recognize the competing talent. Each year is a new team that has to jell together. I believe both are very good football programs.

[KCDutch]

The combination will lead to something that hasn't been seen at Cornell lately

1 conference win will accomplish this..... 

My skeptism around Cornell is based on:

0 Conference wins the last 2 years
2 Conference wins the last 4 years
0 Wins against Central the last 10 years (Combined Score of the 10 games 389-62 w/ 2 games where Cornell scored > 7 pts)
1 Win against Wartburg the last 10 years

Just hard to imagine Cornell challenging for a conference title.  Maybe they will.....but....

[New Storm]

The combination will lead to something that hasn't been seen at Cornell lately

1 conference win will accomplish this..... 

My skeptism around Cornell is based on:

0 Conference wins the last 2 years
2 Conference wins the last 4 years
0 Wins against Central the last 10 years (Combined Score of the 10 games 389-62 w/ 2 games where Cornell scored > 7 pts)
1 Win against Wartburg the last 10 years

Just hard to imagine Cornell challenging for a conference title.  Maybe they will.....but....

Sooner or later they have to win a conference game so that one is easy to say each year . Then after 1 win you can up the ante.

[Ash Park]

Good news for Cornell, i hope it's true and I hope we can improve our record from 2-8 to 8-2 in 08. We will need more seats. A good season will help move the plan from 2 to 3 years to less than 2 years. I'm the optimist, time will tell!

Oh, before the fans from the other IIAC schools get worked up over who will can beat, let me say I'll tell you after we win 

Just pick the 8 you want to beat as 8-2 is a heck of a turnaround . But if you don't dream big you won't get there

Grinnell
Carleton (Minn.) 
Coe
Wartburg
Loras
Simpson
Univ. of Dubuque
Central
Luther
Buena Vista

oh thats 10 isn't it? I'll take it, mark it!
The turnaround has to start at some point, who knows where the run ends?

When will the playoff run end?  In the Stagg against MUC or are they doomed to miserable suffering in the hail storm of the Cornell Resurgence (tm) as well?



(I'm actually hoping for a bit of a Cornell surge this year - I figure the fireworks of your support will be surpassed by no one else in the West.  Should be good viewing.)

Since my confidence in Cornell's performance the last couple of years fail to meet my dreams for the program, I will enjoy my hopes and dreams before the seasons start and let time tell the story. But should time paint my dream, I would hope that my fellow bloggers give Cornell some credit. And, don't be surprised if the dream comes true too because you heard it here first. 

Where to start.  I think your name says it all for me.  Showme.  The Rams need to show the IIAC before we start believing.  I too love your optimism.  If you can not be that way before the season starts there is something wrong.  As I said it last year to Purple Heys Cornell has to get the first IIAC win and then we can talk about more.  I think the team has improved over the last three years.  I just don't know how much.  I hope they can get out of the 0fer syndrome in the IIAC will strengthen the conference.  I just hope you have not set yourself up for a huge fall.  Looking at the start of the conference schedule if you can go 2-0 the first two games then the Rams will be on a roll and maybe hard to stop.  As you said time will tell the tale. 

Yes we must show the IIAC with getting a win first. Showme I'll say this...like I said I love your optimism and I too am optimistic of the Rams as I have been every year, but heys and I do not disappear when things start to get a little rough on here..so basically I'm saying stick around the board no matter what happens...the more support the better and also it is nice to have a good number of posters from each school.