FB: Empire 8

[pumkinattack]

Rainy and sloppy.  Hobart threw a red zone pick and had 7 penalties in the first half, offsetting the turnovers (not to mention the pick called back on a pass int call).

[sjfcards]

I am just getting back and onto the boards. Looks like another good SatERday for the E8. Good win for IC, and Utica looks to be sticking with Hobart as well.

[Bombers798891]

My E8 rankings after two weeks. Please note that the middle three teams could easily be flip flopped.

1. Fisher-- No surprise here. Two dominating wins over good competition

2. Utica-- They did enough against Hobart to convince me they're legit, as their first two wins aren't much different from Ithaca's.

3. Ithaca-- Call me a homer if you must. There are questions on offense still, and the competition hasn't been great, but they've had two convincing wins, neither of which was in doubt. This ranking is as much about my questions with the other teams than the Bombers themselves

4. Alfred-- I'm not sure Montclair's very good, and though RPI might be. Alfred's yet to go on the road, though, so Ithaca gets the nod.

5. Salisbury-- The biggest shocker. Why do I have them this low despite the fact that they should have beaten Wesley? Because they've played three games, and they've done little to convince me the triple option will be this unstoppable force like it was in year one. Sure, 180 yards per game sounds great, but look at their yards per carry by year.

2011: 6.5
2012: 5.0
2013: 4.0

This is a bad trend for a triple option team. Yes, two losses to good and great teams. But they also looked just okay against a not great NC Wesleyan team. I think there are enough offensive questions to justify the Bombers and Saxons being higher, right now.

6. Buff State-- Yards given up in the first two weeks: 475, 546. Then they don't even show up against Whitewater. If they had pulled a Utica and kept it interesting, they'd probably be higher, but you don't get the benefit of the doubt when you trail 45-7 with 6:08 left in the second quarter, at home no less. Their game against Frostburg is going to be a lot of fun.

7. Frostburg-- I can't take them seriously yet, not with that defense, even against that competition.

8. Team Boltus-- Don't care about the record. Lost 22 of their last 24 E8 games, both wins against a pre- having arrived Utica, narrowly. This conference is too good to ignore a track record like that. Way too easy to see them going o-for-the season in the E8 again.

[Upstate]

Like the rankings Bomber...

I think teams 2-5 could all be tied at #2. Each of them have something they can lean on but also have something that's going to be their likely demise.

Utica had a bunch of costly turnovers last night. They had a fumble, INT and a blocked punt in the first quarter alone. They ran the ball well vs a damn good Hobart defense which is not easy to do. They have a young QB and going vs a pretty good SU Defense this week will be a huge task.

Bombers have been solid but not really spectacular, I think they might be playing down to their competition. Will be interesting to see them go up vs an upper tier E8 team. I think their offense gets on track vs a horrible BSC Defense but how will they defend a pretty good QB in Kacz who has lit everyone, except UWW, up?

AU is really a wildcard for me. Does Scalvo improve as the year goes on or does he continue with the rookie growing pains? It could be an up and down year for the Saxons vs the better competition. Going up vs Brockport's offense will be a huge test for the AU Defense.

Salisbury is a mess right now. I like their defense and especially their CB Carter, he is a likely an AA. However their offense is a mess. They put up 69 on NCWC last year and scored with 28 seconds left to make it a 28-10 game this year. Just how bad is NCWC? They lost to two teams in weeks 1 & 2 with that have been in the NCAA for a combined 3 seasons.

[Bombers798891]

Like the rankings Bomber...

I think teams 2-5 could all be tied at #2. Each of them have something they can lean on but also have something that's going to be their likely demise.

Utica had a bunch of costly turnovers last night. They had a fumble, INT and a blocked punt in the first quarter alone. They ran the ball well vs a damn good Hobart defense which is not easy to do. They have a young QB and going vs a pretty good SU Defense this week will be a huge task.

Bombers have been solid but not really spectacular, I think they might be playing down to their competition. Will be interesting to see them go up vs an upper tier E8 team. I think their offense gets on track vs a horrible BSC Defense but how will they defend a pretty good QB in Kacz who has lit everyone, except UWW, up?

AU is really a wildcard for me. Does Scalvo improve as the year goes on or does he continue with the rookie growing pains? It could be an up and down year for the Saxons vs the better competition. Going up vs Brockport's offense will be a huge test for the AU Defense.

Salisbury is a mess right now. I like their defense and especially their CB Carter, he is a likely an AA. However their offense is a mess. They put up 69 on NCWC last year and scored with 28 seconds left to make it a 28-10 game this year. Just how bad is NCWC? They lost to two teams in weeks 1 & 2 with that have been in the NCAA for a combined 3 seasons.

