FB: Empire 8

[AUSaxons]

Hey guys, new AU fan here to add to what I see is already a very large contingent!

My thoughts on the E8 so far are that 2 teams (Alfred and SJF) have, in my opinion, distinguished themselves as the teams to beat. Now, which one is the best? I honestly do not know, AU was impressive against SC but SJF has been impressive throughout. AU has frostburg this week, so we probably wont know much more about where they stand after this weekend (barring a catastrophe), but I do think we will learn how SJF will respond to a Utica team who I think will surprise all of us and finish in 4th in the E8 (Sorry IC fans). I expect them to shut down UC's offense and win comfortably, but UC is the best team they have played to date. Should be fascinating, and I look forward to sharing the experience of watching it all unfold with you guys!  

[maxpower]

Hey guys, new AU fan here to add to what I see is already a very large contingent!

My thoughts on the E8 so far are that 2 teams (Alfred and SJF) have, in my opinion, distinguished themselves as the teams to beat. Now, which one is the best? I honestly do not know, AU was impressive against SC but SJF has been impressive throughout. AU has frostburg this week, so we probably wont know much more about where they stand after this weekend (barring a catastrophe), but I do think we will learn how SJF will respond to a Utica team who I think will surprise all of us and finish in 4th in the E8 (Sorry IC fans). I expect them to shut down UC's offense and win comfortably, but UC is the best team they have played to date. Should be fascinating, and I look forward to sharing the experience of watching it all unfold with you guys!  

Dude, you beat the Larries by one score and you're the team to beat?

Love the enthusiasm on this guy; pep, strap a cowbell on him.

[AUPepBand]

Hey guys, new AU fan here to add to what I see is already a very large contingent!

My thoughts on the E8 so far are that 2 teams (Alfred and SJF) have, in my opinion, distinguished themselves as the teams to beat. Now, which one is the best? I honestly do not know, AU was impressive against SC but SJF has been impressive throughout. AU has frostburg this week, so we probably wont know much more about where they stand after this weekend (barring a catastrophe), but I do think we will learn how SJF will respond to a Utica team who I think will surprise all of us and finish in 4th in the E8 (Sorry IC fans). I expect them to shut down UC's offense and win comfortably, but UC is the best team they have played to date. Should be fascinating, and I look forward to sharing the experience of watching it all unfold with you guys!  

What instrument do you play, AUSaxons? We can use ya in the band!

On Saxon Warriors!

[AUSaxons]

Well, I never said team to beat, but from what I have seen I think we are better then IC and we beat SC, so IMO its us and Fisher.

And Pep, I have "complete lack of rhythm syndrome", so no band for me, but I heard you guys at the Widener game and you did a FABULOUS job! 

[pumkinattack]

As an interloper, I'm not so sure Utica is better than Hobart either, as has been suggested by "the best team SJF has played to date".  RPI just got beat by WPI, who won like 5 LL games in their LL history and lost to an NEFC school this year, so let's hold off on putting the shiny, spinning rims on the Utica bandwagon for a few more weeks.  Surprised that even a new AU grad would think that too given Hobart's recent success against AU over the last 10-15 years. 

[Yanks 99]

I want to see Utica beat someone...anyone...who finishes with a winning record before I annoint them as anyones toughest test.  Not including this year (because we have no idea how it will turn out yet) Utica has only beaten one team...ever...that ended up finishing the year with a winning record.  It was in 2006 when the beat a Mount Ida team that finished 5-4.  Even in their "best" season ever before this year in 2005 when they finished 6-4, they didn't beat a single team that finished with a winning record.

You got to beat someone you are not suppose to before you announce your arrival. 

Clearly, all of this could change if they knock off SJF...but they actually have to beat someone.  Being competetive for a tough game or two doesn't count as "arriving"...

[saxontad]

Welcome to the board AUSaxons.  Always great to hear from new posters among the Saxon faithful.  I can't wait until tomorrow.  Homecoming is always fun!!  Hope to see everyone there!!


On Saxon Warriors!!!

[Touch The Rock]

Well, I never said team to beat, but from what I have seen I think we are better then IC and we beat SC, so IMO its us and Fisher.

And Pep, I have "complete lack of rhythm syndrome", so no band for me, but I heard you guys at the Widener game and you did a FABULOUS job! 

Buuuuut you did say team to beat.  Well, you put them in the "teams to beat".  Your SC point is legitimate because you beat them head-to-head.  But, what makes you think AU is better than IC?  The only comparison that there is, is common opponents.  IC beat SLU by 30....AU beat them by 7.  Now, I don't think that common opponents is a great way to compare teams, but currently it's the only comparison.  Sounds subjective, and I'll be damned if we're going to let these boards become a bunch of homers running around blindly screaming about how great their school is! 


Not to mention (but totally mentioning it), the monkey stomping IC put on AU's perfect season last year. 

Welcome to the board AUSaxons!

[Touch The Rock]

By the way...you guys killed it this week.  My boss is coming in late today so it looks like I'm going to just mail it in for a few hours and catch up.  Good work fellas. 

