FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

While D3 is the voice of the land, Just an FYI - there are a few other pollsters for this level. 

One of them is Hansen, which is a computer based model.  Similar teams different rankings...  interestingly has Alfred at 5 and SJF at 10.  You can follow this guys stuff on Twitter at:  @LogHanRatings

Here's his Top 10

1) UWW
2) Mt. Union
3) UMHB
4) UWP
5) Alfred
6) UWO
7) St. Lawrence
8) St. Thomas
9) NCC
10) St. John Fisher


Personally I think the St. Thomas rating and North Central ratings are a bit low as they would erase SLU off the map and a few others, but it does build greater anticipation with a looming showdown with AU in a few weeks .... (provided both teams keep winning that is.... and that SJF's defense can do better than terrible on 3rd down conversions with 3 out of next 4 against the teeth of conference but whatever)

Funny. Pep found a link to Hansen's Division III rankings for games before Oct. 9 where Alfred is 34 and St. John Fisher 35....something seems to be awry. Did someone slip something into your drink, MR1?


http://loganahansen21.wixsite.com/hansen-ratings

[boobyhasgameyo]

I'm assuming he is referencing the composite rankings.  So not just Hansen where Fisher is rated 35th but a variety of other ratings are taken into account and averaged.  That's where you will find the more favorable ranks for both teams. 

[AUPepBand]

I'm assuming he is referencing the composite rankings.  So not just Hansen where Fisher is rated 35th but a variety of other ratings are taken into account and averaged.  That's where you will find the more favorable ranks for both teams.

Oh, you mean these: http://loganahansen21.wixsite.com/hansen-ratings/composite-rankings

Pep stands corrected.....again. 

[fisheralum91]

Well we are here- The week that Fisher travels to Utica and I get to see the alma mater!
Any word on Fusco or Naton?
I have to assume that they are out one more week.
The offense looked very good with its backups playing more than admirably.

UC will come loaded for bear after taking 2 on the chin and look to right the ship against Fisher!
That said- if the d can shore up on third down - the O seems to have gotten a groove!

The alma mater takes this one 24-14

[Bombers798891]

Look, Fisher's defense isn't all that great, but before the games last week, you wrote this:

It is impossible to overstate how the defensive unit has gone from average to the absolute worst in the E8. 

No one has a problem with critical comments. I've been incredibly critical of Ithaca's lousy offense. But your comments aren't just critical.

Fisher is currently allowing 24.6 points and 392 yards of offense a game and 4.8 yards per play. That's not great (although the YPP is 2nd in the conference), certainly not if you want them to be a major player in the playoffs, which you do. Fine, I agree with you. Fisher's defense is mediocre*.

But Cortland is currently allowing 31.7 points and 473 yards per game, and 5.9 yards per play
Morrisville is currently allowing 38.8 points and 465 yards per game, and 7.3 yards per play
Hartwick is currently allowing 42.8 points and 514 yards per game, and 6.9 yards per play

*And of course, when Fisher dominates Ithaca's offense in a few weeks—as they've done for a couple of years now—you'll want to remember that Hartwick allowed the Bombers' offense to score 48 points

The idea that Fisher is worse than these teams is simply not accurate, and making statements like that were a pretty clear indicator that you had an agenda with what you were posting.

[sjfcards]

Well we are here- The week that Fisher travels to Utica and I get to see the alma mater!
Any word on Fusco or Naton?
I have to assume that they are out one more week.
The offense looked very good with its backups playing more than admirably.

UC will come loaded for bear after taking 2 on the chin and look to right the ship against Fisher!
That said- if the d can shore up on third down - the O seems to have gotten a groove!

The alma mater takes this one 24-14

I am thinking the Fisher/Utica game will be a tight one, and probably high scoring as well. Sort of like the Courage Bowl a few weeks back. As tough as that was for my blood pressure, it was a really fun game to watch.

I am trying to rally the troops to make the trip to Utica, as I have never watched a football game there. Could be a fun weekend trip. 91, we have to get together and have a cold one pre-game.

