Quote from: Machiavelli on October 19, 2024, 12:13:37 PM

Quote from: Oline89 on October 19, 2024, 08:45:53 AMUP,
On th etopic of UW schools,  what is up with the constant upvoting of every UW school in the top 25? I know UW Whitewater has been one of the historic D3 powerhouses, but come on 4 teams from the same conference in the top 25?  Even the SEC doesn't get a 2-2 in the top 25 of D1.  Makes the whole thing seem farsical. 

Just be happy Delaware Valley isn't ranked like 8th. They are normally the voting committee's darling. Musta been a difficult breakup.

You must be referring to tue AFCA poll.

UW-P, UW-RF, UW-O (3-2) AND UW-W (3-2) all in top 25 last week.  'Nuff said.  I don't want to hijack the LL board, when we are in the middle of an awesome competetive season over here.  Great games again this week! I would the top teams have rounded into form. Dog fights the rest of the way.

Quote from: unionpalooza on October 19, 2024, 10:16:21 PM

Quote from: Bartman on October 19, 2024, 08:42:44 PM

Quote from: UfanBill on October 19, 2024, 06:46:25 PMFinal Union 31- Buffalo St. 10...Not so fast my friends. The Garnet showed signs today that they may yet be a factor in the LL race. Granted it was against the Bengals, who came out all fired up but later succumbed to the Garnet beat down. Union played it's best game so far. The running game was clicking, gaining 200 rush yards. QB Patch Flanagan finally showed what he could do without D-linemen constantly in his face, throwing for 2 TDs and running for another. The O-line provided solid protection and gave up zero sacks. The defense stuffed the Buffalo St. ground game allowing only 90 yards rushing and getting 3 sacks, while the secondary picked off 4 passes. They were who we thought they'd be. 

Congrats to the Garnets on the win today. A beat down , hmmm... 304 yards by the Bengals versus 345 for the Garnets, if not for the 4 interceptions things might have been much closer. Hobart held the Bengals to 164 yards... can't wait for next week against an old rival.

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Very different games. Union held a 24-3 lead midway through the third and it was a snooze from there; we got to enjoy watching the second team offense and defense. Hobart held a 14-3 lead going into the fourth. 

1. It's interesting how you picked "midway through the third" for Union, but "going into the fourth" for Hobart when comparing scores. Did something happen between midway through the third and the end of the third in in Union game?

2. Notable QB2 *checks notes* Patch Flanagan wasn't replaced until there was 2:34 to go in the game. And backup linebacker Cole DaSilva who is *checks notes* Union's leading tackler on the season by far was breaking up passes after that.

However, Palooza is correct that they were different games. Buffalo State used a different QB.

Quote from: IC798891 on October 20, 2024, 10:31:13 AM

Quote from: unionpalooza on October 19, 2024, 10:16:21 PM

Quote from: Bartman on October 19, 2024, 08:42:44 PM

Quote from: UfanBill on October 19, 2024, 06:46:25 PMFinal Union 31- Buffalo St. 10...Not so fast my friends. The Garnet showed signs today that they may yet be a factor in the LL race. Granted it was against the Bengals, who came out all fired up but later succumbed to the Garnet beat down. Union played it's best game so far. The running game was clicking, gaining 200 rush yards. QB Patch Flanagan finally showed what he could do without D-linemen constantly in his face, throwing for 2 TDs and running for another. The O-line provided solid protection and gave up zero sacks. The defense stuffed the Buffalo St. ground game allowing only 90 yards rushing and getting 3 sacks, while the secondary picked off 4 passes. They were who we thought they'd be. 

Congrats to the Garnets on the win today. A beat down , hmmm... 304 yards by the Bengals versus 345 for the Garnets, if not for the 4 interceptions things might have been much closer. Hobart held the Bengals to 164 yards... can't wait for next week against an old rival.

.

Very different games. Union held a 24-3 lead midway through the third and it was a snooze from there; we got to enjoy watching the second team offense and defense. Hobart held a 14-3 lead going into the fourth. 

