FB: Empire 8

[Jonny Utah]

With all the scuttlebutt about D1 institutions possibly hopping athletic conferences (perhaps that will subside with Texas' decision to stay put), Pep thinks it is risky business for an athletic conference to include a number in its name. Everyone knows there are 11 institutions competing for the Big Ten football title(?)!

The Empire 8 Football Conference is currently the "Empire Six" although in 2011 it can rightfully be called the Empire 8 with the addition of Frostymug and Salisbury Steaks.

It will retain its Empire 8 billing in 2012 despite losing Springfield College to the Liberty League because Buffalo State will that year join the football conference.

80 days and 20 hours until 2010 season kickoff...

...On Saxon Warriors!

Big 10: 11 teams + Nebraska = Twelve teams

Big 12: 10 teams (after Colorado and Nebraska leave)

I am hearing Utah as the twelvth twelfth.

MY apologies to all readers!  

Utah becomes the 12th member of the PAC-10.

How do they split the confernece?  

CU/UU, ASU/UA, USC/UCLA as the "East"?

or

UW/WSU/OSU/UO/UU/CU in the "North"?

I was thinking it would be split like this:

North-
Washington
Washington State
Oregon
Oregon State
Cal
Stanford

South-
USC
UCLA
Arizona
Arizona State
Utah
Colorado

[AlfredSaxon8]

Pep will admit that Bombers798891's "Bomber Bowl Half Empty" approach helped to create some false hope when Pep's Saxons were headed to ButterField in 2009, which made the defeat more disappointing than all of AU's losses there in years past.

Yeah, we need something to bust us out of our ButterField funk.  That'll take a large cow suit and some more cow bell!!!  Bring on ButterField in 2011 (or better yet, in the Regional Finals in 2010!).

More cowbell: www.funnyhub.com/videos/pages/snl-more-cowbell.html

Pep will always consider that skit one of SNL's finer moments. Meanwhile, in Mayberry, all seating has been removed from the home team grandstand at Merrill Field. There's not a seat in the place on the west side.

Are they making upgrades to the field?

While no formal announcement has been made, Pep has been told by reliable sources that the AstroTurf12 is being replaced this summer by the latest FieldTurf...the same turf that is being installed in the new Giants Stadium.

So we can expect the same late-season collapse as the G-men?

Or is it the other way around -- the giants can expect the same late-season collapse as Alfred?

Ouch! 

Sorry couldn't resist...

Not going to lie, that worn down old astro turf gave Alfred some nice home field advantage... The speed of the game felt significantly faster than other venues and I think sometimes it took a little while for teams to adjust. 

I loved that field, its given us a lot of great memories (and some memorable turf burn) but I'm excited to see the changes they make for the upcoming season.

[AUPepBand]

It's now officially "standing room only" on the home side at Merrill Field. The two-story press box is now gone. (Pep with his brilliant[?] mind thinks out loud: "If it's a two-story press box, are the journalists therein required to write TWO stories at a football game?")

And, while the AstroTurf12 will likely be torn up soon, the 1992 Grand Caravan--the "Pep Bandwagon" is still on the road after 318,477 miles. Pep fired her up yesterday to haul the trash and recyclables to the transfer station. But that just wasn't enough...she really wanted to get out on the open road. So Pep, with a Saturday night without any plans, decided that a good way to end a gorgeous day was to take young Pep along on a jaunt to a place we'd never been....Woodhull Raceway!

Now mind you, the Bandwagon's exhaust system is a bit loud these days, so it was in good company at Woodhull. After watching several most enjoyable races, we made a temporary exit in search of something to eat. While traveling at 30 mph in the village of Addison, there's a jolt to the Bandwagon as it felt as if we'd run over something. From Pep's rear view mirror, Pep saw a tire lying in the middle of the road that Pep had not seen thru his windshield. Pep pulled over, examined the Bandwagon and seeing that all tires were intact, looked under the rear of the van at the spare tire storage area and saw that it was empty. Pep ran down the street and grabbed the spare tire, (and in doing so slowing a few oncoming vehicles), then rolled it over to the sidewalk and threw it in the back of the Bandwagon. The suspended cable that holds the tire in the spare tire bed had rusted out and upon the Bandwagon hitting a bump, broke off, and gravity did the rest.

Young Pep then suggested that he, in fact, may NOT want to take the Bandwagon on a Midwest Rollercoaster Tour this summer since the Bandwagon is "literally falling apart," adding, "This thing is an antique!"

