FB: Empire 8

[realistic]

I agree completely.  In addition to all of the other factors...down seasons, older facilities, coaching turnovers, Big East re-allignment, etc. I think the CNY factor is always huge.  Schools like 'cuse are at a huge disadvantage trying to convince kids (esp from the South) to spend 4 years in Syracuse winters.

[FisherAlum05]

Spiedie knows it is not D3, but Spiedie wants to know what it is going to take for the 'Cuse to turn it around. Are they on the right road? Any thoughts?

its tough.  I think Robinson has them headed in the right direction, but they were so far down I think it's gonna take some time.  Unfortunately I don't think Gross (AD) will give him too much longer to turn it around.  If they don't go at least .500 this season, I think theres a good chance he'll get canned.

Either way, it hasn't been pretty so far...

Turning it around will be like turning the Titanic around AFTER it hit the iceberg.  Its going to be a long time before they get that program back on its knees... not even feet.. that'll be a lot longer.  The players are incredibly slow, and its tough to recruit when you dont win much (i dont consider beating Buffalo much of a win).
Syracuse screwed up big when they got rid of Coach P.  So he had a couple down seasons... nothing like the last few Robinson years though.  Football in Syracuse hasnt been the same since McNabb era.  Losing Miami, and Boston College, and VA Tech didnt help either.  The Big East was headed in a great direction, even had Penn State on the fence considering to join at one point.  Who wants to play for Syracuse when they can play for WVA, USF, Louisville, and Rutgers... they dont get nearly the snow we get, not to mention, the girls are alot better looking there than in Syracuse. (I know, I live here)

With all the changes going on at SU, new A.D. , losing Manley Field house to Carmello's plan, a bball team that just lost all of its good players and now Rautins, a Lax team that has just missed NCAA's for the first time in 25 years... its tough times on the SU hill.  Not to mention 2 weeks ago they announced they were having talks with a private architect about the demolition of the Carrier Dome.  The answer to SU athletics problems... start playing DIII.

NSRB,

I agree with you on the football aspect.  I am a huge cuse fan and I must admit they have a long way to go. 

But basketball is definately a different story.  The only good player they lost was Nichols.  Watkins and Roberts were never really any good.  This years recruiting class is the absolute best in the country.  Johnny Flynn and Donte Green are two of the best recruits in the country bar none.  And Jardine and Jackson are also very good.  Plus they return Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf.  Cuse basketball will be a national championship contender very soon...

[FisherAlum05]

In all seriousness, I think the talen in D1 is just more spread out than it used to be and the schools that got that second cut of recruits are having to share more than ever. 

In Syracuse's case, they are losing kids to USF in Tampa for sure.  Cuse used to have a huge Tampa presence for some reason.  (I mean, why would a kid from Tampa want to go to college in Central New Yor....oh wait).  Now that USF is on the scene, and in the same conference, those kids are staying home. 

I would guess the same is true of Rutgers and kids from NJ, but I don't know.

Jose,

Definately you are right about that.  Syracuse used to get the best talent from NJ, and also alot of great talent from Florida.  That has definately changed over the last 5 years or so.  The NJ talent is staying put and kids from Florida have no reason to come up to Syracuse.  I think they give Robinson the rest of this season to prove they are progressing.  If they only win one (UB) I think he's gone.  Too much pressure from the public for immediate results.

[Caz Bombers]

Realistic--

What is "Carmelo's Plan" and what are they doing to/with Manley Field House?

[JQV]

In case you haven't noticed im a BC fan thats why I have to defend them.

I am a huge cuse fan and I must admit they have a long way to go. 

So which is it?

['gro]

Re: 'Cuse
part of the issue, and it's been going on for a while, is that the smaller conferences are grabbing good kids too (JoseQ mentioned that). The MAC and C-USA have been playing on Thursday nights to get more exposure. That helped build up teams like Louisville and USF, which then joined the Big East (now they have the momentum of a few good season, and BCS tie ins). Smaller conferences usually have a few showcase players (Tomlinson-TCU, Rothlisberger-Miami, Garrett-NIU) who either get heisman hype or become 1st round NFL picks.  Some kids would rather be a star at Bowling Green then "just another gangbanger with speed" at big time U.

any day I can quote the program is a good day.

[JQV]

any day I can quote the program is a good day.

"I know, that's why they brought me here."

[John McGraw]

The local players that do stay aren't making much of an impact. Remember the big deal when CBA's Bruce Williams and Lavar Lobdell decided to go to Syracuse instead of going to school out of state?

What have they done at SU? Nothing. Williams just doesn't have the size to be an impact receiver at the Division I level and Lobdell has nowhere near performed up to expectations.

Remember, Rice had committed to Syracuse. He played in the Dome in a couple of state title games as the tailback for New Rochelle. Then, he bolted when SU fired Coach P.

[ICemanJK]

IceManJK are you the new FDC T-shirt guy? 

If not your buddy can give us money to purcahse t-shirts from Mr. N.    we of course will pay him back as people buy.  or he can have the enriching experiences in the FDC lot while drinking sweet PBR!