Yes, everyone but Fisher's got issues, but I tried to differentiate best I could and not make a 5-way tie, because heck if that's what happens, what's the point?

[Upstate]

Like the rankings Bomber...

I think teams 2-5 could all be tied at #2. Each of them have something they can lean on but also have something that's going to be their likely demise.

Utica had a bunch of costly turnovers last night. They had a fumble, INT and a blocked punt in the first quarter alone. They ran the ball well vs a damn good Hobart defense which is not easy to do. They have a young QB and going vs a pretty good SU Defense this week will be a huge task.

Bombers have been solid but not really spectacular, I think they might be playing down to their competition. Will be interesting to see them go up vs an upper tier E8 team. I think their offense gets on track vs a horrible BSC Defense but how will they defend a pretty good QB in Kacz who has lit everyone, except UWW, up?

AU is really a wildcard for me. Does Scalvo improve as the year goes on or does he continue with the rookie growing pains? It could be an up and down year for the Saxons vs the better competition. Going up vs Brockport's offense will be a huge test for the AU Defense.

Salisbury is a mess right now. I like their defense and especially their CB Carter, he is a likely an AA. However their offense is a mess. They put up 69 on NCWC last year and scored with 28 seconds left to make it a 28-10 game this year. Just how bad is NCWC? They lost to two teams in weeks 1 & 2 with that have been in the NCAA for a combined 3 seasons.

Yes, everyone but Fisher's got issues, but I tried to differentiate best I could and not make a 5-way tie, because heck if that's what happens, what's the point?

Well it's not like the E8 is not used to ties or anything...

[D3MAFAN]

My E8 rankings after two weeks. Please note that the middle three teams could easily be flip flopped.

1. Fisher-- No surprise here. Two dominating wins over good competition

2. Utica-- They did enough against Hobart to convince me they're legit, as their first two wins aren't much different from Ithaca's.

3. Ithaca-- Call me a homer if you must. There are questions on offense still, and the competition hasn't been great, but they've had two convincing wins, neither of which was in doubt. This ranking is as much about my questions with the other teams than the Bombers themselves

4. Alfred-- I'm not sure Montclair's very good, and though RPI might be. Alfred's yet to go on the road, though, so Ithaca gets the nod.

5. Salisbury-- The biggest shocker. Why do I have them this low despite the fact that they should have beaten Wesley? Because they've played three games, and they've done little to convince me the triple option will be this unstoppable force like it was in year one. Sure, 180 yards per game sounds great, but look at their yards per carry by year.

2011: 6.5
2012: 5.0
2013: 4.0

This is a bad trend for a triple option team. Yes, two losses to good and great teams. But they also looked just okay against a not great NC Wesleyan team. I think there are enough offensive questions to justify the Bombers and Saxons being higher, right now.

6. Buff State-- Yards given up in the first two weeks: 475, 546. Then they don't even show up against Whitewater. If they had pulled a Utica and kept it interesting, they'd probably be higher, but you don't get the benefit of the doubt when you trail 45-7 with 6:08 left in the second quarter, at home no less. Their game against Frostburg is going to be a lot of fun.

7. Frostburg-- I can't take them seriously yet, not with that defense, even against that competition.

8. Team Boltus-- Don't care about the record. Lost 22 of their last 24 E8 games, both wins against a pre- having arrived Utica, narrowly. This conference is too good to ignore a track record like that. Way too easy to see them going o-for-the season in the E8 again.

Can't disagree with the rankings. I think that SJF is moving to be the most complete team in the East region. As far as 2-4, I think I would have all them tied at 2, can't really decide yet until conference play. Honestly, between Buff State and Salisbury, I think that Buff State may get the nod, because I think they have the better offense and Buff State weakness appears to be their passing defense and Salisbury does not do that well (or at all). However, 2-6 may beat up on each other, which would make the E 8 very intriguing this year. As of today, SJF looks to be the only team that can make noise in the playoffs.

[sjfcards]

My E8 rankings after two weeks. Please note that the middle three teams could easily be flip flopped.

1. Fisher-- No surprise here. Two dominating wins over good competition

2. Utica-- They did enough against Hobart to convince me they're legit, as their first two wins aren't much different from Ithaca's.

3. Ithaca-- Call me a homer if you must. There are questions on offense still, and the competition hasn't been great, but they've had two convincing wins, neither of which was in doubt. This ranking is as much about my questions with the other teams than the Bombers themselves

4. Alfred-- I'm not sure Montclair's very good, and though RPI might be. Alfred's yet to go on the road, though, so Ithaca gets the nod.

