FB: Empire 8

[Jonny Utah]

As a constant defender of the East region over the last five years (especially when it comes to playoff time), I'll just say that I'm really happy for what Buffalo State would pull off today. To Whitewater fans, even Coach Leipold would agree that this wasn't luck for the first 59 minutes since the defense held Whitewater without a touchdown. Please keep it classy, as I know some of you from Salem visits and know that you are generally very classy fans.

With that said, I'm having trouble figuring out what to do with the relative positions of the two teams after today's game, especially since Buffalo State lost to Brockport last week. So, I'm asking all of you, in my shoes, what would you do? My ballot had read Whitewater number one, and neither Brockport nor Buffalo State were in my ballot. Try not to be a homer about this, but be realistic and help me gain some perspective. Thanks.

I would rank Buffalo State for sure. Cortland wasn't ranked in the poll pre-season, but they were receiving votes, so that's a solid win. The Red Dragons didn't exactly pick up a meaningful win this week, but still, I think it's fair to call them a good team, not a team on the downswing. And, I think, the way Buffalo State won today matters too. It wasn't like they were outgained by 300 yards and Whitewater just made mistakes. The Bengals outgained them and had an equal number of 1st downs. Not a fluky win by any means. Both teams missed some field goals, and if anything, Buff State left more points on the board with the fumble.

I'd probably rank Brockport too. Lycoming's 2-0 outside that game so that may be a quality win. As will the Buff State win too. I'd have them maybe in the 23-25 range with Buff State a spot or two higher. Yeah, I would have Buff State higher. I think the nature of the UW-W matters, and I think rewarding gutsy scheduling is never a bad thing. Maybe 20ish?

You have no choice but to rank Brockport ahead of Buff St. In my opinion.  I'd put Brockport at 10 and Buff St at 11. 
This early in the season the polls don't matter so much and will work themselves out in due time.
I'd put UWW one spot ahead of Salisbury.

[WarhawkDad]

congrats to buff st and bengalsrule.  you tauted your team and they came through.  as far as expecting class from the UWW folks, that wont happen.  pompous and arrogant are 2 words that come to mind for most of ther posters there.  it does not surprise me that they feel buff st got lucky, but when you only have 6 it only takes one lucky score to beat you.  i am sure buff st doesnt care if it was luck or not.

Congrats to Buff State, excellent game plan and execution.  You definitely have some atheletes flying around the field.

With that said, wesleydad, I think your opinion is probably based upon you reap what you sow.  99% of Warhawk and WIAC posters are humble and have felt blessed to witness the Warhawk championships.  Typically they do not react or act negatively until they are treated like your words suggest.

Good Luck to Buff State the rest of the year, hope we get to see you in the playoffs.

[AUPepBand]

So Buff State goes 2-1 with its out-of-conference cupcake schedule. Nice start. But the real season begins for the Bengals on Saterday as they begin Empire 8 play. Things won't be so easy as they were today. 

On Saxon Warriors!

[Upstate]

Great and exciting day for the E8 again...

BSC shocks the world, SU puts up 69pts, IC gets a win in OT, Fisher snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, Frostburg squeaks by for a win, AU gets a decisive win, Hartwick wins and throws up huge points and Utica hangs tough w/ a great Hobart team...

Going to be a great season of games to come!!!

[AUPepBand]

Great and exciting day for the E8 again...

BSC shocks the world, SU puts up 69pts, IC gets a win in OT, Fisher snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, Frostburg squeaks by for a win, AU gets a decisive win, Hartwick wins and throws up huge points and Utica hangs tough w/ a great Hobart team...

Going to be a great season of games to come!!!

Seriously, a great day to be in the Empire 8. Pep is thinking the E8 just keeps getting stronger and stronger every year. Most competitive conference from top to bottom (with Pep seeing ALFRED listed on the bottom currently). 

[hazzben]

When will people stop throwing at Buff St DB Chris Hall?

Two more picks today bringing his total to 6 picks in 3 games.

Wow, those are some impressive stats for the season, much less before we're a third of the way through!

[hazzben]

congrats to buff st and bengalsrule.  you tauted your team and they came through.  as far as expecting class from the UWW folks, that wont happen.  pompous and arrogant are 2 words that come to mind for most of ther posters there.  it does not surprise me that they feel buff st got lucky, but when you only have 6 it only takes one lucky score to beat you.  i am sure buff st doesnt care if it was luck or not.

As a MIAC supporter, who harbors no extra love for the WIAC, I haven't found this to be the case at all for UWW fans. They tend to be reasonable, measured and if anything a little over anxious for how good they've been of late.

Probably a few shocked posts after the game, but by and large I see them giving credit on this thread.

Which leads me to the reason I came over here. CONGRATS! Nice win Bengals. I didn't see this one coming at all. Time will tell if this years Warhawks are down or not. But that is really irrelevant. You beat the 3 time defending national champs on a huge win streak. Enjoy this one. Very few teams have been able to go toe to toe with UWW or Mount in the last decade +, much less in the regular season.

[clandfan]

Classy post Hazzben.  I, too, wanted to stop in and congratulate the Bengals and the E8.  Outstanding win.  What a shocker!  Boyes must be one hell of a coach because the Bengals are only a few years removed from being one of the doormats in the NJAC and since he has been back at the helm we have seen big strides in improvement each year including, of course, their throttling of us in week one. 

On the other hand.  watched Fisher on TV last night.  Missed the first qtr and a half due to  TW choosing to show the Syr. Post game press conference.   !*ajweojtrhfao!   Anyway, I am a little confused only because Rochester was just horrible in our scrimmage, terrible and almost beat Fisher who, quite frankly, looks very beatable.  Was not terribly impressed.  Kramer looked out of sorts most of the night.  Was good to see a local Cortland, Alex Stacy, getting some good minutes with a very productive night.  I think he's going to be a good one. 

