FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

Happy 2009 Fellas

Empire 8 2009 final Standings Prediction

1. Ithaca
2/3. Fisher/Alfred
4. Hartwick
5. Utica
6. Springfield

Key for Hartwick solely depends on the improvement of the defense. They have a qb who has been the back up of boltus for 3 years, so no doubt that he knows the system, but the fact is he isnt Jason Boltus, so Hartwick might not be able to win 70-68 games anymore. Dont get me wrong as Always Hartwick is gonna score alot of points. They have a talented group of WR's and a very very dangerous RB in Demulder. If the defense can hold opponents under 28 ppg, I think Hartwick has another good year.

Pep thought that Hartwick LOST that 70-68 game.

[Bombers798891]

hawkschamps-
what makes you believe that IC would be the top team.
if we learn anything from last year- au or fisher would be in the drivers seat

They were picked 10th in the USA Today Preseason Top 25 and for some reason it seems as people are kind of over looking them. I think Grastorf is a great talent and will have no problem directing that offense and we all seen what Thomas Bergerstock is capable of doing in the running game. In the great game of college Football every years a new year. Some team with High expectations will disappoint (Fisher last year) and some team will come out of nowhere and surprise.

I'm wary of how many USA TODAY people are aware of all the D3 goings on. And I say that not rudely, but from experience. IC gets ranked highly quite often--especially for a team that almost always finishes the regular season with two or three losses.

To be honest, the Union game will tell you a lot about the Bombers. On paper, Ithaca's probably the better team, but it's a road game and it's on turf, where Ithaca has tended to struggle defensively over the years. If Ithaca can get out of there at 2-0, I think it's sends a good message.

The biggest issue is the schedule. This season, there's really no stretch where they can get rolling. Last year, after the SJF loss, they traveled to Norwich for an easy game, got a weak Frostburg team at home, followed by an home date against a bad Utica team and then a home date against a weak Springfield team. Four straight blowouts ensued, and the team got on a major roll. Same thing in 2007: The team was 2-2, and then they got back-to-back home dates with a not very good Brockport team and Norwich, followed by a bye, then Utica.

What's that stretch this year? If the Bombers lose to Union, will they be able to get on a roll before SJF comes into town? If they lose to SJF, will they be able to regroup by the time Alfred and Cortland show up?

Here's something you may not know: In each of the last four seasons, Ithaca had a stretch of three straight home games. This year's team doesn't even get back-to-back home games till the last two weeks of the season. That's going to be tough, especially for a team that hasn't experienced it.

[sjfcards]

hawkschamps-
what makes you believe that IC would be the top team.
if we learn anything from last year- au or fisher would be in the drivers seat

They were picked 10th in the USA Today Preseason Top 25 and for some reason it seems as people are kind of over looking them. I think Grastorf is a great talent and will have no problem directing that offense and we all seen what Thomas Bergerstock is capable of doing in the running game. In the great game of college Football every years a new year. Some team with High expectations will disappoint (Fisher last year) and some team will come out of nowhere and surprise.

I'm wary of how many USA TODAY people are aware of all the D3 goings on. And I say that not rudely, but from experience. IC gets ranked highly quite often--especially for a team that almost always finishes the regular season with two or three losses.

To be honest, the Union game will tell you a lot about the Bombers. On paper, Ithaca's probably the better team, but it's a road game and it's on turf, where Ithaca has tended to struggle defensively over the years. If Ithaca can get out of there at 2-0, I think it's sends a good message.

The biggest issue is the schedule. This season, there's really no stretch where they can get rolling. Last year, after the SJF loss, they traveled to Norwich for an easy game, got a weak Frostburg team at home, followed by an home date against a bad Utica team and then a home date against a weak Springfield team. Four straight blowouts ensued, and the team got on a major roll. Same thing in 2007: The team was 2-2, and then they got back-to-back home dates with a not very good Brockport team and Norwich, followed by a bye, then Utica.