5. Salisbury-- The biggest shocker. Why do I have them this low despite the fact that they should have beaten Wesley? Because they've played three games, and they've done little to convince me the triple option will be this unstoppable force like it was in year one. Sure, 180 yards per game sounds great, but look at their yards per carry by year.

2011: 6.5
2012: 5.0
2013: 4.0

This is a bad trend for a triple option team. Yes, two losses to good and great teams. But they also looked just okay against a not great NC Wesleyan team. I think there are enough offensive questions to justify the Bombers and Saxons being higher, right now.

6. Buff State-- Yards given up in the first two weeks: 475, 546. Then they don't even show up against Whitewater. If they had pulled a Utica and kept it interesting, they'd probably be higher, but you don't get the benefit of the doubt when you trail 45-7 with 6:08 left in the second quarter, at home no less. Their game against Frostburg is going to be a lot of fun.

7. Frostburg-- I can't take them seriously yet, not with that defense, even against that competition.

8. Team Boltus-- Don't care about the record. Lost 22 of their last 24 E8 games, both wins against a pre- having arrived Utica, narrowly. This conference is too good to ignore a track record like that. Way too easy to see them going o-for-the season in the E8 again.

Can't disagree with the rankings. I think that SJF is moving to be the most complete team in the East region. As far as 2-4, I think I would have all them tied at 2, can't really decide yet until conference play. Honestly, between Buff State and Salisbury, I think that Buff State may get the nod, because I think they have the better offense and Buff State weakness appears to be their passing defense and Salisbury does not do that well (or at all). However, 2-6 may beat up on each other, which would make the E 8 very intriguing this year. As of today, SJF looks to be the only team that can make noise in the playoffs.

I agree with the rankings as well. Fisher has been the most solid team, and everyone else sort of looks bunched in the middle. The key for Fisher to me is can they finally go through a conference slate without a head scratching loss. The have always found a way to lose at least one conference game, which in this conference can bring a lot of teams into the mix .

I would also say that I agree with your IC ranking. I believe they will be tough in conference this year. I have been impressed thus far.

The only question I have is with the rankings is Buff State. I actually think they are pretty good. Still have a lot of work to do on defense, but they can move the ball and score on most teams they play. The win against Cortland is still a good one, and I will give them a pass for the UWW game.

[Bombers798891]

The only question I have is with the rankings is Buff State. I actually think they are pretty good. Still have a lot of work to do on defense, but they can move the ball and score on most teams they play. The win against Cortland is still a good one, and I will give them a pass for the UWW game.

I struggled with Buff State, but at this point, can we prove they're not just Frostburg with a better coach? In three games, they've allowed 1,040 passing yards and 13 TD's. I'll give you that the QB play in the E8 isn't at the level of some of these other teams, except for SJF and Utica, but they have yet to play a even halfway decent defensive game.

Let's remember this: Whitewater did not go 15-0 or 14-and Mount last year. They went 7-3 and missed the playoffs. The opening week, they beat a Wash U team that went 5-5 last year and is 1-2 this year, by 10 points. They then went into Buff State and blew them out of the water. I can appreciate revenge games, an extra week to prep, and reward ballsy scheduling, but I don't reward no shows at home. No chance Salisbury, Alfred, or Ithaca allow essentially a 31-point first quarter. 

[AUPepBand]

The only question I have is with the rankings is Buff State. I actually think they are pretty good. Still have a lot of work to do on defense, but they can move the ball and score on most teams they play. The win against Cortland is still a good one, and I will give them a pass for the UWW game.

I struggled with Buff State, but at this point, can we prove they're not just Frostburg with a better coach? In three games, they've allowed 1,040 passing yards and 13 TD's. I'll give you that the QB play in the E8 isn't at the level of some of these other teams, except for SJF and Utica, but they have yet to play a even halfway decent defensive game.

Let's remember this: Whitewater did not go 15-0 or 14-and Mount last year. They went 7-3 and missed the playoffs. The opening week, they beat a Wash U team that went 5-5 last year and is 1-2 this year, by 10 points. They then went into Buff State and blew them out of the water. I can appreciate revenge games, an extra week to prep, and reward ballsy scheduling, but I don't reward no shows at home. No chance Salisbury, Alfred, or Ithaca allow essentially a 31-point first quarter.

