FB: American Rivers Conference

[DutchFan2004]

DF2k4, you made a great point. We lose a lot and come out and slam the door on Lakeland. Granted, they weren't a Wartburg, Coe, or Dubuque, but it was a very strong opening statement. I think what you are seeing is good vision by the Dutch staff to make sure the cupboard is stacked every August.

You make a great point about the staff and the recruiting they are doing.  There are a ton of young players on that team.  I believe there are only 9 seniors starting for the Dutch this year.  There are many young players out there.  This has been a great job by the coaches to recruit and get the right people for the job to replace the losses of graduation.  If the young players mature (and there is no sign that they are not) they can and will be at the top for years to come.  The talent of the players and the efforts of the coaches are paying off IMHO.  I have said it before and I will say it again I think that the coaching staff as a whole does a great job forming a game plan and then a great job of adjusting in the second half. 

[Klopenhiemer]

Also, as long as I can remember- ('98-) WB-Central game  has always been the 2nd to last game of season correct?
Pretty interesting(huge understatement of day)  that it's the first conference game of the season.  
Does the conference  think it's more advantageous for the loser to try to obtain an at large bid with not such a recent loss on the playoff committee's minds?

Devine, I'd wondered the same thing....if both Central and Wartburg's records are spotless except for Wartburg's one early season loss to Central  , I think it may build a better playoff resume for the post season. (The team with a loss can build a case for "showing improvement" throughout the season.) I wonder if that played into moving the game to earlier in the season.....

It's not impossible for a couple of teams from a conference to be invited to the dance -- our neighbors to the north have been inviting two teams for the last few years now. But, their conference has a pretty strong reputation. I hate to say it, but the IIAC will strengthen its reputation (top to bottom) by beating non-con opponents.....

I do think that strength of conference has something to do with it, but more than that is the records of the teams being selected.  Last year you can not make the case that Wartburg belonged in the playoff feild when two teams from the MIAC had better records and both of those teams beat a team that Wartburg lost to.  If there are two teams from the IIAC with 10-0 and 9-1 records they will get serious consideration.  It will depend on the rest of the teams in D3 and there records.  I think the IIAC has enough respect to get two into the playoffs but not if they have more that 1 loss and the Champ is not undefeated.  The WIAC and MIAC are tough and they will get the nod.  The AQ that the NWC will hurt getting a second team in the playoffs from the IIAC unless the MIAC and WIAC beat up on each other.  The other thing that would help the IIAC is if the NCAA moves a West team out then another spot could open up.  That all depends how the other teams do across the country.  The game in two weeks is an important one to be sure.  It is not the end all though.  It will give the winner the leg up on the AQ but there will still be 7 games for Wartburg and 8 for Central and much can happen in that amount of time. 

DF2K4....Though I do agree with what you are saying, I do not think the IIAC is as respected nationally as we think/would like.  If you take a look at front page of d3football.com you will see that the IIAC's playoff record is less than stellar.  Central's run last year was the best since Wartburg went out to Lindfield and lost a close one.  Debatable on whether they should have won that, considering all the INT's that Hoskins threw.  The WIAC and MIAC will get first consideration regarding a second playoff team and rightfully so.  We need to bloster our non conference record, and we did not do that this past weekend.  The only way the IIAC get two teams in this year is if the MIAC and WIAC have a changing of the guard at the top, or our two teams roll through the conference. 

[DutchFan2004]

I think that is what I was trying to say.  I think they will take a Wartburg or Central as a second team if they have a better record that than the second place WIAC or MIAC team.  If they have the same record then all bets are off.  I think the tie is lost and the IIAC will only get one team into the dance.  Unless the rest of the country has fallen down and they would move a WIAC team to another region or bracket.  That would possibly open a door for the IIAC but is still comes down to the record.  I just don't see an IIAC team with two losses getting in. 

[dutchfan1]

I think that is what I was trying to say.  I think they will take a Wartburg or Central as a second team if they have a better record that than the second place WIAC or MIAC team.  If they have the same record then all bets are off.  I think the tie is lost and the IIAC will only get one team into the dance.  Unless the rest of the country has fallen down and they would move a WIAC team to another region or bracket.  That would possibly open a door for the IIAC but is still comes down to the record.  I just don't see an IIAC team with two losses getting in.  

Who's talking about a two-loss team? Devine and I were talking about a one-loss Wartburg team, after they lose to Central in a couple of weeks. Right Devine? 

I know that the word "playoff" is in our vocabulary, but we really need to stop tossing it around this early in the season. I'm sorry I brought it up, to be honest. We have way too much of the season to get through before posters even think about the post season. One non-con game and we are ready to book plane tickets to the Stagg Bowl. Sheesh.

[BeaverFan3208]

Klop - did you get to the game saturday or know anyone that did? I last checked in the fourth and BV was up 14-7 when I got back BV had lost 21-14. What happened?

[Klopenhiemer]

Klop - did you get to the game saturday or know anyone that did? I last checked in the fourth and BV was up 14-7 when I got back BV had lost 21-14. What happened?

No I did not make it up to the game.  I did have the change to listen to the second half and things were not good.  They had the lead going into the 4th quarter 14-0.  Gave up 3 unanswered touchdowns in the final frame to lose.  Cory D. took a pass down to the 10yd line with under a minute to go and drive stalled at the 1yd line.  Pretty disapointing. 

