FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[Bombers798891]

And to any who want to point to the Cortaca game...it came down to Cortland execution and many of us are questioning coaching (for the first time in a long time).  Yes Ithaca outplayed Cortland, all due props to them.  Consider, however, Cortland had three balls intercepted in the endzone and one on the 5 yd line.  With 5 turnovers in total.  Cortland had plenty of opportunities.  Giuliano looked like he could have run all day and inexplicably we don't give him the ball inside the 30 yd line. The "blowout" is not as one-sided as the score would appear.  Our defense is another issue.  Ithaca took advantage of our defensive liabilities and we will have to adjust if we hope to be competitive with them, given the opportunity to meet again in two weeks.  We have to get by Plymouth State first.  I have to believe that we will see an awakend Cortland team.

It certainly wasn't a "blowout". And Cortland will be more fired up in two weeks than they were Saturday. But Ithaca had more to play for and it showed. They were sharper, they had a better game plan and they executed. Will all that change in two weeks? Possibly.

[cstate19]

And to any who want to point to the Cortaca game...it came down to Cortland execution and many of us are questioning coaching (for the first time in a long time).  Yes Ithaca outplayed Cortland, all due props to them.  Consider, however, Cortland had three balls intercepted in the endzone and one on the 5 yd line.  With 5 turnovers in total.  Cortland had plenty of opportunities.  Giuliano looked like he could have run all day and inexplicably we don't give him the ball inside the 30 yd line. The "blowout" is not as one-sided as the score would appear.  Our defense is another issue.  Ithaca took advantage of our defensive liabilities and we will have to adjust if we hope to be competitive with them, given the opportunity to meet again in two weeks.  We have to get by Plymouth State first.  I have to believe that we will see an awakend Cortland team.

We don't need to see an awkened team with maybe the exception of Miles and the secondary.  We need to see an awakened coaching staff.  Either that or an "Ask Madden" button. 

[Bombers798891]

NJAC got jobbed.  There is no question about it.  I was of the mindset that a 10 team conference would benefit all involved and, as it turns out it was a detriment because we (NJAC) get hosed.  Because there is no room to play more than one OOC game the strength of the conference has somehow been diminished? I don't buy it.  I have seen LL and NEFC and E8 and I will put any NJAC team in those leagues and they will be very competetive and the Rowans, Montclairs, Keans and Cortlands of the world would be competetive for conference titles.  

There may be some issues with East football  in general(and that is subject to argument) but I won't accept for a minute that the NJAC is a weak sister to any of other East Conferences.  The Committee mailed it in.  They did not do their job.

That's the problem though...we can't tell how good they are, but for the one OOC game. The only NJAC teams that have played E8 teams recently were Brockport, Buffalo State and Cortland, and the results haven't been too encouraging. When the best team in the NJAC losses by 22 to it's only ooc team, you have to wonder if the team was as good as their conference play indicated

Brockport didn't play an E8 team this year but I suspect if they had it would have been Ithaca or Fisher and I suggest they'd probably lose both those games.  However, the two 4th place teams go at it as Brockport plays Hartwick this weekend so we could possibly see at least how these two teams match up. 

That's why I said recently...they were destroyed by SJF and IC the last two seasons and went 1-1 against Springfield, sqeaking out a 1 point win against a 4-6 Pride last season

It's not too fair a comparison though as those Brockport teams were 5-5 and 4-6* ... They weren't at the top of anything..

But again, if you want to compare NJAC to E8, you have to go by what you see on the field. I have no doubt Montclair would stomp Utica and Norwich. But the only teams in the NJAC who've been playing teams in the E8 have been losing recently. So what else is there to go on?

[pg04]

After more carefully examining the argument, I think I agree with what you are trying to say.  Even Brockport's OOC game was a loss ... to Frostburg, a team that IC crushed. 

[Bombers798891]

That's the benefit/drawback to playing 9 conference games. If the conference is percieved as strong, you'll look impressive as an 8-2. If it's percieved as weak, you'll look bad as 8-2

[JT]

Ok, I will go away.  I have not stated that BSU would be NJAC champ.
BSU would not be a bottom feeder in the NJAC.  
They have an undergrad enrollment of 7,800.

My position lies in the numbers.

If Rowan was so powerful they should have destroyed BSU, regardless of experience or inexperience ...they could not.  

Profs by 50.  Lock it up.

[clandfan]

Correct and you are comparing them to the elite of the E8.  

Our Bports, Morrisvilles and Buff state aren't going to beat IC and SJF just like Utica, Springfield and Norwich probably aren't going to beat Cortland and Montclair.  In any given year...all are competitive.

We have lost two Cortaca's in a row and that is fair to point to but what does that mean?  It means that IC may be better than Cortland but not that NJAC is so much weaker than E8.  What if (I hate hypotheticals) Cortland should beat IC in two weeks...did the E8 somehow become weaker?  head to head and common opponents is the only thing we have to go on and with NJACs 10 team conference, it is almost impossible to do that.

