FB: Empire 8

[John McGraw]

Ouch...very true. It is going to be really tough for anyone to run the table this year.

Gonna have to hope for Cortland...they ran the table in the NJAC in 2008...

I don't think Cortland has the horses this year to do it. They have to replace a boatload of starters, including the entire offensive line. A 26-17 win over Morrisville the week before hosting Rowan isn't exactly inspiring. Pitcher is a very good quarterback, a I-AA transfer, but he's only one player. After two weeks, I think I would throw Rowan into the discussion as a team to watch for at the top of the region.

After yesterday's 29-7 win over playoff-participant Lycoming, Rowan has no more non-conference games left. Their fate though might hinge on the final three weeks of the season with Kean, TCNJ and Montclair State in a row; the final two coming at home.

[Cardinal 4 Life]

Anybody think if Fisher goes unbeaten and finishes 8-1, they could get the #1 seed in the East? Only loss would be to Mt. Union, and clearly it would also depend on what happens in the North too. Thoughts?

[gordonmann]

Don't forget that the MAC teams are in the east.  I don't think any of them will go undefeated since there's a lot of parity and tough non-conference games left (Del Val vs. Wesley, Wilkes vs. Christopher Newport).  But that's worth watching given the quick starts by Albright, Leb Val and Wilkes. 

The other element to watch is the North region.  There were four undefeated teams there last year, most notably North Central, which gave the Committee another reason to move Mount Union east.  This year North Central has already lost, ONU and Mount Union play each other and Wheaton (Ill.) has a tough conference including North Central.  Trine went undefeated last year but I can't see the MIAA getting a top seed given its lack of playoff success.  Same goes for Case Western.  Keep an eye on Wabash if you want to follow this stuff already.

[dlippiel]

Ouch...very true. It is going to be really tough for anyone to run the table this year.

Gonna have to hope for Cortland...they ran the table in the NJAC in 2008...

I don't think Cortland has the horses this year to do it. They have to replace a boatload of starters, including the entire offensive line. A 26-17 win over Morrisville the week before hosting Rowan isn't exactly inspiring. Pitcher is a very good quarterback, a I-AA transfer, but he's only one player. After two weeks, I think I would throw Rowan into the discussion as a team to watch for at the top of the region.

After yesterday's 29-7 win over playoff-participant Lycoming, Rowan has no more non-conference games left. Their fate though might hinge on the final three weeks of the season with Kean, TCNJ and Montclair State in a row; the final two coming at home.

dlip concurrs that Cortland will not run the table. Right now dlip is looking at the likes of Rowan, Union, Wilkes, Del Val, and Springfield as possible East runners. All dlip knows for sure at this point is it's going to be a very interesting and exciting D3 football season here in the east.

[John McGraw]

Don't forget that the MAC teams are in the east.  I don't think any of them will go undefeated since there's a lot of parity and tough non-conference games left (Del Val vs. Wesley, Wilkes vs. Christopher Newport).  But that's worth watching given the quick starts by Albright, Leb Val and Wilkes. 

The other element to watch is the North region.  There were four undefeated teams there last year, most notably North Central, which gave the Committee another reason to move Mount Union east.  This year North Central has already lost, ONU and Mount Union play each other and Wheaton (Ill.) has a tough conference including North Central.  Trine went undefeated last year but I can't see the MIAA getting a top seed given its lack of playoff success.  Same goes for Case Western.  Keep an eye on Wabash if you want to follow this stuff already.

Good point about the MAC. That's a big win yesterday for Del Val too over a strong NJAC club in Kean and Wilkes manhandled Montclair at Ralston. I'm interested to see if the Wilkes defense can pull off the same feat as Wesley a few weeks ago and shut down CNU. I wouldn't necessarily rule out Lycoming yet either, this is still a team last year that made the playoffs.

That being said, it's still early.

[sjfcards]

Anybody think if Fisher goes unbeaten and finishes 8-1, they could get the #1 seed in the East? Only loss would be to Mt. Union, and clearly it would also depend on what happens in the North too. Thoughts?

I would love to think that if Fisher runs the table and goes 8-1 that they would be in the discussion for the #1 seed. But since they lost to MUC by so much, I think it would almost force the commitees hand to put MUC in the East. If the best team in the east at the end of the season (in this example Fisher), can stay within 40 points of MUC, then it is really not fair for to some really good teams in the North region to make them play the best team in the country before they have to.
I think Fisher is much more talented than they were last year. Zamaitis and and Miles are two real threats on offense that will make Bailey's life so much easier. And, no turnovers in the first two games is a great sign. I don't know if they can run the table and get to 8-1, but I would not rule it out. The IC and Alfred games will be tough, not to mention Salsibury on the road.

I tend to agree with others on this board that Cortland will not run the table. There are some real tough games in the NJAC including Rowan next week. I was not all that impressed with them last year to tell you the truth. They had a good offense, but I thought IC would handle them when I saw C-state play, and if IC didn't get upset in the first round, I am sure they would have done it again. I think Cortland is looking at 8 wins realistically.

