FB: Empire 8

[boobyhasgameyo]

Utica gave Salisbury a fit last year.  They seem to be even better this year...so yeah my bet is they will hang in this one. 

[FisherAlum05]

If Fisher finishes 8-2 and second in the E8, I believe they should and will get a bid to the NCAA's.

[pg04]

If Fisher finishes 8-2 and second in the E8, I believe they should and will get a bid to the NCAA's.

I think there are probably several people that disagree. It definitely isn't as cut and dry as "will." Further, "should" will depend on the other teams in the conversation.

[fisheralum91]

FA05-
I wouldnt go ahead and give Fisher an 8-2 record just yet.
The UC game is one that is making my nose twitch, and Buff State would love to spoil any chance at the playoffs.

[wesleydad]

Utica gave Salisbury a fit last year.  They seem to be even better this year...so yeah my bet is they will hang in this one.

booby, went back and took a look at the boxscore from last yeat and initial impression was "wow utica gave up 70, how could they have given salisbury fits?"  then i looked at the scoring breakdown and saw that utica lead 35 - 21 in the 3rd quarter and then it looks like the wheels fell off.  this salisbury offense is not as good as last years, just look at the point comparisons, so i dont see them scoring anywhere near 70 unless utica turns the ball over often.  utica was able to score last year and i feel that the salisbury d is about the same as last year.  if utica is as good or better offensively they certainly have a chance to win this game.  the gulls at home on the turf improves them some compared to last week at ithaca.  if i didnt have a nice 20 min ride to rowan this weekend i might make the trip to salisbury again to see this game.

[Bombers798891]

Salisbury is vulnerable. Last season, the Gulls hung at least 41 points on every E8 team except Ithaca, and scored 60 or more in four straight conference games. This year, they've been held under 30 points in four of their five games. In fact, if you take out defensive/special teams scores, here are the point totals for Salisbury in conference:

13, 21, 30, 17, 14

Hardly an offensive powerhouse. In fact, that's pretty mediocre. Salisbury ranks 5th in in-conference scoring, and that's with four special teams/defensive touchdowns in the five games. They're just not the same team they were last year.

Utica can hang points and yards on anyone, so the Gulls should be wary. What's the weather supposed to be like that week?

[Upstate]

Just how bad are the Cardinals struggling on offense?

The last time the Cardinals averaged under 25 pts and under 350 yards for a season is 2001.

That team got its doors blown off by IC (52-0) and never crossed the IC 50 yard line.

They also got blown out by UofR 44-6.

Their only wins that year were vs St. Lawrence, Mass. Maritime and Utica.

If not for their D this is a sub .500 team.

[wesleydad]

Salisbury is vulnerable. Last season, the Gulls hung at least 41 points on every E8 team except Ithaca, and scored 60 or more in four straight conference games. This year, they've been held under 30 points in four of their five games. In fact, if you take out defensive/special teams scores, here are the point totals for Salisbury in conference:

13, 21, 30, 17, 14

Hardly an offensive powerhouse. In fact, that's pretty mediocre. Salisbury ranks 5th in in-conference scoring, and that's with four special teams/defensive touchdowns in the five games. They're just not the same team they were last year.

Utica can hang points and yards on anyone, so the Gulls should be wary. What's the weather supposed to be like that week?

bombers, i totally agree with you.  nothing close to the offensive team they had last year.  i have seen them play twice and something is just not there this year that is usually there.  i can not pinpoint it, but just not very explosive and the point totals back that up.  will check the weather later, but believe that all the mess is supposed to be out of here and sunny in the 50's is what i have seen for the area on saturday.  no impact on the game.

[Bombers798891]

Just how bad are the Cardinals struggling on offense?

The last time the Cardinals averaged under 25 pts and under 350 yards for a season is 2001.

That team got its doors blown off by IC (52-0) and never crossed the IC 50 yard line.

They also got blown out by UofR 44-6.

Their only wins that year were vs St. Lawrence, Mass. Maritime and Utica.

If not for their D this is a sub .500 team.

Yeah, it's surprising to see the Cardinals struggle on offense. But you know, pretty much everyone but Utica and Alfred is struggling on offense. Buff State and Ithaca had a couple of good games, but by and large they've just been okay. Salisbury's been average on offense in conference play. The Wick's numbers are inflated by the early season dreck they played, and Frostburg has scored seven points in the last three weeks.

In 2007, Ithaca, Fisher, Wick, and Alfred averaged, combined, 35.6 points a game. The worst of the four (Ithaca) averaged 33.3 points per game.

This year, those same four teams are averaging 24 points a game. The best of those four teams (Wick) is averaging 27.6 points a game.

Compared to five years ago, of the five teams in the E8 then and now, four are scoring significantly less than they did, and one, Utica, is scoring significantly more. In 2007, we had five conference teams average 30+ points for the season. This season, we'll be lucky if there are two.

You just don't have a lot of teams hoarding talent on offense and having threats all over the field. And, I don't think we're getting players the caliber of Bailey, Boltus, Phelan, Fellicetti, Robinson, Reilie, Sharpe, Secky, Manzer, Donovan, etc. (Some of those were not 2007 guys, I know) I don't know what it is, but there's really only one dynamic offense in the conference right now

[SUADC]

Salisbury is vulnerable. Last season, the Gulls hung at least 41 points on every E8 team except Ithaca, and scored 60 or more in four straight conference games. This year, they've been held under 30 points in four of their five games. In fact, if you take out defensive/special teams scores, here are the point totals for Salisbury in conference:

13, 21, 30, 17, 14

Hardly an offensive powerhouse. In fact, that's pretty mediocre. Salisbury ranks 5th in in-conference scoring, and that's with four special teams/defensive touchdowns in the five games. They're just not the same team they were last year.

