FB: Empire 8

[AlfredSaxon8]

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.

I think its incredibly hard to judge the teams from year to year, almost impossible.  And very often, maybe too much credit is given to teams that shouldn't have been given credit in the first place. (Which may sound like it disputes my earlier post- but I only want to say I think the defending champs deserve a chance to keep the # 1 spot until proved otherwise)   But it makes it incredibly hard for teams to come up in the rankings.  Prime example- how many times has a Fisher, Springfield, Alfred, or Ithaca team been given a top ten ranking DURING the season after starting on the outside looking in.  It's incredibly hard for them to work their way up the ladder and much easier for teams already in the mix to move up.  I dont know if that makes sense...

But I'm going off this: St. John Fisher was ranked top 5 after their run 4 years ago.  But then were beat by Hartwick (and I think they lost to Ithaca right after or something- correct me if I'm wrong please) the following season... Going into the playoffs in the year they made their run, I dont even think they broke the top 10... So yes, I think it proves to be exceptionally hard for a team on the outside in to get some leverage in the rankings.

[fisheralum91]

my thoughts exactly saxon8
we are on the same page....
the stage isnt limited to d3 either-
look at any division.

[AlfredSaxon8]

my thoughts exactly saxon8
we are on the same page....
the stage isnt limited to d3 either-
look at any division.

Very true- its very much apparent on every level. 

I mean, look at hard how it is for Notre Dame to move up in the rankings-

haha just kidding on that one! I'm a huge Notre Dame fan but I'll be the first to admist they suck recently.

But in all seriousness- Small teams have a hard time making its way up- Miami of Ohio with Big Ben went undefeated, Boise St, Houston, TCU, Utah- It's all the same.  Its a harsh reality.

[fisheralum91]

ya hit the nail on the head

[AlfredSaxon8]

Then again, at least D-3 has a playoff system.  It means the teams get a relatively fair shot at the post season.  And I only say relatively because I dont feel as though all the conferences deserve an AQ because they have a certain amount of teams.  I dont have a better way of doing it because it does make the most sense lol  But some of the teams that get the AQ could very easily be just above .500 in other conferences. 

My theory was proved wrong after Hartwick took a thumping from Curry a couple years ago but I still feel as though some middle of the road teams in the weaker conferences have a better shot than middle of the road teams in a tougher conference. I seem to remember of year in which Alfred (2005) went 9-2 and beat Fisher in the final game of the season and missed the playoffs... I still think they were a stronger team than at least 5 or 7 of the teams that did make it...  That was the Brenton Brady year w/ Rantz, Gatto, Meyers, Nitsche as a Freshman, Keeley at QB, the E-train in the backfield and Jewels (Julio Fuentes).  That was without a doubt the BEST team I have ever played on. 

[SJFF82]

  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??? 

Recruit central/northern ohio?

[fisheralum91]

priceless

[SJFF82]

Otherwise, why are you other 237 schools suiting up?

To play for second place....duh

[AUPepBand]

Otherwise, why are you other 237 schools suiting up?

To play for second place....duh

...or for the love of the game?

On Saxon Warriors...Morrisville Mustangs and Maranatha Baptist Crusaders (who have placed second in each of their last 24 games).

[AlfredSaxon8]

Otherwise, why are you other 237 schools suiting up?

To play for second place....duh

...or for the love of the game?

On Saxon Warriors...Morrisville Mustangs and Maranatha Baptist Crusaders (who have placed second in each of their last 24 games).

They haven't won in 24 games? OUCH.  Guess Morrisville should have stayed JuCo...

Although I went there once before, nice campus.  Kind of middle of nowhere, even more so than Alfred...

[Bombers798891]

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!

It's the old high school trick: The team you schedule for homecoming is always the patsy that you'll beat by 40 points. 

[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!

It's the old high school trick: The team you schedule for homecoming is always the patsy that you'll beat by 40 points. 

I had a good feeling someone was going to say that!!! haha

But hopefully it will be the Empire 8 game of the week and they broadcast the feed so I can watch it while still wearing my purple and gold...

[Bombers798891]

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.

Yes, but I think, outside of D-I football, there's no value to polls beyond bragging rights. It's not like the polls reward you with something, so all it really does it serve as a basis for--sometimes healthy, sometimes idiotic--debate. Since it's all settled on the field, that's what really matters.

[AUPepBand]

Otherwise, why are you other 237 schools suiting up?

To play for second place....duh

...or for the love of the game?

On Saxon Warriors...Morrisville Mustangs and Maranatha Baptist Crusaders (who have placed second in each of their last 24 games).

They haven't won in 24 games? OUCH.  Guess Morrisville should have stayed JuCo...

Although I went there once before, nice campus.  Kind of middle of nowhere, even more so than Alfred...

Maranatha Baptist Bible College has lost 24 straight.... Morrisville State (Pep's alma mater) is struggling in a rugged NJAC and probably should have started out in that new Northeast conference with Husson, Gallaudet, etc.

[AlfredSaxon8]

Otherwise, why are you other 237 schools suiting up?

To play for second place....duh

...or for the love of the game?

On Saxon Warriors...Morrisville Mustangs and Maranatha Baptist Crusaders (who have placed second in each of their last 24 games).

They haven't won in 24 games? OUCH.  Guess Morrisville should have stayed JuCo...

Although I went there once before, nice campus.  Kind of middle of nowhere, even more so than Alfred...

Maranatha Baptist Bible College has lost 24 straight.... Morrisville State (Pep's alma mater) is struggling in a rugged NJAC and probably should have started out in that new Northeast conference with Husson, Gallaudet, etc.

If I remember correctly... you have some eligibility left...