FB: Empire 8

[ITH radio]

For the record Hobart has a 10 game regular season schedule this fall. It would be nice if a Springfield, Union or RPI could get things back to how it was in mid-2000s when the LL had 3-4 teams competing for a title. In 2003 RPI lost to a 5-4 Statesmen team before running to the Final Four.

Today's announcement made me wonder if IC would consider making a move to the LL to match up with privates (better academic profile, etc) and have a statistically better shot to compete for a pool A, assuming other LL teams didn't raise their game in the coming years.

[sjfcards]

I'm not sure it's all that much about strengthening the conference, though it is a good byproduct that they can play up. For the NJAC, it's about maintaining the AQ. For the E8 it's about maintaining the AQ while creating a better situation for the members. I really think the E8 got the better end of the deal, marginally, by becoming so much more geographically compact while maintaining the competitiveness. That was a good trick and it really makes for a fabulous conference.

The NJAC, as it has since the AQ was initiated, just had to scramble for members. Luckily it worked out, and adding Wesley and Salisbury is very good, adding CNU is a nice bonus as well. SVA is a bit of a lame duck, but probably not much farther than CNU. Still, it's not quite as nice a situation as the E8 worked themselves into.

Congratulations are due all around for making a move that is so incredibly sensible.

The story on the front page mentions the improved budget situations for teams, now that they don't have to travel to MD. No small thing when you have 100+ people traveling in some situations.

[jknezek]

I'm not sure it's all that much about strengthening the conference, though it is a good byproduct that they can play up. For the NJAC, it's about maintaining the AQ. For the E8 it's about maintaining the AQ while creating a better situation for the members. I really think the E8 got the better end of the deal, marginally, by becoming so much more geographically compact while maintaining the competitiveness. That was a good trick and it really makes for a fabulous conference.

The NJAC, as it has since the AQ was initiated, just had to scramble for members. Luckily it worked out, and adding Wesley and Salisbury is very good, adding CNU is a nice bonus as well. SVA is a bit of a lame duck, but probably not much farther than CNU. Still, it's not quite as nice a situation as the E8 worked themselves into.

Congratulations are due all around for making a move that is so incredibly sensible.

The story on the front page mentions the improved budget situations for teams, now that they don't have to travel to MD. No small thing when you have 100+ people traveling in some situations.

Yep. That is exactly what I meant by "better situation!"

[Upstate]

For the record Hobart has a 10 game regular season schedule this fall. It would be nice if a Springfield, Union or RPI could get things back to how it was in mid-2000s when the LL had 3-4 teams competing for a title. In 2003 RPI lost to a 5-4 Statesmen team before running to the Final Four.

Today's announcement made me wonder if IC would consider making a move to the LL to match up with privates (better academic profile, etc) and have a statistically better shot to compete for a pool A, assuming other LL teams didn't raise their game in the coming years.

I can see AU moving before Ithaca to be quite honest...

[sjfcards]

For the record Hobart has a 10 game regular season schedule this fall. It would be nice if a Springfield, Union or RPI could get things back to how it was in mid-2000s when the LL had 3-4 teams competing for a title. In 2003 RPI lost to a 5-4 Statesmen team before running to the Final Four.

Today's announcement made me wonder if IC would consider making a move to the LL to match up with privates (better academic profile, etc) and have a statistically better shot to compete for a pool A, assuming other LL teams didn't raise their game in the coming years.

I can see AU moving before Ithaca to be quite honest...

Other than the academic side of it, I can't see a reason for either to move. All E8 teams now have a good situation for Football, with all conference teams in state. Closer teams not only helps travel budgets, it is good for attendence, and playing more games in areas where the schools will most likely be looking for future students.

I understand the LL has the same situation, but the league is not as competitive when it comes to football. And, I certainly the prestige on the academic side, but I am not sure that is enough of a reason for a school like IC or AU to jump ship. Both are recognized as quality schools now, and I don't think playing in a different league changes that.

[D3MAFAN]

For the record Hobart has a 10 game regular season schedule this fall. It would be nice if a Springfield, Union or RPI could get things back to how it was in mid-2000s when the LL had 3-4 teams competing for a title. In 2003 RPI lost to a 5-4 Statesmen team before running to the Final Four.

Today's announcement made me wonder if IC would consider making a move to the LL to match up with privates (better academic profile, etc) and have a statistically better shot to compete for a pool A, assuming other LL teams didn't raise their game in the coming years.

I can see AU moving before Ithaca to be quite honest...

Other than the academic side of it, I can't see a reason for either to move. All E8 teams now have a good situation for Football, with all conference teams in state. Closer teams not only helps travel budgets, it is good for attendence, and playing more games in areas where the schools will most likely be looking for future students.

I understand the LL has the same situation, but the league is not as competitive when it comes to football. And, I certainly the prestige on the academic side, but I am not sure that is enough of a reason for a school like IC or AU to jump ship. Both are recognized as quality schools now, and I don't think playing in a different league changes that.

So should there be an E8 vs. NJAC Challenged in 2015?

[Jonny Utah]

For the record Hobart has a 10 game regular season schedule this fall. It would be nice if a Springfield, Union or RPI could get things back to how it was in mid-2000s when the LL had 3-4 teams competing for a title. In 2003 RPI lost to a 5-4 Statesmen team before running to the Final Four.

Today's announcement made me wonder if IC would consider making a move to the LL to match up with privates (better academic profile, etc) and have a statistically better shot to compete for a pool A, assuming other LL teams didn't raise their game in the coming years.

I can see AU moving before Ithaca to be quite honest...

Other than the academic side of it, I can't see a reason for either to move. All E8 teams now have a good situation for Football, with all conference teams in state. Closer teams not only helps travel budgets, it is good for attendence, and playing more games in areas where the schools will most likely be looking for future students.

