FB: American Rivers Conference

coco · October 09, 2006, 07:26:22 PM

Dutchy,

Things are fine out here in the PNW. Life is good.

Hey, what do you get for winning the pick'ems every year? Do those guys get together and buy you some girly deal like a spa gift certificate or what? Those are popular around here.

DutchFan2004 · October 09, 2006, 08:28:14 PM

The kick was with the wind and maybe 5 yards short. In warm ups he wasn't kiking them very far I didn't think. There must not be alot of trust with his leg. The Luther coach passed on two other opportunities that were shorter distances in the game when he went for it on 4th down and they turned it over on downs. For what ever that is worth. Maybe the coach had other reasons when he passed on kicking a field goal. In my opinion the coach not kicking after the blocked punt and turning it over on downs was a huge mistake.

Walston Hoover · October 10, 2006, 08:43:20 AM

The kicker for Luther was less than impressive against Wartburg as well.

Walston Hoover · October 10, 2006, 09:30:01 AM

My lines on this week's games
Coe -15.5 @Simpson
Simpson is struggling and Coe is not what will cure that right now. The loss to Loras was a wake-up call for the Kohawks who should have had the easiest schedule in the conf up to this point, but alas, Loras had other ideas about who should beat who. Simpson's defense will keep them in the game early on, but I foresee a couple big plays by the Coe Defense and a couple long plays by Thunder and Lightning for Coe. This may be over by halftime and is my lead-pipe lock this week.

UD +7.5 @ Central
Tough game to put a spread on as I think UD's speed could cause problems against Centrals hard-hitting defense. If UD can make a couple plays early on, part of me can see the Spartans rolling here. As it is, I won't go out on a limb,So I'll call this is a typical Dutch defensive battle, but they will find a way to score 20 this week to UD's 13. Dutch score a defensive TD and a Special Teams TD, and UD scores a Defensive TD. More points scored by the defenses in this game than the offenses. Don't think Central will cover the spread.

Luther +2.5 @BV
While the previous game was tough to pick, this is even tougher (is that a word). I have to give the nod to BV with the home field advantage. Luther has been by far the biggest disappointment in the league this year and their performance less than inspiring. Looking at the rest of BV's schedule, this could be their last conference win of the year (They will beat Waldorf). Luther on the other hand will get their first conference win next week. This game could set a record between 2 teams combined with the most total yards with fewest points in a game. I think the Beavers will be competitive in their remaining games, but I just don't think they have the horses to win them.

Loras +3.5 @ Wartburg
The toughest game of the week to pick. I don't know what to expect from Loras, the same team that ruined Coe's homecoming, or the team that struggled against Cornell on their own homecoming. I think Wartburg could run the ball every down and give themselves a pretty good chance of winning. With the game of 2 years ago still fresh in the minds of the Knights, I don't see Loras getting out of Waverly with a "W". The Knights defense is a force to be reckoned with Loras won't score more than once unless Wartburg's Offense puts the defense in a tough situation. Wartburg loses and their title hopes are dashed. Loras is still in it with a loss and that would set up a huge showdown in 2 weeks in Pella.

Cornell -13.5 vs BYE.
The Rams offense finds their rhythm on air and rolls to a victory.
I'll go with this week being toughest so far to pick.

Dsquared · October 10, 2006, 10:13:44 AM

Pollock.... you have TOO much time on your hands! Or are you working and talking while Maddie types for you? I wouldn't be surprised as LONG as she got her mother's DNA. If she got yours, I can only see eating and great poops coming from her thus far!

You forgot the TOUGHEREST game of the week to pick... ISU @ Oklahoma!!! Line... ISU +24.5? Only if the officials are in OU's pocket the way they were for Nebraska. I've never seen a team get homered as much on their home field as ISU does!

What are yours and the missus' plans for the weekend? I know you have a game Friday night, but will there be an appearance in Waverly on Saturday? I hear that a certain Wisconson-ian will be back for HC... take a wild guess who that might be. I'll give you a hint... THE PLAGUE!!! You'll have to try out the Fainting Goat if you make it back... puts Joe's to shame.

Confused77 · October 10, 2006, 10:22:48 AM

This week is the only week that really makes me confused. Who should I pick, Wartburg or Loras? Loras or Wartburg?

I hate this week with a passion. My current plans are to be in attendence in Wavetown on Saturday. Will I be wearing orange or purple? Purple or orange?