Utica can hang points and yards on anyone, so the Gulls should be wary. What's the weather supposed to be like that week?

bombers, i totally agree with you.  nothing close to the offensive team they had last year.  i have seen them play twice and something is just not there this year that is usually there.  i can not pinpoint it, but just not very explosive and the point totals back that up.  will check the weather later, but believe that all the mess is supposed to be out of here and sunny in the 50's is what i have seen for the area on saturday.  no impact on the game.

I agree with both of you that Salisbury has been struggling offensively, but we average roughly 30 points a game and only give 14, regardless how the points come, I'll take that spread any day. I know our defense is a top 10 defense and if Utica wants to throw the ball around and give the defense chances, so be it. I think Utica has to come up with some type of running game to keep the defense honest, they obviously have a chance, but if we can get pressure, will be fine. With the weather being in its 50's (may still be windy) and clear, may impact the passing game and definitely favors running teams.

[Bombers798891]

Salisbury is vulnerable. Last season, the Gulls hung at least 41 points on every E8 team except Ithaca, and scored 60 or more in four straight conference games. This year, they've been held under 30 points in four of their five games. In fact, if you take out defensive/special teams scores, here are the point totals for Salisbury in conference:

13, 21, 30, 17, 14

Hardly an offensive powerhouse. In fact, that's pretty mediocre. Salisbury ranks 5th in in-conference scoring, and that's with four special teams/defensive touchdowns in the five games. They're just not the same team they were last year.

Utica can hang points and yards on anyone, so the Gulls should be wary. What's the weather supposed to be like that week?

bombers, i totally agree with you.  nothing close to the offensive team they had last year.  i have seen them play twice and something is just not there this year that is usually there.  i can not pinpoint it, but just not very explosive and the point totals back that up.  will check the weather later, but believe that all the mess is supposed to be out of here and sunny in the 50's is what i have seen for the area on saturday.  no impact on the game.

I agree with both of you that Salisbury has been struggling offensively, but we average roughly 30 points a game and only give 14, regardless how the points come, I'll take that spread any day. I know our defense is a top 10 defense and if Utica wants to throw the ball around and give the defense chances, so be it. I think Utica has to come up with some type of running game to keep the defense honest, they obviously have a chance, but if we can get pressure, will be fine. With the weather being in its 50's (may still be windy) and clear, may impact the passing game and definitely favors running teams.

No one's saying Salisbury isn't legit. The D is indeed elite, and points are points, but defensive scores are fickle beasts. They can come in bunches, but it's tough to expect them, which is why I left them out. The Pioneers are not a turnover-prone team.  Utica's going to throw the ball around, but respectfully, Benkwitt may be the best QB you've seen all season. (I don't know anything about Wesley's.) He's lapped the E8 field a couple times, that's for sure.

Of course, he hasn't faced a defense like yours either. But if they let Utica hang around like they did Fisher and Ithaca, or fail to put them away, like they did against Alfred, well...Andrew Benkwitt is not the quarterback I'd want to face in a tight game with 3 minutes to go.

But I do think Salisbury wins the game. Offensive issues aside, I think they are the most complete team in the conference, and will take care of business these last two weeks.

[Upstate]

Just how bad are the Cardinals struggling on offense?

The last time the Cardinals averaged under 25 pts and under 350 yards for a season is 2001.

That team got its doors blown off by IC (52-0) and never crossed the IC 50 yard line.

They also got blown out by UofR 44-6.

Their only wins that year were vs St. Lawrence, Mass. Maritime and Utica.

If not for their D this is a sub .500 team.

Yeah, it's surprising to see the Cardinals struggle on offense. But you know, pretty much everyone but Utica and Alfred is struggling on offense. Buff State and Ithaca had a couple of good games, but by and large they've just been okay. Salisbury's been average on offense in conference play. The Wick's numbers are inflated by the early season dreck they played, and Frostburg has scored seven points in the last three weeks.

In 2007, Ithaca, Fisher, Wick, and Alfred averaged, combined, 35.6 points a game. The worst of the four (Ithaca) averaged 33.3 points per game.

This year, those same four teams are averaging 24 points a game. The best of those four teams (Wick) is averaging 27.6 points a game.

Compared to five years ago, of the five teams in the E8 then and now, four are scoring significantly less than they did, and one, Utica, is scoring significantly more. In 2007, we had five conference teams average 30+ points for the season. This season, we'll be lucky if there are two.

You just don't have a lot of teams hoarding talent on offense and having threats all over the field. And, I don't think we're getting players the caliber of Bailey, Boltus, Phelan, Fellicetti, Robinson, Reilie, Sharpe, Secky, Manzer, Donovan, etc. (Some of those were not 2007 guys, I know) I don't know what it is, but there's really only one dynamic offense in the conference right now

I might be called a lunatic for saying this but I think Miller is just as good as Robinson.  Their running styles are extremely similar; compact, powerful and just enough speed to get the edge and take a carry for a long gain. I really think if you put Miller in the 2003-2006 offensive system his production would be very comparable.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Lunatic

[fisheralum91]

Out of your mind

[Bengalsrule]

FA05-
I wouldnt go ahead and give Fisher an 8-2 record just yet.
The UC game is one that is making my nose twitch, and Buff State would love to spoil any chance at the playoffs.

"Buff State would love to" win!!   It would give them they're first winning season since The Bill Clinton Administration  (2000). Incidently it was also the last year that the BENGALS beat St John Fisher, 34-21. 0 for 5 since then!   Something tells me that game will be a nail biter or a blow out (don't want to say anything bad about my BENGALS so i'll leave at that ).

Here's hoping for the best. I plan on trying to make that game myself. I was actually on the St John Fisher campus last weekend. Hoping for similar results on this trip!