FB: American Rivers Conference

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Coaching against Wartburgs defense is infuriating. They are like the guy at the poker table who never raises but always calls. Just sitting there and waiting for you to make a mistake. Only for you to go all in and he's sitting there with a straight flush.

They trust their DL so much and why wouldn't they? They all are incredible at stopping the run and can heat you up if you sit in the pocket too long. They will give you 5-7 yard out and sit routes. The real question is, is there a qb who is good enough to be perfect on these passes and a OC who is willing to keep checking and not try to go all in?

[hazzben]

I remember the UWL game in Waverly a couple years ago that was single digit temps. Wartburg's guys were hooting & hollering on the sideline, and UWL's guys were all huddled up in their sideline jackets. If this team has the same mentality as that Wartburg team, they'll be alright.

I hear this, but it reminds me the Bethel v Central quarterfinals game in 2007. Air temp wasn't in the single digits, but freezing rain left everyone on both sidelines soaking wet dogs in the Iowa wind. Bethel came out and warmed up in sideline jackets and I guess VOD and color guy were going on and on about how clearly the cold bothered us, and Central was embracing it. Perception wasn't reality. Our guys had no problem with the cold, we just didn't feel the need to flex it pre-game. Now, standing there in non-waterproof running/coaching shoes on the sideline in what felt like a 2" deep puddle of ice cold water all game... I can tell you the cold bothered me plenty!!

IMO any competitive team in the playoffs won't get wigged out by the cold. You want to compete, and you'll battle regardless. It's the teams that maybe didn't have the mental fortitude to begin with that it exposes.

[Pat Coleman]

It was a memorable one for sure. Adam Johnson and I called it for NCAA.com. I don't recall us making any particular value judgments based on what teams work in warmups.

[hazzben]

It was a memorable one for sure. Adam Johnson and I called it for NCAA.com. I don't recall us making any particular value judgments based on what teams work in warmups.

What I heard from fans was it was the Central broadcast specifically. I didn't realize OAS was in the booth with you for that!

[GusD]

Note to all those posting about the effect the weather might have on the game;

It might be more pertinent, especially with regard to any snowfall totals, to focus on the actual amount of snow that will be on the field during the actual game time. Just saying the forecast calls for 7.5 inches doesn't really set the scene. Is that 7.5 inches by noon, or 7.5 inches by 9 or 10 PM? Is it going to start snowing at 5-6 AM, or not until 11? It's doubtful a small amount of snow on the field during the game is going to adversely affect the outcome. More influential, I'd say, will be the wind speed/direction which could likely severely hinder, or even possibly aid, any passing or kicking.
Sensing the team that dominates the ground game gets the W.

[wartknight]

Busy fall so more reading than posting. Happy Thanksgiving; thankful for many things, including this board. Family, football, Pseudo and a couple of spatchcock birds on the pellet grill should make for a good day. Knights with a tough draw, but sure the boys will be ready. Safe travels to all, especially with the weather predictions.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

Coaching against Wartburgs defense is infuriating. They are like the guy at the poker table who never raises but always calls. Just sitting there and waiting for you to make a mistake. Only for you to go all in and he's sitting there with a straight flush.

They trust their DL so much and why wouldn't they? They all are incredible at stopping the run and can heat you up if you sit in the pocket too long. They will give you 5-7 yard out and sit routes. The real question is, is there a qb who is good enough to be perfect on these passes and a OC who is willing to keep checking and not try to go all in?

I always enjoy a good simile.  Thanks.

[BC79BU08]

@Wartknight - Snow starting around 10 am///
https://www.fox9.com/video/1748403

[doolittledog]

Seems odd not to have an ARC team making a deep run in the playoffs.  I guess we get to talk about offseason news now. 

Coaching news...recruits/transfers...facilities

[doolittledog]

Will there be new coaching staffs at Loras and NWU before Christmas? 

Transfer portal news?

Expansion news?

[DriftlessDuhawk]

I'm told that Loras is hoping to have a head coach hired before the end of the year and staff to follow after that. It is obviously more advantageous for Loras to get this done sooner rather than later, as the remaining aspects of the staff must be having a heck of a time putting together a recruiting class. I know that some of the applicants the school has been interested in were/are involved in the playoffs, so that also can slow down potential interviews at this time.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Expansion news?

What I can tell you is that the conversations are actively ongoing and lots of people in the conference have asked the league office questions and they are being told to essentially stand by for now. Sounds as if the league is being pretty cautious about it. I think it makes the most sense as they do not have to be hasty. I think that the conference is in a stable spot with 8 teams, but that 10 would make the most sense. Rushing into adding teams that don't make sense would only be a bad thing for the league. It is my understanding the league is looking into all ideas of adding current D3 schools and also kicking the tires on some NAIA schools to see if there would be interest.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Hearing some rumblings of some potential "Duhawk Magic" 


Working to confirm but if true some excited news coming from Dubuque in the next couple days.