FB: American Rivers Conference

[Klopenhiemer]

It is a pretty big slide, but I think there has been a lot of doubt in voters minds about a lot of teams early on. The three teams upset in this part of the country yesterday all slid.

Yes but I think there is a bias here with the voters.  SJU keeps the 5 spot lead it had on Central.  18-23 was 4-9.  Yet Central whopped SJU last season.  Both teams lost very much in talent to graduation.  Central was picked to lose to Wartburg by the preseason coaches poll so which is worse?  Losing to a team you should lose to or to a team that you were not supposed to?  Pat I am not picking on D3 just asking questions and trying to learn.  From my statement about bias I don't know what else to call it.  I think SJU is favored but I don't know why.  Central IMO is maybe where they should be,  They are young and need some seasoning to become a great team.  I know some teams have to be ahead of the Dutch as well, but I don't see the reason for SJU being ahead at this time. Time will tell more. 


PS nice to meet you on Saturday.  Wish you had had more time so you could have come for lunch.  Hope someday in the future that can happen. 

I think one could argue it was a compliment that Central was even rated to start the season.  They lose the last 3 IIAC MVP's, one of which was a two timer.  They lose o-lineman, d-lineman, wide receivers, and secondary.  To think that they can re-load and be the 9th best team in the nation after losing all that talent is a bit far fetched in my imagination.  Central and SJU get the benefit of the doubt in the voters minds because you have TRADITION, and traditionaly you will field a strong team.  Now I have no clue how the IIAC can pick you to finish second but you are still rated ahead of Wartburg to open up the season.  Wartburg did deserve some hype consdiering they had Yordi and co. coming back as well as a perceived strong defensive unit, that will get nothing but stronger down the stetch. 

GO BEAVERS!!

[DutchFan2004]

It is a pretty big slide, but I think there has been a lot of doubt in voters minds about a lot of teams early on. The three teams upset in this part of the country yesterday all slid.

Yes but I think there is a bias here with the voters.  SJU keeps the 5 spot lead it had on Central.  18-23 was 4-9.  Yet Central whopped SJU last season.  Both teams lost very much in talent to graduation.  Central was picked to lose to Wartburg by the preseason coaches poll so which is worse?  Losing to a team you should lose to or to a team that you were not supposed to?  Pat I am not picking on D3 just asking questions and trying to learn.  From my statement about bias I don't know what else to call it.  I think SJU is favored but I don't know why.  Central IMO is maybe where they should be,  They are young and need some seasoning to become a great team.  I know some teams have to be ahead of the Dutch as well, but I don't see the reason for SJU being ahead at this time. Time will tell more. 


PS nice to meet you on Saturday.  Wish you had had more time so you could have come for lunch.  Hope someday in the future that can happen. 

I think one could argue it was a compliment that Central was even rated to start the season.  They lose the last 3 IIAC MVP's, one of which was a two timer.  They lose o-lineman, d-lineman, wide receivers, and secondary.  To think that they can re-load and be the 9th best team in the nation after losing all that talent is a bit far fetched in my imagination.  Central and SJU get the benefit of the doubt in the voters minds because you have TRADITION, and traditionaly you will field a strong team.  Now I have no clue how the IIAC can pick you to finish second but you are still rated ahead of Wartburg to open up the season.  Wartburg did deserve some hype consdiering they had Yordi and co. coming back as well as a perceived strong defensive unit, that will get nothing but stronger down the stetch. 

GO BEAVERS!!

You get no arguement from me.  I think that Central was over rated for all they lost.  I think that Wartburg was and is the favorites for the IIAC.  Wartburg stubbling with Augsburg again this year did not do them any favors with the voters in the poll.  They saw themselves as correct when Augsburg beat Wartburg and Central should be rated higher, Central just needed to win against the Knights and they were correct.  That did not happen.  Do not read this as a swipe at the voters they have their opinions.  It is easier to rank a conference that a nation as there are only what 6-10 teams per conference and you have many more teams and conferences nationwide.  I know that is not an easy task.  I still think that Central will be a force and is capable in running the table.  I would correct you in the fact that Central only graduated one off the O line.  One of the part time starters did not return last year.  I would say that the strength of Central's O was the line.  This is not a swipe at Wartburg's D line but a compliment for Central's O line.  Wartburg till the last play did not really hamper the Dutch QB like I thought they would.  That is a credit to the O line.  The results were that Wartburg's D line rose up when they had to is a credit to them.  Good teams and players raise their level of play when they need to.  I think the voters are maybe getting a clearer picture of some teams but may be muddier (spelling) picture of some others.  Seems like SJU and the MIAC may be in turmoil this year.  Bethel now has lost 2 games.  Augsburg and Concordia now are in the picture.  There may be many teams in the running that were not there a few years ago. 

