FB: Empire 8

[Bombers798891]

Predictions for this weeks' games:

Cortland 52, Buffalo State 45: We all know it's happening in some crazy fashion too . Embrace our new E8 overlords

Morrisville State 31, Fisher 20: I think this is a really important week for the Cardinals. Not so much for big-picture stuff like the playoffs but just where the season goes from here. Does it spiral out of control into some 3-7 finish? Or do they pull it together and go a respectable 6-4?

Ithaca 28, Hartwick 10: The Bombers' encouraging finish to the Utica game makes me think they can rebound, but I have serious doubts that the team can hang on and set up a winner-take-all Cortaca

Utica 27, Brockport 14: I think the Pioneers have actually made that next step, and are going to be very tough the rest of the season

[ExTartanPlayer]

This is a pretty fascinating slate for all the reasons Bombers mentioned. 

You've got Cortland trying to keep the magic alive (quick aside: I don't know that they have a Boltus but does Cortland remind anyone of the Wick 2007 team? Crazy offense, lots of shootouts, could probably beat the best team in the league and lose to the worst team in the league in consecutive weeks...after the last few weeks would you really trust them to run the table?  They're going to lose at least one game this year, right?)

You've got Fisher at 1-3 staring down the barrel of their worst season in a decade...and possibly validating these concerns that we've discussed recently that maybe Fisher's chance at stepping up to national-power level has come and gone for good.

Wick and Ithaca is a nice crossroads game.  IC is in playoff mode and has to win em all so they're playing Cortland for the marbles.  Wick gave Cortland a good shot last week.

Utica had their biggest win in a long time last week.  Brockport is a team we're still figuring out, but they're not a pushover.

All interesting games on some level, and even though there is a heavy favorite in a couple, I think any combination of victors could emerge from this.

[dlippiel]

You've got Cortland trying to keep the magic alive (quick aside: I don't know that they have a Boltus but does Cortland remind anyone of the Wick 2007 team? Crazy offense, lots of shootouts, could probably beat the best team in the league and lose to the worst team in the league in consecutive weeks...after the last few weeks would you really trust them to run the table?  They're going to lose at least one game this year, right?)

dlip will play opposites to bombers very sensible pick and say the magic runs out...Buffalo State 52 Cortland 45. If that defense can tighten up and improve this could be an incredible Cortland team. However dlip thinks that point is exasperated on Saturday with their first loss.

[Bombers798891]

This is a pretty fascinating slate for all the reasons Bombers mentioned. 

You've got Cortland trying to keep the magic alive (quick aside: I don't know that they have a Boltus but does Cortland remind anyone of the Wick 2007 team? Crazy offense, lots of shootouts, could probably beat the best team in the league and lose to the worst team in the league in consecutive weeks...after the last few weeks would you really trust them to run the table?  They're going to lose at least one game this year, right?)

They're absolutely 2007 Hartwick, minus Boltus and a terrible OOC loss that makes the subsequent upsets in conference play stunning.

[Boxer7806]

Predictions for this weeks' games:

Cortland 52, Buffalo State 45: We all know it's happening in some crazy fashion too . Embrace our new E8 overlords

Morrisville State 31, Fisher 20: I think this is a really important week for the Cardinals. Not so much for big-picture stuff like the playoffs but just where the season goes from here. Does it spiral out of control into some 3-7 finish? Or do they pull it together and go a respectable 6-4?

Ithaca 28, Hartwick 10: The Bombers' encouraging finish to the Utica game makes me think they can rebound, but I have serious doubts that the team can hang on and set up a winner-take-all Cortaca

Utica 27, Brockport 14: I think the Pioneers have actually made that next step, and are going to be very tough the rest of the season

I think Ithaca - Hartwick is going to be closer for some reason. I think both Utica and Hartwick are very comparable offensively, and score points in bunches, which is how Ithaca found itself in a hole in the first place vs Utica. Ithaca's offense to me just screams inconsistency, or really just a lack of creativity and leaves them vulnerable to teams like Hartwick and Utica who have passing attacks that can put up some points in a hurry.

I'm with DLIP, I think Buffalo State is going to beat Cortland. They have had their numbers in years past, I think they put up 50 on them in a season opener not to long ago. Just the way this league goes, of course Buffalo State would go out and beat them.

Every year it seems like Utica has taken the next step, granted they actually won a big this time around against a formidable opponent, but I just see a let down game coming from them. Give me Brockport.

[Bombers798891]

I think Ithaca - Hartwick is going to be closer for some reason. I think both Utica and Hartwick are very comparable offensively, and score points in bunches, which is how Ithaca found itself in a hole in the first place vs Utica. Ithaca's offense to me just screams inconsistency, or really just a lack of creativity and leaves them vulnerable to teams like Hartwick and Utica who have passing attacks that can put up some points in a hurry.

Two things:

1. Utica's offense didn't really put up a lot of points on Ithaca. Just 17 in regulation, 10 of which came on drives that started inside the Bombers' 35. Points are points in the game they're given up in, but how points are given up affects how replicable it's likely to be going forward. Ithaca found themselves in a hole early because Utica's defense was dominating, not because of the offense.

2. Hartwick's offense hasn't given Ithaca trouble in years and the Hawks haven't played anyone with a defense remotely like Ithaca's all season. They're the prototypical "We score on scrubs" offense whose numbers are always inflated.

