FB: Empire 8

[AUKaz00]

How come Baseball has the most games but allows the least amount of teams in the playoffs?  You would think they could just limit the amount of regular season games and allow for more time for the playoffs?

But that brings me into the question... there are like 230 d-3 football teams right?  What if we limited the number of OOC games, cut the season by 1 game, and added another round to the playoffs, giving AQ's and such a bye for a week?

I think the playoff system is perfect the way it is.  There is NEVER a season where its disupted who derserves the National Championship.  But wouldn't it be cool to have some teams playing for a bye game and such and allowing some more teams into the first round?

There are multipliers in each sport for the number of playoff spots per school fielding a team, so there is a limit to how large the playoffs can be.  I'm not sure of those limits, but thaty may be why baseball has the playoff size that is currently does.

[fisheralum91]

the boob man has spoken.............very well i might add

[AlfredSaxon8]

Well we are finally at the week I have been waiting for.  Now, in a serious way guys, AU and Fisher rooters (and anyone else who is interested), what has changed between last season and this one that should drastically change any of our expectations about the outcome of this year's game compared to the last two seasons?

On Saxon Warriors

I'm sorry but you make it seem like Alfred has manhandled Fisher these past two years.  Your team won by a total of 6 points combined and last year you needed our return guy to fumble a punt return in the final minutes of the game in order to win.  Make no mistake your team is the underdog this week.  

We aren't disputing Alfred is or isnt the underdog.  And AUTad's comment wasn't meant with any underlying meaning.  But very simply put, Alfred, in the past, has stepped up big against Fisher.  There's no doubt about that.  There was obviously no domination involved and it's not like AU has Fisher's number or anything.  But what changed from 08-09? Maybe not much. Maybe Fisher fans feel like A LOT has changed from 09-10. But from someone that doesn't follow SJF to the tee, he's probably just wondering what, on your end, gives you that extra boost of confidence that you've carried since the beginning of the season.  

[BoSox0322]

Well we are finally at the week I have been waiting for.  Now, in a serious way guys, AU and Fisher rooters (and anyone else who is interested), what has changed between last season and this one that should drastically change any of our expectations about the outcome of this year's game compared to the last two seasons?

On Saxon Warriors

I'm sorry but you make it seem like Alfred has manhandled Fisher these past two years.  Your team won by a total of 6 points combined and last year you needed our return guy to fumble a punt return in the final minutes of the game in order to win.  Make no mistake your team is the underdog this week.  

We aren't disputing Alfred is or isnt the underdog.  And AUTad's comment wasn't meant with any underlying meaning.  But very simply put, Alfred, in the past, has stepped up big against Fisher.  There's no doubt about that.  There was obviously no domination involved and it's not like AU has Fisher's number or anything.  But what changed from 08-09? Maybe not much. Maybe Fisher fans feel like A LOT has changed from 09-10. But from someone that doesn't follow SJF to the tee, he's probably just wondering what, on your end, gives you that extra boost of confidence that you've carried since the beginning of the season.  

uh oh... a little passive needling at the end there... Is this going to be a heated week between the saxons and SJF fans?

[Bombers798891]

Saxon 8- maybe i am putting too much emphasis on the rankings---must be a pride thing...Fisher is ranked and that is great....the fact that they lost position by winning (albeit a lesser conference foe) is troubling.
We knew the polls would be tight, but I for one thought for sure that Fisher would jump at least 2 spots with Coe losing.
Oh well.
Next week is AU- so now saxon8 you are PNG!

I think what gets lost in our viewing of the aggregate poll (and I know how weird it feels for your team to gain votes, but drop spots) is that the poll is 25 seperate ballots.  So, Fisher wasn't ranked 18th on all of them last week and is suddenly 19th this week.  Voters may have had Alfred and Cortland ahead of Fisher and Wartburg last week, but Wartburg moved up more spots in the vaccuum left by top 25 losers than Fisher did.  On some ballots Fisher is likely ahead of Wartburg.  It's the cummulative affect of someone like Wartburg moving up 4 or 5 spots on a bunch of ballots compared to Fisher moving up 1 or 2 spots on those same ballots that affects the rankings we see.

And ANY undefeated team deserves a spot in the playoffs or else we're no better than the BCS.

Well put. It would be interesting to see the spread of votes for each team just to know what people are thinking. It could be that Fisher's got a smattering of votes from 15 to unranked or that they're all tightly bunched near 18-19. Regardless, they'll be in the playoffs with a chance to prove themselves soon enough.

Luckily, on this level, all teams have a chance to prove themselves, regardless of whether people think its well deserved or not by their schedule.  Leaves it so that there's not much room for debate. 

Just a weird thought... How come Baseball has the most games but allows the least amount of teams in the playoffs?  You would think they could just limit the amount of regular season games and allow for more time for the playoffs?

But that brings me into the question... there are like 230 d-3 football teams right?  What if we limited the number of OOC games, cut the season by 1 game, and added another round to the playoffs, giving AQ's and such a bye for a week?