1. It's interesting how you picked "midway through the third" for Union, but "going into the fourth" for Hobart when comparing scores. Did something happen between midway through the third and the end of the third in in Union game?

2. Notable QB2 *checks notes* Patch Flanagan wasn't replaced until there was 2:34 to go in the game. And backup linebacker Cole DaSilva who is *checks notes* Union's leading tackler on the season by far was breaking up passes after that.

However, Palooza is correct that they were different games. Buffalo State used a different QB.

My point is you can pick any stat line you want to tell whatever story you want.  If someone wants to point to offensive yards to belittle Union's win over Buff St., I'm just going to point out that Hobart needed a 17-point fourth quarter to put them away.  But I welcome everyone underestimating Union from here on out.

In other news, I absolutely cannot figure the LL out this year. I thought UWL's stomp over RPI meant the league was way down, but Ithaca whooped them in about as convincing fashion.  Hobart, RPI and Ithaca have all played close games against teams that are in the #20-30 zone in current rankings, and RPI and Ithaca both played a borderline top 10 team (Endicott) close.  I think this may the kind of year where we have 3 or 4 "pretty good" teams but none that are a legit Top 25 team.  Probably means that the LL gets a winnable play-in round game in the NCAA format, and then travels to a Cortland or similar team and gets pasted.  Hobart seems to have the best defense is a league with no great offenses, so they are definitely favorites in my book at this stage.  For that same reason, they also seem like the only team capable of winning a few tournament games this year.

Quote from: unionpalooza on October 20, 2024, 11:17:04 AM

Quote from: IC798891 on October 20, 2024, 10:31:13 AM

Quote from: unionpalooza on October 19, 2024, 10:16:21 PM

Quote from: Bartman on October 19, 2024, 08:42:44 PM

Quote from: UfanBill on October 19, 2024, 06:46:25 PMFinal Union 31- Buffalo St. 10...Not so fast my friends. The Garnet showed signs today that they may yet be a factor in the LL race. Granted it was against the Bengals, who came out all fired up but later succumbed to the Garnet beat down. Union played it's best game so far. The running game was clicking, gaining 200 rush yards. QB Patch Flanagan finally showed what he could do without D-linemen constantly in his face, throwing for 2 TDs and running for another. The O-line provided solid protection and gave up zero sacks. The defense stuffed the Buffalo St. ground game allowing only 90 yards rushing and getting 3 sacks, while the secondary picked off 4 passes. They were who we thought they'd be. 

Congrats to the Garnets on the win today. A beat down , hmmm... 304 yards by the Bengals versus 345 for the Garnets, if not for the 4 interceptions things might have been much closer. Hobart held the Bengals to 164 yards... can't wait for next week against an old rival.

.

Very different games. Union held a 24-3 lead midway through the third and it was a snooze from there; we got to enjoy watching the second team offense and defense. Hobart held a 14-3 lead going into the fourth. 

1. It's interesting how you picked "midway through the third" for Union, but "going into the fourth" for Hobart when comparing scores. Did something happen between midway through the third and the end of the third in in Union game?

2. Notable QB2 *checks notes* Patch Flanagan wasn't replaced until there was 2:34 to go in the game. And backup linebacker Cole DaSilva who is *checks notes* Union's leading tackler on the season by far was breaking up passes after that.

However, Palooza is correct that they were different games. Buffalo State used a different QB.

My point is you can pick any stat line you want to tell whatever story you want.  If someone wants to point to offensive yards to belittle Union's win over Buff St., I'm just going to point out that Hobart needed a 17-point fourth quarter to put them away.  But I welcome everyone underestimating Union from here on out.

In other news, I absolutely cannot figure the LL out this year. I thought UWL's stomp over RPI meant the league was way down, but Ithaca whooped them in about as convincing fashion.  Hobart, RPI and Ithaca have all played close games against teams that are in the #20-30 zone in current rankings, and RPI and Ithaca both played a borderline top 10 team (Endicott) close.  I think this may the kind of year where we have 3 or 4 "pretty good" teams but none that are a legit Top 25 team.  Probably means that the LL gets a winnable play-in round game in the NCAA format, and then travels to a Cortland or similar team and gets pasted.  Hobart seems to have the best defense is a league with no great offenses, so they are definitely favorites in my book at this stage.  For that same reason, they also seem like the only team capable of winning a few tournament games this year.