My head hurts already.

lorbec47 · October 10, 2006, 10:37:08 AM

Picks for the week:

Coe
Central (not by much)
BV (gotta love the lake)
Loras (Duhawks will be ready for war)

This is a make or break week for the Duhawks. With a win here, the conference heads are all officially turned. 4-0 would be amazing, especially if accomplished in the 'Burg. The purple and gold have to bring their best game...

dutchfan1 · October 10, 2006, 11:10:40 AM

Speaking of the kicking corps, Central's kicker is getting some recognition. http://www.central.edu/athletics/football/archive/100906.htm (President Roe is obviously a hell of a coach!)

My picks for the week are coming later....

dbljay21 · October 10, 2006, 11:34:19 AM

WH,
Just a couple of thoughts on the lines this week...First, I think the UD @ Central matchup is a little closer. I like the speed and athleticism of UD, but its tough to beat the damn Dutch in Pella. I would say 4 point spread max with Central giving up the four because of homefield. And the same reasoning for increasing the spread at the 'Burg. The Knights are tough at home and should be ready for a tough game against Loras after defeating Augsburg last weekend. I think the Knights would be a 6 point favorite this weekend, but they better be ready for a battle. Loras is going to bring some intensity and confidence to the 'Burg and will be looking to prove they belong atop the conference.

Good call on the Cornell line...I will take the Rams to cover the spread

My picks to come on Thursday...hopefully I can bounce back this week

KoHawk01 · October 10, 2006, 11:45:38 AM

Throwin' in my picks for the week

Coe over Simpson 28-7

Central over Ud - 21-17

Luther over BV - 17-7

Here's the tough one --- Loras vs. Wartburg --- Its homecoming for the 'burg, but we all know what Loras did to the Coe homecoming. I just don't see the Loras offense helping out much this week.

Wartburg over Loras 21-10

The Rams get a much needed bye week!

Good luck to all this weekend!

Floyd in Iowa City · October 10, 2006, 11:50:55 AM

As someone who watched Luther fail to defend Dubuque and Belleus a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to congratulate Coe on their defensive and special teams performance against Dubuque last Saturday. Coe looks like they held the Dubuque Offense in check as well as anyone has so far this year, and much like what Loras did, they were able to force or take advantage of Spartan mistakes. Belleus got his stats again as a receiver, but Coe was able to take away what he can do in the return game.

Central on Saturday once again showed why have by far more wins over the last 45 years than anyone else in the Iowa Conference as they once again found a way to win. Much like the Augustana and Bethel games last year, the Dutch found a way to win the last two weeks when many other programs (like Luther so far this year) would have found a way to lose.

Floyd in Iowa City · October 10, 2006, 11:58:45 AM

Luther is 25-25 over the last five years and has lost more than they have won against Coe, Central, St. Olaf, and Wartburg over that time. However, the team that Luther has struggled the most against is Buena Vista, as they have not beaten the Beavers in a while even while they hold a large lead in the all-time series. This should be a big game for Norse pride no matter the situation, but it now should be huge given the struggles this year.

DutchFan2004 · October 10, 2006, 02:50:37 PM

Here are my picks,

Central over Dubuque by 4

Coe over Simpson by 10

Luther over BV by 10

Wartburg over Loras by 10

I just dont see Loras moving the ball on the Knight Defense. I know they did score on Coe but if the Knight D that played in Pella shows up I don't know where points are going to come for Loras. I think that the Loras D will play well and keep it close I just don't think they can score on the Knights.

DutchFan2004 · October 10, 2006, 04:28:02 PM

After reading the article on Wallner Bellus one thing stuck out at me. If his grades were not good enough to get back into Iowa, are they good enough to make it in the IIAC as well. Does any one know if there are conference standards or just NCAA. If they are up to the NCAA are all levels of the NCAA the same, as in D1. D1AA, D2, and D3. Just curious to know if any knows.

Charlie Kohawk · October 10, 2006, 04:32:34 PM

I'm not touching questions of Belleus' academic standing with a 10-foot pole, but I will venture some guesses -- I mean picks -- for this weekend.

Coe over Simpson. Having had their own Homecoming spoiled earlier in the year, Coe turns the tables and spoils Simpson's day.

Central over Dubuque. The Spartans learn a new sideline cheer from the Dutch softball team, but it's not enough. Central prevails in regulation for a change.

Wartburg over Loras. Though they're 3-0 in conference games and played well to upset Coe, I'm still not sold on Loras. Waverly is never an easy place to play, particularly on Homecoming. I'll take the Knights.

Luther over BV. Luther simply needs a win and I see no reason they can't get it in Storm Lake.