[Klompen]

I think one could argue it was a compliment that Central was even rated to start the season.  They lose the last 3 IIAC MVP's, one of which was a two timer.  They lose o-lineman, d-lineman, wide receivers, and secondary.  To think that they can re-load and be the 9th best team in the nation after losing all that talent is a bit far fetched in my imagination.  Central and SJU get the benefit of the doubt in the voters minds because you have TRADITION, and traditionaly you will field a strong team.  Now I have no clue how the IIAC can pick you to finish second but you are still rated ahead of Wartburg to open up the season.  Wartburg did deserve some hype consdiering they had Yordi and co. coming back as well as a perceived strong defensive unit, that will get nothing but stronger down the stetch. 

GO BEAVERS!!

That sounds a lot like my thinking when I stated my opinion in response to a question "What is it about Willis?"  I think Willis is one of the best coaches in the conference and I think Wartburg is better and is going to be better for having him back at the helm.  I don't give a lot of credence to how hard it is to take over a week before camp because he never left Wartburg, so he was not an unknown factor and I think most fans would agree he is the better coach as compared to Koehler, but then again, that is only my opinion.  If people want to say Koehler coached better than Mac last year because we had tons of people back from 2 conference championship teams, I would say they are justified in their opinion. 

I have tons of respect for Coach Willis, if you look at past posts you will see that.  It does not mean that I can't have a personal opinion that down 16-3 and coming back to lose 19-17 against a more experienced team makes me feel that Central's coaching staff did a better job of adjusting.  Feel free to say that Willis did a better job of having his team prepared for the game to get to the 16-3 lead.  I can respect that. 

My opinion isn't always the only right one.   

[Klopenhiemer]

I think one could argue it was a compliment that Central was even rated to start the season.  They lose the last 3 IIAC MVP's, one of which was a two timer.  They lose o-lineman, d-lineman, wide receivers, and secondary.  To think that they can re-load and be the 9th best team in the nation after losing all that talent is a bit far fetched in my imagination.  Central and SJU get the benefit of the doubt in the voters minds because you have TRADITION, and traditionaly you will field a strong team.  Now I have no clue how the IIAC can pick you to finish second but you are still rated ahead of Wartburg to open up the season.  Wartburg did deserve some hype consdiering they had Yordi and co. coming back as well as a perceived strong defensive unit, that will get nothing but stronger down the stetch. 

GO BEAVERS!!

That sounds a lot like my thinking when I stated my opinion in response to a question "What is it about Willis?"  I think Willis is one of the best coaches in the conference and I think Wartburg is better and is going to be better for having him back at the helm.  I don't give a lot of credence to how hard it is to take over a week before camp because he never left Wartburg, so he was not an unknown factor and I think most fans would agree he is the better coach as compared to Willis, but then again, that is only my opinion.  If people want to say Koehler coached better than Mac last year because we had tons of people back from 2 conference championship teams, I would say they are justified in their opinion. 

I have tons of respect for Coach Willis, if you look at past posts you will see that.  It does not mean that I can't have a personal opinion that down 16-3 and coming back to lose 19-17 against a more experienced team makes me feel that Central's coaching staff did a better job of adjusting.  Feel free to say that Willis did a better job of having his team prepared for the game to get to the 16-3 lead.  I can respect that. 

My opinion isn't always the only right one.   

Even though he never did leave Wartburg was not entralled in the day to day football activities anymore.  Each coach has their own demenor and own coaching style.  Though most would know who Willis is when he stepped back in charge of the program, I assume changes were made back to his way of doing things as apposed to Koehlers.

[Alfredeneumann]

I think one could argue it was a compliment that Central was even rated to start the season.  They lose the last 3 IIAC MVP's, one of which was a two timer.  They lose o-lineman, d-lineman, wide receivers, and secondary.  To think that they can re-load and be the 9th best team in the nation after losing all that talent is a bit far fetched in my imagination.  Central and SJU get the benefit of the doubt in the voters minds because you have TRADITION, and traditionaly you will field a strong team.  Now I have no clue how the IIAC can pick you to finish second but you are still rated ahead of Wartburg to open up the season.  Wartburg did deserve some hype consdiering they had Yordi and co. coming back as well as a perceived strong defensive unit, that will get nothing but stronger down the stetch. 

GO BEAVERS!!

