FB: Empire 8

[pg04]

There are several proponents, including SJFC HC Paul Vosburgh, for a NYS "superconference".  RT aka Eric Ren has gone so far to propose structuring it like the SEC with both "East" and "West" sub-divisions.

Below is my take on one way it could play out (certainly won't be the last time this comes up):

NYS East Division:

1. Springfield*
2. WPI*
3. Saint Lawrence
4. Merchant Marine
5. Hartwick
6. RPI
7. Union

NYS West Division:

1. Hobart
2. Rochester
3. SJFC
4. Ithaca
5. Alfred
6. Utica
7.  Cortland (assuming they left the NJAC could be Buff St in lieu or in addition to CSU)

* Grandfathered in due to LL/E8 alignments

The set up This would still allow for minimum of 2 OOC games and could add a 10th or 11th game to some schedules when the champs of the "NYS East" or "NYS West" battle it out.  

I like the 'idea' of this, but it really throws a wrench into post-season activity, which kind of doesn't make it worth it.  Even if you have 2 AQ's but have a 'Super-Champion', everyone else would need the last week off in case they make that championship game, the 2 champs would be really playing for nothing other than bragging rights/higher seeding and it just kind of defeats the entire purpose in my opinion.

The NEFC's model works because they only deserve 1 AQ, but of those 14 teams, to only have 1 team assured of a playoff spot, that would be ridiculous, and to have the 2 AQ's basically start the playoffs with a war the week before, it hurts the East's chances of being successful in the playoffs quite a bit.

If you were to do that I would think take out WPI and Springfield and include Buff State (and Brockport, which no one mentioned...

[Pat Coleman]

I have to say I was pretty disappointed that there are two Gagliardi finalists who are not having their best collegiate seasons this year. Wartman and Daniels have each had much better seasons than this and I can't in good conscience put them anywhere near the top of my ballot because of it.

[Pat Coleman]

What about Brett Elliott?  Did he win the award because he was a model citizen...or was it the National Championship and the record 61 TD passes he threw that year?

He won the award the year after they won the national championship.

The year Linfield won the title, Elliott wasn't even nominated. That's because he had no academic track record whatsoever in Division III, having just transferred in from Utah. Nothing to do with his football skills.

[Yanks 99]

What about Brett Elliott?  Did he win the award because he was a model citizen...or was it the National Championship and the record 61 TD passes he threw that year?

He won the award the year after they won the national championship.

The year Linfield won the title, Elliott wasn't even nominated. That's because he had no academic track record whatsoever in Division III, having just transferred in from Utah. Nothing to do with his football skills.

You are right Pat...I messed that up when I looked up the information.  From what I can tell though, Elliott did throw for 61 TD's the year that he won the Gagliardi, which is probably what stood up to people when they voted for him.  That is really my point...and I was glad to see you were disappointed with the two selections I mentioned before.  It is nothing personal against either of them.  But if you have only rushed for 700+ yards, you should be no where near a National Player of the Year award. That is about the weakest candidate I have seen in terms of stats.  There have been some fantastic players that have won the award...some are absolute legends in D3.  I don't want to see an "undeserving" winner put their names up against these greats because I think it tarnishes the award.

[sjfcards]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on the boards and their families. Enjoy the feast...

[Pat Coleman]

What about Brett Elliott?  Did he win the award because he was a model citizen...or was it the National Championship and the record 61 TD passes he threw that year?

He won the award the year after they won the national championship.

The year Linfield won the title, Elliott wasn't even nominated. That's because he had no academic track record whatsoever in Division III, having just transferred in from Utah. Nothing to do with his football skills.

You are right Pat...I messed that up when I looked up the information.  From what I can tell though, Elliott did throw for 61 TD's the year that he won the Gagliardi, which is probably what stood up to people when they voted for him.  That is really my point...and I was glad to see you were disappointed with the two selections I mentioned before.  It is nothing personal against either of them.  But if you have only rushed for 700+ yards, you should be no where near a National Player of the Year award. That is about the weakest candidate I have seen in terms of stats.  There have been some fantastic players that have won the award...some are absolute legends in D3.  I don't want to see an "undeserving" winner put their names up against these greats because I think it tarnishes the award.

Agreed -- if a guy has missed 2-1/2 games this season, he's probably not a candidate. Wartman was better last year.

[Senor RedTackle]

Don't forget to join Frank Rossi and I at 12p for Alfred/Cortland video!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/division-iii-football-playoffs

[BoSox0322]

Whats up with this Clark kid?  Does he straight up play both ways?  Or is it a spotty thing?

[AUPepBand]

Whats up with this Clark kid?  Does he straight up play both ways?  Or is it a spotty thing?

Clark is our "Power" runner, much like Murray used big defensive lineman Don Miller when it was "Miller Time!"

[maxpower]

Gonna use post #2000 to say congrats to Alfred here on my home board. Put up a good showing vs. Mount!

[AUPepBand]

Gonna use post #2000 to say congrats to Alfred here on my home board. Put up a good showing vs. Mount!

+K max....thanks for the well wishes... Pep is hoping the Saxons put up a good fight and, regardless of the outcome, Pep is proud of his Saxons for already vastly exceeding his 2010 expectations.

On Saxon Warriors!

[Mr. Ypsi]

For Pep, kaz00, saxontad, et.al.:

I'll be rooting for you guys, but I fear the round of 8 is shaping up as three great games and a 'lamb to the slaughter'.

Wesley and UMHB are both just absolutely dismantling opponents - should be a great one.

UST/Bethel is a re-match of a 10-6 defensive slugfest.

Franklin went toe-to-toe with the 'new' Purple Machine for a half.  Trine went toe-to-toe for 3 quarters.  I envision NCC going toe-to-toe for the whole four quarters, and then anything can happen.

I'm hoping that Alfred can give the original Purple Machine a game (or more! ); you've got my support, but my rational mind just doesn't see it.

[AUPepBand]

For Pep, kaz00, saxontad, et.al.:

I'll be rooting for you guys, but I fear the round of 8 is shaping up as three great games and a 'lamb to the slaughter'.

Wesley and UMHB are both just absolutely dismantling opponents - should be a great one.

UST/Bethel is a re-match of a 10-6 defensive slugfest.

Franklin went toe-to-toe with the 'new' Purple Machine for a half.  Trine went toe-to-toe for 3 quarters.  I envision NCC going toe-to-toe for the whole four quarters, and then anything can happen.

I'm hoping that Alfred can give the original Purple Machine a game (or more! ); you've got my support, but my rational mind just doesn't see it.

Pep's rational mind doesn't see it, either, but nevertheless, one of the strange characteristics of this 2010 Saxon squad has been its ability to play its best against its toughest competition. Fisher fans were frustrated that their Cardinals couldn't get it done against Alfred but that frustration was further compounded by Alfred's loss to a rejuvenated Rochester team that Fisher had handled with ease. Pep really doesn't know how high this elevator will go. But it's still going up. If we need to get off after Saterday, so be it. But it's already been a great ride!

On Saxon Warriors!

[clandfan]

Hey Pep:  Congratulations.  No question who the better team was.  Good luck to the Saxons.

[fisheralum91]

Congrats to Pep, Kazoo,Tad and the rest of the AU faithful.
Go to Alliance and give em hell.
This could be a program making game!!!!