I understand the LL has the same situation, but the league is not as competitive when it comes to football. And, I certainly the prestige on the academic side, but I am not sure that is enough of a reason for a school like IC or AU to jump ship. Both are recognized as quality schools now, and I don't think playing in a different league changes that.

So should there be an E8 vs. NJAC Challenged in 2015?

It would only be 1 game, so I would say no.  Plus, the e8 teams would not want to go to Virginia for a game when they can still go instate or to PA

[sjfcards]

Any word out of spring practice from any of the E8 teams?

[AUPepBand]

Any word out of spring practice from any of the E8 teams?

Here in Mayberry, we're still waiting for spring. 

[D3MAFAN]

Any word out of spring practice from any of the E8 teams?

Here in Mayberry, we're still waiting for spring. 

I think it is safe to say majority of the US is waiting as well.

[D3viewer]

Brockport released their schedule today.
http://www.gobrockport.com/schedule.aspx?path=football
Open w Oberlin OH. Not sure how they swung that. Oberlin is a not very good program out of the NJAC..small private college..almost opposite of Brockport..(largish PE centered state school)
Should be almost a scrimmage type deal for them to prepare for Games 2 and 3 : heavies Cortland and SJF. 2 huge games early in the season. Looks like the Courage Bowl game will be a 6 pm kickoff at Brockport.  Then another night game @ Utica. Home vs Frostburg (breather ?) and back to back road games at Hartwick (meh) and Alfred (good one). Home against IC (always tough) and then they drew the short straw w a long azz trip to Salisbury in Nov. Finish up @ home vs Buff St in the I 90 Bowl.
Good..balanced schedule.
The things that stand out to me are Cortland and SJF right off the bat (Game 2 and 3); 2 straight night games (SJF and Utica); and  a "Perfect Storm" trip to the Grand Banks (or Flemish Cap) of the E8....a Nov road trip to Salisbury.

PS..long time HC Rocco Salomone to be the new DC at Susquehanna PA. They were 1-9 last year..oof..good luck.

[D3MAFAN]

Brockport released their schedule today.
http://www.gobrockport.com/schedule.aspx?path=football
Open w Oberlin OH. Not sure how they swung that. Oberlin is a not very good program out of the NJAC..small private college..almost opposite of Brockport..(largish PE centered state school)
Should be almost a scrimmage type deal for them to prepare for Games 2 and 3 : heavies Cortland and SJF. 2 huge games early in the season. Looks like the Courage Bowl game will be a 6 pm kickoff at Brockport.  Then another night game @ Utica. Home vs Frostburg (breather ?) and back to back road games at Hartwick (meh) and Alfred (good one). Home against IC (always tough) and then they drew the short straw w a long azz trip to Salisbury in Nov. Finish up @ home vs Buff St in the I 90 Bowl.
Good..balanced schedule.
The things that stand out to me are Cortland and SJF right off the bat (Game 2 and 3); 2 straight night games (SJF and Utica); and  a "Perfect Storm" trip to the Grand Banks (or Flemish Cap) of the E8....a Nov road trip to Salisbury.

PS..long time HC Rocco Salomone to be the new DC at Susquehanna PA. They were 1-9 last year..oof..good luck.

I am sure you meant NCAC, but a couple year's back Oberlin upset a very good Wabash team and kept them from the playoffs, so Brockport better bring their "A" game. I think the matchup against Oberlin is actually a good thing, even though it is the first game of the season, it gives us the few cross matchups between regions. As far as the trip to Salisbury, Brockport has been there before and won the last time they played in Salisbury. I think that game could go either way, you may face an option attack that has found itself or an attack that isn't doing so well. I like the game against SJF for homecoming, that should be very exciting.

[D3viewer]

Thanks for the correction..NCAC.not NJAC.  You can be wary of Oberlin..I won't (Ill leave that for the coaches and players, as of course you should respect every opponent). If I eat my words so be it. Brockport will have some mysteries in their lineup early..paticulalrly on OL.  so who knows ?
As for Salisbury..it's the trip I was referring to..whether you win or lose the game .it's still a bear of a bus ride from Brockport. The Perfect Storm reference was for the possible weather factor..Travelling so far so late.

[Bombers798891]

Ithaca released its football schedule. No surprises with opponents, given the conference reshuffling. But no PA teams on the schedule is a rarity, especially given how the Bombers recruit there and get good players from the state. I know they can still recruit it, I'm just surprised.

Four of the first five at home, four of the last five on the road, including the final three. The Bombers have not had a lot of success with these setups in the past. (Who can forget last year's Hartwick debacle?). But I've also never been a fan of them. Since I don't go to road games, it almost feels like the season is over after seven weeks.

[D3MAFAN]

Ithaca released its football schedule. No surprises with opponents, given the conference reshuffling. But no PA teams on the schedule is a rarity, especially given how the Bombers recruit there and get good players from the state. I know they can still recruit it, I'm just surprised.

Four of the first five at home, four of the last five on the road, including the final three. The Bombers have not had a lot of success with these setups in the past. (Who can forget last year's Hartwick debacle?). But I've also never been a fan of them. Since I don't go to road games, it almost feels like the season is over after seven weeks.

It was either Union or Moravian. Although, Ithaca recruits in PA. I think playing against Union is a better matchup, definitely looking at both teams historically. Other than that, playing a PA school other than that of Muhlenberg, Delaware Valley, and Lebanon Valley, it doesn't help the program improve its schedule. Now going back to recruiting, it may hurt next years upcoming class, but not this years, especially after a solid season from the Bombers and a good showing in the playoffs. Also, Frostburg State is nothing but 10-15 minutes from PA, so they may consider them their PA team this year.