FB: Empire 8

[D3viewer]

Deep down (or possibly even overtly) I think the private schools have almost zero interest in playing the state schools. So the current E8 alignment to me is an uneasy one, possibly unstable. If you like regional football and think state school / private school matchups are interesting and add variety (raises hand).. you like it ( and also if you don't buy into the state schools have all the advantages in recruiting argument). If you are an original E8er you maybe don't like it because you remember the days when the conf was formed and the league reached out of state to get Springfield and Norwich, rather than invite any instate ("Empire" State..note the conf name) state schools (that's a lot of states). The original lineup of multistate private schools represents the true desire of original conf members. Once dominoes started falling (schools leaving) the conf just did what it had to do to survive..directive number one being..maintain the AQ. Then it was like..welp..we might as well play SUNY schools instead of SUMD schools. ( how about that trip to Salisbury ?).
I "see" the private schools eyes constantly darting around for a way out of this current alignment, particularly if the state schools become too powerful. I don't know the current contractual agreements, and I'm not saying I blame the private schools in the least. Just shooting from the hip.

[pg04]

When Brockport was an independent (when I was a student there) I know as fact there were many in state private schools (outside of Fisher and Ithaca) that would not play them. Hence, the schedule was littered with schools like Wesley, Frostburg, New Jersey Schools (TCNJ, Montclair, Kean), Thiel, Mt Ida, even McDaniel one year. I am not deriding the private schools that refrained but it did make me respect a school like Ithaca a bit more for being consistently on the schedule. Fisher as well.

[D3MAFAN]

So, would it be better to have a hot team such as Alfred or St. John Fisher enter the playoffs or a Cortland State team that has been somewhat up and down represent the E 8 in the playoffs? I am leaning toward a hot Alfred or St. John Fisher team. I think the winner of the Alfred v. Fisher game is going to have all the momentum. Maybe Ithaca can play spoiler to stay .500.

[Bombers798891]

So, would it be better to have a hot team such as Alfred or St. John Fisher enter the playoffs or a Cortland State team that has been somewhat up and down represent the E 8 in the playoffs? I am leaning toward a hot Alfred or St. John Fisher team. I think the winner of the Alfred v. Fisher game is going to have all the momentum. Maybe Ithaca can play spoiler to stay .500.

Ithaca has not scored a non garbage time touchdown in three and a half weeks. I'll just let that sink in for a second

[D3MAFAN]

So, would it be better to have a hot team such as Alfred or St. John Fisher enter the playoffs or a Cortland State team that has been somewhat up and down represent the E 8 in the playoffs? I am leaning toward a hot Alfred or St. John Fisher team. I think the winner of the Alfred v. Fisher game is going to have all the momentum. Maybe Ithaca can play spoiler to stay .500.

Ithaca has not scored a non garbage time touchdown in three and a half weeks. I'll just let that sink in for a second

You never know, its one of the biggest rivalry games and the way the East is playing out...Cortland has played spoiler for Ithaca regarding seating in previous years. Maybe a score of 9-7 with Ithaca scoring on Defense and having a safety.

[Bengalsrule]

So, would it be better to have a hot team such as Alfred or St. John Fisher enter the playoffs or a Cortland State team that has been somewhat up and down represent the E 8 in the playoffs? I am leaning toward a hot Alfred or St. John Fisher team. I think the winner of the Alfred v. Fisher game is going to have all the momentum. Maybe Ithaca can play spoiler to stay .500.

Ithaca has not scored a non garbage time touchdown in three and a half weeks. I'll just let that sink in for a second

You never know, its one of the biggest rivalry games and the way the East is playing out...Cortland has played spoiler for Ithaca regarding seating in previous years. Maybe a score of 9-7 with Ithaca scoring on Defense and having a safety.

Im not anywhere near the authority on Bombers football that others are.... but a couple of observations from todays game.

A- The Ithaca fans seemed to match Buff State in # numbers and vocal support today at a huge (D 1 UB football stadium).

B - I had the opportunity to sit in front of, AND next 2, 3 Bombers fans for the entire game. Very nice Husband and wife (behind me) and fella (to my left). Even while they were winning (which was most of the game) they talked about getting Cortland back for the game that they stole last year. I personally dont know what happened last year, nor will I bother to look it up, but it was interesting that during halftime and  at least once during the 2nd half, the Cortaca game came up. It was obvious that their 3 1/2 hour ride (estimate that hubby behind me gave today) back to Ithaca will be clearly focused on pay back of Cortland. it definitly sounds like a win next week would cure the ills of "some" of the previous loses! I wouldn't find it too far fetched to think that the same would hold true for the Bombers themselves! 

