FB: Empire 8

[SJFF82]

Here is a thought that I found interesting. I was looking at the schedule for Ithaca the rest of the way, and they do not have one easy game left on the schedule (Fisher, SC, Utica, AU, and Cortland). Is there any possibility of IC having a losing all of them? If they lose to either SC or Utica it could be a lot of trouble for IC.

It seems crazy to think that IC will implode down the stretch, and end up with a losing season, but I think you can make a case for them to lose each of those games.

I'm agreeing with max. No way IC loses each and every game. Will they be a playoff team? Maybe not. But 4-6? That's insane.

Like Maxpower said...way to go out on a limb....

[SJFF82]

ITHACA SUCKS

[theoriginalupstate]

I'll go out on a limb and say this...

ITHACA SUCKS!!!

[SJFF82]

I'll go out on a limb and say this...

ITHACA SUCKS!!!

HA...BEAT YA TO IT BY SECONDS

[Touch The Rock]

I didn't say I expect IC to lose the rest of their games, but I think you can make a case for an IC loss in each game. That is all I am saying.

Fisher is just better than IC this year, and I don't think anyone has predicted an IC win yet.

SC looks to be improved on defense, and has an offense that is difficult to prepare for. This game is at IC, so I think IC will win this one, but SC can give good teams trouble at times.

Utica is much improved from previous years and just played Fisher very tough. With IC not able to run the ball to keep the Utica offense on the sidelines, IC could lose in a shootout.

IMHO I think AU is a better team than IC, and the game is in Alfred.

Cortland is one of the better teams in the region, and may have a playoff spot on the line when they host IC.

I was more just posing the question as to how many games do people think IC will lose, but there are some compelling reasons to pick against IC having a great finish. I am not trying to make a crazy prediction just so I can say how smart I am in a few weeks.

I was just waiting for Upstate to post the pick 'em.  I hate that this game is at Growney, but I like the Bombers.  Their defense is good.  I know they've gotten a little soft with leads, but I don't expect them to have a 20 point lead in Fisher, so we don't have to worry about that.  I think the IC defense is going to keep them in the game.  Much more than in past years.  I believe the spread is set at -8, right?  I'll take IC +8 every day of the week. 

And yes, I do know what the scores have been the past 5 seasons.  I still like the Bombers upset. 

[fisheralum91]

Hey hey,
Look at the newbie defending his team......
That is very honorable.

Very wrong, but honorable!

[Bombers798891]

I was just waiting for Upstate to post the pick 'em.  I hate that this game is at Growney, but I like the Bombers.  Their defense is good.  I know they've gotten a little soft with leads, but I don't expect them to have a 20 point lead in Fisher, so we don't have to worry about that.  I think the IC defense is going to keep them in the game.  Much more than in past years.  I believe the spread is set at -8, right?  I'll take IC +8 every day of the week. 

And yes, I do know what the scores have been the past 5 seasons.  I still like the Bombers upset. 

I'll lay the points...42-17 Fisher.

IC is a one-dimensional offense. There's no debating that. Do we honestly think the Fisher staff can't figure it out? This team is deal-last in total offense and it's not close. They miss too many opportunities to win a shootout

Is the defense better? Or just faster, and thus more capable of the big play? They lead the conference with 14 sacks and 14 turnovers, but they're horrible in the red zone and are exploitable in the passing game. Fisher's got a pretty good QB.

And, talent level aside, Fisher owns us, and a mental edge is huge. They get up for the game more, and play with a swagger and confidence that the Bombers can't match.

[fisheralum91]

Just saw the forcast for growney on saterday.....
mid 50s and sunny...
Perfect football weather!
Cant wait!

[Touch The Rock]

The truth is that after Hobart's loss to the Larries....SJFs scshedule really isn't that strong.  Granted, the Bombers haven't had a real tough opening 5 games either.  But, who has Fisher beaten that we are judging them so highly?  Brockport? Just lost to Morrisville, they're awful. Buff State? Terrible.  Rochester just got shut out by RPI who beat Endicott by 3.  Hobart just lost to SLU and Utica is really unproven.  I mean, it's possible that UC has beat up on some bad teams adn then played a great Fisher team close.  But, it's also possible that they beat up some bad teams and then played a decent Fisher team close.  Where's the measuring stick?

The Bombers pass defense is 30th in the nation while Fisher's passing offense is 22nd.   ICs passing game is  50th while the SJF passing defense is 205th. 

Ithaca's rushing D is 44th and SJFs rushing offense is somewhere in the 50's (I forget where and don't feel like opening it back up). ICs running game is 210th while SJFs rushing D is 77th. I feel liek a lot of the talk is about SJFs high powered offense.  And it might be true, but I think this week is a true test.