I think the playoff system is perfect the way it is.  There is NEVER a season where its disupted who derserves the National Championship.  But wouldn't it be cool to have some teams playing for a bye game and such and allowing some more teams into the first round?

Cutting the regular season would eliminate all OOC games for some teams...it would kill Cortaca for example.

[fisheralum91]

would cut courage bowl too

[AlfredSaxon8]

Well we are finally at the week I have been waiting for.  Now, in a serious way guys, AU and Fisher rooters (and anyone else who is interested), what has changed between last season and this one that should drastically change any of our expectations about the outcome of this year's game compared to the last two seasons?

On Saxon Warriors

I'm sorry but you make it seem like Alfred has manhandled Fisher these past two years.  Your team won by a total of 6 points combined and last year you needed our return guy to fumble a punt return in the final minutes of the game in order to win.  Make no mistake your team is the underdog this week.  

We aren't disputing Alfred is or isnt the underdog.  And AUTad's comment wasn't meant with any underlying meaning.  But very simply put, Alfred, in the past, has stepped up big against Fisher.  There's no doubt about that.  There was obviously no domination involved and it's not like AU has Fisher's number or anything.  But what changed from 08-09? Maybe not much. Maybe Fisher fans feel like A LOT has changed from 09-10. But from someone that doesn't follow SJF to the tee, he's probably just wondering what, on your end, gives you that extra boost of confidence that you've carried since the beginning of the season.  

uh oh... a little passive needling at the end there... Is this going to be a heated week between the saxons and SJF fans?

haha yes, as I read that over, I realize it may have come out wrong... All I meant to say was, literally and not with any sort of aarogance of any type, elighten us.  I mean, I've heard the hype.  I've seen the results.  Fisher is good, damn good.  But all this talk about this guy and that guy really doesn't mean much to someone who can't see the games because I have NO idea who they are.  I mean, from what I read on the boards, these kids are good.  But I think AUTad is just reacting to the the hype and the fact that we haven't seen them play yet, make sense?  

SJF is dominating teams but honestly, they always do. But it seems like there is a little extra hype this season, that's all.  

[AlfredSaxon8]

would cut courage bowl too

Hmmm good point.  What if they cut a game from the middle?

[fisheralum91]

Sax 8
you are very right about more hype about this team.
i remember listening to a game very early this season---might have even been the bport game and i remember both Pete and Gene saying that (on paper) this was the most talented team in Fisher history and that 10- 0 is feasible.
Now that it is within grasp- this team is showing that it is living up to the hype.
I know Hartwick isnt great- but they gave IC fits and while the O seemed to "sputter" they still dropped 41 on em.

[AlfredSaxon8]

Sax 8
you are very right about more hype about this team.
i remember listening to a game very early this season---might have even been the bport game and i remember both Pete and Gene saying that (on paper) this was the most talented team in Fisher history and that 10- 0 is feasible.
Now that it is within grasp- this team is showing that it is living up to the hype.
I know Hartwick isnt great- but they gave IC and others fits and while the O seemed to "sputter" they still dropped 41 on em.

Its a little harder for me lately to stay on top of all this. I used to watch films of every game and I would be able to see other teams offense.  (I would be watching Hartwick's D and it would be tape from the Fisher game etc.)  So I had a good idea of who was executing well and so on.  But its hard for me to just hear names of these players and match them up to the likes of Kramer, Stepnick, Farenbach, Robinson etc... Cause to me, those were some incredible teams.  So it's a little bit of ignorance because I haven't gotten a chance to see these kids play yet.

[dlippiel]

Well we are finally at the week I have been waiting for.  Now, in a serious way guys, AU and Fisher rooters (and anyone else who is interested), what has changed between last season and this one that should drastically change any of our expectations about the outcome of this year's game compared to the last two seasons?

On Saxon Warriors

I'm sorry but you make it seem like Alfred has manhandled Fisher these past two years.  Your team won by a total of 6 points combined and last year you needed our return guy to fumble a punt return in the final minutes of the game in order to win.  Make no mistake your team is the underdog this week.  

We aren't disputing Alfred is or isnt the underdog.  And AUTad's comment wasn't meant with any underlying meaning.  But very simply put, Alfred, in the past, has stepped up big against Fisher.  There's no doubt about that.  There was obviously no domination involved and it's not like AU has Fisher's number or anything.  But what changed from 08-09? Maybe not much. Maybe Fisher fans feel like A LOT has changed from 09-10. But from someone that doesn't follow SJF to the tee, he's probably just wondering what, on your end, gives you that extra boost of confidence that you've carried since the beginning of the season.  

uh oh... a little passive needling at the end there... Is this going to be a heated week between the saxons and SJF fans?

haha yes, as I read that over, I realize it may have come out wrong... All I meant to say was, literally and not with any sort of aarogance of any type, elighten us.  I mean, I've heard the hype.  I've seen the results.  Fisher is good, damn good.  But all this talk about this guy and that guy really doesn't mean much to someone who can't see the games because I have NO idea who they are.  I mean, from what I read on the boards, these kids are good.  But I think AUTad is just reacting to the the hype and the fact that we haven't seen them play yet, make sense?  