That sounds a lot like my thinking when I stated my opinion in response to a question "What is it about Willis?"  I think Willis is one of the best coaches in the conference and I think Wartburg is better and is going to be better for having him back at the helm.  I don't give a lot of credence to how hard it is to take over a week before camp because he never left Wartburg, so he was not an unknown factor and I think most fans would agree he is the better coach as compared to Willis, but then again, that is only my opinion.  If people want to say Koehler coached better than Mac last year because we had tons of people back from 2 conference championship teams, I would say they are justified in their opinion. 

I have tons of respect for Coach Willis, if you look at past posts you will see that.  It does not mean that I can't have a personal opinion that down 16-3 and coming back to lose 19-17 against a more experienced team makes me feel that Central's coaching staff did a better job of adjusting.  Feel free to say that Willis did a better job of having his team prepared for the game to get to the 16-3 lead.  I can respect that. 

My opinion isn't always the only right one.   

Even though he never did leave Wartburg was not entralled in the day to day football activities anymore.  Each coach has their own demenor and own coaching style.  Though most would know who Willis is when he stepped back in charge of the program, I assume changes were made back to his way of doing things as apposed to Koehlers.

Not only did RW step in as head coach a week before the season there are also NEW co-ordinators on offense and defense as well as 3 new assistant coaches.- Both Wart + Cent.  played well, as expected it was close to the end, and with good luck both will make the play-offs.

[Klompen]

Not only did RW step in as head coach a week before the season there are also NEW co-ordinators on offense and defense as well as 3 new assistant coaches.- Both Wart + Cent.  played well, as expected it was close to the end, and with good luck both will make the play-offs.

Didn't know about the other coaching changes, that evens up my opinion a bit.  I agree that both teams played very well.  It isn't easy to win against Central at Central.  Congratulations for doing that, not what I would have like to have seen, but it didn't surprise me.  If both teams win out, I could see both potentially making the playoffs, but there is a lot of football to be played yet, and lots of other teams that would love to represent the IIAC.  I think both Wartburg and Central will be tested the rest of the season and I'm not sure if either will win out.  Naturally I hope Central does.  The first goal is always to win the conference championship and I'm still hoping for that.  So we will need to not only be on top of our game, but we would need a little help from other teams to have it happen.  So I can't wish you luck the rest of the season and be honest, but I do hope you stay injury free and if you represent the conference in the playoffs, I will support you.

[Walston Hoover]

I expect a little bit of a letdown from the Knights this week, but they can afford it. Defense, as always, comes to play.
Willis 35
Willis's Alma Mater 7.
After game, Dillon proclaims Cornell "not one-hit wonders" and everyone else lets out a collective "huh?"
I assume J. Matt is several years older than Willis, but does anyone know if they ever played together at Mt Vernon?

[Pat Coleman]

Willis talks about it in our weekly podcast, by the way.

http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/2008/09/22/atn-podcast-whos-looking-good/

[keith45]

sorry, been gone for a while...disappointed with UD's loss to Luther...was hoping the D would keep them afloat until the QB got acclimated

[Walston Hoover]

BTW Pat, Love this picture

[Walston Hoover]

OK, how do I post it?

[Alfredeneumann]

I expect a little bit of a letdown from the Knights this week, but they can afford it. Defense, as always, comes to play.
Willis 35
Willis's Alma Mater 7.
After game, Dillon proclaims Cornell "not one-hit wonders" and everyone else lets out a collective "huh?"
I assume J. Matt is several years older than Willis, but does anyone know if they ever played together at Mt Vernon?

No M. Dillion class of '81, R. Willis class of '88

[Walston Hoover]

Gotchya. You are an ever-flowing Fountain of Knowledge AEN.
I suppose you can tell me what the J in J. Matt stands for too.

I expect a little bit of a letdown from the Knights this week, but they can afford it. Defense, as always, comes to play.
Willis 35
Willis's Alma Mater 7.
After game, Dillon proclaims Cornell "not one-hit wonders" and everyone else lets out a collective "huh?"
I assume J. Matt is several years older than Willis, but does anyone know if they ever played together at Mt Vernon?

No M. Dillion class of '81, R. Willis class of '88

[Alfredeneumann]

Gotchya. You are an ever-flowing Fountain of Knowledge AEN.
I suppose you can tell me what the J in J. Matt stands for too.

I expect a little bit of a letdown from the Knights this week, but they can afford it. Defense, as always, comes to play.
Willis 35
Willis's Alma Mater 7.
After game, Dillon proclaims Cornell "not one-hit wonders" and everyone else lets out a collective "huh?"
I assume J. Matt is several years older than Willis, but does anyone know if they ever played together at Mt Vernon?

No M. Dillion class of '81, R. Willis class of '88

No don't know that.  I knew when he graduated because J.Matt went to HS w/ Mrs. Neumann.

[sportsknight]

OK, how do I post it?