FB: Empire 8

[the bird man]

Anybody have any thoughts on the upcomming Fisher Football season? Should be interesting seeing how they come back from a poor ending to last season. I am really interested to see what everyone thinks.

Any predictions for the season? here are mine:

1) Ithaca
2) Fisher
3) Alfred
4) Norwich
5) springfield
6) Utica
7) Hartwick

[AUPepBand]

Here's mine.

Here's my Empire 8 Football Preview:
Here's how they'll finish:
Ithaca 5-1; 8-2
Alfred 5-1; 8-2
SJFisher 4-2; 7-3
Springfield 3-3; 5-5
Utica 2-4; 5-5
Hartwick 1-5; 5-5
Norwich 1-5; 4-6

ITHACA--While they lose four-year starting QB Josh Felicetti, it's just a case of the Bombers reloading for another stellar campaign. Which E8 foe will put the blemish on IC's E8 record? Could be AU, Fisher or Springfield. The Bombers, it seems, will always be the top dog.

ALFRED--What's it all about, Alfie? The Saxons return an improved attack behind junior QB Paul Keeley. LB Brenton Brady will be missed on D, but AU's defense against both the run and pass improved through 2005. Who will beat AU? More than likely IC, but Fisher is motivated by revenge and it's a long trip to Springfield.

FISHER--The Cardinals faltered at the finish line in '05, dropping back-to-back games to AU and RPI (ECAC). Vosburgh loses his offensive coordinator to UR. Can Fisher put up big numbers again in 2006? Time will tell.

SPRINGFIELD--After some heart-breaking losses early in '05, perhaps the Pride's recruiting priority was a placekicker. Nevertheless, Springfield got stronger as the '05 season went on and they'll be in full stride for '06. If you can't defend the run, Springfield will give you fits.

UTICA--The Pioneers posted a winning 6-4 season in 2005 and will build on that success in '06. They will continue to get closer to IC, Fisher, AU, but Springfield has a score to settle. The program continues its upward movement.

HARTWICK--If the Hawks defend as well as they attack, they will be the big surprise in 2006. The Hawks will continue in flight behind the arm of soph QB Jason Boltus.

NORWICH--The Cadets will be building a solid foundation for the future in 2006. But for now, the construction begins with the cellar.

[maninorangehat]

I'm glad the Bombers don't have any pre-season all-american curses to worry about.  I've never really understood pre-season honors... Do players/coaches really care about them? 

Go Bombers

[miracleworker]

With Ithaca being on the road this year against ST.J. Fish.  and Alfred I can see them going 4-2 in the E8.  Not to mention with Huntingdon Ala. on the schedule first this year, a team no one knows anything about, we could see another lose tacked onto the Bomber record.  If you then include the Cortaca game which goes either way every year, the Bombers could potentially end with 4 losses.  They could also finish with three losses in the regular season, Cort. St. Fish. and Hunt., and potentially win the E8.  I love the automatic bids!

On a positive note now:
Juvon is amazing from the bits and pieces I saw last year with the third stringers.  Plus the new recruit could be hot on his tail fighting for the starting position.  The Bomber backfield is always atop the E8 and our wide recievers this year will have large shoes to fill replacing Espo.  The DL, well, its the DL.  For some reason our LB's are always amazing and the secondary this year coudl be one of the better groups I have seen in my time as a part of the Bomber faithful.  Heres hoping for no injuries and an undefeated season.

MW

[Reno Hightower]

The DL, well, its the DL.  For some reason our LB's are always amazing and the secondary this year coudl be one of the better groups I have seen in my time as a part of the Bomber faithful.  Heres hoping for no injuries and an undefeated season.

MW

Lets stop touting any aspect of Ithaca's defense right now. And really do our best to not use the word "amazing" about a secondary that got toasted by the U's WR core in the Bomber finale of the 05' campaign.

Ithaca has a lot of questions going into this season and the majority of those questions are on the Defensive side of the football.

[JQV]

a secondary that got toasted by the U's WR core

I don't remember us playing Miami.  You gotta give Coach Welch credit for going out and playing a D1 Power like that.  The U, what a joke.

[gobombers15]

Reno, wouldn't Union technically be "The C?"

