FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

3) AU will be very competitive again this season, we all know that.  I think they make the NCAA tournament this season finally.  They deserve it.  Quality program.

Inasmuch as Pep would like to see #3 come to fruition, the chance of that is slim at best if Fisher goes 10-0. Reason is that in 2007, there's still another AQ (PAC), thus further reducing the number of Pool C bids.

Pep believes the Saxons here in Mayberry are well aware that they can't rely on the goodwill of the NCAA Selection Committee.

The d3football.com specialists rate AU #30 in the land, but astutely predict the Saxons will once again miss the NCAAs. The NCAA Championships invite 32 teams, but not necessarily the best 32 teams in the land. It's too bad for "quality programs" like AU. But that's the way the cookie crumbles. Saxons will need to turn it up a notch or two in their own conference if they want to go to the party.

If I'm not mistaken, that's one fewer Pool B bid this year and the same number of Pool Cs. Pat or Ralph can correct me or I can look into it for you, but the PAC was always a Pool B conference, so it would make sense that when they converted to a Pool A, that's where they eliminate the bid from.

Also, I guess it's next year that the Northwest gets it's AQ, further dwindling Pool B.

When the SLIAC gets an AQ, that will be a case of a league actually stealing a bid, since none of those teams ever get one now.

re: Alfred and the playoffs, just hard to see them leapfrogging two of the three big E8 schools to get in, but stranger things have happened.

Pep is the first to admit he's confused as to which pool is which, and where everyone makes their splash. Sometimes he jumps into the wading pool only to find he's gone off the deep end.... 

[Tags]

+k for keeping the faith Pep.

[JQV]

Nice win for the Cubs last night.  Those are games you gotta win down the stretch in a pennant race.

On a side note, I predict Tim Linecum's career lasts no more than 3-5 years.  No way his arm can hold up under that stress.  Look what a similar delivery did to Koufax.

FA05: I think you are a little behind on your football questions.  All those questions have been debated ad nauseum already.  We need some new information to spice things up.  Just as a way of bringing you up to speed in case you weren't lurking when we discussed them, here is my memory of the general consensus:

How come nobody is talking about the Kickoff Preview??
Or about the upcoming season??  I wanna talk football!!  I wasn't sure we could talk about the specifics on the Preview.  Want to give the boys a chance to sell some more subscriptions.

1) Fisher predicted record of 10-0 (6-0)....That will be tough to do in the E8!will James Reile be able to carry the load like he did in '05??  I hope so.

James Reile cannot be a feature back. But Fisher's O-Line will be good again.

2) Springfield, from what I've read, might have some work to do on the defensive side of the ball after losing a majority of their starters.

SC's defense rarely matters.  Even if they give up an average of 35 points a game they have a shot at going 8-2.

3) AU will be very competitive again this season, we all know that.  I think they make the NCAA tournament this season finally.  They deserve it.  Quality program.

As per usual, AU is the question mark of the league.  In the old scenario when it was just IC and SJF fighting for the league title, AU had a good shot at being the dark horse.  Now, with SC rejuvenated, AU is probably on the outside looking in...again.

4) IC looks solid as always.  Will Juvan improve this season?  Will their offensive line be able to open holes for the so called 3 headed monster?

Juvan will certainly improve but the O-Line appears to be a gigantic question mark.  I am just as worried about the Bomber secondary (especially with the now Robby-less Cards looming) as I am about the O-Line.

Just in the interest of responding to everything that has been posted.  Keith, making your kids wear Iggles gear is child abuse.  Especially when your kids can't catch the kid wearing the Ronde jersey as he streaks into the end zone in the last play ever at the Vet.  Go Bucs. 

[Ralph Turner]

If I'm not mistaken, that's one fewer Pool B bid this year and the same number of Pool Cs. Pat or Ralph can correct me or I can look into it for you, but the PAC was always a Pool B conference, so it would make sense that when they converted to a Pool A, that's where they eliminate the bid from.

Also, I guess it's next year that the Northwest gets it's AQ, further dwindling Pool B.

When the SLIAC gets an AQ, that will be a case of a league actually stealing a bid, since none of those teams ever get one now.

re: Alfred and the playoffs, just hard to see them leapfrogging two of the three big E8 schools to get in, but stranger things have happened.