I don't know if ther is a clear favorite for the 1 seed in the east this year. I would not say IC is out of the conversation for a one seed yet. One close loss on the road against a good team. If they can win out and go 9-1, I think they could still get a 1 seed and keep MUC out of the East. They may drop to around 15th this year, but they would have 8 wins to move up if they win out. That would probably mean a top 10 ranking, and by the end of the season the loss to Union will feel like a long time ago. Not to mention big wins against Fisher, AU, and Springfield if they can win out.

[SJFF82]

I can't take it anymore.  What is with all the revisionist history from you Fisher people?

Two years ago, after you lost to MUC in the Region finals, all you wanted to talk about was how SJF was now on the National stage and how the home-and-home with MUC would show the nation that you deserved to be in the conversation with MUC, UWW, et al. 

Then, after last year's loss, all we heard was, 'just wait until they come to Pittsford.' 

Now it was just a trial balloon and not a big deal that they squashed you?  Can you really argue with a straight face that Fisher treated that game like a pre-season game after building up to it for three straight years?

I think Fisher deserves a lot of credit for going out and poking the bear.  But don't cheapen that by turning around and say  that you really didn't care about the game, didn't think you could win, won't let it affect your season, etc. 

If you would have accepted credit for a win, you have to take the loss too and not just roll it under the rug like it wasn't supposed to be your program's crowning moment.

This sounds like more sour grapes about what program clearly leads the East these days.  You are correct though, SJF fans need to own up to the fact that we were hoping that SJF would rise up to the MUC challenge and they clearly didnt....but what do we do now....give up and be negative, or focus on the positive and move on to another IC monkey stomp....I'd prefer the latter

[SJFF82]

Too bad SJF didnt give their incredibly talented backs a shot against MUC last week.  It makes you wonder whether they were really planning on winning that game.  I mean, they werent shocked at Zemaitis', Short's and #4's talent when they saw it yesterday were they....I assume they knew a little bit about them before last night

Zemaitis is ready for D1...look out E8.

[SJFF82]

no knock on Carlton either...he looked fast and strong last night as well.  With 30 carries last night he woulda put up 200 and 3 tds alone.  What a 1-2-3 and maybe 4 punch we have back there.  Short was impressive.  Cant wait to crush UR this week.

[gordonmann]

That being said, it's still early.

The more I think about this, the more I come to this same conclusion.

What if the following teams go undefeated?  UW-Whitewater, Mount Union, Linfield, Mary Hardin-Baylor, East team of your choice. 

You could put the East region team at the front of a bracket.  Or you could have Linfield (West), UW-Whitewater (North), Mount Union (East) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (South).  Tough to argue against that configuration.

And that's ignoring a lot of other teams - St. John's, Wheaton, Wesley (though perhaps not with the lack of Division III opponents), Wabash - who could still be in the mix.  At this point the possibilities are overwhelming and we might be better off just enjoying the ride since the picture will be a lot clearer in four or five weeks.

[sjfcards]

I would rather just say Fisher is the favorite to be the #1 seed in the East now. Maybe that is a bit ambitious!!!!

[Ralph Turner]

I would rather just say Fisher is the favorite to be the #1 seed in the East now. Maybe that is a bit ambitious!!!!

Yes, I think that is a bit ambitious.

The MAC has looked good in the early season.

[Jonny Utah]

What happened to Ithacas 3-4 defense?  I liked it a lot better against the outside run that hurt IC yesterday. (as it did against SJF in the past)

[Saxon73]

That being said, it's still early.

The more I think about this, the more I come to this same conclusion.

What if the following teams go undefeated?  UW-Whitewater, Mount Union, Linfield, Mary Hardin-Baylor, East team of your choice. 

You could put the East region team at the front of a bracket.  Or you could have Linfield (West), UW-Whitewater (North), Mount Union (East) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (South).  Tough to argue against that configuration.

And that's ignoring a lot of other teams - St. John's, Wheaton, Wesley (though perhaps not with the lack of Division III opponents), Wabash - who could still be in the mix.  At this point the possibilities are overwhelming and we might be better off just enjoying the ride since the picture will be a lot clearer in four or five weeks.

Gordonman,

I totally agree about Wabash.   I lived/worked in Indiana not far from Wabash.  They have a good history and can field a serious team at any time.  More "easterly" I never forget Washington and Jefferson even though they might not be considered in the East by the rulings.

[John McGraw]

That being said, it's still early.

The more I think about this, the more I come to this same conclusion.

What if the following teams go undefeated?  UW-Whitewater, Mount Union, Linfield, Mary Hardin-Baylor, East team of your choice. 

You could put the East region team at the front of a bracket.  Or you could have Linfield (West), UW-Whitewater (North), Mount Union (East) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (South).  Tough to argue against that configuration.

And that's ignoring a lot of other teams - St. John's, Wheaton, Wesley (though perhaps not with the lack of Division III opponents), Wabash - who could still be in the mix.  At this point the possibilities are overwhelming and we might be better off just enjoying the ride since the picture will be a lot clearer in four or five weeks.

Gordonman,

I totally agree about Wabash.   I lived/worked in Indiana not far from Wabash.  They have a good history and can field a serious team at any time.  More "easterly" I never forget Washington and Jefferson even though they might not be considered in the East by the rulings.

W&J and the PAC teams are considered to be in the South region.