What's that stretch this year? If the Bombers lose to Union, will they be able to get on a roll before SJF comes into town? If they lose to SJF, will they be able to regroup by the time Alfred and Cortland show up?

Here's something you may not know: In each of the last four seasons, Ithaca had a stretch of three straight home games. This year's team doesn't even get back-to-back home games till the last two weeks of the season. That's going to be tough, especially for a team that hasn't experienced it.

Great stat there about the home games. I agree with your thought about the difficulty of IC's schedule, especially since they will be a little younger than most years. I still think will have enough talen to have a good season, but I see a few losses in there.

Much like IC's game against Union I think Fisher's season will be determined by their two game stretch against Salisbury and IC. Both games are on the road, and against good opponents. Assuming Fisher loses to MUC, they will probably be 2-1 going into that stretch, and if they can come out of it 4-1, then they are probably off to the races.

This is probably the most open I can remember a Ei8 football seson being going in. You could make a compelling argument for 4 or 5 teams to win the league and I would buy each of them. I could see Fisher going 8-1 and winning the league, or I can see another 4 loss season. Same with IC, and I doubt that anyone would be suprised if AU beats Fisher and IC or losses to both of them. Could be a lot of fun.

[ADL70]

I'm wary of how many USA TODAY people are aware of all the D3 goings on. And I say that not rudely, but from experience.

The last two years the USA Today Preview has been by one Pat Coleman who has more than a passing awareness of D3 goings on.

[Bombers798891]

I'm wary of how many USA TODAY people are aware of all the D3 goings on. And I say that not rudely, but from experience.

The last two years the USA Today Preview has been by one Pat Coleman who has more than a passing awareness of D3 goings on.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if they had one of their staffers do it or brought in someone from the outside. Obviously, my comment was only intended if it was the former. I worked on a lot of those preview things myself, so it wasn't intended to be a slight at anyone..,

(I still think IC is ranked too high)

[AUKaz00]

I'm wary of how many USA TODAY people are aware of all the D3 goings on. And I say that not rudely, but from experience.

The last two years the USA Today Preview has been by one Pat Coleman who has more than a passing awareness of D3 goings on.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if they had one of their staffers do it or brought in someone from the outside. Obviously, my comment was only intended if it was the former. I worked on a lot of those preview things myself, so it wasn't intended to be a slight at anyone..,

(I still think IC is ranked too high)

I don't think Ithaca's ranked too high.  In fact, I hope they're ranked just as high when Alfred beats them at Butterfield in November!

[dewcrew88]

Happy 2009 Fellas

Empire 8 2009 final Standings Prediction

1. Ithaca
2/3. Fisher/Alfred
4. Hartwick
5. Utica
6. Springfield

Key for Hartwick solely depends on the improvement of the defense. They have a qb who has been the back up of boltus for 3 years, so no doubt that he knows the system, but the fact is he isnt Jason Boltus, so Hartwick might not be able to win 70-68 games anymore. Dont get me wrong as Always Hartwick is gonna score alot of points. They have a talented group of WR's and a very very dangerous RB in Demulder. If the defense can hold opponents under 28 ppg, I think Hartwick has another good year.

Pep thought that Hartwick LOST that 70-68 game.

Unfortunately, no. [/ucalum]

[AUKaz00]

Happy 2009 Fellas

Empire 8 2009 final Standings Prediction

1. Ithaca
2/3. Fisher/Alfred
4. Hartwick
5. Utica
6. Springfield

Key for Hartwick solely depends on the improvement of the defense. They have a qb who has been the back up of boltus for 3 years, so no doubt that he knows the system, but the fact is he isnt Jason Boltus, so Hartwick might not be able to win 70-68 games anymore. Dont get me wrong as Always Hartwick is gonna score alot of points. They have a talented group of WR's and a very very dangerous RB in Demulder. If the defense can hold opponents under 28 ppg, I think Hartwick has another good year.

Pep thought that Hartwick LOST that 70-68 game.

Unfortunately, no.

Pep's right.  Wick lost 70-68 in their ECAC game to Port last year, but beat Utica 72-70 in 2007.