Back at the Woodhull Raceway, there were delays a-plenty and, the last race was followed by a race to the cars, with the Bandwagon pulling out fourth, and en route home, overtaking the three other contenders, with the Bandwagon getting its first ever win.

On Saxon Warriors!

[AlfredSaxon8]

It's now officially "standing room only" on the home side at Merrill Field. The two-story press box is now gone. (Pep with his brilliant[?] mind thinks out loud: "If it's a two-story press box, are the journalists therein required to write TWO stories at a football game?")

And, while the AstroTurf12 will likely be torn up soon, the 1992 Grand Caravan--the "Pep Bandwagon" is still on the road after 318,477 miles. Pep fired her up yesterday to haul the trash and recyclables to the transfer station. But that just wasn't enough...she really wanted to get out on the open road. So Pep, with a Saturday night without any plans, decided that a good way to end a gorgeous day was to take young Pep along on a jaunt to a place we'd never been....Woodhull Raceway!

Now mind you, the Bandwagon's exhaust system is a bit loud these days, so it was in good company at Woodhull. After watching several most enjoyable races, we made a temporary exit in search of something to eat. While traveling at 30 mph in the village of Addison, there's a jolt to the Bandwagon as it felt as if we'd run over something. From Pep's rear view mirror, Pep saw a tire lying in the middle of the road that Pep had not seen thru his windshield. Pep pulled over, examined the Bandwagon and seeing that all tires were intact, looked under the rear of the van at the spare tire storage area and saw that it was empty. Pep ran down the street and grabbed the spare tire, (and in doing so slowing a few oncoming vehicles), then rolled it over to the sidewalk and threw it in the back of the Bandwagon. The suspended cable that holds the tire in the spare tire bed had rusted out and upon the Bandwagon hitting a bump, broke off, and gravity did the rest.

Young Pep then suggested that he, in fact, may NOT want to take the Bandwagon on a Midwest Rollercoaster Tour this summer since the Bandwagon is "literally falling apart," adding, "This thing is an antique!"

Back at the Woodhull Raceway, there were delays a-plenty and, the last race was followed by a race to the cars, with the Bandwagon pulling out fourth, and en route home, overtaking the three other contenders, with the Bandwagon getting its first ever win.

On Saxon Warriors!

Maybe next year, you should take the Bandwago down to sunny Deland Florida? Heard its pretty nice during Spring break down there...

[AUPepBand]

Hey Saxon8...Pep is thinking the Bandwagon would be a liability rather than an asset for the Florida Trip.

But Pep found a "must-see" for 2011...Blue Spring State Park, right near Orange City. Definitely going to lobby for a Friday afternoon there with snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, canoeing, hiking....and manatees!! The water is ALWAYS 72 degrees. Can't believe Pep hadn't come across it before now.

Pep has received word there's a good group of freshman recruits coming to Alfred in August, plus a few transfers.
Meanwhile, little to nothing remains of the Merrill Field grandstand.

[HHawks]

Good morning ladies, gentleman, and all in between...73 days till Football season 

2010 USA Today Division III Football Preseason Top 25

1. Mount Union (Ohio)
2. UW-Whitewater
3. Wesley (Del.)
4. St. Thomas (Minn.)
5. Linfield (Ore.)
6. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas)
7. Wittenberg (Ohio)
8. Delaware Valley (Pa.)
9. St. John's (Minn.)
10. Central (Iowa)
11. UW-Stevens Point
12. Thomas More (Ky.)
13. Ohio Northern
14. Monmouth (Ill.)
15. Otterbein (Ohio)
16. North Central (Ill.)
17. Willamette (Ore.)
18. Hardin-Simmons (Texas)
19. Washington and Jefferson (Pa.)
20. Coe (Iowa)
21. Wabash (Ind.)
22. Trine (Ind.)
23. Huntingdon (Ala.)
24. Cal Lutheran
25. DePauw (Ind.)

Is it just me or is there a major lack of teams from the east in this Poll?

[AlfredSaxon8]

Hey Saxon8...Pep is thinking the Bandwagon would be a liability rather than an asset for the Florida Trip.

But Pep found a "must-see" for 2011...Blue Spring State Park, right near Orange City. Definitely going to lobby for a Friday afternoon there with snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, canoeing, hiking....and manatees!! The water is ALWAYS 72 degrees. Can't believe Pep hadn't come across it before now.

