FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

Sweet win for Wartburg.  If I recall correctly, all the analysts on d3football.com picked the Eagles, so that sweetens the win a bit more.  Of course, with Aurora's win that means there won't be a Wisconsin univ in the second round. Breaks my heart.

Mine too. I'm drowning in the tears...

[hazzben]

Very nice win for Wartburg. This isn't shocking to anyone who's been watching them all year. But that was a very solid team they beat. Congrats.

[Schipper Strong]

"Ryan: Wartburg. Not shocking considering my previous answer. Any WIAC team is going to pose a particularly stiff challenge at this point in the season, and Wartburg's ARC is generally in a down year. The Knights are set up to be the second-highest ranked team to have a one-and-done playoff run."

I am curious how other ARC posters feel on this one? Also why Ryan feels that the ARC was down this year. Central was down to the extent that we had 3 losses compared to an undefeated season last year. As mentioned in prior posts, non of the other teams could touch us last year, so even saying that the losses were all by one score doesn't ease that. Plus last year's team with a Gagliardi winner, 5 All Americans and a ton of school records was a very special team.

But was the ARC down or have some of the middle teams improved enough to be classified as top tier instead of middle tier? We have usually had top tier, middle tier and bottom tier. I think the gap between top and bottom has widened as we are seeing more games with one team scoring north of 60 points more frequently and it isn't just Wartburg and Central putting those scores up. I feel like we have maybe moved from top, middle, bottom to top and bottom. There is still a pecking order there that may shift a bit in both the top and bottom, but It feels different. Or does the fact that Central lost 3 games skew my perspective?

[doolittledog]

Wartburg and Central won both of their out of conference games. Coe lost in Michigan. Dubuque list both of their non conference games. That may have been part of the perception of the conference being in a down year from outsiders.

Dubuque played Lacrosse and Wartburg and had similar results against each of them so I picked the home team to win. And it played out these two teams were evenly matched with the home team squeaking out a close hard fought victory.

[Schipper Strong]

Good thoughts DD. UD scheduled tough games for their non-conference games. I wish Central would do more if that. I kind of discounted Coe much of the season based on the loss to Hope, a religious sister school of Central's. I love Hope, but felt Coe should have won that game.

[OzJohnnie]

Hey, Wartburg.  Congrats on the victory against UWL and advancing to next weekend.  I reckon it will be a tough game between evenly matched squads. With a forecast of near freezing with wind in Collegeville (assuming we find later today that the game is played up north) then it should be a beautiful day for football.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I will be a Wartburg fan Saturday.  I only saw them play twice, at Central and yesterday. I think both of those games looked closer than they should have been because Warburg got caught for so many penalties. My advice for them against St Johns is, be good and if you can't be good, don't get caught.

[bluenote]

So you guys are playing The Johnnies... you'll know how good you are if you beat them... They are well coached and have very good athletes. I actually hope you guys kick their ass so they shut up for 5 seconds... LOL Don't tell them though they have thin skin. LOL !

[hazzben]

Great to listen to the Wart HC on the podcast. Seems like a good dude. Appreciated him recognizing UWL had their running QB out for their QB rotation. IMO that takes nothing away from what Wartburg accomplished, obviously they had their own injuries to account for as well. Fun to get some color on the standout players for Wart from the coaches perspective.

This matchup with SJU is fascinating to me. Knew the Wart D was legit. Holding UWL to 6 points probably means they are approaching elite status. We'll get an even better sense on Saturday against an SJU team that can really air it out. Wozniak (91) for SJU is a beast up front, 6'7" TE Larson is a handful as well. Expecting this to be an awesome playoff game!

[DuffMan]

...so they shut up for 5 seconds...

That's rich coming from you.

[Schipper Strong]

I want to wish a happy thanksgiving to all of you. For those traveling this weekend, stay safe and be ready to enjoy a Saturday cheering on your team, or someone's team.

[DuffMan]

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to any Wartburgers heading north for Saturday's game.

Be sure to give the one-finger salute as you pass Augsburg. 

[MediaGuy]

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to any Wartburgers heading north for Saturday's game.

Be sure to give the one-finger salute as you pass Augsburg. 

With our history in Wrestling, Wartburg Fans always do that when we pass Augs...Aug.s...sorry I can't even say it...that team from Minneapolis.

[DuffMan]

Excellent, MediaGuy.  I assumed that was the case. 

We refer to them as Auggie Tech.

True story.  My dad was a MIAC champ for SJU in the early 70s, when Augsburg and SJU were both very good wrestling programs.  They were arch-rivals.  When I started looking at colleges (OMG, almost 25 years ago), my dad said, "I don't care where you go to school as long as it isn't Augsburg." 

[USee]

Congrats to Wartburg. Great win, very impressive performance in Collegeville!