FB: Empire 8

[wesleydad]

And I think you are drawing too heavily off of that game.  The good news is if Fisher wins this week they will be assured a playoff spot, and then we'll both get to see.

This is the biggest issue that Fisher faces when being considered for elite status. As a fan, I believe Fisher is an elite program, and has more than enough talent to be in the conversation with the Linfields, NCC's, etc. But I totally get when an outsider looks at the program and sees these losses and questions that status.

My definition of an elite team is one of those programs that you know you have to get through to get to a regional final, or for regional supremacy, or for a chance to lose to one of the purples. These struggles with the triple option has forced really good Fisher teams to go on the road when they have made the playoffs (last year is an example, but even the 2006 team had to go to Springfield in the playoffs), and they have kept really good Fisher teams out of the playoffs all together (2010).

As a fan I can look at the loss to SU and say, well...it is that stupid offense, and write it off as nothing more. To someone on the outside I get it when you see a program that is a tough out in the playoffs but a program that also has no undefeated seasons, has made the NCAA's inconsistently, and has had to go on the road when they get there. If Fisher keeps giving people a reason to question their elite status, then people will question it.

I guess the question I have is which is a better situation? A program that does struggle at times with programs they should beat, but you can pretty much count on to win some games when they do make the playoffs? Or, a program that can roll through the regular season and make the NCAA's every year, but you don't know that they are good enough to make a deep run?

I guess what I am asking is who has had the better run in the last 4 or 5 years, Hobart or SJFC? These are just the  two teams I am picking, but there may be better comparisons. Hobart gets in every year, and HAS made a deep run (but not every year). Or Fisher, they don't always get in, but they win at least two games when they do get there.

If I can put it another way...which is the better team...One that is consistent is always going to play well, or the team that when they play well there are very few teams (like 3) that can beat them?

I firmly believe that Fisher is a real good team. I do not think they are elite. Will they be? At the pace they are going, very likley, but not as of yet. IMHO the elite are UWW, UMHB, MTU and Wesley. You may throw Linfield in as a maybe but not a definite. Look at the past (15) years. MTU (7), UWW (5), Linfield (1), St. John's (1) and Pac Luth (1) as champions. It took a while for Wesley and UMHB to get there. If Fisher keeps up their same pratices they will also be there soon.

Maybe I should have been more clear on my definition of elite. Whenever I have a discussion about the elite in D3 I take UMU, UWW, and UMHB right out of the discussion. Not because they are not the elite teams (the clearly are), but because they are so far ahead of everyone else. When I discuss elite I am referring to the teams that have a chance to compete with those teams (keep it close when you play and lose to them). Let's be honest, one of those three teams is going to win this year.

After UMU, UWW, and UMHB there is a level that I think Fisher belongs in. The Wesley, Linfiend, North Central sphere of football at this level. That is what I was discussing in my previous post.

I would disagree that only those 3 is going to win.  I believe this is the best Wesley team in the last 10 years and they have a real good chance to make it to the finals.  Obviously they will have to beat one of those 3 to get there.

As far as the top and the next level, with Wesley's run of trips, 4 to the quarters and 5 to the semis in the last 9 years they are much closer to the elite, having only lost to the 3 teams mentioned than they are to the next level down.  As Rams mentioned they have played UMHB even so they are surely at the same level as UMHB is.  I also believe that Wesley and Mount are the only teams to make at least the quarters in the last 9 years.  There is no other team in the next level down with that resume.

[jmcozenlaw]

Let's make it simple.............

Wesley and Fisher play in the second or third round of the playoffs this year.....

Who wins and by how many points?

[sjfcards]

And I think you are drawing too heavily off of that game.  The good news is if Fisher wins this week they will be assured a playoff spot, and then we'll both get to see.

This is the biggest issue that Fisher faces when being considered for elite status. As a fan, I believe Fisher is an elite program, and has more than enough talent to be in the conversation with the Linfields, NCC's, etc. But I totally get when an outsider looks at the program and sees these losses and questions that status.

My definition of an elite team is one of those programs that you know you have to get through to get to a regional final, or for regional supremacy, or for a chance to lose to one of the purples. These struggles with the triple option has forced really good Fisher teams to go on the road when they have made the playoffs (last year is an example, but even the 2006 team had to go to Springfield in the playoffs), and they have kept really good Fisher teams out of the playoffs all together (2010).

As a fan I can look at the loss to SU and say, well...it is that stupid offense, and write it off as nothing more. To someone on the outside I get it when you see a program that is a tough out in the playoffs but a program that also has no undefeated seasons, has made the NCAA's inconsistently, and has had to go on the road when they get there. If Fisher keeps giving people a reason to question their elite status, then people will question it.