[AUPepBand]

Wait, is this the basketball board or the FOOTBALL board? 

[dlippiel]

Wait, is this the basketball board or the FOOTBALL board? 

Thats is what Boltus did at the D3 level, put up scores as if they were playing on the B-Ball court. Yet dlippiel can say this with much confidence, that will not be the case for Wick scores this season during their first post-Boltus campaign. dlippiel thinks they are going to be in for a return to reality in 09. Honestly though dlippiel would love to see Wick have a solid year and turn some heads. There is one way to shut the critics up (like myself) who believe without Boltus Wick would not have done much of anything....to win without him. Yet overall when it comes to the E8 dlippiel will always pull most for the Pride. dlippiel is simply obsessed with the triple option after watching it confuse the U for so many years

[boobyhasgameyo]

Wait, is this the basketball board or the FOOTBALL board? 

Thats is what Boltus did at the D3 level, put up scores as if they were playing on the B-Ball court. Yet dlippiel can say this with much confidence, that will not be the case for Wick scores this season during their first post-Boltus campaign. dlippiel thinks they are going to be in for a return to reality in 09. Honestly though dlippiel would love to see Wick have a solid year and turn some heads. There is one way to shut the critics up (like myself) who believe without Boltus Wick would not have done much of anything....to win without him. Yet overall when it comes to the E8 dlippiel will always pull most for the Pride. dlippiel is simply obsessed with the triple option after watching it confuse the U for so many years

Man your head might explode when Salisbury joins the E8 and takes on Springfield.  I actually want to see that game, but too bad I'd have to travel to either Massachusetts or Maryland to see the Empire 8 matchup....Cause that makes sense. 

[theoriginalupstate]

Wait, is this the basketball board or the FOOTBALL board? 

Thats is what Boltus did at the D3 level, put up scores as if they were playing on the B-Ball court. Yet dlippiel can say this with much confidence, that will not be the case for Wick scores this season during their first post-Boltus campaign. dlippiel thinks they are going to be in for a return to reality in 09. Honestly though dlippiel would love to see Wick have a solid year and turn some heads. There is one way to shut the critics up (like myself) who believe without Boltus Wick would not have done much of anything....to win without him. Yet overall when it comes to the E8 dlippiel will always pull most for the Pride. dlippiel is simply obsessed with the triple option after watching it confuse the U for so many years

Man your head might explode when Salisbury joins the E8 and takes on Springfield.  I actually want to see that game, but too bad I'd have to travel to either Massachusetts or Maryland to see the Empire 8 matchup....Cause that makes sense. 

Yeah driving that far to see a game that will last about 2 hours total wouldn't be that fun...

[Bombers798891]

Wait, is this the basketball board or the FOOTBALL board? 

Thats is what Boltus did at the D3 level, put up scores as if they were playing on the B-Ball court. Yet dlippiel can say this with much confidence, that will not be the case for Wick scores this season during their first post-Boltus campaign. dlippiel thinks they are going to be in for a return to reality in 09. Honestly though dlippiel would love to see Wick have a solid year and turn some heads. There is one way to shut the critics up (like myself) who believe without Boltus Wick would not have done much of anything....to win without him. Yet overall when it comes to the E8 dlippiel will always pull most for the Pride. dlippiel is simply obsessed with the triple option after watching it confuse the U for so many years

Man your head might explode when Salisbury joins the E8 and takes on Springfield.  I actually want to see that game, but too bad I'd have to travel to either Massachusetts or Maryland to see the Empire 8 matchup....Cause that makes sense. 

Yeah driving that far to see a game that will last about 2 hours total wouldn't be that fun...

Leave the DB's at home for that one...

[sjfcards]

what would be the over/under on passes thrown in a Springfield vs Salisbury game be?...8? I don't know. Salisbury throws it a little more than the Pride but not much,.

[Bigtoe75]

Salisbury may throw a little more this year. Their QB is a transfer from Maryland who known more for his throwing rather than his running. By the time they get to the E8, they'll back to their running ways I'm sure.