[BoSox0322]

Well, I never said team to beat, but from what I have seen I think we are better then IC and we beat SC, so IMO its us and Fisher.

And Pep, I have "complete lack of rhythm syndrome", so no band for me, but I heard you guys at the Widener game and you did a FABULOUS job! 

you did say team to beat... and you just said it again.  Alfred just needs to win the games they're supposed to... I think Frostburg and Wick coming up... until they get into a big game in a few weeks...
Also way too many smiley faces for a grown man... pump the brakes

[theoriginalupstate]

I'll be damned if we're going to let these boards become a bunch of homers running around blindly screaming about how great their school is!

FISHER RULES!!!!

[pumkinattack]

I want to see Utica beat someone...anyone...who finishes with a winning record before I annoint them as anyones toughest test.  Not including this year (because we have no idea how it will turn out yet) Utica has only beaten one team...ever...that ended up finishing the year with a winning record.  It was in 2006 when the beat a Mount Ida team that finished 5-4.  Even in their "best" season ever before this year in 2005 when they finished 6-4, they didn't beat a single team that finished with a winning record.

You got to beat someone you are not suppose to before you announce your arrival. 

Clearly, all of this could change if they knock off SJF...but they actually have to beat someone.  Being competetive for a tough game or two doesn't count as "arriving"...

Since we're talking 'ish: while I agree with your sentiment and respect what you did for a couple of years with Boltus (and had some decent teams in my day in the late 90's, 75 pass att/game), Wick could stand to upgrade their non-conference sched a bit.  Do they play anyone who "normally" would be as strong as RPI (this year RPI is looking like an NEFC school).  I guess this sort of falls into the same old conversation about OOC outside of Fish and IC in the E8 though. 

[dlippiel]

As an interloper, I'm not so sure Utica is better than Hobart either, as has been suggested by "the best team SJF has played to date".  RPI just got beat by WPI, who won like 5 LL games in their LL history and lost to an NEFC school this year, so let's hold off on putting the shiny, spinning rims on the Utica bandwagon for a few more weeks.  Surprised that even a new AU grad would think that too given Hobart's recent success against AU over the last 10-15 years. 

dlip concurs he would be beyond surprised if Utica was able to beat the pumpkin heads. dlip thinks the breakes need to be put on here just a bit regarding the Pioneers. dlip is very happy for their early season success and feels the program has definitely improved and is moving in the right direction but let's not get ahead of ourselves. dlip does not think the Pioneers could even win a  weak LL title this year let alone really finish top 2 in the E8.

[AUKaz00]

Well, I never said team to beat, but from what I have seen I think we are better then IC and we beat SC, so IMO its us and Fisher.

And Pep, I have "complete lack of rhythm syndrome", so no band for me, but I heard you guys at the Widener game and you did a FABULOUS job! 

Buuuuut you did say team to beat.  Well, you put them in the "teams to beat".  Your SC point is legitimate because you beat them head-to-head.  But, what makes you think AU is better than IC?  The only comparison that there is, is common opponents.  IC beat SLU by 30....AU beat them by 7.  Now, I don't think that common opponents is a great way to compare teams, but currently it's the only comparison.  Sounds subjective, and I'll be damned if we're going to let these boards become a bunch of homers running around blindly screaming about how great their school is! 


Not to mention (but totally mentioning it), the monkey stomping IC put on AU's perfect season last year. 

Welcome to the board AUSaxons!

AUSaxons, always good to have another Alfred poster on the boards.  Stick with it and stop by the band whenever you're at a game.

Now, while I hope you're right about Alfred being one of the "teams to beat" I definitely think it's a little premature.  We should be facing Fisher at 6-0 which will make for some truly entertaining anticipation and hopefully viewing.  Gotta give the Cards the edge in that one, but still with a chance for an at-large bid.  A loss to Ithaca, though and I can easily see the Saxons coming out flat in their finale at Utica.  I've been saying 7-3 since the end of last season, so I'll stick with that but I'm hoping for the best.

And TTR, we've both also played Widener to similar results.  If Alfred is truly better than their close results to date, it will be due to Murray taking his time deciding which underclassman can contribute.  He typically leans on those choices once conference play begins and Dwyer got a lot of touches in Springfield and some frosh wideouts saw action as well, so it's possible the Saxons could develop into a 9-1 team.  Time will tell...

[lewdogg11]

I want to see Utica beat someone...anyone...who finishes with a winning record before I annoint them as anyones toughest test.  Not including this year (because we have no idea how it will turn out yet) Utica has only beaten one team...ever...that ended up finishing the year with a winning record.  It was in 2006 when the beat a Mount Ida team that finished 5-4.  Even in their "best" season ever before this year in 2005 when they finished 6-4, they didn't beat a single team that finished with a winning record.

You got to beat someone you are not suppose to before you announce your arrival. 

Clearly, all of this could change if they knock off SJF...but they actually have to beat someone.  Being competetive for a tough game or two doesn't count as "arriving"...

Erroneous on all accounts.  They beat a horrendous RPI team (that also lost to St. Lawrence that year) 9-7 in 2004.  RPI finished 5-4.