So looks like im the new t-shirt guy.  And things have changed and i dont have practice Saterday morning, so ill be at the game bright and early...what time are people thinkin about getting there?  and MIOH, wanna PM on how much a box of shirts was? i might have the funds to spot a box...maybe two.

[Jonny Utah]

Re: 'Cuse
part of the issue, and it's been going on for a while, is that the smaller conferences are grabbing good kids too (JoseQ mentioned that). The MAC and C-USA have been playing on Thursday nights to get more exposure. That helped build up teams like Louisville and USF, which then joined the Big East (now they have the momentum of a few good season, and BCS tie ins). Smaller conferences usually have a few showcase players (Tomlinson-TCU, Rothlisberger-Miami, Garrett-NIU) who either get heisman hype or become 1st round NFL picks.  Some kids would rather be a star at Bowling Green then "just another gangbanger with speed" at big time U.

any day I can quote the program is a good day.

The Cuse needs to get the guys that WV is getting.  This new SG spread offense should have been a staple at Cuse before any other school.  Now Cuse is the odd man out.

[theoriginalupstate]

Week 1 upstate ranking....
http://campus.hws.edu/upstate/

1 St. John Fisher (14)  70

2 Ithaca 47

3 Hobart 39

4 Cortland 22

5 Rensselaer 11

t Union 11

Others receiving votes: Alfred 10.

3 schools did not vote.

[sjfcards]

The local players that do stay aren't making much of an impact. Remember the big deal when CBA's Bruce Williams and Lavar Lobdell decided to go to Syracuse instead of going to school out of state?

What have they done at SU? Nothing. Williams just doesn't have the size to be an impact receiver at the Division I level and Lobdell has nowhere near performed up to expectations.

Remember, Rice had committed to Syracuse. He played in the Dome in a couple of state title games as the tailback for New Rochelle. Then, he bolted when SU fired Coach P.

Not to mention that the Cuse is not keeping the legit bigtime players that are in the area. Mike Hart is from Onondoga, and went to Michigan? How can you let him get away. Jolan Dunbar is another one. He went to school at Corcoran in syracuse, and ended up at BC. It is hard enough to recruit when you don't have warm weather, a beach, and amazing women (like USC). It is really hard to recruit big time athletes with 10 foot snow drifts, a good academic program, and Dinosaur BBQ...although that probably does not hurt.

On to the smaller schools. Anybody have a prediction for Ithaca against Kings this weekend? I was actually impressed with Kings at the start of the game. I don't think they can beat IC, but they may have a chance to keep it close for a while
For this weekend I am thinking:

IC 34
Kings 17

Fisher 38
Buff State 10

SC 24
Union 17

Alfred 24
Thiel 7

[FisherAlum05]

In case you haven't noticed im a BC fan thats why I have to defend them.

I am a huge cuse fan and I must admit they have a long way to go. 

So which is it?

I grew up in syracuse.  one of my best friends from high school played at BC so I grew into a pretty big fan.  went to alot of games in boston.  now, since they are in different conferences, i can really root for both teams.  plus i just love football in general.

[FisherAlum05]

The local players that do stay aren't making much of an impact. Remember the big deal when CBA's Bruce Williams and Lavar Lobdell decided to go to Syracuse instead of going to school out of state?

What have they done at SU? Nothing. Williams just doesn't have the size to be an impact receiver at the Division I level and Lobdell has nowhere near performed up to expectations.

Remember, Rice had committed to Syracuse. He played in the Dome in a couple of state title games as the tailback for New Rochelle. Then, he bolted when SU fired Coach P.

Not to mention that the Cuse is not keeping the legit bigtime players that are in the area. Mike Hart is from Onondoga, and went to Michigan? How can you let him get away. Jolan Dunbar is another one. He went to school at Corcoran in syracuse, and ended up at BC. It is hard enough to recruit when you don't have warm weather, a beach, and amazing women (like USC). It is really hard to recruit big time athletes with 10 foot snow drifts, a good academic program, and Dinosaur BBQ...although that probably does not hurt.

On to the smaller schools. Anybody have a prediction for Ithaca against Kings this weekend? I was actually impressed with Kings at the start of the game. I don't think they can beat IC, but they may have a chance to keep it close for a while
For this weekend I am thinking:

IC 34
Kings 17

Fisher 38
Buff State 10

SC 24
Union 17

Alfred 24
Thiel 7

I'm thinking alot of blowouts:

IC 42
Kings 7

Fisher 42
Buff State 10

SC 35
Union 21

Alfred 28
Thiel   7

[AUPepBand]

Spiedie knows it is not D3, but Spiedie wants to know what it is going to take for the 'Cuse to turn it around. Are they on the right road? Any thoughts?

Step 1: Get new uniforms.  What high school kid in his right mind wants to look like this on television:



At this rate they are going to play Oregon in the Sharpie Accent Highlighter Bowl:



Or possibly the RCA Throw out your HDTV and Switch Back to Black & White Bowl.

                       Pep
Jose, you crack me up.....+K