OK Palooza, stop trying to give Hobart an enlarged head before coming into the Boz and sneak attacking us. We know the mind games you play. It won't work , as we are preparing for a Drach led team who would love to rip our hearts out while the Bombers give him as much input as possible to help. There is a dimension to this game that pits two rival coaches that were assistants at Hobart together who would very much enjoy rubbing some artificial turf in the other one's face(they are both too professional to admit this). I guarantee you that Drach( ultra competitive dude) will be up every night figuring out how to out coach Dewall, and motivating his new team. The old saying-take one game at a time- very much applies this week, but the coaching competition adds some extra drama this Saturday. 

I mean, if you think not caring about a win over the worst team in LL makes us underestimate Union, knock yourself out. Union's got a loss to the current:

Last place team in the NJAC
5th place team in the E8
T-5th place in the LL

Like, sorry, but I think their body of work sucks. They've played a lousy schedule and they're still 2-4. They got their doors blown off by the one good team they played. None of that means they couldn't run the table in the LL, it just means beating up on Buff State isn't making the argument

IC you're always offering relevant facts/analytics.....I can see your perspective, but you never know when the muffed punts go against you .
In all seriousness, at this point in the season Hobart has figured out their team pieces On defense,the front seven is always stout, even with some injuries and the pass defense has been a very pleasant surprise....on offense, the Oline has dealt with injuries that has forced some great play from Freshman and the receivers have stepped up in the least 2 weeks, and although Jonny Colombi has endured a shoulder injury ,he now leads the LL in pass efficiency, while his backup, Tru Styles has shown great poise and effectiveness in relief.Our special teams have been very special, so far.
        I watched portions of Ithaca-RPI and I feel the Bombers have also put things together , and may even give Cortland a good run.... I'm sure glad we've already banked the win against the Bombers this year.

So, no LL team in the top 25 , which doesn't bother me except that the LL is ranked ahead of the PAC as a conference and the PAC has three 5-1 teams in the top 25(#15,18,21 and one receiving 21 votes). The PAC plays no one outside of their conference until the NCAAs. Grove City had a great team last year , so I understand the best team raises the conference, but they were just beaten by Wash&Jeff this weekend, so I'm not sure how a voter figures out how good the PAC is, especially if they are ranked below the LL. I don't care if Hobart is ranked or not, but at 5-1, I would have thought it should receive at least a few votes by somebody OR the PAC would have fewer teams ranked. Otherwise the Conference rankings make no sense. Just a thought.

Quote from: Bartman on October 20, 2024, 04:56:41 PMSo, no LL team in the top 25 , which doesn't bother me except that the LL is ranked ahead of the PAC as a conference and the PAC has three 5-1 teams in the top 25(#15,18,21 and one receiving 21 votes). The PAC plays no one outside of their conference until the NCAAs. Grove City had a great team last year , so I understand the best team raises the conference, but they were just beaten by Wash&Jeff this weekend, so I'm not sure how a voter figures out how good the PAC is, especially if they are ranked below the LL. I don't care if Hobart is ranked or not, but at 5-1, I would have thought it should receive at least a few votes by somebody OR the PAC would have fewer teams ranked. Otherwise the Conference rankings make no sense. Just a thought.

I agree the PAC schools are inflated. They are getting a lot of juice in the eyes of the pollsters out of Grove City's close loss to Cortland last year.  But the LL only has two teams above .500, and one of them (U of R) has just a single win over a winning team.  Personally, I'd have Hobart at 20-25ish based on there resume..

