FB: Empire 8

[footballfan413]

I agree with every point you made, especially about the the questions regarding our offense and loss of Blanchard and Coppage but you lost me with the point I have bolded.    In theory, any team CAN put up numbers on any other team but how did our defense, who has only allowed 1 TD in the first two games and that one was only in the last 3.5 seconds, give you reason to feel they are suspect? Borland's defense has been a constant component to the success we have enjoyed the last 7 years and this years unit is expected to continue that trend and I see nothing, so far this season, to suggest that will change.

I think I gave kudos to the UW-W defense above all else.  My statement was that teams like Wesley and Salisbury could put up a "fair number of points" against the team.  That's not necessarily 21+ (and historically hasn't been).  However, to win football games, UW-W has to outscore their opponents.  And that's my point -- you can only rely on the defense for so much.  Can the offense outscore the teams I mentioned ultimately?  Currently, that question is unanswerable but problematic for a pollster.  The next couple weeks can prove a lot with respect to it.  However, under current analysis, I just don't know and don't have 100% confidence with respect to the answer in the affirmative.

Unfortunately for the E8 Board, now you have an increase in WIAC posters- but that's what you get for beating us  . 

Great discussion by both and you are both right in my book.  UWW will have to score more, but not a lot more.  Neither of those teams had much success against UWW's defense- and the defense is at least as strong as last year.

LOL, I was thinking the exact same thing.  We get to make a whole new group of friends on D3!  But for them, it is the price of success.  I remember that we got to meet a new group every week on the WIAC board during the play-offs in 05!   

Thanks for the explanation, Frank.  I agree, you can only rely on your defense for so much but as I always say, a  team only needs to score one point more than the defense allows to win and with the defenses the the Hawks have put out on the field for the last 8 years, (including this team,) I'll still take our odds.  As you say, for now anyway.  Conference play in the WIAC will shed light on just how far we have come back to the pack this year as our first game is against the #16 ranked Pioneers in Platteville.   

[Bengalsrule]

When Pep joined this forum years ago, the Empire8 thread was dominated by Ithaca posters, as was the E8. After Fisher's nice playoff run last year, it's been Fisher posters. Now Pep finds it refreshing to see a page on this forum with neither Ithaca nor Fisher posters. What's that about? Posting on this forum, however, has only increased Pep's love for D3 football and through it Pep has gotten acquainted with fans of the Saxons' opponents. Glad to have Buffalo State faithful aboard and getting exited about Saterday's game at Coyer Field.

On Saxon Warriors!

AUpep...you have mail!

Plans are to meet AUPepband Saturday! You have mail!!!

Glad to be on board! Hopefully the BENGALS can match or exceed the success of other E8 teams. Will you be joining us at Coyer Field this Sat???

Plans are that Pep WILL be at Coyer Field this Saturday and will likely be surrounded by a band of Saxon fans armed with instruments!

GO A-U!!

[Bengalsrule]

ANOTHER BENGAL MAKES D3FOOTBALL.COM NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK!

http://empire8.com/news/2012/9/19/FB_0919120828.aspx

Kudos to Chris Hall. He joins Ryan Carney as the 2nd BENGAL in 3 weeks to make the national team! His 2 picks vs WW now give him a nation leading 6 for the season. Add this to his week 1 E8 Def. Player of the week and Chris is off to a good start!

[Bengalsrule]

ANOTHER BENGALS MAKES E8 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

http://empire8.com/awards.aspx?award_id=4&path=football&season=

Congrats to Pasquale for this weeks award. He joins Chris Hall (week 1 winner) as the first 2 ever BENGALS to win this award. 19 tackles vs #1 Wisconsin Whitewater is certainly 1 way to open some eyes (if he hadn't opened them already!) Add Casey Kacz, as week 1 Off POW, and it looks like the BENGALS are definitly trying to make a good start in their new league! 

Hoopefully they can continue to play stout defense vs Alfred this Sat!

[Frank Rossi]

I agree with every point you made, especially about the the questions regarding our offense and loss of Blanchard and Coppage but you lost me with the point I have bolded.    In theory, any team CAN put up numbers on any other team but how did our defense, who has only allowed 1 TD in the first two games and that one was only in the last 3.5 seconds, give you reason to feel they are suspect? Borland's defense has been a constant component to the success we have enjoyed the last 7 years and this years unit is expected to continue that trend and I see nothing, so far this season, to suggest that will change.

I think I gave kudos to the UW-W defense above all else.  My statement was that teams like Wesley and Salisbury could put up a "fair number of points" against the team.  That's not necessarily 21+ (and historically hasn't been).  However, to win football games, UW-W has to outscore their opponents.  And that's my point -- you can only rely on the defense for so much.  Can the offense outscore the teams I mentioned ultimately?  Currently, that question is unanswerable but problematic for a pollster.  The next couple weeks can prove a lot with respect to it.  However, under current analysis, I just don't know and don't have 100% confidence with respect to the answer in the affirmative.

Unfortunately for the E8 Board, now you have an increase in WIAC posters- but that's what you get for beating us  . 

Great discussion by both and you are both right in my book.  UWW will have to score more, but not a lot more.  Neither of those teams had much success against UWW's defense- and the defense is at least as strong as last year.

LOL, I was thinking the exact same thing.  We get to make a whole new group of friends on D3!  But for them, it is the price of success.  I remember that we got to meet a new group every week on the WIAC board during the play-offs in 05!   

