FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

While Pep would like to say Alfred is going 10-0 in 2008, a key early game for the Saxons will be in Springfield, MA where they have never won. Was the 37-7 pounding a fluke? Will the Pride, humbled at Merrill in '07, bounce back to a Top 25 season as they've done before?

And, from Pep's perspective as a Saxon fan, the Ithaca team that Alfred lost to at Butterfield late in the season was a much stronger team than Fisher flattened early in the 2007 season. Ask any Mount Union fan which team was tougher last year and Pep thinks 9 out of 10 will say Ithaca. The Bombers have a lot coming back including a seasoned quarterback. Pep must give them the nod in 2008 as the favorite to win the E8.

There are many unanswered questions in the Fisher camp regarding losses of key personnel and coaches. Similar scenario at Alfred with the graduation of record-breaking QB Paul Keeley and a good number of other solid contributors; but the coaching staff remains intact. A head coaching change at Utica, likewise, may make a world of difference, especially considering the fact he's an IC grad who's been defensive coordinator at Fisher. The Pioneers will make significant progress and be much more competitive, which should concern Hartwick fans who saw their Hawks eke out a 72-70 OT win last season to retain E8 bragging rights. Hartwick returns a potent offense but the Hawks are much better when they are hovering around Wright Stadium.

Norwich's marching band stands a better chance of getting an E8 Marching Band Championship than the football team grabbing a win in its final year in the E8. So it could look something like this:

1) Ithaca  (6-0)
2) Fisher  (5-1)
3) Alfred  (3-3)
4) Springfield  (3-3)
5) Hartwick (3-3)
6) Utica (1-5)
7) Norwich (0-6)

[HHawks]

The reigning empire 8 champs Hartwick will surprise once again. The reigning Melberger award winner Jason Boltus , first team All American WR Jack Phelan , experienced Offensive line, and improved defense will continue their dominance on teams. And just to clear things up Hartwick was 3-3 on the road last year. And if it wasn't for a couple missed 4th and goals against Alfred, and a stinker to open the season, they would of been 10-1 last year, so my predictions isn't that far off. And to clear things up, no I do not play on the football team at hartwick!

[superman57]

The reigning empire 8 champs Hartwick will surprise once again. The reigning Melberger award winner Jason Boltus , first team All American WR Jack Phelan , experienced Offensive line, and improved defense will continue their dominance on teams. And just to clear things up Hartwick was 3-3 on the road last year. And if it wasn't for a couple missed 4th and goals against Alfred, and a stinker to open the season, they would of been 10-1 last year, so my predictions isn't that far off. And to clear things up, no I do not play on the football team at hartwick!

Dude you guys lost to CURRY...I'll tell ya what beat fisher or IC at their houses, and we will talk...I'm not doubting that Boltus is an awesome qb, but you guys proved over and over that you can't win on the road...I mean you BARELY beat Utica... So before you go out saying Wick is gonna run the table lets see them win on the road...

[Jonny Utah]

The reigning empire 8 champs Hartwick will surprise once again. The reigning Melberger award winner Jason Boltus , first team All American WR Jack Phelan , experienced Offensive line, and improved defense will continue their dominance on teams. And just to clear things up Hartwick was 3-3 on the road last year. And if it wasn't for a couple missed 4th and goals against Alfred, and a stinker to open the season, they would of been 10-1 last year, so my predictions isn't that far off. And to clear things up, no I do not play on the football team at hartwick!

Ithaca will pound Hartwick next year like no team has ever been pounded.  In fact, Hartwick might consider dropping football again after the IC game this year. 

[pg04]

An outsider's prediction looks like this...

1) Ithaca  (6-0)  -- NCAA Bid
2) Fisher  (4-2)   
3) Alfred  (3-3)
4) Hartwick (3-3)
5) Springfield  (3-3)
6) Utica (2-4)
7) Norwich (0-6)

[Pat Coleman]

It takes a lot of work to go 0-2 against the NEFC.

[boobyhasgameyo]

While Pep would like to say Alfred is going 10-0 in 2008, a key early game for the Saxons will be in Springfield, MA where they have never won. Was the 37-7 pounding a fluke? Will the Pride, humbled at Merrill in '07, bounce back to a Top 25 season as they've done before?

And, from Pep's perspective as a Saxon fan, the Ithaca team that Alfred lost to at Butterfield late in the season was a much stronger team than Fisher flattened early in the 2007 season. Ask any Mount Union fan which team was tougher last year and Pep thinks 9 out of 10 will say Ithaca. The Bombers have a lot coming back including a seasoned quarterback. Pep must give them the nod in 2008 as the favorite to win the E8.