E8  looks very tough except for Ithaca....they suck.  Can't resist.  Don't really mean it.  Yes I do.

[Yanks 99]

Letting the dust settle a little bit on a great day of college football, there are two main things that I took away from Buff State's incredible win yesterday:

1) Buff State absolutely belonged on the field with UWW yesterday.  I watch almost the entire game...and if I had never heard of either one of these teams or knew of their recent history, I would have simply thought it was two tough, athletic, physical football teams going toe to toe.  Big props to the entire coaching staff for getting their kids to believe that they were not only good enough to be on the field, but good enough to take UWW down.  Preparing for and facing UWW (and Mount Union) is a lot like facing Mike Tyson back in his prime.  Everyone had a plan on how they are going to attack and what they are going to do...until he hit you in the face for the first time.  These kids were ready...from the first punch to the last.

2) Is anyone else terrified (in a good sense) of how good Buff State could become?  For all the congrats from even a national perspective, and everyone calling it an all time win...I wonder if people even realize that this wasn't even one of those miracle "perfect games" that Buff State had to play in order to win.  Their defense played amazing, and their offense moved the ball all day.  But Buff State didn't play a perfect game.  They missed two field goals.  The QB had two interceptions.  They fumbled at the 6 yard line going in for a score.  Forget UWW...most teams won't win any game when these things happen...let alone against the 3 x time defending champions.  Is anyone else wondering what Buff State will look like when they do play a "perfect" game?  If they do...is there anyone that could stop them?

[boobyhasgameyo]

Classy post Hazzben.  I, too, wanted to stop in and congratulate the Bengals and the E8.  Outstanding win.  What a shocker!  Boyes must be one hell of a coach because the Bengals are only a few years removed from being one of the doormats in the NJAC and since he has been back at the helm we have seen big strides in improvement each year including, of course, their throttling of us in week one. 

On the other hand.  watched Fisher on TV last night.  Missed the first qtr and a half due to  TW choosing to show the Syr. Post game press conference.   !*ajweojtrhfao!   Anyway, I am a little confused only because Rochester was just horrible in our scrimmage, terrible and almost beat Fisher who, quite frankly, looks very beatable.  Was not terribly impressed.  Kramer looked out of sorts most of the night.  Was good to see a local Cortland, Alex Stacy, getting some good minutes with a very productive night.  I think he's going to be a good one. 

E8  looks very tough except for Ithaca....they suck.  Can't resist.  Don't really mean it.  Yes I do.

Nobody has been impressed with Fisher thus far.  Their defense has been above average but their offense is disgusting.  Started out the same way last year but eventually they got rolling so who knows maybe the same will happen this year.  Also the fact of the matter is it's early in the season and just because you played the U of R in a scrimmage and they didn't do so well, it has no bearing on the type of team they will become.  The teams Fisher have played against are 4-0 against opponents not named St. John Fisher and 0-3 versus them.  Soooooo again who knows.  It is early yet. 

[wesleydad]

Great post yanks.  I was wondering what this says about Brockport who put up points on Buff St.  I didn't see that game as I was in Dover watching Wesley go down to defeat.  If Buff st. d is that strong then Brockport must move way up in the national rankings.  Seldom stunned when someone beats someone, but was totally stunned by Buff St. only giving up 6.  The stats say the game was even.  Is it possible that UWW has come back to the pack or is the pack catching up to the big 2?  I hope so because it would be nice to see different teams at the Stagg.  Is Salisbury still the favorite in the E8?

[boobyhasgameyo]

Great post yanks.  I was wondering what this says about Brockport who put up points on Buff St.  I didn't see that game as I was in Dover watching Wesley go down to defeat.  If Buff st. d is that strong then Brockport must move way up in the national rankings.  Seldom stunned when someone beats someone, but was totally stunned by Buff St. only giving up 6.  The stats say the game was even.  Is it possible that UWW has come back to the pack or is the pack catching up to the big 2?  I hope so because it would be nice to see different teams at the Stagg.  Is Salisbury still the favorite in the E8?

I have to believe Salisbury is still the favorite.  Heavy favorite.  I can't wait to see E8 teams start to take on each other.  It's going to be a fun season. 

Nice to see you back on the E8 boards Wesleydad

[wesleydad]

booby, I like coming over here, you guys talk football and I like your league since I get to see a couple of teams when I go to Salisbury when they have a better game than Wesley's is.  With the emergence of Buff St. I may have to change my travel plans to catch them against someone this year, I travel to the best game I can find within a 4 hours drive or so and since I am located right outside of Philly I have access to roads that get me plenty of places rather easily.  I am also thinking that I need to add Brockport to my agenda when they visit one of the nearby NJAC teams.  Buff St.'s win yesterday just added a little more excitment to the overall national scene.

[Cardinal Pride]

Someone on the WIAC board called their last drive "Lucky." You know a lateral type play might be coming on 4th and long. You have to be able to stop it. That isn't "luck" to me.

Doesn't really matter how they won in the 4th, they were not supoposed to be in the game at all.  Buff St has just completed a program changing moment!

[clandfan]

I agree Booby...I know that I can't take much away from a scrimmage.  Rochester certainly looked like a different team than I saw a few weeks ago and every year they seem to come up with a big win somewhere during the season.  Fisher is ranked high, 3-0, props to them.  I guess I was expecting a blowout given the ranking and what I had seen of Rochester.  It obviously didn't work out that way.  shaping up to be a very interesting year.  Enjoy.