Pep wishes this were true except sometimes when a tsunami hits your team, there's little one can do. I refer to Alfred's Oct. 15, 2011 humiliating 69-0 loss to Salisbury State in a cold, driving rainstorm on Merrill Field when, after taking a 7-0 lead, the Seagulls sailed to a 35-0 halftime lead...and nearly matched it in the second half, save a missed PAT. Everything that possibly could go wrong went wrong for AU, including not one but TWO punts blocked, one returned for a TD and the other setting up a short TD run.  Sometimes when it rains....it pours! (And the Saxons finished a pretty good 8-3 that year).

[saxontad]

re:  the Buff. State questions.  I remember last year after they beat UWW and AU had to go up there the next week.  I thought we were in trouble.  Obviously they had a let down and UWW wasn't as good as advertised.  But we lost a couple of good running backs to injury early yet dominated for 401 yds. rushing in a 40-17 win.  We have them at homecoming in two weeks.  I still don't know what to expect.  I just hope we play well at Brockport saterday evening!!

On Saxon Warriors!!

[bleedpurple]

The only question I have is with the rankings is Buff State. I actually think they are pretty good. Still have a lot of work to do on defense, but they can move the ball and score on most teams they play. The win against Cortland is still a good one, and I will give them a pass for the UWW game.

I struggled with Buff State, but at this point, can we prove they're not just Frostburg with a better coach? In three games, they've allowed 1,040 passing yards and 13 TD's. I'll give you that the QB play in the E8 isn't at the level of some of these other teams, except for SJF and Utica, but they have yet to play a even halfway decent defensive game.

Let's remember this: Whitewater did not go 15-0 or 14-and Mount last year. They went 7-3 and missed the playoffs. The opening week, they beat a Wash U team that went 5-5 last year and is 1-2 this year, by 10 points. They then went into Buff State and blew them out of the water. I can appreciate revenge games, an extra week to prep, and reward ballsy scheduling, but I don't reward no shows at home. No chance Salisbury, Alfred, or Ithaca allow essentially a 31-point first quarter.

Pep wishes this were true except sometimes when a tsunami hits your team, there's little one can do. I refer to Alfred's Oct. 15, 2011 humiliating 69-0 loss to Salisbury State in a cold, driving rainstorm on Merrill Field when, after taking a 7-0 lead, the Seagulls sailed to a 35-0 halftime lead...and nearly matched it in the second half, save a missed PAT. Everything that possibly could go wrong went wrong for AU, including not one but TWO punts blocked, one returned for a TD and the other setting up a short TD run.  Sometimes when it rains....it pours! (And the Saxons finished a pretty good 8-3 that year).

I can't solve the Buffalo State mystery in the E8 context, but I can add perspective to what happened SatERday. Talent-wise, UW-W is closer to the Stagg Bowl teams than they are to being a 7-3 team. However, they are REALLY young and currently installing a new offensive system. Week 1 was played without their pre-season all-american WR Huber and their top RB Patterson (who was still limited SatERday). Their offensive line starts four sophomores and a junior and their QB has only started a handful of games. Due to all those factors, week #1 against Wash U was a simple, ultra conservative game plan. With two more weeks to install the offense, UW-W turned the offense loose and they already have one of the top 2 or 3 defenses in the country.  My guess is buffalo state will have to outscore people. I think they have a good offense, but they are very vulnerable in defending the edges and defending against the pass. Teams that can do those things will score a lot of points against them.

[Bengalsrule]

Whew. The monumental a** whupping has sunk in and Saturdays game is what is.  Fortunately there is another game on our schedule. Time to focus on the E 8 schedule. I'm still a believer ( that won't ever change) and I believe my BENGALS will bounce back. Time will tell. I'm hoping for the best. These kids work hard and if Boyes is half the coach that I know him to be then he will have the team ready!

Go BENGALS!!

[sjfcards]

Whew. The monumental a** whupping has sunk in and Saturdays game is what is.  Fortunately there is another game on our schedule. Time to focus on the E 8 schedule. I'm still a believer ( that won't ever change) and I believe my BENGALS will bounce back. Time will tell. I'm hoping for the best. These kids work hard and if Boyes is half the coach that I know him to be then he will have the team ready!

Go BENGALS!!

The UWW/Buff State game reminds me of the Fisher/Mount games to start the seasons a few years ago. Fisher was really high for Mount to come to Growney and got stomped. That put a really bad spin on the start to the season, but I think you are right, and Boyes will have Buff State ready to go when the conference season gets going.

[Bengalsrule]

Thanks sjf. I gotta buy you a beverage when we visit Nov 9th (or Nov 16th). I'm hoping that this BENGALS ship gets righted before undefeated Ithaca comes to town. After Sat. we will have only 2 home games left (out of 6)!

Go BENGALS!!!