FB: Empire 8

[AlfredSaxon8]

geez-
I didnt mean for many of you to think that i was whining about fisher and IC being left out.
God, I said that it would have been nice.
Will it work out in the end-it always does.
I will say that with what i saw last year coming back, fisher has a better than average chance of winning the E8 outright.
again my own humble opinion

I didn't mean to make it seem as though anyone was whining, especially you.  I guess I was just a little suprised as to why people had a little faith teams from the E8 would get the nod in the top 25 when overall, the conference had a relatively subpar showing last year compared to previous seasons.  Not saying the teams were subpart, but when you play in a conference where any team is capable of beating another, it's very hard to establish dominance.  How many years has more than one team won a share of the E8? Quite a few... that's hard to find amongst a lot of conferences. 

I was just pointing out that a few years ago, the E8 had 3 teams in the post season.  This past year, they had 1 and they got beat in the first round.  Would it be nice if the E8 was represented? Absolutely, I completely agree with you on that one.

[fisheralum91]

saxon 8
no arguments here.
i for one cant wait for the season- but will NEVER rush through a beautiful summer----waaaay too much golf to play yet

[AlfredSaxon8]

Completely agree on that one!!

Wish I had more time for it.  I played in Rochester once last year, well more Scottsville area.  But it was a decent place, real cheap.  20 bucks for a full round and a cart.  I'm not nearly good enough, or patient enough, to try and get out on most courses.  So I stick to the VERY open fairways. 

Saw a crazy snake when I was at that course and a snapping turtle.  Was an enjoyable nature walk splashed with double bogeys and three putts. 

[fisheralum91]

Geez louise- Sounds like you were at a wildlife preserve not a golf course!!
enjoy the summer-
i know i will - all in the effort of getting that damn handicap back to reasonable levels

[fisheralum91]

Fisher schedule is out

http://athletics.sjfc.edu/news/2010/6/23/FB_0623103952.aspx

thoughts?

[AUPepBand]

Wow! Nice to have some reading material on the E8 board for a change. In an unusual effort to remain "on topic" Pep opines about the lack of East teams, in general, in the Top 25, and, in particular, the lack of Empire 8 teams in the Top 25.

Pep believes that while, overall, the Empire 8 is becoming a stronger conference, there appears to be more parity. St. John Fisher emerged as a national contender and in doing so knocked the Bombers down a few notches in the eyes of nationwide D3 observers. Then along comes Hart(Jason Boltus)wick and grounds the high-flying Cardinals a bit. Springfield was unable to run over the E8 but certainly was a nationally acclaimed program that joined in the fracas. Then you have Alfred hanging around every year, finally emerging with the AQ in '09.

Pep is thinking the Empire 8 is looking a bit more like the WIAC in 2004 when LaCrosse, with a 5-2 conference record, represented the WIAC in the NCAAs. Whitewater, EauClaire, Stevens Point were all 4-3.

As for 2010: Fisher continues to attract top notch athletes and will be in contention; Ithaca, well, is Ithaca and hasn't had a losing season in decades; Springfield, with Josh Carter, will be on the run; Alfred seems to be building some depth in its program; Utica will continue to improve with Faggiano in charge; Hartwick can fling it around and make some contenders nervous.

From top to bottom, it appears the E8 is getting stronger every year, but other than Fisher's brief stint in the national hunt and Ithaca's heritage, what team would warrant a Top 25 appearance?

[fisheralum91]

Well said pep.

I for one am looking forward to the Fisher/UC game.
There has been a lot of talk in these parts about Blaise having a breakout year.
While i still think he is a few more years away from that - i do wish him all the best---except that evening!!

[Pat Coleman]

Then what is the basis for ANY pre-season poll.  Wouldn't you agree that most teams in the top 25 are "grandfathered in" from their teams success the previous season?

In some sense. But not guaranteed to start in the same spot they finished with. Otherwise there's no expertise used in creating a ranking -- we could just take last year's final poll and republish it. Or you could do the D3football.com final poll and sprinkle a couple of traditionally strong teams in. Of course, if you do that, you run the risk of putting Bethel No. 5!

Someone has to be #1 so doesn't the team that finished last year at #1 get a chance to defend that?

Why? It's a ranking.

[AlfredSaxon8]

Fisher schedule is out

http://athletics.sjfc.edu/news/2010/6/23/FB_0623103952.aspx

thoughts?