There are many unanswered questions in the Fisher camp regarding losses of key personnel and coaches. Similar scenario at Alfred with the graduation of record-breaking QB Paul Keeley and a good number of other solid contributors; but the coaching staff remains intact. A head coaching change at Utica, likewise, may make a world of difference, especially considering the fact he's an IC grad who's been defensive coordinator at Fisher. The Pioneers will make significant progress and be much more competitive, which should concern Hartwick fans who saw their Hawks eke out a 72-70 OT win last season to retain E8 bragging rights. Hartwick returns a potent offense but the Hawks are much better when they are hovering around Wright Stadium.

Norwich's marching band stands a better chance of getting an E8 Marching Band Championship than the football team grabbing a win in its final year in the E8. So it could look something like this:

1) Ithaca  (6-0)
2) Fisher  (5-1)
3) Alfred  (3-3)
4) Springfield  (3-3)
5) Hartwick (3-3)
6) Utica (1-5)
7) Norwich (0-6)

Pep you constantly say that the Ithaca team you faced was sooo much tougher than the team Fisher destroyed, then reference the one game vs. Mount Union as the reason to back up that theory.  Well even if we don't factor in what the Mount Union people always talk about, and that is the 2nd time Mount Union faces a team they usually bury them...Lets just look at alot of the common opponents Fisher and Ithaca faced at the end of the year, it looks pretty similar if you ask me, I don't know how Ithaca would get the nod in your head, especially considering how the head to head matchup went. 


Opponent                    Fisher                            Ithaca

Utica                                        +38 margin of victory               +37
Alfred                                       +21                                         +17
Springfield                               +21                                          +27
Norwich                                   +46                                          +35
Mount Union                            -42                                           -24


So I mean even your own team lost by more to Fisher the very next week than the glorified Ithaca team, but because they didn't lose as bad to one team it's all a wash? 

[fisheralum91]

Whoa boys.
First off i agree with Jose--if the wick kid is a player- then this could be fun!!
Second--In all reality----Fisher guys---and trust me i am as loyal as it gets---you really think that a 9 win season is in the "cards"
That is a lot to ask from a team with so many question marks!

Oh--and Ethel-- i am glad you have even heard of Utica School of Commerce let alone mention it on here!!

[Ethelred the Unready]

Oh--and Ethel-- i am glad you have even heard of Utica School of Commerce let alone mention it on here!!

Are you kidding?  No Friday classes?  GENIUS!

[fisheralum91]

(taking a bow)
Thank you, thank you.

I do what i can!!

oh- and im humble too

[theicdubbz]

Gentleman I appreciate the Bomber praise.  Almost all, except the MORON from Hartwick likes the Bombers.  I think its a little early for me to predict because we have lost the "3."    With the Fish gaining some power to an already stacked team they are going to be good.   I think Utica will fall to them however, so it will again come down to the Bomber Cardinal game for the E8 crown.   Fadgiano will turn that thing around in 2 years time. 

boring post, yes, so...hey ballz!

Go Bombers. 

Cortland Sucks Cardinals!

[skunks_sidekick]

Greetings from MUC country!

Based on what I saw at the end of last year, and with what Ithaca has coming back this year (especially that QB), I would give the nod to the Bombers at this point. 

HOWEVER......SJF could be getting to that point (and this year will be the big test) where they are ALWAYS a favorite due to the continued pipeline of talented players who decide to go there because of prior success.  That is what really allows Mount to "reload....not rebuild". 

We will see a few of you in about a month!

[superman57]

I am not one of those that feel Fisher is going to breeze through... I predict that fisher will finish with 2 or 3 loses, I say they beat Ithaca in a close game and then they will Lose to MUC, maybe salisbury, and I say the miscelanous lose this year for fisher will be at Alfred

[PrideFan1]

After reading some of these bold Hartwick posts I felt the need to expose the man behind the posts.

#98 Randy Browne

GP Solo  Ast Total   TFL/Yds  
7     6      1   6.5     1.0-4

I couldn't get his picture to work but its on wick's website. As for my 08 E8 final standings prediction...

1. Alfred
2. SJF
3. Ithaca
4. Springfield
5. Utica
6. Hartwick
7. Norwich

[HHawks]

Ummmm good try but no im not Randy Browne. And i dont see whats the problem with me having confident in hartwick. Im not completely biased, I also think Ithaca would be really good this year. So im no more of a moron then the rest of the idiots who are completely biased by picking their teams to win it all. With that said thanks for the warm welcoming to the boards. lol