Union had a very good W on Saturday and I feel very good about it. The Dutchmen ran the ball like we hoped they would all season and the play calling seemed much more run heavy (which I like). I think this allowed Patch some breathing room and took some pressure off of his shoulders. I agree with Palooza that the movement on the oline and some youth on D making plays is promising, at least in regard to the fact that if nothing changes, nothing changes. They played well and it could not have been a more beautiful Fall football day. Frank Bailey Field was a sight to see and that new scoreboard didn't hurt. Even as a local Doid I was sincerely happy for all the alum that were there for the game.

As far as what I think about Union as we move into the very difficult portion of their schedule. My thoughts really haven't changed. I think at best, what we can take from Saturday, is that the fellas created some much needed positive momentum. They had some real consistent in-game success and experience, both of which they have lacked thus far. With that said, I don't think there was anything there that suggests they will defeat or even really compete with Ithaca and Hobart. I don't say this as a knock at Union, but more because Buffalo State is such a poor team. It's like whatever you do against a team like Buffalo State, it is really hard to use as a baseline for predicting future results again much stronger opponents.

Listen, I love Palooza's perspective here and hope he is right and I am wrong. Maybe we can surprise Rochester and/or RPI? Who knows. I am just enjoying this win and I hope we continue to learn and show some growth against the Pumkinheads next week in Geneva. I think this new chapter in Union football will take some time. I'm in for the long haul.

Based on how RPI has played most of this season, Union absolutely has a chance to win that last game of the season. It's been a disappointing year. It looked like this team had a lot of promise, but it's not been a good year. The defense can't get off the field. The offense can't keep the defense off the field. The QB play has been very poor and inconsistent all year long. Wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I assume I'm not alone. It's all just completely unraveled. 5-5 is probably the most rational scenario, but 4-6 isn't unrealistic either. The team looks flat and uninspired each week.

Quote from: Machiavelli on October 21, 2024, 08:53:46 AMBased on how RPI has played most of this season, Union absolutely has a chance to win that last game of the season. It's been a disappointing year. It looked like this team had a lot of promise, but it's not been a good year. The defense can't get off the field. The offense can't keep the defense off the field. The QB play has been very poor and inconsistent all year long. Wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I assume I'm not alone. It's all just completely unraveled. 5-5 is probably the most rational scenario, but 4-6 isn't unrealistic either. The team looks flat and uninspired each week.

Mach, I don't really get it , given the close game against Endicott , where RPI had the lead with 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, then a TD bomb and a pick six by Endicott to steal the game.The disappointment of losing to Rochester followed by the drubbing this weekend by Ithaca was really surprising. I have respect for Insernia, but this ain't an RPI team. The Shoes game will still be the Shoes game, no matter what happens. Good luck the rest of the way , except for 11/2.

Quote from: Bartman on October 20, 2024, 04:56:41 PMSo, no LL team in the top 25 , which doesn't bother me except that the LL is ranked ahead of the PAC as a conference and the PAC has three 5-1 teams in the top 25(#15,18,21 and one receiving 21 votes). The PAC plays no one outside of their conference until the NCAAs. Grove City had a great team last year , so I understand the best team raises the conference, but they were just beaten by Wash&Jeff this weekend, so I'm not sure how a voter figures out how good the PAC is, especially if they are ranked below the LL. I don't care if Hobart is ranked or not, but at 5-1, I would have thought it should receive at least a few votes by somebody OR the PAC would have fewer teams ranked. Otherwise the Conference rankings make no sense. Just a thought.

Hobart did receive one solitary vote in the AFCA poll!  Progress.....

Ultimately, there's just no good wins on the LL schedule this year. It's all a bunch of close losses

Quote from: IC798891 on October 21, 2024, 01:31:18 PMUltimately, there's just no good wins on the LL schedule this year. It's all a bunch of close losses

I'd love to see a miracle win at Cortaca, that might give Ithaca the only NCAA slot for a 3 loss team. It would also really help Hobart IF they win out(my preference). I think it's a tall order but, hey, a couple of muffed Red Dragon punts and anything is possible.I would still root for Cortland in the tournament, but it would really help the LL. Go Bombers!