FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[rams1102]

Any Thoughts For Week #5 :

MSU-TCNJ  - Big rilvary, both teams 2-1. MSU starts to gel and gets the W.
Rowan-W.Conn - Could be a Monkey Stomp by the Profs.
Cortland-WillyP. - Cortland wins, but by 10 or less. WillyP has improved.
Kean-Buff St. - A win for Kean, but watch those Up-State teams.

LET'S  GO  MIGHTY RED  HAWKS  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RU Fan]

Pat

My experience with the NCAA is that the NCAA does what it wants, when it wants, to whom it wants and as much as it wants.  The "rust" aspect of being off for 3 weeks doesn't really bother me that much .... its the injury potential that really concerns me.

4mer

What you said about Orihel checking off was interesting.  Does he even have the OK to check off from the coaches?  I remember from my old playing days, if you checked off without having the OK from the OC, you got screamed at and quickly got a seat on the bench next to the OC.  Also, I agree with you,  the play of the special teams was pitiful ... embarrassing for a college program of this caliber.   

rowanlb92

Interesting what you said about the coaches.  One would think that with the cast of players they currently have, it should be Profs in the Stagg Bowl.  We shall see ........................

uPBR

Would love to see DVC in the 'boro at the end of the year (with the SAME results) ... that would at least mean that both of us made the playoffs again.  It would be fun getting together with DVC again.  Aggie fans appear to be as passionate about their team as the RU fans are about the Profs.

[rowanlb92]

RU Fan,

I'm not bashing the coaches, because I think that the coaches have done a nice job over the last few years with the profs.  I'm just stating the obvious for this past weekend.  "ALL BLAME FLOWS UP"   The team. especially the offense was not prepared last weekend.  With that said, I think the team and the coaches will have a very nice bounce back this weekend coming up.

I just hope that this years Rowan team starts jelling.  We may not see a defense like this one for years, and on paper the offense should be able to put some impressive numbers up.  As fans, only time will tell!!

[RU Fan]

rowanlb92

Hey, I agree with you.  I saw what you saw ... I was at the game.  As I posted earlier, a lot of people didn't do their job.... and the guys at the top weren't excluded from that statement.   3 weeks off is too much!  RMU is a good team but they were beatable.

I'm not bashing anyone either.  I, as you, as loyal fans, would like to see the team play up to their obvious capability.  In a team sport, all 11 have to do their job or the wheels come off. 

Since the CNU game, posters have been talking about the play calling.  I agree that the play calling is, at times, suspect.  I know a running game is important "down the line" but you have to get "down the line" to make your point valid.  It doesn't make much sense to be 5 & 4 at the end of the year sitting in a chair in your living room during the Stagg Bowl and boast, "yea, but we have a running game now".

[gordonmann]

Rams:

For what it's worth, I think the MSU-TCNJ and Kean-Buff State games are the most intriguing.  I anticipate a monkey stomp in the Rowan game and a comfortable margin of victory for C-State.

On the MSU-TCNJ game, I think it'll give us a pretty good indication of whether the Red Hawks are a legitimate contender for the NJAC title.  I never know what to make of games against Springfield given their odd offensive set.  For that matter I don't know what to make of young Salisbury who beat a good W&J team and then did nothing against Brockport and MSU.

If MSU really has a chance to win the NJAC, they'll win this game against TCNJ.  I don't know a lot about the Lions, but narrow wins over dreadful La Salle and FDU-Florham don't inspire a lot of confidence that they have bounced all the way back from last year.

As for Kean and Buff State, it's another one of those games between the mid-level NJAC teams.  I think the same statement that applies to Montclair applies to Kean, only they are trying to show they belong in the conversation with other teams that "could contend" along with Montclair.  The win over F&M is not bad, but the loss to King's Point raises questions.

At some point someone other than Rowan, Cortland, MSU and TCNJ has to contend for first or second, right?  Anybody?  Beueler?