SJF is dominating teams but honestly, they always do. But it seems like there is a little extra hype this season, that's all.  

Saxon posters are just the most polite and mature posters to be found on these here boards!

[theoriginalupstate]

Two big changes from last year are the maturation of the passing game and the additions of Borum and Kramer.  

The addition of Borum and Kramer are huge.  Borum is a bruiser with quick feet between the tackles, he's not going to break many long runs.  However he's going to come at you with his 6'2" 220lb frame and knock you backwards if you try and tackle him.  He's great at the inside zone runs and those off tackle zone plays. With Kramer he's kind of a do it all type of guy.  He can line up in the backfield or be split out in 3 and 4 WR sets, he's got his brothers knack for making big plays out of nothing.  They just started using him in the backfield recently and is a very nice compliment to Borum.

I think the biggest change is the maturation of the passing game for SJF.  Bailey went from a guy just getting by on talent to a real savvy QB, the fact that he has the best WR combo in the league helps as well.  He's anticipating and making throws into small windows and has shown excellent touch on fades.   He's had a E-8/East Region POY type season so far.  He's averaging 298yds a game, he's completing 66% of his passes and has 25 TDs and only 5 INTs (two have come on hail mary attempts at the end of the first halves).   The past few seasons he would just rely on the deep ball to the outside, this year he's completing passes all over the field.  

The game itself this weekend is going to come down to SJF's defense though.  Fox is going to have to dial up some pressure and give AU some looks they've never seen before.  AU has been up and down with their offense this year, if they can force some turnovers and contain Dwyer they'll be in good shape.  You have to make AU one dimensional, if you give Secky the ability to play action and go deep to Thon it'll be a very tight game.  

[Bombers798891]

We aren't disputing Alfred is or isnt the underdog.  And AUTad's comment wasn't meant with any underlying meaning.  But very simply put, Alfred, in the past, has stepped up big against Fisher.  There's no doubt about that.  There was obviously no domination involved and it's not like AU has Fisher's number or anything.  But what changed from 08-09? Maybe not much. Maybe Fisher fans feel like A LOT has changed from 09-10. But from someone that doesn't follow SJF to the tee, he's probably just wondering what, on your end, gives you that extra boost of confidence that you've carried since the beginning of the season.  

Fisher's passing game is completely different. Consider that last season, Bailey had 21 TD's in 5 games, and now has 25 in 7, and has also ticked his comp % up four points. Schmidt and Francis caught 39 passes last season, and they've already caught 94 this season.

Let's switch that to Alfred. Secky's comp % has gone up, but a 13-9 TD/INT ratio isn't anything to write home about, and pales in comparison to last season's 26-11.

The teams are similar, but Fisher's got a decisive edge at QB, whereas last season, you could argue it was a draw. I like Fisher, 34-24.

Additionally, this is like the 99th time this season I've trumpeted Fisher's talent. I hate it when Ithaca sucks

[fisheralum91]

I think that you all hit the nail on the head on this game.
I will say this- I am glad that it is a 1p start...those late afternoon games were odd.

[AlfredSaxon8]

We aren't disputing Alfred is or isnt the underdog.  And AUTad's comment wasn't meant with any underlying meaning.  But very simply put, Alfred, in the past, has stepped up big against Fisher.  There's no doubt about that.  There was obviously no domination involved and it's not like AU has Fisher's number or anything.  But what changed from 08-09? Maybe not much. Maybe Fisher fans feel like A LOT has changed from 09-10. But from someone that doesn't follow SJF to the tee, he's probably just wondering what, on your end, gives you that extra boost of confidence that you've carried since the beginning of the season.  

Fisher's passing game is completely different. Consider that last season, Bailey had 21 TD's in 5 games, and now has 25 in 7, and has also ticked his comp % up four points. Schmidt and Francis caught 39 passes last season, and they've already caught 94 this season.

Let's switch that to Alfred. Secky's comp % has gone up, but a 13-9 TD/INT ratio isn't anything to write home about, and pales in comparison to last season's 26-11.

The teams are similar, but Fisher's got a decisive edge at QB, whereas last season, you could argue it was a draw. I like Fisher, 34-24.

Additionally, this is like the 99th time this season I've trumpeted Fisher's talent. I hate it when Ithaca sucks

Upstate and Bombers-  Thank you very much! That insight was exactly what I was looking for.  Is Kramer the younger brother of the QB I played against?

Do they have any notable d-lineman.  Fisher always seemed to dial up some 6-4 300lb'er that made it tough to run at that tackles.  Could pose a problem for Dywer.

I think AU needs to keep the pressure off Secky, literally and figuratively.  Manzer and Harding graduate, they were definitely his go to guys.  He has Thon, who is without a doubt the most talented WR I ever played with.  But I think Manzer was a type of security blanket for Secky and there were a lot of Manzer designed plays as well...  Maybe it has caused him to force the ball a little more?