I guess the question I have is which is a better situation? A program that does struggle at times with programs they should beat, but you can pretty much count on to win some games when they do make the playoffs? Or, a program that can roll through the regular season and make the NCAA's every year, but you don't know that they are good enough to make a deep run?

I guess what I am asking is who has had the better run in the last 4 or 5 years, Hobart or SJFC? These are just the  two teams I am picking, but there may be better comparisons. Hobart gets in every year, and HAS made a deep run (but not every year). Or Fisher, they don't always get in, but they win at least two games when they do get there.

If I can put it another way...which is the better team...One that is consistent is always going to play well, or the team that when they play well there are very few teams (like 3) that can beat them?

I firmly believe that Fisher is a real good team. I do not think they are elite. Will they be? At the pace they are going, very likley, but not as of yet. IMHO the elite are UWW, UMHB, MTU and Wesley. You may throw Linfield in as a maybe but not a definite. Look at the past (15) years. MTU (7), UWW (5), Linfield (1), St. John's (1) and Pac Luth (1) as champions. It took a while for Wesley and UMHB to get there. If Fisher keeps up their same pratices they will also be there soon.

Maybe I should have been more clear on my definition of elite. Whenever I have a discussion about the elite in D3 I take UMU, UWW, and UMHB right out of the discussion. Not because they are not the elite teams (the clearly are), but because they are so far ahead of everyone else. When I discuss elite I am referring to the teams that have a chance to compete with those teams (keep it close when you play and lose to them). Let's be honest, one of those three teams is going to win this year.

After UMU, UWW, and UMHB there is a level that I think Fisher belongs in. The Wesley, Linfiend, North Central sphere of football at this level. That is what I was discussing in my previous post.

I would disagree that only those 3 is going to win.  I believe this is the best Wesley team in the last 10 years and they have a real good chance to make it to the finals.  Obviously they will have to beat one of those 3 to get there.

As far as the top and the next level, with Wesley's run of trips, 4 to the quarters and 5 to the semis in the last 9 years they are much closer to the elite, having only lost to the 3 teams mentioned than they are to the next level down.  As Rams mentioned they have played UMHB even so they are surely at the same level as UMHB is.  I also believe that Wesley and Mount are the only teams to make at least the quarters in the last 9 years.  There is no other team in the next level down with that resume.

I thought about adding Wesley into the group that has a chance to win this year, but I didn't simply because I was talking about those consistently elite teams. My comment was that one of those three teams was going to win this year, and I probably should have stated that differently. All I have heard and seen is that Wesley is one of the very top teams this year, but with how UMU is going I would be surprised if it is not them and UWW again.

[Upstate]

Let's make it simple.............

Wesley and Fisher play in the second or third round of the playoffs this year.....

Who wins and by how many points?

Fisher keeps it close through 3 quarters but Wesley pulls away in the 4th to win by 17...

[wesleydad]

Let's make it simple.............

Wesley and Fisher play in the second or third round of the playoffs this year.....

Who wins and by how many points?

Fisher keeps it close through 3 quarters but Wesley pulls away in the 4th to win by 17...

what he said.

[D3MAFAN]

Let's make it simple.............

Wesley and Fisher play in the second or third round of the playoffs this year.....

Who wins and by how many points?

Fisher keeps it close through 3 quarters but Wesley pulls away in the 4th to win by 17...

what he said.

I think the game would be closer. If the game goes into the fourth quarter, I believe SJF will have a chance for the upset. However, if Wesley is controlling the game well in the 3rd with a two touchdown lead, then I would agree with the statements aforementioned. SJF has to be more aggressive in their play calling to win, can't be conservative (they would have nothing to lose at the point of time). Nevertheless, they need to focus on Ithaca this upcoming weekend or their may not be a playoff.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Let's make it simple.............

Wesley and Fisher play in the second or third round of the playoffs this year.....

Who wins and by how many points?

Fisher keeps it close through 3 quarters but Wesley pulls away in the 4th to win by 17...

what he said.

I think the game would be closer. If the game goes into the fourth quarter, I believe SJF will have a chance for the upset. However, if Wesley is controlling the game well in the 3rd with a two touchdown lead, then I would agree with the statements aforementioned. SJF has to be more aggressive in their play calling to win, can't be conservative (they would have nothing to lose at the point of time). Nevertheless, they need to focus on Ithaca this upcoming weekend or their may not be a playoff.

What he said.  Every word of it.  Especially the part about Ithaca this week.  Don't screw this up for us Ithaca! 