Ithaca may lose this game—the offensive struggles are looking like they could be real, and they do not play well at the cage. But it will be a 17-13 type loss, not a 31-27 type

[AUPepBand]

Predictions for this weeks' games:

Cortland 52, Buffalo State 45: We all know it's happening in some crazy fashion too . Embrace our new E8 overlords

Morrisville State 31, Fisher 20: I think this is a really important week for the Cardinals. Not so much for big-picture stuff like the playoffs but just where the season goes from here. Does it spiral out of control into some 3-7 finish? Or do they pull it together and go a respectable 6-4?

Ithaca 28, Hartwick 10: The Bombers' encouraging finish to the Utica game makes me think they can rebound, but I have serious doubts that the team can hang on and set up a winner-take-all Cortaca

Utica 27, Brockport 14: I think the Pioneers have actually made that next step, and are going to be very tough the rest of the season

+K Bombers....some fascinating match-ups in the Empire 8 this Saterday...but then, Pep is thinking it really is like this all season long!


Pep is double-minded on the Cortland-Buffalo State clash. On one hand, Pep would like to see Buffalo State win because AU has the head-to-head tiebreaker with Buffalo State. On the other hand, AU must travel to Cortland next week and Pep would rather the Saxons face an unbeaten comfortable, complacent clan of Dragons than a pack of angry dragons. Cortland will need to hurdle the Ertel to beat the born-again Bengals. Buffalo State 51, Cortland State 48 in 2 OT, with the Bengals scoring a TD and PAT on the a fumble return on the last play of regulation after the Cortland punter lost the handle while running around trying to run out the clock.



Morrisville State offense is legit. Mustang defense not so much. Fisher offense got off the bus in time for the 2-minute drill last week. Defense was so-so. Another bus ride for the Cardinals....if they get off the bus, the Mustangs will have their hands full. Pep is scratching his head as he somehow agrees with Bombers' pick. Morrisville State 31, Fisher 20.




Bombers in the cage? Pep has seen Ithaca beaten there before, but the Bombers, with a stellar defense and an offense that responded to adversity last week, are not likely to lose two straight. Pep can go with Ithaca 28, Hartwick 24. Dem Garcia Brothers can throw it around and will keep the Hawks close.



Brockport State 42, Utica 38. What goes up must come down. Brockport has a scary balanced offensive attack. While the Pioneers are flying higher than the Eagles right now, someone must bring them back to earth. Pep goes with the home team in still another close one.


On Saxon Warriors!

[Bombers798891]

The E8 is now anyone's game...chaos reigns again

[jdex]

Knew Buff State's third and fourth down conversions would be eye-popping ......as in 11x18 on third downs .....2x3 on fourth. Cortland unable to get a stop when needed .....but kudus to the Bengals' clutch play, and with a No. 2 QB at that!

Along with Buffs' 36:10 time of possession .....

[XREDDRAGON77]

Cortland has not owned the clock once yet this season!

[D3viewer]

Despite the loss to Buff St..Cortland still holds serve and holds first place in the standings with a 3-1 league record. Utica is also 3-1 but lost to Cortland already and doesn't hold the tiebreaker. Still early.but fun to talk about. Alfred gets their crack at Cortland this Sat after coming off their bye week.

[Bombers798891]

Despite the loss to Buff St..Cortland still holds serve and holds first place in the standings with a 3-1 league record. Utica is also 3-1 but lost to Cortland already and doesn't hold the tiebreaker. Still early.but fun to talk about. Alfred gets their crack at Cortland this Sat after coming off their bye week.

Yeah, because of tiebreakers, the Cortland loss doesn't *really* mean anything. Amazingly, Cortland is still the only team that controls their own destiny.

Alfred would lose a tiebreaker to Ithaca
Ithaca would lose it to Utica
Utica would lose it to Cortland

The loss does put Pool A bids back on the table for Fisher—though the Cardinals need a lot of help—and Buff State—needing slightly less help.

With half the season over, here are my awards:

Offensive player of the Year: Dan Andrews, Brockport. Has this been the quietest thing in the E8? Andrews is averaging 173 yards per game with 14 TDs on the ground. He has 16 total touchdowns in five games. Narrowly edges out Cortland's Steven Ferreira.

Defensive Player of the Year: Too many candidates at this point, no standouts. Toss up

Special Teams Player of the Year: Thomas Woodburn, Utica. 16-of-17 on FGs, in D-III, is a major weapon. Jordan Schemm might make a run at this with a few more long kick returns (Current average: 37.6)

Coach of the Year: Blaise Faggiano, Utica. Close, but given Utica's history, Faggiano gets it here.

Biggest Surprise: Utica, for finally arriving. Cortland for sheer entertainment.

Biggest disappointment: Well, Fisher's the obvious pick. But how about Morrisville State? After a 9-2 season in the NJAC and a season-opening win over trendy LL pick St. Lawrence, the Mustangs have gone 1-3, and have yet to play Ithaca or Cortland

[Bombers798891]

Quiet year on the boards

[D3MAFAN]

I think with the uncertainty of Fisher, the Board has been down.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Where's iamhuge when we need him?  That could spice things up.  I think we need some good recruiting discussions.

(If you're bored, going back and reading through the first discussions from that poster are high comedy)

Or maybe "WhittFootball" could show up with some commentary on the Hobart offensive line play.  That would be good, too.