FB: Empire 8

[lewdogg11]

I think Union and RPI are pretty even but I'll give union the preseason edge

Union
RPI
Cortland
Fisher
Hobart
Ithaca
Alfred

Bad schedules for Ithaca and Alfred... but every team here could finish with no more than 2-3 losses.

GOod call Benedict Arnold.

[JQV]

And the world remains in equilibrium as the E8 Coaches remember who the class of the conference truly is...

Empire 8 Preseason Poll
1. ITHACA, 35 points (5)
2. St. John Fisher, 31 (2)
3. Alfred, 26
4. Springfield, 21
5. Utica, 17
6. Hartwick, 10
7. Norwich, 7

['gro]

Union's past glory breaks all ties, aka the notre dame privilege. Besides, RPI plays better when they are not favored early.

[gobombers15]

any upstate poll predictions? You've the the big 3 from the E8 and LL plus Cortland... where do you rank them?

In alphabetical order, 4u.

Alfred
Cortland
Hobart
Ithaca
RPI
SJF
Union

I really hate to do this, but...

1) RPI- Solid team returning led by one of the better QB's in the region. The schedule is in favor of the Engineers as RPI hosts both Union and Hobart this season (one early, one late). I think RPI wins the LL, nipping Union for the Shoes, in a game of undefeateds, to close the season.


2) Cortland--Getting sick to my stomach just looking at it. Alex Smith is now a third-year starter and continued to improve with every start. Dustin Bowser is a very good running back so C-State's option should give a lot of team fits. The strength is the defense. Many of the starters return, highlighted by Adam Haas and Stef Sair, both All-Americans. Favorable schedule gives them home games against Brockport and Ithaca. However, on November 4, the Red Dragons visit Rowan. A late-season loss to the Profs could drop C-State in the Upstate Poll. That's a tough game to play the weekend before Cortaca.


3) Union- We know they have the horses on offense. Will the defense be able to hold up? I'm interested to see what happens in their opener at Springfield, under the lights (rare for a D3 game and the Pride will be pumped). I think Union wins in a game closer than many will expect. After that, assuming Muhlenberg is closer to last year's team than the 2004 team that made the Playoffs, Union should be on cruise control until the last two games. This year, however, the Dutchmen have to go on the road to play both Hobart and RPI. My gut tells me they go 1-1 in those games; Hobart softens them up and RPI wins the Shoes in Troy. I think Union is definitely playoff team, though.


4a) Ithaca- Much of the team's success will ride on the defense. Despite the loss of Josh Felicetti and their top three WR's, the Bombers offense will score points. Whomever wins the QB job, though, will have a lot to learn in a very short time. Probably the worst schedule of any of the upstate teams with road games at Fisher, at Brockport, at Alfred, and at Cortland. It's going to be a trial-by-fire for Juvan or the freshman from Nisky. The bigger question is if the defense will be able to make the big stops and get off the field. If so, I think Ithaca can win the conference championship (aka the Fisher v. Ithaca game on Sept 23).

4b) Fisher- The Cards will rely heavily on the running game this season. Mark Robinson is healthy once again and should see the brunt of the action in the backfield. James Reile, who is very capable as evidenced by his numbers last year, will spell Robinson. I also hear from a fairly reliable source that works at Fisher, that Reile may be converted to WR this fall. This would make up for the loss of Noah Fehrenbach. A lot will depend on if Fisher can find a playmaker in the passing game. If not, teams will stack the line to stop the running attack.

6) Hobart- Solid team. Unfortunately, they play RPI on the road and they host a Union team that is just better than them. Also, the Statesmen will visit Alfred late in the season. I see this squad as a three-loss team. Not sure who the third loss will come against, though.

7) Alfred- Good news and bad news. The good news is that the Saxons play their most difficult games at home. The bad news is those games are against Thiel, Hobart, Ithaca, and Fisher. Essentially, Alfred's season comes down to whether they can go 2-0 against IC and SJF in the last two games. If they can, they'll win the auto bid. If not, it will probably be another year in the ECAC's for the Saxons. Given their history against Ithaca, I think the Bombers win by a TD. Fisher will be looking for revenge in what MAY be the game for the E8 title. This team should have made the playoffs last year based on their record and their schedule. Unfortunately, I don't think this is their year.