[clandfan]

good conversation all....I have to go back to work.

[clandfan]

We don't need to see an awkened team with maybe the exception of Miles and the secondary.  We need to see an awakened coaching staff.  Either that or an "Ask Madden" button. 
[/quote]

I like the Madden button idea...funny.  Believe me, I hear what you are saying but historically coaching hasn't been questioned.  I don't understand the play calling but MacNeill and Lounsberry did not throw the interceptions or fumble the ball.  The kids have to execute.  As for Miles...he had a rough outing and has been pretty steady all year.  His back-up is really good and some inside the program say even better.  I agree that Miles should start but I think Pitcher could be used more if Miles struggles.

[cstate19]

We don't need to see an awkened team with maybe the exception of Miles and the secondary.  We need to see an awakened coaching staff.  Either that or an "Ask Madden" button. 

I like the Madden button idea...funny.  Believe me, I hear what you are saying but historically coaching hasn't been questioned.  I don't understand the play calling but MacNeill and Lounsberry did not throw the interceptions or fumble the ball.  The kids have to execute.  As for Miles...he had a rough outing and has been pretty steady all year.  His back-up is really good and some inside the program say even better.  I agree that Miles should start but I think Pitcher could be used more if Miles struggles.
[/quote]


Look I understand that Pitcher is the local legend and has been groomed for this and all of that nonsense.  (I also know the story cuz I am a Browns fan and I have been calling for Quinn but not for those reasons.  I just think Anderson wasn't getting the job done).  I think that Miles has been getting the job done.  Yes, he laid an egg Saturday and noone has been harder on him then me but I just do not understand all of the love for the backup.  What actual evidence (besides peoples opinions) do we have that Pitcher is the better QB for CORTLAND STATE (not Cortland High)??  It's obvious that you have been pushing hard for Pitcher.

[clandfan]

OK...I plead guilty.  I'm a hometown fan and think the kid deserves some play other than at clean up time. (but that will come soon enough)  I absolutely agree that Miles has gotten the job done.  I  am not calling for a replacement, he doesn't deserve that.  I am just wondering how far you go if he struggles again.  Anything I have heard from those inside the program (again, I am local) is that the back up has impressed.

Miles is the guy...I agree.  Sorry to have shown my local bias.

[dlippiel]

Please please please I know we would all love to see another Cortaca, **** I would attend, but please please Ithaca and Cortland do not look past these two NEFC teams. Please throttle them both and send them back to New England so the NCAA idiots look more like idiots than they already do. I know PSU got the bid and for that they belong (obviously) but the one loss Curry is a joke. That is unless they win or even keep it close. Let's take care of business first and then talk Cortaca #II.

[Bombers798891]

Please please please I know we would all love to see another Cortaca, **** I would attend, but please please Ithaca and Cortland do not look past these two NEFC teams. Please throttle them both and send them back to New England so the NCAA idiots look more like idiots than they already do. I know PSU got the bid and for that they belong (obviously) but the one loss Curry is a joke. That is unless they win or even keep it close. Let's take care of business first and then talk Cortaca #II.

We're working on it man!!!!!!

[RedHawk]

I have not routed for Ithaca in the past but obviously I respect the hell out of the program. I really do hope that both Ithaca and Cortland destroy both teams. No way in hell (and I am not only saying this because I played at Montclair) does that weak conference deserve two teams, no way!!!! Rowan, Kean, MSU, Cortland, TCNJ all better, this is just bad for the NJAC, it doesn't matter if you are a fan of Montclair or not.

How could the NJAC be perceived as weak, Cortland was ranked the whole year, MSU had a top 25 ranking for several weeks. Rowan on a down year was at one point top five in the region, Kean seven win season and ECAC bid, TCNJ won the conference last year, won the first game on the road and went to Ohio to play MUC.

If anything I think this is a tribute to the level of competition in the NJAC, the playing field is more level now, make no mistake about it Rowan although they do not have the D 1 transfers anymore are, and will always be very dangerous.  However, the rest of the bunch caught up, Kean has a gorgeous facility and a great coaching staff. I know they coached me at Montclair and my best friend is the defensive coordinator who is one of the best linebackers I have ever played with in my life, helps for recruiting, Cortland has the nicest stadium I ever played at and outstanding program, helps for recruiting, TCNJ amazing campus and terrific academics, helps for recruiting, Montclair outstanding program with two legendary coaches plus have many upgrades for campus life with the Rec center and the new Village at Little Falls, helps for recruiting.

The teams beat the hell out of each other for nine weeks, and that is what you get with a very competitive league. Cortland who beats Montclair by the skin of their teeth with Montclair losing to Kean who almost beat Cortland and Rowan is right in the mix.


The NJAC was robbed...

[clandfan]

Please Cortland....don't overlook Plymouth State.  Go out there and take care of business and then worry about showing Ithaca that Cortaca was a fluke.  First things first...Plymouth State is a good match up for us, a bad matchup for them.  Send them home quickly.