I don't doubt ICs running game will struggle.  And they'll run it a bit to keep a balance.  But their pass protection has been good and they've only got a few (I think 2) interceptions.  This is going to be a game if IC can overcome the mental aspect that has been built up a bit.  The mental part is probably the biggest barrier here. 

Who knows, maybe I just hate SJF so much that I just refuse to say that they're going to win, but I really think this is going to be much more of a game than everyone is expecting.  

[theoriginalupstate]

The -8 was set because of Ithaca's pass offense.  They're pretty damn good and finding the open guy in the short and intermediate routes that keep the chains moving.  Ithaca's passing game will keep it close but their inability to run the ball will ultimately be the deciding factor in the game.

I just think SJF's offense is too much for anyone in the E8 to stop this year.  The O-line is just too damn good, they've only allowed 3 sacks on the year and they're averaging 500 yards of offense (200 on the ground and 300 in the air).  They put Kramer in the backfield a bunch of time vs Utica and he was very effective and Borum is just a beast between the tackles.  If you bring a safety down to stop the run and play man to man Bailey sends the WR's on seam routes and puts it up there to make a play.  

Early prediction:
SJF 37 IC 29

[fisheralum91]

Touch the rock...
thats why they call it blind faith my friend.
i respect that.
Enjoy the game.

[fisheralum91]

im in a +k kinda way....

[Yanks 99]

Unless IC brings back Angelichio and Raymond...Fisher wins by double digits, but in a close game.

[SJFF82]

The truth is that after Hobart's loss to the Larries....SJFs scshedule really isn't that strong.  Granted, the Bombers haven't had a real tough opening 5 games either.  But, who has Fisher beaten that we are judging them so highly?  Brockport? Just lost to Morrisville, they're awful. Buff State? Terrible.  Rochester just got shut out by RPI who beat Endicott by 3.  Hobart just lost to SLU and Utica is really unproven.  I mean, it's possible that UC has beat up on some bad teams adn then played a great Fisher team close.  But, it's also possible that they beat up some bad teams and then played a decent Fisher team close.  Where's the measuring stick?

The Bombers pass defense is 30th in the nation while Fisher's passing offense is 22nd.   ICs passing game is  50th while the SJF passing defense is 205th. 

Ithaca's rushing D is 44th and SJFs rushing offense is somewhere in the 50's (I forget where and don't feel like opening it back up). ICs running game is 210th while SJFs rushing D is 77th. I feel liek a lot of the talk is about SJFs high powered offense.  And it might be true, but I think this week is a true test.

I don't doubt ICs running game will struggle.  And they'll run it a bit to keep a balance.  But their pass protection has been good and they've only got a few (I think 2) interceptions.  This is going to be a game if IC can overcome the mental aspect that has been built up a bit.  The mental part is probably the biggest barrier here. 

Who knows, maybe I just hate SJF so much that I just refuse to say that they're going to win, but I really think this is going to be much more of a game than everyone is expecting.  

refreshing to hear something other than "we suck and Fisher is going to win"  (no offense to EVERY other IC poster these days)

+k

[maxpower]

The truth is that after Hobart's loss to the Larries....SJFs scshedule really isn't that strong.  Granted, the Bombers haven't had a real tough opening 5 games either.  But, who has Fisher beaten that we are judging them so highly?  Brockport? Just lost to Morrisville, they're awful. Buff State? Terrible.  Rochester just got shut out by RPI who beat Endicott by 3.  Hobart just lost to SLU and Utica is really unproven.  I mean, it's possible that UC has beat up on some bad teams adn then played a great Fisher team close.  But, it's also possible that they beat up some bad teams and then played a decent Fisher team close.  Where's the measuring stick?

The Bombers pass defense is 30th in the nation while Fisher's passing offense is 22nd.   ICs passing game is  50th while the SJF passing defense is 205th. 

Ithaca's rushing D is 44th and SJFs rushing offense is somewhere in the 50's (I forget where and don't feel like opening it back up). ICs running game is 210th while SJFs rushing D is 77th. I feel liek a lot of the talk is about SJFs high powered offense.  And it might be true, but I think this week is a true test.

I don't doubt ICs running game will struggle.  And they'll run it a bit to keep a balance.  But their pass protection has been good and they've only got a few (I think 2) interceptions.  This is going to be a game if IC can overcome the mental aspect that has been built up a bit.  The mental part is probably the biggest barrier here. 

Who knows, maybe I just hate SJF so much that I just refuse to say that they're going to win, but I really think this is going to be much more of a game than everyone is expecting.  

refreshing to hear something other than "we suck and Fisher is going to win"  (no offense to EVERY other IC poster these days)

+k

Hey, I don't see one of you guys picking IC...