[Reno Hightower]

I understand the RPI picks, they are loaded on offense. But I just cant agree. They just have ZERO defense. I mean The U certainly wasnt carried by their defense last year but they return a lot of starters from that unit. RPI was pathetic on defense. Union has over 1,000 yards against them the last 2 years combined. Not saying The Us defense is going to be the best in the world but they are at the lease a formidable unit. They gave up a lot of points to RPI and Ithaca at the end of the year but their kickoff unit did not help, they were inexperience,and they did make some defensive plays in those games when it mattered (takeaways/sacks)......that inexperience is now experience. I have to go with The U until they get beat......

['gro]

2005 LL Statistics

don't wanna turn into PTI's stat boy... but check out every single defensive category. RPI and Union were pretty even except for TO margin.

[AUPepBand]

This may seem like old news for some, but here's a link to Alfred's recruiting story. Word from Saxonville is that there will be 80 freshmen arriving for pre-season camp, joining 78 veterans for 158 total....which should keep my daughter busy serving in the dining hall till classes begin.

https://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=3402

Third straight year Coach Murray and staff have brought in 70+ recruits. And, word is that he's getting another full-time assistant. More on that later.

[Reno Hightower]

Gro, keep in mind those stats factor in Utica, Endicott....you know the great out of conference schedule Kinger has every year that makes the LL looks so good.

[JQV]

Thanks Pat for fixing my account so I can post again.

In light of the Upstate rankings discussion, I have recently been convinced (and you know it is hard for me to admit what I am about to admit) that Cortland is probably the best team in Upstate.

That said, Cortland being better than IC basically guarantees that IC will win the Jug this year if recent history is any indication.  So I guess I gotta feel good about that.

[gobombers15]

Thanks Pat for fixing my account so I can post again.

In light of the Upstate rankings discussion, I have recently been convinced (and you know it is hard for me to admit what I am about to admit) that Cortland is probably the best team in Upstate.

That said, Cortland being better than IC basically guarantees that IC will win the Jug this year if recent history is any indication.  So I guess I gotta feel good about that.

Jose, I had Cortland ranked at #1 but just couldn't hold myself to it given their late-season tussle in Glassboro with the Profs. I can't see C-State winning that game. I agree with what you said about Ithaca probably beating Cortland if Cortland is considered the superior team. It seems that whenever one of the teams is expected to win, they don't. Most years, though, it could go either way.

Also, I'm very excited about the fact that Cortland doesn't have an open date the week before the Jug. I wonder if throws a cramp into their annual "let's show up at Butterfield, get booed and then give the finger to the crowd for all women and children to see." I sure hope that routine isn't going to be eliminated. Hopefully the Red Dragons get beat up in Glassboro and IC can take advantage the following week.

[JQV]

Most years, though, it could go either way.

I like how you so nimbly dodged the Parkies favorite Cortaca-related cliche.

[gordonmann]

For what it's worth, here's how I'd rank them...

1) Union:  Prolific offense returns just about everyone.  If they can figure out how to stop people from scoring, they could challenge Rowan this year.

2) Cortland: Rowan's defense showed me a lot at Mount Union last year and Cortland's defense is not too far behind their's.  They must avoid those "let down" games though (see Buff State 2006).

3) RPI:  Nothing more than a hunch here, but I think they figure out a way to win one of the two games with Union and Hobart unlike last season.

4) St. John Fisher:  If Robinson stays healthy, the running attack and that offensive line make them the E8 favorite in my mind...which, of course, means squat.

5) Hobart:  I really respect what Cragg has done with that team.  The LL may be one of the best races in 2006 with those three teams.

6) Ithaca:  They lose a lot and finished the season giving up 82 points in two games.  But even when Ithaca isn't as good, they are still pretty good.

7) Alfred:  No offense to the Saxons, but I want to see what the post-Brady era looks like before I get too excited.

[gordonmann]

And karma to you Jose for the picture.

As a Bucs fan, I long for the days of Bucco Bruce.

[Redass]

Utica College Grad, TE Brian Barth has reported to Buffalo Bills camp at SJF. Maybe another D3 player in the NFL?

[theoriginalupstate]

Utica College Grad, TE Brian Barth has reported to Buffalo Bills camp at SJF. Maybe another D3 player in the NFL?

That'd be nice, but they have Royal, Everett, Neufeld and Cieslak.....