FB: Empire 8

[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!

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...

Thanks Kaz.  I forgot about the AU Widener game. 

[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"...

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.

Good catch...I actually remembered that they did beat RPI when I wrote this...but couldn't remember what they finished and got bored looking it up.  I should have removed "ever" and stated since 2005 to present.

[AUPepBand]

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!!!!

Nice, Upstate....+K  ....and everyone else drools?

[Yanks 99]

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

Damn...I'm guilty of one or two over the past few days...you have permission to punch me in the face the next time you see me.  Just make sure I'm not holding my kid when you do it...

[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!!!!

Nice, Upstate....+K  ....and everyone else drools?

I was going to go there but wanted to keep it at a JR High level instead of an Elementary level...

If I went Elementary I might as well have taken it to the NJAC boards...

TASTE IT!!!!

[theoriginalupstate]

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

Damn...I'm guilty of one or two over the past few days...you have permission to punch me in the face the next time you see me.  Just make sure I'm not holding my kid when you do it...

How about we just have your kid hit you in the junk and call it even!

Kids hitting dads in the junk is always good for a laugh!

[Doid23]

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"...

Yeah, but that 2006 Mt. Ida team was flat out NASTY!

And I believe that you have to beat more than just one team that you're not supposed to beat before you announce your arrival. I have no love for Ithaca, but UC shouldn't even be in the same sentence as them until they can show some staying power. SJF certainly doesn't have the history that IC has, but at least they've stayed on the forefront for a significant period of time.

[Bombers798891]

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! 

Alfred's tough, but they've been too unimpressive to me to go in the same category as Fisher. Offense has moved the ball well, but they are way too turnover prone. Eight in three games? Five picks for Secky in only 78 attempts? IC and Fisher only have three turnovers in four games. Not going to keep winning close games if you turn it over that frequently, especially against teams that don't turn it over

[theoriginalupstate]

The UC "arriving" discussion is basically the same discussion as we were having about SJF before 2004...

They're showing signs of progress, they just gotta take that next step...

Personally I think they're close to taking that next step, you can tell they're getting better players on the team.  Their QB is only a Sophomore and is showing signs that he's legit...

If they can get the horses on the O-line they'll start to make noise...

Until then they just gotta take a spot in line like SJF did a couple years ago...

[Yanks 99]

The UC "arriving" discussion is basically the same discussion as we were having about SJF before 2004...

They're showing signs of progress, they just gotta take that next step...

Personally I think they're close to taking that next step, you can tell they're getting better players on the team.  Their QB is only a Sophomore and is showing signs that he's legit...

If they can get the horses on the O-line they'll start to make noise...

Until then they just gotta take a spot in line like SJF did a couple years ago...

I hear you...but unlike Utica, Fisher has was at least beating teams prior to '04...and really, really competing.  Not just talking about competing.  I think '03 was a huge year for you guys.  I think you were 8-3 that year, and lost those 3 games by a combined 11-12 points...or something to the effect...and a close loss to RPI who went to the NCCA semis.  To me, that was your "turning point"...but it was only a turning point when you look back at it a few years later. 

I mean Utica has literally not beaten a soul...no one...of any type of importance...ever.  2 wins (thanks LD) ever over teams that finished with a winning record (Mt. Ida in 05 who finished 5-4, and RPI in 04 who finished 5-4)...and none since 2006...and we are talking about UC getting to the same level playing field as Ithaca and SJF?  It just seems crazy.

I mean, if I announced Wick's arrival...right now...I would get told I am an idiot, and rightfully so.  And unlike Utica, we have at least made it to the NCAA's once (thanks Boltus!!!), won an E8 title, and have been to several ECAC's.  We are no where close to "arriving" or being on the same place as SJF and IC who have clearly had much more success. 

I mean...what happens at the end of the year if UC finishes 5-5?  Have they still "arrived"?

[Bombers798891]

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"...

Yeah, but that 2006 Mt. Ida team was flat out NASTY!

And I believe that you have to beat more than just one team that you're not supposed to beat before you announce your arrival. I have no love for Ithaca, but UC shouldn't even be in the same sentence as them until they can show some staying power. SJF certainly doesn't have the history that IC has, but at least they've stayed on the forefront for a significant period of time.

It's about years, not games to me.

The Wick didn't "arrive" when they won the conference in 2007, just like Fisher didn't "arrive" in 2004. It was those nasty 2006 and 2007 teams, in my mind, that made me think they were legit, and they haven't fallen off since then like Team Boltus. Alfred has been churning out 7-9 wins a year for awhile now. Obviously, this 'aint IC's first rodeo (although this season could be their worst.)

Start beating Fisher/Alfred/IC. Then keep doing it. Build a reputation. At the very least, become like Springfield, which is consistent in their inconsistency.

I'm a fan of where Utica's going, but we're getting way ahead of ourselves thinking that, one year of moderate success will announce them as a player in the conference

[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"...

Yeah, but that 2006 Mt. Ida team was flat out NASTY!

And I believe that you have to beat more than just one team that you're not supposed to beat before you announce your arrival. I have no love for Ithaca, but UC shouldn't even be in the same sentence as them until they can show some staying power. SJF certainly doesn't have the history that IC has, but at least they've stayed on the forefront for a significant period of time.

It's about years, not games to me.

The Wick didn't "arrive" when they won the conference in 2007, just like Fisher didn't "arrive" in 2004. It was those nasty 2006 and 2007 teams, in my mind, that made me think they were legit, and they haven't fallen off since then like Team Boltus. Alfred has been churning out 7-9 wins a year for awhile now. Obviously, this 'aint IC's first rodeo (although this season could be their worst.)

Start beating Fisher/Alfred/IC. Then keep doing it. Build a reputation. At the very least, become like Springfield, which is consistent in their inconsistency.

I'm a fan of where Utica's going, but we're getting way ahead of ourselves thinking that, one year of moderate success will announce them as a player in the conference

I agree with you 100%.  "Arriving" takes years.  I think Utica is making some big time progres...I really do.  Like I mentioned in my last post though, I believe the turning point for SJF was their 2003 season...but it has taken years of continued success (and dominance) to look back and point to that specific timeframe.  I mean, I don't think anyone was talking about that being SJF's turning point during that season.  Kind of hard to announce turning points while you are still making the turn....especially when all UC has done thus far is embarrassed two of the worst teams in D3 football, beat a terrible RPI team that is looking at a 3-6 season, and beaten a Wilkes team (unimpressively) that will hope to finish 4th in their conference.

Just for the record...I don't think we (Hartiwck) have arrived.  I think this year could be tough, and an hoping to have a record of at least .500+ by the end of the season so we can add to our current "streak" of 3 consecutive seasons of playing at least .500 ball.  It will take at least 5-7 more years of doing so before we can even think about saying that we have "arrived".

[theoriginalupstate]

How about we just agree that Utica isn't horrible anymore and call it a day?

[Yanks 99]

How about we just agree that Utica isn't horrible anymore and call it a day?

Ha...I can agree for now...but I will hold off on that thought until the end of the season.

[theoriginalupstate]

How about we just agree that Utica isn't horrible anymore and call it a day?

Ha...I can agree for now...but I will hold off on that thought until the end of the season.

I think they go 6-4 this year...

That's just me...