FB: Empire 8

[theoriginalupstate]

So how does everybody see the preseason E8 rankings for 2007 looking like?  I think it might be something like this:

1.  SJFC
2. Ithaca
3. Springfield
4. Alfred
5. Hartwick
6. Utica
7. Norwich

This is pretty tough to call I think.  Fisher is definately the preseason favorite in my opinion.  Spots 2-4 are really tight i think.  Should be a great 2007 season!

Pretty early for 2007 predictions but I'll give it a shot...

1) SJF
2) IC
3) SC
4) AU
5) Utica
6) Norwich
7) Hartwick

Cant remember or not, but is there anyone new joining the E8 next year?

[fisheralum91]

The Fisher IC game may be the bigee again this year...
Though Sharpe is back- it looks like Fisher has solved the triple option.
Minus a couple of great starters on D- but i really think the E8 is Fishers' to lose.

[JQV]

i really think the E8 is Fishers' to lose.

I have to (predictably) disagree with you both.  Fisher loses the main focus of their offense the last three years.  Kramer was good but, Fisher-IC is early in the season and really the first real test for either team.  IC had to replace a cornerstone of their offense this season and, the transition period was obvious when we came to Fisher.  Obviously it is easier to replace a RB than a QB but, this will also be Kramer's virginal trip to Butterfield.

IC has the advantage at home even though Fisher comes back strong.  Bombers are the favorite to at least be in the driver's seat all season.

[theoriginalupstate]

The Fisher IC game may be the bigee again this year...
Though Sharpe is back- it looks like Fisher has solved the triple option.
Minus a couple of great starters on D- but i really think the E8 is Fishers' to lose.

Im not to worried about the graduation of Piz, Maggio and Lang.  SJF has some big kids coming up from the JV and alot of soph. and juniors coming back on the DL.  The ILB spot is somewhat of a concern, however we said that when Fox graduated and Lang stepped in and picked up right where Fox left off.  

Im not worried about the two graduating lineman on offense either, SJF has been able to churn out good lines for the past 4 years with the help of Scatch and Buddy.  They have them eating up film and weights all offseason, so I think they'll be set at LG and C next year.

[fisheralum91]

Im being serious on this one--Reile though no Mark Robinson- is a good back.  Will he put up Robinson numbers- no- but with change- ie offensive scheme Fisher should be aok!

[theoriginalupstate]

Im being serious on this one--Reile though no Mark Robinson- is a good back.  Will he put up Robinson numbers- no- but with change- ie offensive scheme Fisher should be aok!

Reile is a very good back, and I dont think the numbers will be all that different.  He did have 1200yds and 20tds in 05 in only 6 starts.  I think he'll be a good compliment to Kramer, thats different from the past as the passing game was the compliment to the running game.  I think Kramer is going to have a big year next year.  He's got all of his recievers and TE's back, he is only losing two members of the O-line (LT, RG, RT return). 

[fisheralum91]

is nowicki a junior?

[JQV]

Im being serious on this one--Reile though no Mark Robinson- is a good back.  Will he put up Robinson numbers- no- but with change- ie offensive scheme Fisher should be aok!

I agree that Reille is a good back and I think Kramer is a good QB.  But, we also agree that Fisher will have to make some changes to its scheme.  While those changes will ultimately be for the better, it will have to go through an adjustment period early in the year.  Because the adjustment period tends to include the IC-Fisher game, I see IC as the favorite, especially at Butterfield.

For instance, IC went to a 3-4 this year.  It was a smart change and significantly improved our defense.  But, we played you guys during the adjustment period, on the road, and looked awful.

[theoriginalupstate]

is nowicki a junior?

yup....

[theoriginalupstate]

Im being serious on this one--Reile though no Mark Robinson- is a good back.  Will he put up Robinson numbers- no- but with change- ie offensive scheme Fisher should be aok!

I agree that Reille is a good back and I think Kramer is a good QB.  But, we also agree that Fisher will have to make some changes to its scheme.  While those changes will ultimately be for the better, it will have to go through an adjustment period early in the year.  Because the adjustment period tends to include the IC-Fisher game, I see IC as the favorite, especially at Butterfield.

For instance, IC went to a 3-4 this year.  It was a smart change and significantly improved our defense.  But, we played you guys during the adjustment period, on the road, and looked awful.

I agree that IC is the early favorite in the SJF/IC game only because its at butterfield though. 

I dont think that the adjustment to the 3-4 was the reason why you looked awful at SJF this year.  SJF just eats up the 3-4 Defense, they always have.  If you give this line just three down lineman they'll run you off the field.  Rowan, Union, SC, UR and IC run 3-4s.  SJF has dominated 3-4 Defenses for years now, so I dont think it was the adjustment to your new scheme.

[fisheralum91]

when is the Fisher IC game?

[theoriginalupstate]

Its probably either the 3rd/4th week of september....

[boobyhasgameyo]

Yeah what was the stat of the last time a private school won at Butterfield? I remember it was something sick and intimidating...

[theoriginalupstate]

Yeah what was the stat of the last time a private school won at Butterfield? I remember it was something sick and intimidating...

Where's GoBombers when you need him....

[fisheralum91]

So we will have our first E8 Nation meeting in early September?