Thanks for the explanation, Frank.  I agree, you can only rely on your defense for so much but as I always say, a  team only needs to score one point more than the defense allows to win and with the defenses the the Hawks have put out on the field for the last 8 years, (including this team,) I'll still take our odds.  As you say, for now anyway.  Conference play in the WIAC will shed light on just how far we have come back to the pack this year as our first game is against the #16 ranked Pioneers in Platteville.   

Should be an excellent game.  Good luck to everyone involved!

[fisheralum91]

Congrats to Mike Benderski on named to the Team of the Week for his special teams play against Rochester!

[HScoach]

As a complete outsider to the E-8, I'm curious to here what the consensus is for Buff State's expectation for this season.  Or is this a team that is expected to compete for the E-8 title or a Pool C bid?   Their 2011 season looks like a bunch of close, almost wins.  What's making them better this time around besides another year?  Was the UWW win a highpoint that will be wasted on a 6-4/7-3 season? 

If I'm a Whitewater fan, which I'm anything but, they better hope the latter if they slip up again in conference play.  8-2 against with losses to only playoff teams gets you in the show with a pedigree like theirs.  But a non-conference loss, even out of region, against a middle of the road team could hurt their Pool C chances.  Regardless of their name & history.

Thanks

[fisheralum91]

Coach,
I defer to Bengalsrule on this, but from an E8 view, many of us felt that BUff St. would be on the incline and finish 3rd or 4th in the division.  Now that they have shocked the world, they look to be real contenders for the E8.  I just cant figure out the Brockport game.

[MrCardinal]

Congrats to Mike Benderski on named to the Team of the Week for his special teams play against Rochester!

Mike was also named E8 Special Teams player of the week!

Pretty cool how a kid who beat thyroid cancer as a pre-teen was able to set an example for all Camp Good Days and Special Times kids that even after a cancer diagnosis you can go on and achieve at many things if you work hard like he has.

[fisheralum91]

+k Mr. Card!

[sjfcards]

Congrats to Mike Benderski on named to the Team of the Week for his special teams play against Rochester!

Mike was also named E8 Special Teams player of the week!

Pretty cool how a kid who beat thyroid cancer as a pre-teen was able to set an example for all Camp Good Days and Special Times kids that even after a cancer diagnosis you can go on and achieve at many things if you work hard like he has.

I guess I didn't realize that. What a great story. The Courage Bowl probably means more to him than any one else (Gary Mervis not included).

[Bengalsrule]

Congrats to Mike Benderski on named to the Team of the Week for his special teams play against Rochester!

Mike was also named E8 Special Teams player of the week!

Pretty cool how a kid who beat thyroid cancer as a pre-teen was able to set an example for all Camp Good Days and Special Times kids that even after a cancer diagnosis you can go on and achieve at many things if you work hard like he has.

+2! Wishing the best for Mr. benderski!!

[Yanks 99]

Coach,
I defer to Bengalsrule on this, but from an E8 view, many of us felt that BUff St. would be on the incline and finish 3rd or 4th in the division.  Now that they have shocked the world, they look to be real contenders for the E8.  I just cant figure out the Brockport game.

I think that a lot of it depends on Brockport.  If Brockport runs the table in the NJAC (or at least wins the NJAC), and Buff State loses one E8 game (say close close to Salisbury or Fisher, while winning one of those two game)...I think they would almost have to get a Pool C bid.

A lot of it would have to depend on some of the other tougher leagues...but if Buff State finishes 8-2, with a win over UWW and two losses to "current" Top 25 teams...I think they get in.

[Frank Rossi]

Coach,
I defer to Bengalsrule on this, but from an E8 view, many of us felt that BUff St. would be on the incline and finish 3rd or 4th in the division.  Now that they have shocked the world, they look to be real contenders for the E8.  I just cant figure out the Brockport game.

I think that a lot of it depends on Brockport.  If Brockport runs the table in the NJAC (or at least wins the NJAC), and Buff State loses one E8 game (say close close to Salisbury or Fisher, while winning one of those two game)...I think they would almost have to get a Pool C bid.

A lot of it would have to depend on some of the other tougher leagues...but if Buff State finishes 8-2, with a win over UWW and two losses to "current" Top 25 teams...I think they get in.

That would put Buff St. at two losses, however.  They would certainly be at the front of the two-loss team discussion, but it will really depend on the number of one-loss runners up that exist and their quality.  Buff St. might jump in front of some of them, but we can't really evaluate this in a vacuum with any level of certainty.

[Yanks 99]

Coach,
I defer to Bengalsrule on this, but from an E8 view, many of us felt that BUff St. would be on the incline and finish 3rd or 4th in the division.  Now that they have shocked the world, they look to be real contenders for the E8.  I just cant figure out the Brockport game.

I think that a lot of it depends on Brockport.  If Brockport runs the table in the NJAC (or at least wins the NJAC), and Buff State loses one E8 game (say close close to Salisbury or Fisher, while winning one of those two game)...I think they would almost have to get a Pool C bid.

A lot of it would have to depend on some of the other tougher leagues...but if Buff State finishes 8-2, with a win over UWW and two losses to "current" Top 25 teams...I think they get in.

That would put Buff St. at two losses, however.  They would certainly be at the front of the two-loss team discussion, but it will really depend on the number of one-loss runners up that exist and their quality.  Buff St. might jump in front of some of them, but we can't really evaluate this in a vacuum with any level of certainty.

I agree...it isn't a certainty...I just think that they would get in if the circumstances were right (like Fisher last year).  Also, that is why I said "A lot of it would have to depend on some of the other tougher leagues".