[sjfcards]

So here is a question. If Fisher does beat IC on SatERday and wins the AQ outright, what should the coaching staff do about that AU game? Do they play the starters and try to finish 9-1 for seeding purposes, or do they keep everyone safe, and use it as a glorified bye week since the bid is already locked up?

I have heard the Fisher coaching staff say many times that it is not scared to go on the road and play top teams in the playoffs, so they may be willing to do that. Not sure what they will do, but I would really prefer them go for the win against AU, and get a home game or two in the playoffs.

[AUPepBand]

So here is a question. If Fisher does beat IC on SatERday and wins the AQ outright, what should the coaching staff do about that AU game? Do they play the starters and try to finish 9-1 for seeding purposes, or do they keep everyone safe, and use it as a glorified bye week since the bid is already locked up?

I have heard the Fisher coaching staff say many times that it is not scared to go on the road and play top teams in the playoffs, so they may be willing to do that. Not sure what they will do, but I would really prefer them go for the win against AU, and get a home game or two in the playoffs.

Been there, done that in Mayberry already once this season. 

[Bombers798891]

So here is a question. If Fisher does beat IC on SatERday and wins the AQ outright, what should the coaching staff do about that AU game? Do they play the starters and try to finish 9-1 for seeding purposes, or do they keep everyone safe, and use it as a glorified bye week since the bid is already locked up?

I have heard the Fisher coaching staff say many times that it is not scared to go on the road and play top teams in the playoffs, so they may be willing to do that. Not sure what they will do, but I would really prefer them go for the win against AU, and get a home game or two in the playoffs.

You play the starters. To me, there's a difference between saying, "We're not afraid to go on the road to play elite teams in the playoffs" and not caring what you're seeded to the point where you basically toss a game out the window. Fisher may not mind playing on the road, but who doesn't prefer to be at home in the playoffs?

Regarding injury risks to starters, they played them against Alfred State, a game they could have won with their 4th-stringers. Generally speaking, the risk of injury is small.

[D3MAFAN]

So here is a question. If Fisher does beat IC on SatERday and wins the AQ outright, what should the coaching staff do about that AU game? Do they play the starters and try to finish 9-1 for seeding purposes, or do they keep everyone safe, and use it as a glorified bye week since the bid is already locked up?

I have heard the Fisher coaching staff say many times that it is not scared to go on the road and play top teams in the playoffs, so they may be willing to do that. Not sure what they will do, but I would really prefer them go for the win against AU, and get a home game or two in the playoffs.

You play the starters. To me, there's a difference between saying, "We're not afraid to go on the road to play elite teams in the playoffs" and not caring what you're seeded to the point where you basically toss a game out the window. Fisher may not mind playing on the road, but who doesn't prefer to be at home in the playoffs?

Regarding injury risks to starters, they played them against Alfred State, a game they could have won with their 4th-stringers. Generally speaking, the risk of injury is small.

What he said.  Every word of it.  Especially the part about Alfred State during SJF glorified bye week.  Don't screw this up for the region Ithaca!  JK hoping for a great game between two great programs.

[AUKaz00]

That and Salisbury didn't make any stupid mistakes against us.  I was watching the game against Ithaca and they were quite literally tripping over themselves.  They didn't cough up the ball against us at all.  Well, they did once, but the Salisbury player quickly picked it back up.  I think Fisher would have been glad to have a couple of careless Salisbury turnovers or sloppy play.  After all it took Salisbury scoring a touchdown with 18 seconds left to even bring it to overtime. 

Question for you Pep.  Where has kazoo gone this year?  Has he gone the way of Jose, Superman, Tags, MIYH, MIOH, Yanks, etc?  The Fallen as they should be called.

Yeah, I've been AWOL from the boards other than posting the ERFP.  My bad.

Funny that you should have posted this, because on Halloween on Alfred State's campus I saw a student wearing one of those orange hats and wished I'd taken a picture to post here of not-MIOH.

On Saxon Warriors...

[fisheralum91]

Eyes on the prize.
Focus on IC....get that done....Its all about the AQ.
No need for sweaty palms on selection day.
As for the AU game.......Throttle down....
You never lay up.
That is when you DO get hurt.
100  % all the time...

[D3viewer]

Former Brockport OL Bruce Doyle just signed with the Arena Football League's Tampa Bay Storm. This is the same AFL team which Jason Boltus plays for.
The season doesn't start till March..so this is not the final roster..but pretty cool to have 2 guys from current E9 teams represented on the same AFL squad.

[drt]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2014-11-04/fred-jackson-lauren-hill-buffalo-bills-one-last-game-mount-saint-josephs-college-basketball-dream?eadid=SOC%2FFB%2FSNMain