FB: Empire 8

[theoriginalupstate]

a) The talent level was nowhere close to even in 2008. Fisher lost FOUR times that season and they beat IC by 30 points.

If Ithaca had SJF's schedule they would have ended the season with 4 losses in 2008...

[Touch The Rock]

This game is somewhat sim to Hobart vs. Union this weekend....with the surprise loss to SLU, Bart is suddenly 1 loss away from complete NCAA playoff/postseason (given Bart passed on the ECACs last year and could do the same this year) elimination. 

IC would also be effectively eliminated (at least for NCAAs) with 2 Ls while SJF could still get in at 9-1 (either winning a Pool A via a tiebreaker or Pool C).

IC has more to lose in this one (like Bart does in against the U)....

IC does have more to lose.  But if Lycoming can run the table and pull of a win against Del Val, then a 8-2 Ithaca could get in depending on what Montclair or Rowan does.

Interestingly however, according to the new E8 tiebreaker system on the conference website, fewest overall loses comes into play before overall strength of schedule, so if Alfred/IC/Fisher, all tied at say, 5-1 in conference, the Bombers would be eliminated because of a second loss (I assume Fisher will kill Frostburg and Alfred beats Rochester and RPI)

In a completely unrelated note, the five OOC teams on Fisher's schedule are a combined 4-12 independent of their games vs. Fisher. IC's opponents are 12-4 independent of their games against IC. Alfred is somewhere in the middle of the two. Not that it will matter because IC will probably lose to Cortland anyway, but I sort of wish we'd reward teams for playing quality OOC opponents. I recognize that Fisher's annual OOC rivalry is what it is, and that IC has played Brockport, Buff. St. and Frostburg in recent seasons, so I'm not calling out anyone. Just wishing we didn't penalize teams for a second loss against a good team. (And yes, I would say the same thing had say, this happened in 2008 and Fisher's 2nd loss in an 8-2 season was to MUC.) I am a fan of, provided we're not discussing say, 9-1 vs. 6-4, rewarding teams for playing tough opponents even if some of it is fluky luck and can't be predicted.

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?  Every single thing that you post is about how bad Ithaca sucks.    And then this, after IC has beaten C-State 3 straight years.  I mean, I get that Ithaca isn't a powerhouse this year but it's CORTLAND.  F*%& Cortland. 

[theoriginalupstate]

TTR, no disrespect or anything...

Ithaca sucks...

[maxpower]

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?

I think it's a little of both, TTR...

but you won't find a Bomber poster more informed than 798891.... no matter how depressing he might be.

[Bombers798891]

I think I agree with you...BUT what if SJF just failed to perform in those other games.  I mean you didnt mention SJF thrashing of Cortland last year.

Last year I think the teams were relatively even in my mind.

Fisher beat Cortland 34-20, but can you really "thrash" a team when you're tied entering the 4th quarter and it's 27-20 with less than five minutes to go? Ithaca's other two losses were on the road to teams which went a combined 16-5. Fisher lost once at home (to Alfred) and to a six-loss Salisbury team. (Obviously MUC doesn't count). I'm not so sure there was a major talent difference.

In 2008, sorry, I just can't buy a "failed to perform". Outside of the Ithaca game. Fisher's 6 wins came by a total of 79 points (13.1 PPG) Ithaca's nine came by 194 (21.5 PPG). Look at the results of the five games against opponents the two teams shared:

Wick:
Fisher-- 3 point loss
IC-- 27 point win

Norwich
Fisher-- 39 point win
IC-- 35 point win

Utica
Fisher-- 7 point win
IC-- 35 point win

Heading into the 4th quarter, you were tied at 10. Ithaca was up 42-0

Alfred
Fisher-- 3 point loss
Ithaca-- 8 point win

Both teams trailed, but Ithaca never did in the 2nd half. You did late in the 4th quarter

Springfield
Fisher-- 3 point win
Ithaca-- 29 point win

You trailed 20-7 at one point. The closest Springfield got was 23-8

I'm trying to think of games outside of IC that year where Fisher truly dominated and I see Norwich and Buffalo State (If not for the score, then the yardage). The Bombers dominated Wick, Norwich, Utica, Frostburg, Springfield and whipped Cortland pretty solidly (And was Cortland any worse than Salisbury that season?)

Sorry. I'm hardly an IC homer when it comes to Bomber/Cardinal comparisons, but the Bombers were better in 2008, plain and simple. Again, better teams don't always win. You lost to us in 2005 and were the better team. But 2008 was pretty clear cut IMO

[Bombers798891]

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?  Every single thing that you post is about how bad Ithaca sucks.    And then this, after IC has beaten C-State 3 straight years.  I mean, I get that Ithaca isn't a powerhouse this year but it's CORTLAND.  F*%& Cortland. 

[/quote]

If we're discussing Ithaca/Fisher, what would you prefer I do? Lie? Dude, it's been four years of this stuff. Have you seen the 2nd half combined score of those games?

122-26

Should I pretend that never happened? If Ithaca wants my respect vis a vie Fisher, they could, oh I don't know, not lose by three touchdowns to them every year

Seriously, Josh Felliceti and Bill Struzzi aint saving us this season

Second, as you're new here, you must have missed my numerous posts mocking Cortland. But don't substitute mocking for failure to respect. Cortland has played four teams with a combined 3-13 record, so maybe my opinion will change when they play the Montclair/Rowan/W.P portion of the NJAC or when Pitcher breaks his hand in a tragic coloring book accident, but Cortland's certainly looked more impressive thus far

[Bombers798891]

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?  Every single thing that you post is about how bad Ithaca sucks.    And then this, after IC has beaten C-State 3 straight years.  I mean, I get that Ithaca isn't a powerhouse this year but it's CORTLAND.  F*%& Cortland. 

