FB: Empire 8

[Jonny Utah]

You know after seeing a fair amount of people predicting Fisher to lose by 35+ points today, I am curious about something.  I wonder how the predictions would have been if it were John Carroll they were facing today.  If John Carroll beat Fisher 25-16 and then Hobart 27-6 and the entire regular season of absolutely obliterating opponents save for Mount Union who they lost to by a single score. 

My guess is that people would still favor UMHB but likely by the 10-14 point per game mark.  It's just interesting to me how that works.   


Gammmmmeday at long last!

excellent point!!!!!

I think a lot of that comes down to John Carrol gave Mt. Union a game (and had a pretty stellar season overall), and SJF had some serious bumps in the regular season.

Do most people think now that JCU was a fluke, or that SJF got their act together and is the better team now?  I tend to think that SJF simply got better at the right time.  Add everyone's pessimistic thoughts on Hobart in there, and things kind of make sense.

You do have a good point though.  Probably one of the reasons why Vegas doesn't put point spreads on these games!

I thought I saw they did starting in the elite 8...

Fisher was a two TD underdog I believe...

There might be some underground lines, but I'm not sure any website or sportsbook has any official lines out.  I haven't seen any anyway.

[Frank Rossi]

No official odds I can find.  I would've set the opening line at -24 UMHB.  There is a rankings service that pegs it at -21 UMHB:

http://www.al.com/atomic-football/index.ssf?d3-predictions

[D3MAFAN]

I think that the E8 and the ASC are roughly comparable, up and down the conference.

In a #1 vs #1, etc. I think that
UMHB beats Ithaca
LaCollege beats SJF  (LaCollege lost at UMHB by 11.)Alfred beats Miss College
Salisbury beats HSU who was way down this season.
Howard Payne is toss-up to Hartwick.
ETBU is a toss-up with Buff State.
Sul Ross State beats Utica and Frostburg.

You can't play score comparison, SJF would beat LA College and I would say Utica beats Sul Ross State

[Ralph Turner]

No official odds I can find.  I would've set the opening line at -24 UMHB.  There is a rankings service that pegs it at -21 UMHB:

http://www.al.com/atomic-football/index.ssf?d3-predictions

We use 4 indexes in the ASC Pick'em.

LazIndex had it at 10 points;
Bornpowerindex, at 19;
Compughter, at 16;
as well as Atomic Football.

[middlerelief]

Not for nothing, SJF D holding strong so far, MHB's o only 9 yards so far in into the 2Q

[Toby Taff]

Not for nothing, SJF D holding strong so far, MHB's o only 9 yards so far in into the 2Q

loving SJFs defense.

[Ralph Turner]

Nice drive SJF.

[middlerelief]

Fisher's D help MHB's O out of endzone for almost entire 1H.   If someone were to tell me that stat, I'd say we'd have the lead, can't believe we're down 12 considering how well SJF D has played thus far.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Our offense has been slow to kick it in gear all year long.  Against great teams that will burn you.  Our defense has put forth such an admirable first half.  Especially considering the field position we continually gave them.  The first drive of the second half will be so critical.  Let's hope we can stop them and get the ball back with the score holding at 19-6.

[Ralph Turner]

Hey Pep! Catch the UMHB band at halftime!


And Texas women are prettier...        

[D3MAFAN]

Our offense has been slow to kick it in gear all year long.  Against great teams that will burn you.  Our defense has put forth such an admirable first half.  Especially considering the field position we continually gave them.  The first drive of the second half will be so critical.  Let's hope we can stop them and get the ball back with the score holding at 19-6.

I agree SJF defense has been playing really well. Bad field position, which has been predicated by great Special Teams of UMHB. Other than the Int for a TD, its really been pretty even. I think SJF should run some plays up the middle, with a balance pistol attack.

[sjfcards]

I think Fisher will need to find a way to get those two turnovers back. If we can turn them over this half, and get some quick scores, we have the talent to get back into this.

[Bartman]

Fisher defense looks strong despite getting lousy field position in first half. Fisher offense has been able to move the ball against a super tough and athletic Crusader defense. Hang in there Cardinals, as you have no reason to believe you can't get back in this one based on the first half. Stay patient and look for the defense to cause some turnovers in the second half .

[middlerelief]

MHB's Defense is responsible for 11 points -- un f'n believable

[cover2]

Big props to SJF.  That's a good football team!