FB: Empire 8

[boobyhasgameyo]

HEY PRIDE!!!!





god i miss that

[tecmobowler]

Again, the rankings aren't worth the internet space they take up.  They mean absolutely nothing.

[cstate19]

No, IC should not have dropped.

[maxpower]

I have to say I am impressed by your werewithal (sp?) cstate. You are making it harder to hate Cortland. Not that much harder, but still. Do you share the IC posters' respect for this year's Dragons? The IC consensus seems to have them at #2 in the region, although the Fisher consensus provides a different viewpoint entirely, for obvious reasons.

[boobyhasgameyo]

But yes I love when the LL boys decide to come on over for discussion, they always seem to make me laugh at least a couple of times (gave karma for the "i am required by law to say that" post).

Like I said before I think the E8 top teams are hands down better than the LL's but I thought that last year and look where that got me.  

As for Fisher running the table it's definitely a possibility but it just seems there is a game or two a year where Fisher just slips up and doesn't play like the team they are (Norwich in 2004 and later Delaware Valley in the playoffs-seriously we were up 10 with 2 minutes left to play....what the hell happened? Also the Alfred game last year)  I continue to hope this new found winning culture will help change that pattern and the Fisher team decides to play through the year with the mental attitude that they expect to go through the rest of the year undefeated and anything less would be a damn shame.  

[tecmobowler]

The E8-LL comparison is a toughie.  Since D3 football is rarely televised, we rarely get a chance to see other teams first hand.

I saw Hobart play Ithaca in the late 90's and early 2000's.  They were initially a struggling program, but in the later years became more competitive.   Very little offense, but a strong defense.  Alfred would be my comparison.

I saw us defeat RPI handily when they were undefeated back in 2000 I believe.  Lots of talk of an explosive offense, that just wasnt there.  The snow bowl was insane, and probably not a game you'd judge the abilities of a team, win or lose.

Union was terribly impressive when we saw them last year.   Their defense was very porous, but man, what an offense.  Surprised that the loss of their WR has hurt them so badly this year.

[JQV]

Jose- you really think Vosburgh would lose his job? The IC game put his ass on a pension plan.

It was just hyperbole.  It is my experience that few D3 coaches in any sport keep or lose their job based on W-L.  I was just making the point that any mental lapse by a team in such a commanding position is inexcusable and the coaching staff has to be held accountable for it.

['gro]

Re: Fisher or Springfield running the table in the E8

I guess Fisher has the upper hand by getting past Ithaca. The pride have to go to both IC and SJF.  Hosting your 2 toughest opponents certainly helped Union last year (and the playoff game vs IC).

[labart96]

Seems like SJF and SC are the teams to beat, but TGP nevers counts out IC.  Basically had a bad half against a good team that put it all together at the right time.

Would love to see some post season match ups between the E8 and LL champs (as well as ECAC games for the runners up).

Regardless, both "Upstate" leagues are bringing the wood this season.  Hopefully one of our clubs will be representing as East Region Champ when it's all said and done.

['gro]

The ECAC's should always pair up the LL and E8 without question.  Even though it was for "nothing" RPI and Fisher put on a good show last year... gro literaly fell out of his computer chair on the game winning TD.

By all means stop pairing up the E8 and LL with NEFC teams, it's getting out of hand.

[JQV]

Seems like SJF and SC are the teams to beat, but TGP nevers counts out IC.  Basically had a bad half against a good team that put it all together at the right time.

Would love to see some post season match ups between the E8 and LL champs (as well as ECAC games for the runners up).

Regardless, both "Upstate" leagues are bringing the wood this season.  Hopefully one of our clubs will be representing as East Region Champ when it's all said and done.

I wonder if SC is a "team to beat" just yet.  Their win over Union at SC is looking less and less remarkable as Union looks more and more mediocre.  Also, what does Montclair have and how much faith can be put into that win?

They look even less like a "team to beat" when you consider they have to go to Fisher and IC. 

Fisher-SC will be an interesting matchup given how much they both love to run the ball and, since Fisher also plays on turf.  SC is fast and Fisher's turf may aid the Pride attack.  That game could be a 55-53 type final.  (JoseQ isn't sure who the 55 would be either).

[labart96]

TGP is not ready to dog Union too much yet.  It appears that most of the mid to lower LL teams are starting to catch up with the "Big 3" (RPI, U, and Bart).

However, you make a valid point re: SJF's schedule.  Having home field for those games should help tremendously.

[FisherAlum05]

Actually Fisher plays on field turf now.  Finally got rid of that astro turf.  Still it is faster than natural grass.  Also, Fisher's defense is too solid to give up 53 points especially since they have had great success in the past against the Springfield attack.  Defensive coordinator Faggiano at Fisher is very knowledgable about the wing T offense run by the pride and has a great scheme to stop it.  In 2004 and 2005 Fisher basically shut down Springfield.  I do admit that Springfield will score points, but not nearly as many as the Fisher offense will score against the mediocre at best Springfield defense.  

[FisherAlum05]

I really think Fisher will run the table and go 10-0 in the regular season.  The only team left with any chance to beat Fisher is one with a stout defense.  If you can hold fisher to 28 or less points it gives you a chance to win.  Easier said than done though.  Alfred in week 10 is the only defense good enough to stop Fisher.  And i don't know how good Alfred's defense is this year compared to last year.  I say Fisher goes 10-0, Ithaca 9-1, Springfield 8-2 (losses to IC and Fisher).  We still gotta beat Brockport this weekend though!! Go Cardinals. 

[labart96]

Fisheralum05 -

TGP does not take Alfred lightly and neither should SJF.  They could play the role of spoiler, but the Saxons have a brutal home stretch ending the season vs. Hobart, Ithaca and SJF. 

Not sure they will have anything left in the tank by the time week 10 rolls around, but TGP wouldn't sell them short.  Regardless of W-L record (which at 3-1 is solid), they are a tough team.