[pg04]

I believe last year's Cortaca was the extra point turned 2 point conversion winner.

Edit: No, It was the botch FG turned into TD winner.

[Bengalsrule]

So, would it be better to have a hot team such as Alfred or St. John Fisher enter the playoffs or a Cortland State team that has been somewhat up and down represent the E 8 in the playoffs? I am leaning toward a hot Alfred or St. John Fisher team. I think the winner of the Alfred v. Fisher game is going to have all the momentum. Maybe Ithaca can play spoiler to stay .500.

I defer to the "experts' here on these boards, but I believe that the E8 will get 2 bids. Especially if Cortland wins. I dont see another conference in the east worthy of 2 bids. I'm hoping the best for our conference. Heck, St lawrence lost today (7-2) with 1 game left vs Merchant Marine. Their out of conference loss came at the hands of E8 Morrisville! I imagine the rest of us are also pulling for 2 bids (however likely/unlikely)?  The co leader ofLibery league is RPI who has lost to E8 Alfred.  1 or both of those teams could finsh with 3 loses!

The top 3 teams in E8 have a strength of schedule that puts them in the top 7 nationally, with Cortland SOS ranked 3rd, Alfred 6th and Fisher 7th (for what its worth, Morrisville S.O.S. is ranked 8th, Utica 15th and Hartwick 19th).Co leaders of LL -  RPI 9th and St Lawrence 34th. No other East team is ranked in the top 25. Including the top teams in the lastest east ranking (# ).  #5 Rowan S.O.S. is ranked 29th (lost today), #1 Wesley 49th (lost today), #3 Albright 106 (won today), #6 Stevenson 108 (lost today) and #2 Delaware Valley 168th (lost today). No 1 in the east and maybe 1 or 2 other confernces, face anywhere NEAR the kind of competition that E8 teams face every week. Thats gotta be worth something.

6 at large bids are out there. The East should definitly get 1 of them. Clearly that 1 should go to the E8.

[pg04]

Unfortunately the chances of a Pool C bid in the E8 for a 3 loss team is slim to none and slim is running away. Wesley will get a Pool C bid and that's about it in the east.

[Bengalsrule]

I believe last year's Cortaca was the extra point turned 2 point conversion winner.

Edit: No, It was the botch FG turned into TD winner.

Ouch. Now I understand the Bomber fans pain!!

[Bengalsrule]

Unfortunately the chances of a Pool C bid in the E8 for a 3 loss team is slim to none and slim is running away. Wesley will get a Pool C bid and that's about it in the east.

And if Wesley wins out next week and Salisbury loses thier final game,finishing 6-3, (including a loss to 3-6 Chris Newport)??

[pg04]

Unfortunately the chances of a Pool C bid in the E8 for a 3 loss team is slim to none and slim is running away. Wesley will get a Pool C bid and that's about it in the east.

And if Wesley wins out next week and Salisbury loses thier final game,finishing 6-3, (including a loss to 3-6 Chris Newport)??

Then maybe no team in the region gets a Pool C. Even so, Stevenson would probably still be a step ahead of the 3 loss teams.

[wesleydad]

Unfortunately the chances of a Pool C bid in the E8 for a 3 loss team is slim to none and slim is running away. Wesley will get a Pool C bid and that's about it in the east.

And if Wesley wins out next week and Salisbury loses thier final game,finishing 6-3, (including a loss to 3-6 Chris Newport)??

Bengals, the pool C bids are national.  The E8 has no chance of getting one because they do not stack up well against the rest of the country.  Heck, Wesley is going to have trouble with their resume of only 1 loss.  No chance it gets down to a 2 loss team from the east this year.  Now if Salisbury loses and Wesley is the AQ then I dont think any East team gets chosen.

[Bengalsrule]

Pg and Wesley dad. Thanks for the feedback. However I'm a "glass is half full" type guy. So I'm gonna continue to hope that the impossible is possible. Hopefully that's does not offend anyone.  👍🏼👍🏼

[wesleydad]

Pg and Wesley dad. Thanks for the feedback. However I'm a "glass is half full" type guy. So I'm gonna continue to hope that the impossible is possible. Hopefully that's does not offend anyone.  👍🏼👍🏼

never offended by optimism.  it is all most of us fans of our teams have when the season begins knowing that the likelihood of our team winning the Stagg is slim and none with slim being really sliiiiiiim.