WOW- Ithaca homecoming weekend? That will be a bloodbath no doubt- and I'm not just talking about on the field!

Looks pretty decent though.  How does one end up with 4 night/evening games? Wish AU did more of that but of course, those moths would be brutal- Pep knows what I'm talking about...

Hobart will be a good game, they haven't played since the playoffs a few years ago right? The pumpkin heads will be looking to avenge that loss (remember the fake punt attempt?)

But whats the news on Brockport? They usually have good athletes but they never get it together.  They will occasionally suprise with a nice victory here and there but it never amounts to much.  Are they sanctioned at all since the ineligible incident? Does D3 even have sanctions? haha

[fisheralum91]

oh boy---whats the old saying?
never poke a sleeping bear................

[AlfredSaxon8]

Then what is the basis for ANY pre-season poll.  Wouldn't you agree that most teams in the top 25 are "grandfathered in" from their teams success the previous season?

In some sense. But not guaranteed to start in the same spot they finished with. Otherwise there's no expertise used in creating a ranking -- we could just take last year's final poll and republish it. Or you could do the
D3football.com final poll and sprinkle a couple of traditionally strong teams in. Of course, if you do that, you run the risk of putting Bethel No. 5!

Someone has to be #1 so doesn't the team that finished last year at #1 get a chance to defend that?

Why? It's a ranking.

I agree with you on that one regarding the whole republishing of the number end of the season poll BUT I still feel like the team that finished # 1 deserves at least the pre-season top slot.  Maybe it won't play out that way but a team that wins the crown should have a chance to start off the season defending it.  I understand its a completely different season, roster, schedule, maybe coaching staff but they are still the champs.  Past # 1, all bets are off.  But as it plays out, I think they deserve a shot.  Do other teams deserve votes? No doubt.  But has anythign drastic happened that says they shouldn't be defending their crown? Not that I've heard...

[AlfredSaxon8]

By the way, I'm trying to post discreetly well at work.  So my grammar and train of thoughts tends to be at risk when I keep having to minimize my screen during posts.  I apologize for that lol

[Pat Coleman]

UWW lost its quarterback, three of the four starters in the secondary and six starters on defense. Plus the all-time leading kicker (in terms of points) in NCAA football history. Oh, and the offensive coordinator they had for both Stagg Bowl wins (0-2 in the Stagg before he was hired). I felt that was enough to move them down one whole spot.

[fisheralum91]

Here is an oddball question for anybody who cares answer.
Do preseason polls give too much credit where credit is not due?
Is it a case of the haves and the have nots?
I understand history and returning players.
But do teams on the outside looking in get a fair shot if not considered in the preseason?
I say this as it seems that some NOT ALL of the voting during the regular season becomes a me too thing.

[AlfredSaxon8]

UWW lost its quarterback, three of the four starters in the secondary and six starters on defense. Plus the all-time leading kicker (in terms of points) in NCAA football history. Oh, and the offensive coordinator they had for both Stagg Bowl wins (0-2 in the Stagg before he was hired). I felt that was enough to move them down one whole spot.

I understand your point, completely.  I'm not trying to put you on the spot and defend yourself.  I was simply replying to the comment that one team should not be "grandfathered in". And I feel as though a team that wins the championship the year before deserves more pull for the number one spot.  Could they prove to be incredibly overrated, could they lost every game the following year? 100% a possibility.  But when you hear talk about the "defending champs, the number 1 team in the Country", I think its good for football.  You don't want to hear about the "defending champs, the number 2 or 3 team in the Country".  That's just how I look at it...

I completely agree a team doesn't deserve to have carry over rankings and a prime example is Thiel a couple years ago.  We played the "#17" team in the nation (who started out ranked like # 10 or something and lost their first game) and the hype for the game was in-credible!

I wouldn't want to be playing a school that has won the championship the year before and "slipped" a little bit.  Not saying I want to be duped into thinking we are playing a better team than we actually are but I think it makes for good pre-game hype.  It excites players and coaches and no one wants to think that the team they played wasn't as good as the team the previous year.  Then again, sometimes the truth hurts. But that's just how I feel.  I'm not trying to force you to have to explain yourself but the whole "grandfathered" in comment didn't seem to give justice to the defending champs...