FB: Empire 8

[maxpower]

Just for those of us who are a little slow with these things.... Kramer is no relation to a certain former "Stranger Danger" QB of SJF lore, is he?



Okay, okay, I'm sorry I said it.... stop looking at me like that!

?
?max that is robs younger brother. No kidding

See, I need you guys to point out the obvious once in awhile! +k

[maxpower]

Bombers79 - love the optimism from you re: the 8-2 record.  We should take an optimistic post when we can get it because I know they can be tough to come by.  To play devil's advocate, would you stand by that estimation when it means that, as of today and according to the E8 poll/top25 rankings, it would require them to win all the games they are supposed to as well as 3 of the 5 they are not supposed to?  With the schedule they have, 8-2 will be tough.  Also, are you trying to provoke me to start politicking for a Pool C bid already for an IC 8-2 record?  There are a lot of obstacles in the way from 8-2 but I will go on the record and say they would deserve the bid as of 8/11 

Another thing is that this is the first time I can remember that most IC guys (besides 798891) are erring on the side of underestimating IC.... maybe that's a good sign, considering how the last few years of high expectations and preseason rankings have ended up....

[Bombers798891]

As an IC alum, I'm very excited for the Salisbury game. Should be a great matchup; that Salisbury offense against a very strong, seasoned group of linebackers. Here's hoping Ithaca's offensive line has gotten better from last year.

To me, the intrigue surrounding Ithaca is whether or not they can sustain the streak of 40 consecutive winning seasons. Looking at the schedule, here's how I see it:

Brockport: Win (Golden Eagles were only voted sixth in the NJAC)
Salisbury: Toss-up, leaning to loss (need to see IC's offense)
Union: Win (Chris Coney's gone, thank goodness)
Hartwick: Win (although The Cage is a tough environment; IC lost there in '07 and got a game from a mediocre Hawks team in '09)
SJF: Loss (Bombers79 and I share the "prove it first" belief)
Springfield: Toss-up, leaning to win (standard logic says the way to stop the option is with skilled linebackers, and IC has that)
Utica: Win (Utica's defense is still a big question mark)
Frostburg: Win (might be a tough first year in the E8 for the Bobcats)
Alfred: Toss-up, leaning to win (on paper, Alfred's probably the better team, but they sure don't travel to the South Hill well)
Cortland: Toss-up, leaning to win (Pitcher and Giuliano are both gone, but IC will need to stop Autera, who had a big sophomore season)

Predictions: Worst-case, 5-5 and the streak ends. Best-case, 9-1, although that'd be some coaching job by Welch and company to win that many toss-up games. I'll say a likely record is somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-3, with anything better than that being a pleasant surprise.

Yeah...these all seem about right. The issue with IC is avoiding the "How did you lose that game?' syndrome that's plagued them for years. I can't think of the last IC team that made it through a regular season without losing a game it should have won. Sometimes they lose to teams they're better than, other times, they let winnable games slip away. Occasionally, it's both.

I'm very interested to see the effect of the schedule on the team. The Bombers have never before faced a "five road games in six weeks" stretch. Going to be interesting to see if they wear down...

[SJFF82]

AU   9-1 loses to SJF
Salisbury  8-2  loses to AU and IC
SC  8-2  loses to AU and UC
IC  7-3 loses to SJF AU SALSBURY
SJF  6-3....loses to SC SALISBURY UR...

....AND WHO CARES AFTER THAT

[Bombers798891]

AU   9-1 loses to SJF
Salisbury  8-2  loses to AU and IC
SC  8-2  loses to AU and UC
IC  7-3 loses to SJF AU SALSBURY
SJF  6-3....loses to SC SALISBURY UR...

....AND WHO CARES AFTER THAT

Apparently, there are no winners when Salisbury plays Ithaca...

Also, stop shouting.

[maxpower]

AU   9-1 loses to SJF
Salisbury  8-2  loses to AU and IC
SC  8-2  loses to AU and UC
IC  7-3 loses to SJF AU SALSBURY
SJF  6-3....loses to SC SALISBURY UR...

....AND WHO CARES AFTER THAT

Apparently, there are no winners when Salisbury plays Ithaca...

Also, stop shouting.

LOL, yeah great predictions there 82. I think ESPN is calling, they need your picks for the NFL season next....

[fisheralum91]

82....
You have been picking a Courage Bowl loss since I can remember, yet Fisher keeps winning.....Must be karma...keeep it up!! See ya at a cpl games!

[AUKaz00]

Hello everyone, I'm new to posting on the boards, but have been reading them for years.  I'm looking forward to another season of division 3 football, and hopefully another great season for the saxons.

How thankful am I that there isn't an "R. Jackson" wearing 52 on the Saxons?  Welcome to the boards 52.  If you make it out to a game, make sure to stop by the band and introduce yourself.

[Frank Rossi]

AU   9-1 loses to SJF
Salisbury  8-2  loses to AU and IC
SC  8-2  loses to AU and UC
IC  7-3 loses to SJF AU SALSBURY
SJF  6-3....loses to SC SALISBURY UR...

....AND WHO CARES AFTER THAT

One note -- SJF would be ahead of IC in league standings if things played out that way.  UR isn't an E8 game.

Also, Springfield plays Salisbury -- and according to this, neither team loses the game :-)

[Bombers798891]

Isn't Springfield due for one of those eye-popping 10-0/9-1 seasons where they score 50 and run for 500 yards every game? 

And what happens if Salisbury has that season first?  Or if they both do it simultaneously in the same conference?

After two good years in a row, I think they're more due for the 4-6 type season where they can't stop anyone and only run over cruddy teams?

Usually that 4-6 season coincides with a new quarterback starter. So if there's an injury, I'd say it's possible, but otherwise the trend points the other way.

We're both right, at least recently. The 2008 team struggled in Carter's first season, but the 2007 team went 4-6 with Chris Sharpe in his third year thanks to a horrible defense (30 PPG allowed).

[Bombers798891]

AU   9-1 loses to SJF
Salisbury  8-2  loses to AU and IC
SC  8-2  loses to AU and UC
IC  7-3 loses to SJF AU SALSBURY
SJF  6-3....loses to SC SALISBURY UR...

....AND WHO CARES AFTER THAT

One note -- SJF would be ahead of IC in league standings if things played out that way.  UR isn't an E8 game.

Also, Springfield plays Salisbury -- and according to this, neither team loses the game :-)

Apparently, going to Salisbury's games will be like going to tee-ball games. No one keeping score, no winners or losers. Also, we're going to go to Pizza Hut after.

[SJFF82]

....oops, guess that's why you dont make predictions without paying attention to...oh....things like, the actual schedules.

Fine Fisher goes 0-9....bet that satisfies everyone...

[SJFF82]

82....
You have been picking a Courage Bowl loss since I can remember, yet Fisher keeps winning.....Must be karma...keeep it up!! See ya at a cpl games!

hah....someone is paying attention...well they're going to  lose to them sooner or later, so someday I will be right....the story of my life.


....uhhh, 82 and Karma....not so much

[Bombers798891]

....oops, guess that's why you dont make predictions without paying attention to...oh....things like, the actual schedules.

Fine Fisher goes 0-9....

Yet still manages to beat Ithaca by 27 points

[SJFF82]

....oops, guess that's why you dont make predictions without paying attention to...oh....things like, the actual schedules.

Fine Fisher goes 0-9....

Yet still manages to beat Ithaca by 27 points

nice...we'll take it!