[rams1102]

Gordon,
I agree with you with the exception of Willy P. They can not be overlooked. They are well coached, and if you over look them they may bite you. As far as my Red Hawks, you are correct. It's time for the jeckel and Hyde to stop and become a contender. The TCNJ game will tell.

[cstate19]

No seriously did anyone read the East region article?  #7?  I wasn't mad at Fisher leapfrogging us in the polls, but #7 in the region?!??!?!  With Ithaca ahead of us?? Fisher ahead of Rowan???

[phil]

cstate19
I saw the East Region article last night. Considering the work which goes into developing the d3sports.com top 25 I didn't feel that the poll which the East Region's author developed was even worth commenting on. I mean Rowan ranked #3 in the region? C'mon. In reality though, past history on this website shows us that it's darn near impossible to report on a region without some bias towards the geographic area you're reporting from – which you'll see in his bio. For what it's worth we should appreciate the fact that someone is writing the "Around the Region" article for the East at all. On the other hand a mention of the TCNJ/Montclair game – the longest continuing college football contest in the state of New Jersey might be worth a mention this week. Rowan number 3 in his region top ten? Pshaw!

Dave and Gordon,
I don't think TCNJ is "back" yet. I took in the FDU game and TCNJ was thoroughly dominated by FDU's defense in the first half (2 first downs the whole half). The Lions' QB spent most of his time running for his life. The second half was a complete reversal as TCNJ switched QB's and went up by two touchdowns. The final score was a bit deceiving (listen up you NJAC pick-em fans who had TCNJ that week), as TCNJ's Schoonover broke away on a apparent 30 yard TD run with a minute left – he downed the ball on the one yard line to avoid scoring - and the Lions ran out the clock.

You can also point out that FDU certainly wasn't embarrassed by either Del Val or Wilkes – but in reality I doubt that TCNJ can come up big at Montclair. The Lions defense might keep things close, but TCNJ lacks the offensive line and firepower at the skill positions to control the clock and keep Montclairs offense off the field. In years past, when TCNJ could hang with Rowan, the Lions would use a mix of a solid defense with a ball control offense to win games. The last couple years that ball control offense just hasn't been there. Montclair's defense won't make it any easier this weekend.

[4merprof]

Phil,

I have to agree with you again about something... I think that I am going to be sick.  The east region rankings are suspect.

I do remember the days of the old GSC/RU battling TSC/TCNJ under the lights in Trenton and Glassboro, and there was always a certain amount of electricity at those games.  Hopefully TCNJ can rebound and build back a more competitive program.  But don't you guys now have to have mensa athletes with 1600 SAT's.  The Profs might handle you this year, but you would kick our @ss in a debate.

[RU Fan]

4mer

What's your prediction for this weekend?

[4merprof]

RU Fan,

I would say phone it in again, but last week it didn't bode well for me.  I predict a 45 to 6 outcome.  I'm sure that the Profs will have their chin straps buckled up.  Defense with a shut out until, fourth quarter and the 2nd team gives up a TD, but the first team goes back in and blocks the extra point.

Orihel throws for over 300 yds with 4 tds and one rushing, defense comes up with 2 fumble recoveries and 2 ints.  Special teams comes up with a field goal, and one of our new RB's breaks a long td run of over 50 yards

[RU Fan]

4mer

That being said, you wouldn't happen to know the lottery numbers for tonight, would you

[bill]

Wow, he left the door wide open for a great "rocky" quote and you didn't take it

What's your prediction?

In the words of Clubber Lang

"Prediction? PAIN"

[rams1102]

Pick-Em's for weelk #5 are on the Pick E'm Board.

Phil,

I'm planning to get to the Train Station around 4:00PM. See ya there !!!

[phil]

Dave,
I'm assuming you'll have the burgers ... how 'bout some beer and sushi for something different? I'm serious.

I'm looking at a 4:30-4:45 arrival. Hopefully we'll keep it close for a half too.