Keep in mind that "gurus" also picked F&M to go 10-0 this season......and we all know that didn't happen..........

That said, it is my hope that Hopkins will represent the CC well in the NCAAs - win or lose.  They are a program with a lot of class and a program that I personally respect quite a bit. 

There is no question that this was a down year for the CC.  Offenses were virtually non-existant and the teams lost key matchups against out-of-conference opponents.  One can make the argument that with one break here and another break there (i.e. F&M-Union game) that things could have looked vastly different for the CC, but this is the unfortunate reality.  I am afraid that any respect gained for the CC last year may have been lost due to the current season.  I hope that this is not the case, but judging from the those voting in the poll and the opinions expressed by the Pat, Pat, Mark, et al. I think that whatever respect that had been gained quickly evaporated.

Winning against Thiel would be huge for Hopkins and go a long way towards garnering some much-needed (and deserved - IMO) respect for the CC.  Similarly, a win for the Dips against a good Salisbury team would be enormous for the team and the conference.  The F&M defense has been outstanding much of the season and should get some credit for the job they have done.  The offense....that is a completely different story.  The bright side for F&M is that they are still young and will have a lot of returning players next year.  A win this weekend would be a good start though.

GO DIPS!

GO JHU! (Gotta admit that it is weird saying that...)

CuseFan:

F&M has proved to be two very different teams this year.  The one playing at home is pretty good.  The one playing on the road is different story.  F&M's defense has been pretty solid, but I don't think that they have faced an offense as good as Union's appears to be.  F&M's offense has been unimpressive.  Having seen the F&M - Mule game, F&M is better then the Mule in every facet IMHO.


AA and 22:

Harner does not appear to be the same player this year.  Whether it was his confidence that was rattled in losing to Bethany or simply a bad string of luck, we'll never know for sure, but he is not the same.  I don't think he has found a receiver that he truly trusts and is comfortable throwing to.  It is shame Boyce chose not to play this season - he would be been a huge help.  Their two best receivers are currently out (Wagner's leg and Freiler (heard it was mono?)) and the kids playing have simply not stepped up.  There have been way too many dropped balls.  The o-line has done a pretty good job.  They are not necessarily controlling the LOS, but making the blocks nonetheless.  Some members of the line are much better than others IMO.   With all that said, you cannot win games when you turn the ball over as much as F&M does.  The offense must take care of the ball if they want to win - it is really that simple. 

Let's hope they get things together....quickly.

Go Dips!

While may have been unnecessary, I don't have a problem with Pat using the "comment" in his recent piece.  F&M has dug itself into a hole and rightfully lost much of the respect that it earned last season.  F&M now has the opportunity to win out and regain that respect.

F&M's defense does, however, deserve some respect and recognition.  They have pitched two shoutouts in a row (the offense gave up the 9 pts to the Mule on the safety and fumble) and are very aggressive and move well.  The game versus Hopkins this weekend will provide some insight about whether the D is for real. 

As for the offense, it has problems, but is not as bad as some make it sound.  Harner has yet to have a good game and I suspect this has a lot to do with losing his favorite target from last year and losing two starting WRs so far this season.  The receiving core dropped a lot of passes this past weekend, but with experience, they should get better.  F&M also has appeared to have found their next running back in Petricelli - the kid runs hard and has pretty good speed and instincts.  If the o-line plays more consistently, Petricelli could be on his way to a good second half of the season.  Once the running game is established, Harner will have better looks in the passing game and should improve. 

On a whole, the Dips are getting there.  This weekend will be a good test.  The Dips haven't won in Baltimore in ten years - a game I remember fondly......

Go Dips.



The offense clearly has some issues and I wasn't particularly thrilled with their performance

Dips v. Mules is going to be a real good game.  It will be close and low scoring.  Hopefully, the Dips will pull it out.  There should be real good crowd since it is Homecoming. 

F&M needs to establish a better ground game.  I'm not sure that Muhl is the defense that any team will establish a ground game against, but they need to get something going on the ground.  Once the ground game gets going, receivers suddenly seem more open....

Go Dips!

"Will F&M have their full team available against Bethany?"
_____

What do you mean by this question?  Whether there are significant injuries or whether they are bringing only a traveling squad per se?

As for the former, I believe that they are pretty healthy overall as a unit.  As for the latter, everyone travels so the whole squad will be there.

Not only that, but I recall the surface being somewhat rough and almost sandy - leaving not so pleasant burns (now scars) on the body....

Good to see the change has been made to the more modern version of turf.


Anybody have any information regarding the scrimmages that took place today?

Interesting analogy of Trinity and Hopkins...but it always difficult to compare without common opponents. That said, I think you are right in that Trinity would be the type of school that would fit well in the Centennial Conference (obvious logistical issues aside) - with solid academics and a commitment to its football program. 

Anybody heading over to check out the F&M v. Moravian scrimmage at Moravian tomorrow?  Looks like it starts at 11a.m. on Friday.  I can't make it, but if anyone checks it out - please give us a report.  You will recall that this is a rematch from last year's ECAC title game.

Thanks for the post on Hopkins' preview.  As expected, Hopkins looks to be solid once again.  I was a bit disappointed in the preview in that there was no analysis or information concerning the incoming freshman players. It looks like they brought in around 30 - not a bad number considering the admission requirements. 

BTW, did Hopkins resurface their field this year?  I remember hearing something in that regard - perhaps it was last year.  Whatever they used has to be better than the crap they had on the field.

Should be good year in the CC!!!

Go Dips.

That was my thinking...the road-heavy schedule coupled with tough non-league opponents (like Mellon, Union, and Hobart) and the unpredictable nature of injuries makes it unlikely for a perfect regular season.  I played for the '96 squad that went 9-1 in the regular season...and trust me, it's not easy....They will likely drop one of the games to the non-league teams, but could run the table in the CC and make a long overdue visit to the playoffs.

Hobart is always tough.  I never played against Union, but it would be hard to find a better model of consistency and winning tradition.  Mellon has always given F&M fits (and a lot of scars from their old turf) - I have a lot of respect for that program.  They are physical and pound the ball right at you.  Plus, they are a good school with smart kids and consistently have winning seasons.  I have a lot more respect for schools like that than I do for programs that are just football mills and can get just about anyone in.....I don't need to name names, as they know who they are.....

Getting back to the topic.

This website and the efforts of its staff should be commended for their hard work and effort for giving D3 football the respect it deserves. I consider myself truly privileged having had the opportunity to play D3 ball and feel comforted by the fact that this website gives others an opportunity to find out what D3 ball is all about.

With respect to the CC, this is going be a very competitive conference once again.  There is no one standout team that is going to destroy the competition, but rather a good balance of solid, well-coached teams.  While I expect my alma mater, F&M, to have a good season, I think it may be a little unrealistic to have them going 10-0 as suggested in the Kickoff, particularly in light of the fact that they only have 4 home games this season and 6 on the road.  Should be interesting though....

Go Dips!

For those looking for F&M's preview:

http://server1.fandm.edu/departments/athletics/football/stories/05D4026823.html

Go Dips!

Forums look great!!!  Looking forward to the season - should be some good ball in the Centennial this year.  Go Dips!