[DutchFan2004]

I think that is what I was trying to say.  I think they will take a Wartburg or Central as a second team if they have a better record that than the second place WIAC or MIAC team.  If they have the same record then all bets are off.  I think the tie is lost and the IIAC will only get one team into the dance.  Unless the rest of the country has fallen down and they would move a WIAC team to another region or bracket.  That would possibly open a door for the IIAC but is still comes down to the record.  I just don't see an IIAC team with two losses getting in.  

Who's talking about a two-loss team? Devine and I were talking about a one-loss Wartburg team, after they lose to Central in a couple of weeks. Right Devine? 

I know that the word "playoff" is in our vocabulary, but we really need to stop tossing it around this early in the season. I'm sorry I brought it up, to be honest. We have way too much of the season to get through before posters even think about the post season. One non-con game and we are ready to book plane tickets to the Stagg Bowl. Sheesh.

Always the voice of reason mom.    You never let us have ANY fun.    No seriously you are correct.  It is way to early for us or anyone to be talking playoffs.  My conversation goes for any IIAC team not just Wartburg or Central.  For the teams that did lose on Saturday they are not out of it yet.  They made their case harder for a Pool C bid but they are still in the running for the AQ for the IIAC.  (keep your hopes up Showme)
No team is out of contention yet for the playoffs. 

[doolittledog]

that's correct, I was impressed with the drubbing Central put on Lakeland yesterday.  Especially pitching a shutout.  Someone mentioned Lakeland made the playoffs last year or year before?  That's even more impressive if that's true.  I have never even  heard of Lakeland, where are they from?  

Also, as long as I can remember- ('98-) WB-Central game  has always been the 2nd to last game of season correct?
Pretty interesting(huge understatement of day)  that it's the first conference game of the season.  
Does the conference  think it's more advantageous for the loser to try to obtain an at large bid with not such a recent loss on the playoff committee's minds?


Lastly, if ya'll want some fantasy advice, just let me know.  Today  I started P. Manning, M. Turner, W. Parker, A. Johnson, A. Boldin & Tony G.  

2007 - Nov. 3 Last game of the season
2006 - Sept. 30th  Week 3 of conference
2005 - Nov. 5th next to last game
2004 - Oct. 30th two games after this one
2003 - Nov. 15th last game of the season
2002 - Oct. 26th another 3 games left
2001 - Oct. 20th another 3 games left

[DutchFan2004]

It may be kind of nice to have that "title" game always at the end of the season but we don't always know who the title challengers will be.  I have no problem with playing a team when the scedule comes out. I think a variety of schedules keeps all things fair for all the teams.  The title game in 2004 was the last week was it not.  Wartburg Coe and BV were all in the race till the final week if I am not correct.  Mathematically I believe Central was still in the race till they lost to Wartburg in 2004.  Good work DD

[Walston Hoover]

It would be better for playoff chances of either team to have the Wburg-dutch game early on.
Would you rather a team that is 9-1 that is on a 7 game win streak, or a team that is 9-1 that lost its last game of the year if you are the playoff comittee?

[BeaverFan3208]

Klop - did you get to the game saturday or know anyone that did? I last checked in the fourth and BV was up 14-7 when I got back BV had lost 21-14. What happened?

No I did not make it up to the game.  I did have the change to listen to the second half and things were not good.  They had the lead going into the 4th quarter 14-0.  Gave up 3 unanswered touchdowns in the final frame to lose.  Cory D. took a pass down to the 10yd line with under a minute to go and drive stalled at the 1yd line.  Pretty disapointing. 

Ok Sounds like they were doing ok but just crapped out towards the end. Saw that the offense helped up alright with pearey at the helms. Also saw that svendsen and bert had good games as well.

[DutchFan2004]

It would be better for playoff chances of either team to have the Wburg-dutch game early on.
Would you rather a team that is 9-1 that is on a 7 game win streak, or a team that is 9-1 that lost its last game of the year if you are the playoff comittee?

You get no arguement here.  I would agree with that.  That is where the SOS will come in and with the IIAC losing these games up front will not help it.  Not digging the knife into the Rams but losing to Grinnell will not help the SOS of any team in the IIAC if I understand it correctly.  Now if Grinnell somehow wins their conference it might.  I think we all think that won't be happening though.

[Willie University]

I love all the playoff and conference championship talk considering we haven't even played 1 conference game yet    Unless you are Mount Union, I don't think anyone should be looking beyond their next weeks opponent. And even Mount Union isn't stupid enough to do that.

Willie U

[doolittledog]

I love all the playoff and conference championship talk considering we haven't even played 1 conference game yet    Unless you are Mount Union, I don't think anyone should be looking beyond their next weeks opponent. And even Mount Union isn't stupid enough to do that.

Willie U

Spoken like a coach 

Maybe all the Central and Wartburg fans have just become used to the notion they are the top 2 dogs.  Though if you look at it...Coe has a more recent conference title than Wartburg does 

[DutchFan2004]

I love all the playoff and conference championship talk considering we haven't even played 1 conference game yet    Unless you are Mount Union, I don't think anyone should be looking beyond their next weeks opponent. And even Mount Union isn't stupid enough to do that.

Willie U

Spoken like a coach 

Maybe all the Central and Wartburg fans have just become used to the notion they are the top 2 dogs.  Though if you look at it...Coe has a more recent conference title than Wartburg does 

I don't think and have never taken for granted that Central would win the IIAC or that they would get into the playoffs.  Each season is different.  All the games that Central has played have not been easy wins.  They are all a battle.  The playoff talk is premature for all teams including MUC.  The have to put the W's up as well.  UD seems to have replaced their graduates as well as any team so far.  They will be a team to be reckoned with.  Every team in the IIAC are still in first place for the conference championship.