FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

I'm going to ask an honest question: What happened to the offenses  in this conference?We're eight games into the season--seven for some and only two quarterbacks have double digit touchdown passes. Only two have a 2-to-1 TD/INT ratio. Only one has a completion percentage above 60%.   

Another thing I've noticed: The lack of teams with a feature back. Not a single E8 RB is averaging 20 carries a game, and only Ardoin and Baldassare are even close.

In 2010, E8 offenses averaged 32.6 PPG. This year, that number has dropped to 25.5. (In both cases, there's 64 games to use.) That's a full touchdown drop across the board in just two years.
It's just strange to see the offenses struggle so much. Thoughts?

Pep can't speak for any of the other teams, but some of the AU offense was last seen in the back of an ambulance...while others were either on crutches or suffering from concussions.

[drt]

Love ya Pep, but I understand Sopak had a big knee brace on to start the game.
Understand Beckwith tore an ACL.  Sucks for him, Dwyer broken/dislocated ankle.  Sucks for  him, no sarcasm intended.
UC took it to you SatERday.  Give them their due.

[saxontad]

I'm going to ask an honest question: What happened to the offenses  in this conference?We're eight games into the season--seven for some and only two quarterbacks have double digit touchdown passes. Only two have a 2-to-1 TD/INT ratio. Only one has a completion percentage above 60%.   

Another thing I've noticed: The lack of teams with a feature back. Not a single E8 RB is averaging 20 carries a game, and only Ardoin and Baldassare are even close.

In 2010, E8 offenses averaged 32.6 PPG. This year, that number has dropped to 25.5. (In both cases, there's 64 games to use.) That's a full touchdown drop across the board in just two years.
It's just strange to see the offenses struggle so much. Thoughts?

Pep can't speak for any of the other teams, but some of the AU offense was last seen in the back of an ambulance...while others were either on crutches or suffering from concussions.

Pep, how are our injured Saxons?  It sounds as if at least two (maybe more) are out for the season.  Prayers for complete recoveries.

On Saxon Warriors!!

[AUPepBand]

Love ya Pep, but I understand Sopak had a big knee brace on to start the game.
Understand Beckwith tore an ACL.  Sucks for him, Dwyer broken/dislocated ankle.  Sucks for  him, no sarcasm intended.
UC took it to you SatERday.  Give them their due.

Pep already did.

[SJFF82]

Im a little surprised that Fisher wins in a shut out and drops a spot. Does that mean that they beat Buff St. and then drop out of the top 25?
If Fisher wins out I really cant wait to see and hear all the opinions on who should go!

St. John Fisher's vote totals the past three weeks: 66, 64, 63. Fairly consistent, just getting passed by teams. They kind of don't belong in the Top 25 anyway, as the discussion a week ago focused on.

What team below them can you really favor in a H2H matchup?  They clearly are surviving week to week, but have 2 very solid OOC wins and with the way E8 is shaking out, all but Wick/Frostburg can beat the rest in the conference on any given week in one of the stongest conferences in land.  Plus, we have seen a 2 loss Fisher team do damage in the past....last year.

Huge difference from this year and last is that Fisher doesn't have two of the better WRs to come through the program to bail out the QB almost every game like they did last year...
[/quotE

oh no question they are not as talented or playing as well as they did during their post-season run last year on offense, but defense can keep them in prob most post season games in first 2 rounds. 

I was speaking generically to the idea they shouldnt be Top 25. I missed thread last week PC is referring to, so sorry if I am re-hashing, maybe I should go back and read and be quiet...

[SJFF82]

apparrently, I dont know how to post anymore either......

[Bengalsrule]

Bengals,
This is going to be one hell of a finish to a season!

No doubt about that FA91...no doubt about that!!

[SUADC]

With Sandy making its way along the eastern seaboard, I pray that everyone is safe. Nevertheless, I had to look at the weather forecast for this upcoming weekend...it appears that it will be clear skies in Salisbury (Thank Goodness.) It appears that rain does not go well for Salisbury and the option. Many pray for rain, I pray for rain on any other day Salisbury is not playing and if it does rain, hopefully not on grass fields, because that too has not been friendly to us. Another De facto E8 championship this weekend (third of this year). Senior day for the Seagulls...lets get the W.

[sjfcards]

Im a little surprised that Fisher wins in a shut out and drops a spot. Does that mean that they beat Buff St. and then drop out of the top 25?
If Fisher wins out I really cant wait to see and hear all the opinions on who should go!

St. John Fisher's vote totals the past three weeks: 66, 64, 63. Fairly consistent, just getting passed by teams. They kind of don't belong in the Top 25 anyway, as the discussion a week ago focused on.

What team below them can you really favor in a H2H matchup?  They clearly are surviving week to week, but have 2 very solid OOC wins and with the way E8 is shaking out, all but Wick/Frostburg can beat the rest in the conference on any given week in one of the stongest conferences in land.  Plus, we have seen a 2 loss Fisher team do damage in the past....last year.

Huge difference from this year and last is that Fisher doesn't have two of the better WRs to come through the program to bail out the QB almost every game like they did last year...

I have to agree with Upstate. While I would love to say that Fisher has a resume worthy of recognition I just can't get behind it. This Fisher Defense is as good as almost any, and I felt the same way last year, but I feel like it has been wasted with the offense that Fisher has chosen to run the past two seasons. Kramer is a great talent, but using him this way does not help the offense perform better. I don't think anyone would argue this offense is as good as previous years including the Fisher teams from earlier in the 00's that were winning 6 and 8 games.

I have been on the record all year saying I don't think the offense has been run properly this year or last, and think that using a more traditional QB and system would have made Fisher a much better team.

The difference between this year and last year is that last year the offense decided to just give up on the pass for the most part and run the ball all the time. This year Kramer has tried to stay in the pocket more (admittedly he has a bum ankle and I am sure that is the main factor), and it just has not worked. If Kramer can not run the ball with that ankle, take him out and get someone who can throw enough to keep you moving the ball. You can't ask Kramer to throw 40 to 50 times a game and be successful. It just isn't his strong point.

[Upstate]

If Kramer is going to be the QB next year just bring in another lineman or tight end and run the god damned zone read option out of shotgun 50 times a game.

[SJFF82]

btw, SJFF is 75-22 in past 8 seasons to date, so that gives them the nod for Top 25 this year...

[dlippiel]

If Kramer is going to be the QB next year just bring in another lineman or tight end and run the god damned zone read option out of shotgun 50 times a game.

Absolutely, you have got to play to the kid's strength. They can't keep asking a non-passer to pass and that has been the problem. Kid is an awesome football player. Put him in a position to do what he does best, run.

[wesleydad]

thoughts on the salisbury/utica game.  anyone giving utica a chance?  if so, what do they have to do to win.  salisbury has not scored as much as usual this year, can utica contain them to stay in the game?

[Upstate]

thoughts on the salisbury/utica game.  anyone giving utica a chance?  if so, what do they have to do to win.  salisbury has not scored as much as usual this year, can utica contain them to stay in the game?

If Utica's QB gets hot he can absolutely keep the team in the game, he's kind of like a mini-Boltus...

[dlippiel]

thoughts on the salisbury/utica game.  anyone giving utica a chance?  if so, what do they have to do to win.  salisbury has not scored as much as usual this year, can utica contain them to stay in the game?

If Utica's QB gets hot he can absolutely keep the team in the game, he's kind of like a mini-Boltus...

Having seen Andrew Benkwitt in person dlip feels he is one of the better d3 QB's he has seen play. The kid is polished and poised. He can pick a part a defense.