Pep has received word there's a good group of freshman recruits coming to Alfred in August, plus a few transfers.
Meanwhile, little to nothing remains of the Merrill Field grandstand.

WOW that place sounds amazing! Maybe I'll come down for the 2011 trip as an "assistant supervisor" haha.

Good to hear for the Alfred faithful! I'm excited to see the LB from North Tonawanda, assuming he will get to play in the WNY Shrine game this year.  Football season is right around the corner!

Sad to see Merril changing.  It needed some updates but crazy to think it will be a different stadium next time I'm there.  

P.S- Just to liven up the boards a little... How about them Bills? So many moves in the offseason it was hard to keep track! (Sarcasm)

The J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets will most likely dominate the AFC East with the Pats and Fins volleying for 2nd.

Although I seem to remember a year recently when the Washington Redskins first hired back Joe Gibbs and completely stacked their roster.  Granted most were Vets but that didn't play out well for them.  I'm thinking the young guns of the Jets might be a little more cohesive as a unit but thats a lot of superstar personalities all mixed together.  It's gonna be interesting to see.  Mark Sanchez should be able to with relative ease (not saying he doesn't have to try, I'm simply saying he doesn't have to force things and take chances, he just has to play smart football).  With their shutdown defense, LT in the backfield, Mangold as the heart of the O-Line, and a solid receiving core, I think they are the best odds to make a run this year... Which could prove to have provide another embarrasing 52-10 defeat in the Bills future like the 'Pats in 08...

[AUPepBand]

Good morning ladies, gentleman, and all in between...73 days till Football season 

2010 USA Today Division III Football Preseason Top 25

1. Mount Union (Ohio)
2. UW-Whitewater
3. Wesley (Del.)
4. St. Thomas (Minn.)
5. Linfield (Ore.)
6. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas)
7. Wittenberg (Ohio)
8. Delaware Valley (Pa.)
9. St. John's (Minn.)
10. Central (Iowa)
11. UW-Stevens Point
12. Thomas More (Ky.)
13. Ohio Northern
14. Monmouth (Ill.)
15. Otterbein (Ohio)
16. North Central (Ill.)
17. Willamette (Ore.)
18. Hardin-Simmons (Texas)
19. Washington and Jefferson (Pa.)
20. Coe (Iowa)
21. Wabash (Ind.)
22. Trine (Ind.)
23. Huntingdon (Ala.)
24. Cal Lutheran
25. DePauw (Ind.)

Is it just me or is there a major lack of teams from the east in this Poll?

Hawks: Thanks for posting this! +K What team from the East do you think OUGHT to be in the Top 25?

Pep had previously listed the polls from Lindy's and Sporting News. One included both St. John Fisher and Ithaca; the other was pretty similar to USA Today.

[AUPepBand]

73 days until the Saxons kick-off the 2010 season at a refurbished Merrill Field!

On Saxon Warriors!

[fisheralum91]

Since Del Val is the only East team on the list- i would hope that one or two more would have made it- and yes i would have hoped for Fisher and IC.
That said- we all know the value of preseason polls.

[AlfredSaxon8]

Since Del Val is the only East team on the list- i would hope that one or two more would have made it- and yes i would have hoped for Fisher and IC.
That said- we all know the value of preseason polls.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all to the Fisher or Bomber faithful but I'm just curious...

Why does everyone seem to be disappointed that Ithaca and Fisher didnt get put in the top 25?  I personally don't feel they deserve a top 25 pre-season ranking. I mean, Alfred was the only one of the teams to make the playoffs last year and they lost in the first round.  I understand that returning starters and yadda yadda are all taken into account but if the team that won the automatic bid for the E8 last year didnt get a top 25 ranking, then I dont feel as though anyone should.

There's NO DOUBT that the talent that Ithaca and St. John Fisher is great year after year but the E8 hasn't exactly had the best showing (minus Fisher) in the playoffs, which means we probably dont as much respect season to season. St. John Fisher's run 4 years ago and Ithaca's game against Mt Union three seasons ago were stepping stones for respect in the E8.  But then again, that was a whole graduation class ago.  First round losses (Hartwick, Alfred) don't exactly bode well for a lot of respect when pre-season rankings come out.  And how can you put a team into the top 25 that didn't finish the season in the top 30? 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all. There's no questioning the legacy Ithaca has built and the teams Fisher has put together in the past 7-8 years.  I have a lot of pride in the E8, I just dont think that being left out of the pre-season top 25 is all that huge of a suprise...