Also, since you're a former player, I understand and approve of your strong hatred  for Cortland. I personally dislike the whole Jug culture, but that's another story.

I am a cynic. And I do enjoy it a little. But the football team gets off light. Ask bomber3 what I say about the basketball team 

[SJFF82]

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?  Every single thing that you post is about how bad Ithaca sucks.    And then this, after IC has beaten C-State 3 straight years.  I mean, I get that Ithaca isn't a powerhouse this year but it's CORTLAND.  F*%& Cortland.  

Also, since you're a former player, I understand and approve of your strong hatred  for Cortland. I personally dislike the whole Jug culture, but that's another story.

I am a cynic. And I do enjoy it a little. But the football team gets off light. Ask bomber3 what I say about the basketball team  

He's gotten so cynical, he's considering changing his handle to "Bombers187918881891"

[maxpower]

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?  Every single thing that you post is about how bad Ithaca sucks.    And then this, after IC has beaten C-State 3 straight years.  I mean, I get that Ithaca isn't a powerhouse this year but it's CORTLAND.  F*%& Cortland.  

Also, since you're a former player, I understand and approve of your strong hatred  for Cortland. I personally dislike the whole Jug culture, but that's another story.

I am a cynic. And I do enjoy it a little. But the football team gets off light. Ask bomber3 what I say about the basketball team  

He's gotten so cynical, he's considering changing his handle to "Bombers187918881891"

I guess you would know about changing handles....

[boobyhasgameyo]

This game is somewhat sim to Hobart vs. Union this weekend....with the surprise loss to SLU, Bart is suddenly 1 loss away from complete NCAA playoff/postseason (given Bart passed on the ECACs last year and could do the same this year) elimination. 

IC would also be effectively eliminated (at least for NCAAs) with 2 Ls while SJF could still get in at 9-1 (either winning a Pool A via a tiebreaker or Pool C).

IC has more to lose in this one (like Bart does in against the U)....

IC does have more to lose.  But if Lycoming can run the table and pull of a win against Del Val, then a 8-2 Ithaca could get in depending on what Montclair or Rowan does.

Quick question about Lycoming that I think I am missing...Why do people show them such reverence?  I keep hearing how they are a quality opponent.  Looking at the website, past records don't go as far back but their record has been 4-5, 3-7, 7-4, and 4-6.  Not exactly a powerhouse.  Let a booby in on the secret!

[sjfcards]

I love the Fisher/IC week and what it does to the boards. People have all sorts of thoughts about this game. I am hearing what IC fans are saying, but I just don't see IC hanging with Fisher in this one. I know IC's D is probably the best Fisher will face, but I can't see them holding to a score that is not at least in the high 20's (especially after what I have seen far inferior Fisher offenses do to them in the past few years). I just don't think IC has the horses on offense to get into a shootout with Fisher, and unfortunately for IC, that is what you have to do to beat Fisher this year.

[Jonny Utah]

This game is somewhat sim to Hobart vs. Union this weekend....with the surprise loss to SLU, Bart is suddenly 1 loss away from complete NCAA playoff/postseason (given Bart passed on the ECACs last year and could do the same this year) elimination. 

IC would also be effectively eliminated (at least for NCAAs) with 2 Ls while SJF could still get in at 9-1 (either winning a Pool A via a tiebreaker or Pool C).

IC has more to lose in this one (like Bart does in against the U)....

IC does have more to lose.  But if Lycoming can run the table and pull of a win against Del Val, then a 8-2 Ithaca could get in depending on what Montclair or Rowan does.

Quick question about Lycoming that I think I am missing...Why do people show them such reverence?  I keep hearing how they are a quality opponent.  Looking at the website, past records don't go as far back but their record has been 4-5, 3-7, 7-4, and 4-6.  Not exactly a powerhouse.  Let a booby in on the secret!

They were in the national championship game in the 1990s and had some good teams (some 7 and 8 win teams I believe) up until Ithaca first played them about 5 years ago.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Thank you kindly sir.  +k to you on this week of silent contempt towards our respective teams.

[theoriginalupstate]

Do you really just enjoy playing the whole cynic role or do you really believe this stuff?  Every single thing that you post is about how bad Ithaca sucks.    And then this, after IC has beaten C-State 3 straight years.  I mean, I get that Ithaca isn't a powerhouse this year but it's CORTLAND.  F*%& Cortland.  

Also, since you're a former player, I understand and approve of your strong hatred  for Cortland. I personally dislike the whole Jug culture, but that's another story.

I am a cynic. And I do enjoy it a little. But the football team gets off light. Ask bomber3 what I say about the basketball team  

He's gotten so cynical, he's considering changing his handle to "Bombers187918881891"

I guess you would know about changing handles....

Man he walked right into that...

[AUPepBand]

Quick question about Lycoming that I think I am missing...Why do people show them such reverence?  I keep hearing how they are a quality opponent.  Looking at the website, past records don't go as far back but their record has been 4-5, 3-7, 7-4, and 4-6.  Not exactly a powerhouse.   Let a booby in on the secret!

Pep is somewhat familiar with Lycoming only because back in Alex's day, the Saxons often scrimmaged the Warriors. Lycoming has a solid reputation in football and regardless of season record, the Warriors always are competitive. Much like Ithaca, Lycoming has a solid reputation and since starting football back in 1947, the Warriors have 12 NCAA Tourney appearances (finalists in 1990 and 1997), 14 MAC titles and an all-time record of 324-214-11.

Some schools were playing football long before St. John Fisher College was holding classes.