FB: Empire 8

[fisheralum91]

Geez,
thats summer weather up here in Upstate NY...

[DFWCrufan]

Not being too over confident, I've seen the Del-val game twice now and the previousgame and here is what I think (been right all season long so far) Brockport is going to get assaulted at the D line, and I mean Assaulted, This line now is faster and stronger then the 2016 crew. The D backs are solid and that is where Brockport is going to have to live. (Fisher mentioned the St. Johns Fischer back in the day, I was there) And until you've been there it's tough to describe.

The O line is a criticism for sure for UMHB, but the Crunation has been saying this since game one this season, we don't care about the score as long as we have 1 more then the other team in the end. But there is one other aspect everyone is overlooking, Special teams. And that special teams talent also goes into the O line, there is alot of talent in the special teams, evidence of the 65 run back by Bryce, but he has been doing that all season long and that is against other programs who know him and the special team skill and they still break out to big yardage and TDs. That aspect of the game does not appear to be a point for Brockport and that is a major plus for UMHB.

So D I give strongly to the UMHB Side and believe the fourth quarter will be Representative of the Chapman game, point is even the 2nd deep D line is just as talented as the 1st, and in some cases even scarier.

The O line, if Marquis is given gaps then they will grind their way to the red zone, watch Ellis and Darden from Del Val and their running in the 2nd half - Marquis I would say is a bit better as a Back and more punishing, . I would expect TJ and Jonel to be active and providing slashing attacks down field. But Brockports D can make this difficult so I'll say its a wash, It will be a conservative Offensive game for three quarters with a breakout in four, why, we've been at this point for many many years now and experience will carry the day.

Special Teams UMHB all over it, Run backs and gunners will overwhelm in this space and I believe that will tilt the game, I expect punts and alot of opportunities from our special teams.

Here is something Brockport should be looking at, this is a tremendous opportunity for them no matter the outcome, their season ended and they are still practicing, playing and gaining experience, this is one of the inside secrets for most tier programs, you play half a season more than most D3 programs, and that goes a LONG way to prepping your future players and developing recruiting and scheme development. This could see Brockport enter into the rare position of high ranked programs. (Yeah it's a beauty contest I know but come playoffs it keeps you at home most of the time) 

They are also facing tier teams, and that experience helps you grow, so no matter this is a win for them and their program, i hope it is not a One off, and I'm glad they beat Wesley.....

[UfanBill]

UMHB seems to be a team that changes it's offensive identity when faced with the better teams on it's schedule. When facing some of the cream puffs they let it fly, looking to hit for big plays and scoring lots of points. In games against Linfield, Hardin Simmons and again, against Linfield and St. Thomas, big plays are much harder to come by and the CRU relies more on the defense. In last year's run to the title they cruised until the semi's where they only scored 14 versus MTU and 10 to win vs. Oshkosh. If this holds this week, and I believe it will, look for Brockport to stay close. The game may be tied 4th quarter. If Brockport can avoid giving up any special team or defensive scores I think they can surprise MHBU.

[fisheralum91]

Any given Saturday

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks fisheralum91 and wesleydad.  I value your opinions, because you have seen both programs up close and know them well.  I especially will watch what the Wesley fans say, because Wesley has had more success against UMHB than any other South Region team that UMHB has faced. (Wesley was South Region thru 2014).

[UMHB03]

UMHB seems to be a team that changes it's offensive identity when faced with the better teams on it's schedule. When facing some of the cream puffs they let it fly, looking to hit for big plays and scoring lots of points. In games against Linfield, Hardin Simmons and again, against Linfield and St. Thomas, big plays are much harder to come by and the CRU relies more on the defense. In last year's run to the title they cruised until the semi's where they only scored 14 versus MTU and 10 to win vs. Oshkosh. If this holds this week, and I believe it will, look for Brockport to stay close. The game may be tied 4th quarter. If Brockport can avoid giving up any special team or defensive scores I think they can surprise MHBU.

This is accurate. Against the better opponents, Fredenburg seems to get back to his Baylor roots. For those who didn't follow SWC football in the 80's-early 90's when Grant Teaff was at Baylor, that essentially means being satisfied winning games 10-9, 13-7, etc. And as long as it works, why not?

[Upstate]

Let's not forget that Brockport DC Mike Fox went down to Belton in 2013 and is familiar with the atmosphere in that awe inspiring stadium.

Brockport has better athletes now this year than Fisher did back then.

I don't think Brockport is going to be in a situation where they're not on the same level athletically as other East teams that made it this far have been.

It's really going to come down to coaching and players keeping their heads.

If Brockport doesn't start yapping last week they make it a 35-7 game and the game is basically over at that point and the way the Eagles are portrayed going into this week is different.

They'd be looked at a team that rolled through the bracket instead of the team that barely snuck in.

It's not surprising since some never miss the opportunity to point out to the 2002 JCU team that came into the east region and won 3 straight games yet wont even mention the 2013 SJF team that went on the road to and knocked off the 9-1 JCU team that led the country in scoring and held them to 16 points.

With all that being said I still think UMHB wins but it'll be a lot closer than people think.

28-24 UHMB.

[Pat Coleman]

No doubt people don't equate the 2002 JCU and 2013 SJF teams. Then again, one out-of-region win is not the same as three.

[wesleydad]

Let's not forget that Brockport DC Mike Fox went down to Belton in 2013 and is familiar with the atmosphere in that awe inspiring stadium.