And I'm not sure who this MiracleWorker person is. As you can see, he has a low post count. He doesn't speak on behalf of all of us when he calls an aspect of the defense, "amazing." I think most Bombers fans, including the ones on this board, are skeptical of this defense. If you read the past posts, I'm sure you'd see that.

Union is the team to beat right now, in my opinion. But it's not going to be a cakewalk for them. Two late-season games at Hobart and at RPI will make or break them. It should be a fun season.

[BobNapoleone]

gobombers...


Agreed....Defense holds the answers to what the team gets for results this year....have to stay healthy.....run the ball like the three horses we have can....and we have to win the turnover contest every week....(Can we call this new offense "Air Welch".....)

Union is it pre season....no doubt.....

Congrats to Robinson and Lang at SJF and Sair and Haas at Cortland for All America honors on D3.....nice to see Upstate teams getting some recognition...

I repeat...maybe no noise about IC is a good thing.....never know who steps up each year....BUT, they always do....

And Unions two horses..first team.....no surprise there.....


Hopefully we get another crack at those guys......all starts soon!

[maninorangehat]

a secondary that got toasted by the U's WR core

I don't remember us playing Miami.  You gotta give Coach Welch credit for going out and playing a D1 Power like that.  The U, what a joke.

Jose,

How are things down there in florida?  The Noles were getting 22 to 1 odds for a BCS Champonship when I was in Vegas a few weeks back.  Have you decided which Bomber games your going to make this year?  I'll be in Rochester the weekend of the 23rd... So if you need someone to grab you at the airport or a place to stay your always welcome to stay at Mamma Orangehat's w/ me. 

Take care


45 Days Till Kickoff!!!!!

[JQV]

a secondary that got toasted by the U's WR core

I don't remember us playing Miami.  You gotta give Coach Welch credit for going out and playing a D1 Power like that.  The U, what a joke.

Jose,

How are things down there in florida?  The Noles were getting 22 to 1 odds for a BCS Champonship when I was in Vegas a few weeks back.  Have you decided which Bomber games your going to make this year?  I'll be in Rochester the weekend of the 23rd... So if you need someone to grab you at the airport or a place to stay your always welcome to stay at Mamma Orangehat's w/ me. 

Take care


45 Days Till Kickoff!!!!!

Things are good but I am done in Tallahassee.  Noles should be longer odds with Saint Bobby kicking two more receivers (Fred Rouse and Kenny Oneal) off the team.  I am not sold on Drew Weatherford either, even though he is almost a Tampa kid.

For now looks like Homecoming will be my only game this year.  I may make more but I start working with my firm Aug. 1 and need to feel out how likely I am to escape for more than one weekend this fall.  Also, got Buc season tickets so that will win any conflicting weekends.  Thanks for the Rochester accomodations though, if I come, I will definitely take you up on that.

Wait...why am I posting right now...the Bar Exam is in like four days.  Out.

['gro]

A few comments...

Good luck on the bar, my bro is currently locked in his personal bunker awaiting his NY exam.

Union college (located in Schenectady, not Albany) is called "The U" over in the LL room. I'm not sure but I think I started calling them that 1st. Their fans/players do that "U, U, U, U!!" chant which is about as fun to hear as booga booga. That playoff game last year must of been battle of the obnoxious fans.

Bucs season tickets? How'd you get those? I moved out of Tampa in 2004 and I'm still on the waiting list (On the list for Titans and Falcons too, can't catch a break).

[Jonny Utah]

I wonder what percentage of tickets that teams like the falcons have to leave for non-season ticket holders.  I didnt even think those guys sold out every game.  I was under the impression that the Patriots tickets were all season-tickets.  Ill have to look it up.

[Jonny Utah]

just checked.  bunch of tickets available for pats games in the endzone/corner endzone for 100 bucks each.

['gro]

Titans single game tickets (approx 3000 per game) went on sale last week... and I totally forgot about it. All 8 games sold out in a few hours. Now if I want to go I have to pay some nutbag a premium price off ebay.

Bought 4 tix to a bucs game in 2004 (2nd row endzone) off ticketmaster... sold 2 of them for $375 total then went to the game and sat next to the chumps that paid for my tickets, parking, beer, dinner afterwards, etc.

[AUPepBand]

You are a clever one, enginegro....they taught you well at Rensselaer!