[fisheralum91]

Ill have the whole FA91 family in tow with other fellow Fisher supporters!
Ill have cold Utica Club waiting!
Cards- you make the trip- Ill have a cold one waiting!

[AUPepBand]

Well we are here- The week that Fisher travels to Utica and I get to see the alma mater!
Any word on Fusco or Naton?
I have to assume that they are out one more week.
The offense looked very good with its backups playing more than admirably.

UC will come loaded for bear after taking 2 on the chin and look to right the ship against Fisher!
That said- if the d can shore up on third down - the O seems to have gotten a groove!

The alma mater takes this one 24-14

I am thinking the Fisher/Utica game will be a tight one, and probably high scoring as well. Sort of like the Courage Bowl a few weeks back. As tough as that was for my blood pressure, it was a really fun game to watch.

I am trying to rally the troops to make the trip to Utica, as I have never watched a football game there. Could be a fun weekend trip. 91, we have to get together and have a cold one pre-game.

From what Pep has seen on webcasts, Utica has installed a new raised visitor seating section behind the visitor bench. Can't really tell how large the section is, but it looks like a vast improvement from the old bleachers they had there before. It was challenging to see anything over the players in the old ground-level bleachers, much like at Growney. 

[fisheralum91]

I would end up pacing the fence line during games anyway....Now with the fam in tow- looks like the bleachers it is!

[Bombers798891]

Fisher wins, 30-14. Utica's reeling.

Other predictions:

Ithaca 31, Brockport 27: If B-port is in fact Team Boltus light, the Bombers' performance against Hartwick gives me hope.

Alfred 37, Cortland 17: The Red Dragons, much like Utica, are reeling. The defense has looked terrible the last two games, and they're not settled at the QB position, and they're going with a RB by committee approach that has yet to really pay off. The Saxons might be the top team in the E8.

Team Boltus 65, Morrisville 62: Yeah, not a must-see viewing, unless you just like offense

[Upstate]

Team Boltus 52, Mustangs 49 in OT.
-I think I'd actually like to see the Morrisville/Hartwick game. There could be fireworks galore!

Alfred 34, Cortland 13
-I think AU is going to have a special year this year. Johnson is playing at a near flawless level and the defense should continue to hold strong.

Brockport 29, Ithaca 27
-Ithaca's offense looks to get their offense going against another poor defense. Their defense has been fantastic, however Andrews is a special player that can make plays even when he's bottled up in the backfield. Andrews doesn't put up 240 like last week but I see him carrying the Eagles to a win.

Fisher 37, Utica 21
-Utica is 2nd to last in rushing offense and rushing defense. In order to beat Fisher you need to run the ball early and often to get Logory and Lee to crowd the line. If Utica wants to come out and throw the ball then I think Fisher would love nothing more. I'd really like to see Fusco and Naton back this week but I have confidence in Smith and Fiutko to keep the offense humming along.

I know that Chambers and Fusco are better RBs but you can't help to think what kind of career Smith would have had at RB if those two didn't come along. Smith ran for 9 TDs and 4+ yards carry as a sophomore. The past two weeks he's averaging 6 yards a carry and has score 4 TDs. He's a bruising 6'2", 235 that can get the edge or run you over. I want Fusco back as soon as possible but it's fun watching Smith bull over people.

[Bombers798891]

Alfred 34, Cortland 13
-I think AU is going to have a special year this year. Johnson is playing at a near flawless level and the defense should continue to hold strong.

Johnson has proven me wrong. I thought we'd get another 16 TD/11 INT performance from him, and he's just inarguably improved as a passer his senior year. Good for him

[fisheralum91]

This could be a special year for BOTH Fisher and AU.
Imagine they are both 9-0 with the title on the line.

Both get playoff nods..........Right?

[AUKaz00]

This could be a special year for BOTH Fisher and AU.
Imagine they are both 9-0 with the title on the line.

Both get playoff nods..........Right?

Well, it would guarantee that both have at least one result against a regionally ranked opponent, but too soon for me to start fathoming such a situation (we've all seen too many E8 games...).

[fisheralum91]

Kaz- totally get it...
Any given SatErday.

But the possibility is waaaaaaaay too cool to ignore!