Brockport has better athletes now this year than Fisher did back then.

I don't think Brockport is going to be in a situation where they're not on the same level athletically as other East teams that made it this far have been.

It's really going to come down to coaching and players keeping their heads.

If Brockport doesn't start yapping last week they make it a 35-7 game and the game is basically over at that point and the way the Eagles are portrayed going into this week is different.

They'd be looked at a team that rolled through the bracket instead of the team that barely snuck in.

It's not surprising since some never miss the opportunity to point out to the 2002 JCU team that came into the east region and won 3 straight games yet wont even mention the 2013 SJF team that went on the road to and knocked off the 9-1 JCU team that led the country in scoring and held them to 16 points.

With all that being said I still think UMHB wins but it'll be a lot closer than people think.

28-24 UHMB.

Upstate, my opinion of Brockport has not changed despite the mess they made of things in the second half last week.  They are good.  But to think that across the board the match up athletically with UMHB is just false.  My son played against UMHB 4 times, Wesley winning 2 of them.  The athletes Wesley had at that time were rather good, but overall they did not match up with UMHB athletically.  They played 2 near perfect games and came away with the wins.  I would be stunned if Brockport gets 24, I think there is a better chance they get less than 10.  The upper tier of D3 is a whole different ballgame.  Brockport has a chance, but it is slim if both teams play their best game.  As always turnovers can change things real fast and UMHB has been known to have a few.  I want Brockport to do well as I am tired of hearing how weak the east is on a national scope and it would be great if they won.  I am planning on attending the last Stagg in Salem this year and it would be great to cheer on the Golden Eagles.  I did not like how they got beat by the Del Val athletes in the 4th quarter, believe me the UMHB players are at least as good, likely a little better.  I will be sitting at my computer watching this game hoping for a good one.  Just not sure it will be.

[Upstate]

No doubt people don't equate the 2002 JCU and 2013 SJF teams. Then again, one out-of-region win is not the same as three.

Ah, forgive me...

I thought going on the road knocking of two top 10 teams in back to back weeks that had a combined 20-1 (one loss to UMU by 8) record at the time of their matchups meant something a bit more than going on the road and getting 3 wins, two teams lost to 6 win teams that same year...

[umhbalum]

Let's not forget that Brockport DC Mike Fox went down to Belton in 2013 and is familiar with the atmosphere in that awe inspiring stadium.

Brockport has better athletes now this year than Fisher did back then.

I don't think Brockport is going to be in a situation where they're not on the same level athletically as other East teams that made it this far have been.

It's really going to come down to coaching and players keeping their heads.

If Brockport doesn't start yapping last week they make it a 35-7 game and the game is basically over at that point and the way the Eagles are portrayed going into this week is different.

They'd be looked at a team that rolled through the bracket instead of the team that barely snuck in.

It's not surprising since some never miss the opportunity to point out to the 2002 JCU team that came into the east region and won 3 straight games yet wont even mention the 2013 SJF team that went on the road to and knocked off the 9-1 JCU team that led the country in scoring and held them to 16 points.

With all that being said I still think UMHB wins but it'll be a lot closer than people think.

28-24 UHMB.

Respect the optimism and I wouldn't expect anything less but it would take a massive underperformance for the Cru to give up 24 in a playoff game.

Outside of being a top Defense we typically grind out games at this point with the mindset of winning the time of possession.

Anything is possible but the Cru have only given up 16 total to some good offenses so far in the playoffs.

My humble opinion is that the key to beating the Cru will not include hanging 21+ points but playing us close in a low scoring game and coming up with a big play at the end.

24-10 Cru if we bring our A game

[Machiavelli]

Serious question: What was the temperature like in Delaware last week? Going from playing/practicing in the frozen tundra of Brockport over the last 4-5 weeks, mid 60's could be concern for some cramping and such for the Brockport squad. Home field this late in the playoffs, especially in a North(East)/South(West) matchup is probably a bigger deal than most think, outside of the extensive travel that East teams aren't really accustomed to.

I still think Brockport can hang, but I'm leaning towards Mary Hardin Don Baylor by double digits.

[Pat Coleman]

No doubt people don't equate the 2002 JCU and 2013 SJF teams. Then again, one out-of-region win is not the same as three.

Ah, forgive me...

I thought going on the road knocking of two top 10 teams in back to back weeks that had a combined 20-1 (one loss to UMU by 8) record at the time of their matchups meant something a bit more than going on the road and getting 3 wins, two teams lost to 6 win teams that same year...

"It's not surprising since some never miss the opportunity to point out to the 2002 JCU team that came into the east region and won 3 straight games" -- you're trying to draw the comparison here but SJF won one out-of-region game in the playoffs, so it's not really a 1-to-1 comparison, right?

[Ralph Turner]

Anything is possible but the Cru have only given up 16 total to some good offenses so far in the playoffs.

My humble opinion is that the key to beating the Cru will not include hanging 21+ points but playing us close in a low scoring game and coming up with a big play at the end.

and that Chapman TD late in the 4th quarter was suspect.

[Pat Coleman]

Anything is possible but the Cru have only given up 16 total to some good offenses so far in the playoffs.

My humble opinion is that the key to beating the Cru will not include hanging 21+ points but playing us close in a low scoring game and coming up with a big play at the end.

and that Chapman TD late in the 4th quarter was suspect.

At best. Yikes.