Good morning!

K-Mack is correct.

The Presidents' AC was a "Pool B" conference with its 6 members plus Pool B Thomas More back in 2004.  Those 7 schools now take that Pool B bid to Pool A.

The net effect of the shifting in the Illni-Badger Football Conference is for the Northern Athletics Conference to get a Pool A, (I am guessing in 2010) and for the  remainder of those Pool B schools who were competing in the UMAC and IBFC and as independents (Huntingdon and LaGrange) to take a bid from the Pool B allocation over to Pool A.  Thus, down one Pool B bid.

I really think that this is in a state of flux with the Division III/IV question.  If the D-IV's want to pull out, I think that that takes about 11 conferences to D-IV.  That permits 5 at-large teams to comprise a 4-week (16-team playoff bracket) for D-IV.

The remaining schools in D-III could then fill out as many bids as the allocations (read that Division I television contract moneys) allow towards a five-week (up to 32 team) bracket.

As projected on the Future of Division III message board, the Empire 8 is probably stays in Division III.

[maninorangehat]

Good Morning E8PP'ers

The night crew put in some work!

AU Pep Band is an officially recognized student organization at Alfred University.

Pep- The FDC has found that there are many benefits to not being an "official" organization recgonized by the Administration.

On a side note, I predict Tim Linecum's career lasts no more than 3-5 years. 

Jose- Are you giving odds for this prediction?  He looks more like Roy Oswalt to me... but MIOH wasn't around to see Koufax... Maybe Pep can chime in on that one (zing).

A little ninth inning magic!

Looked like a great win for the Mets tonight 'hats!

Great win for the Muts... MIOH thought we were toast going into the 9th w/ Millage, Difelice, & Marlon Anderson going against Hoffman. 

Exciting win for the cubs as well... It's nice to see Cliffy contribute... MIOH was always a fan of Cliff.

As far as putting gear on the little one's goes... I'm buying any future Jr. MIOH's Atlanta Brave dipers.

+K to all the night crew.

Go Bombers.

[realistic]

Wow - nice little morning reading of football and NL Baseball... I like it.

First off - Rediculous win last night for the mets.  7 wins in the last 8 (I know it wasn't the best comp...but I like it) and I'm headed out for Mets/Dodgers on Sunday Night.

I think K-Mack and Jose really have hit the nail on the head but I would say that this year is especially tough (or cruel) for AU.  Probably one of the best, if not the best teams in recent memory has to go through 3 tough E8 teams to make the playoffs and has one of the toughest ending schedules in the country.  Unfortunately for AU, it does not look like this will be the year.

As for SJF going 10-0... they are the team to beat but I just don't see any E8 team going undefeated.  Too many tough games, and for SJF and AU the Ithaca games are at Butterfield. 

In other news....+K to all for realistic getting the #1 pick in his bigger $ Fantasy League Draft.  Thank god for youtube making cross-country leagues fair...  LT here I come.

[fisheralum91]

I agree that Fisher going undefeated is a tall order, though if all the pieces come together- not out of the realm of possibility.
Lot of X factors but Id sure like to see it!

[superman57]

I think that if Fisher is able to overcome precious nightmares at butterball (see 05) then I think there is a legitmate chance that they could go undefeated...Fisher has proven that they can beat Sharpe on his on field and if they beat springfield and Ithaca...it won't really matter what happens in the AU game.... But I must say I think this could be the year that the east region is no longer the weakest of the 4

[theicdubbz]

If Mother nature holds out the way it did in 05 at Bomberland then Fisher has a better chance.  I think if it turns into a legendary mud bowl at butterfield then IC is victorious.  Last years springfield game shows Bomber dominance in the mud.

[tecmobowler]

Donovan is a mudder.

[JQV]

If I'm not mistaken, I think Donovan's mudder was also a mudder.

[maninyellowhat]

Loves the slop.  Eats it up!

Good reference Q.

[tecmobowler]

A reminder that the fantasy draft is tonight at 9:30!

[maninorangehat]

Loves the slop.  Eats it up!

Good reference Q.

This guy was also a mudder



AND BIRDSTONE wins the Belmont Stakes...

[tecmobowler]

That was a heck of a race call.

Glad to see Funny made it to Finger Lakes this year!