[Bombers798891]

Since Del Val is the only East team on the list- i would hope that one or two more would have made it- and yes i would have hoped for Fisher and IC.
That said- we all know the value of preseason polls.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all to the Fisher or Bomber faithful but I'm just curious...

Why does everyone seem to be disappointed that Ithaca and Fisher didnt get put in the top 25?  I personally don't feel they deserve a top 25 pre-season ranking. I mean, Alfred was the only one of the teams to make the playoffs last year and they lost in the first round.  I understand that returning starters and yadda yadda are all taken into account but if the team that won the automatic bid for the E8 last year didnt get a top 25 ranking, then I dont feel as though anyone should.

There's NO DOUBT that the talent that Ithaca and St. John Fisher is great year after year but the E8 hasn't exactly had the best showing (minus Fisher) in the playoffs, which means we probably dont as much respect season to season. St. John Fisher's run 4 years ago and Ithaca's game against Mt Union three seasons ago were stepping stones for respect in the E8.  But then again, that was a whole graduation class ago.  First round losses (Hartwick, Alfred) don't exactly bode well for a lot of respect when pre-season rankings come out.  And how can you put a team into the top 25 that didn't finish the season in the top 30? 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all. There's no questioning the legacy Ithaca has built and the teams Fisher has put together in the past 7-8 years.  I have a lot of pride in the E8, I just dont think that being left out of the pre-season top 25 is all that huge of a suprise...

Clearly, you have not seen my posts. 

[Jonny Utah]

Since Del Val is the only East team on the list- i would hope that one or two more would have made it- and yes i would have hoped for Fisher and IC.
That said- we all know the value of preseason polls.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all to the Fisher or Bomber faithful but I'm just curious...

Why does everyone seem to be disappointed that Ithaca and Fisher didnt get put in the top 25?  I personally don't feel they deserve a top 25 pre-season ranking. I mean, Alfred was the only one of the teams to make the playoffs last year and they lost in the first round.  I understand that returning starters and yadda yadda are all taken into account but if the team that won the automatic bid for the E8 last year didnt get a top 25 ranking, then I dont feel as though anyone should.

There's NO DOUBT that the talent that Ithaca and St. John Fisher is great year after year but the E8 hasn't exactly had the best showing (minus Fisher) in the playoffs, which means we probably dont as much respect season to season. St. John Fisher's run 4 years ago and Ithaca's game against Mt Union three seasons ago were stepping stones for respect in the E8.  But then again, that was a whole graduation class ago.  First round losses (Hartwick, Alfred) don't exactly bode well for a lot of respect when pre-season rankings come out.  And how can you put a team into the top 25 that didn't finish the season in the top 30? 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful at all. There's no questioning the legacy Ithaca has built and the teams Fisher has put together in the past 7-8 years.  I have a lot of pride in the E8, I just dont think that being left out of the pre-season top 25 is all that huge of a suprise...

Clearly, you have not seen my posts. 

Yea I don't think you have anyone complaining that these teams aren't in the top 25.  There was a discussion before on here about preseason polls and how they aren't really based on how good a team is, and only based on a schools 5-15 year history.

But I don't think anyone is complaining or suprised.

[Pat Coleman]

As a reminder, the USA Today ranking isn't your typical magazine preseason ranking -- as long as it has been in existence, it has been put together by D3football.com staff. It's always been either me or Keith McMillan or a combination of the two of us.

[dlippiel]

In dlip's humble opinion Del Val is really the only team from the East that really warrants a preseason top 25 vote at this point in time. To dlip he even questions Del Val being in the top ten, especially after getting homoginzed by an Albright team in the playoffs who was then beaten very very soundly by MUC.

dlip occasionally disagrees with the guru's style but always respects all the work he puts in for us d3 fans and the thoroughness of his polls. No D3 polls put in the time and research that d3.com's do. Plus Mr. Guru Coleman is right on with his comments regarding the East (hopefully dlip is not miss quoting him here), they simply need to get better to earn that respect that so many of us die hard East region fans want for them.

Don't get dlip wrong he bleeds Garnet first, LL second, and East region third, so he wants nothing more than for an East region team/teams to be on the national stage but he feels it is time to be a realist. It is time for the East to make the necessary adjustments to compete on a national level. Any thoughts on what those adjustments should be??? Could be for great discussion.


On a side note dlip loves the preseason polls because it gets him thinking d3 football before the season arrives.