FB: Empire 8

[SJFF82]

preseason poll out--congrats Fisher on the #10 spot

now the trick is keeping it!!!!

The 'bad' thing about SJF's success for 5+ years now is that there are  no 'pats' on the back for a preseason #10 ranking...especially when you are staring at MUC on the road in Week 1...then UR, Salisbury, IC, Springfield, Alfred and even 'Wick.  SJF now appreciates that winning in November and December (if you are good enough to still have those games matter) is what counts and not what some voters who still think Capital is better than SJF think...

[HHawks]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

In case you forgot...

Wick went 0-2 vs the NEFC and gave that conference their first NCAA victory.  How come everyone remembers that except for the Hartwick faithful?

Thats probably why they didnt recieve so many votes!

We all know they lost to western new england and curry, but they also was 2-0 against #10 st john fisher, and #17 Ithaca. I personally think pre season polls are stupid and pointless. And considering where they were ranked at the beginning of last season 12 votes is alot.

[SJFF82]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

In case you forgot...

Wick went 0-2 vs the NEFC and gave that conference their first NCAA victory.  How come everyone remembers that except for the Hartwick faithful?

Thats probably why they didnt recieve so many votes!

We all know they lost to western new england and curry, but they also was 2-0 against #10 st john fisher, and #17 Ithaca. I personally think pre season polls are stupid and pointless. And considering where they were ranked at the beginning of last season 12 votes is alot.

cant argue wit 'dat

[saxondeuce]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

I think you should pleased that Hartwick even received votes....Is this the first year that it's even happened?  As for Ithaca...why are they ranked so high?  Probably the 34 Straight winning seasons (I may be wrong there, it could be higher) They also have been to that thing called the Stagg bowl a few times...may have won a few as well.  With a history like that a team will get the respect in the polls they deserve.  They are also a good team..so I don't really have a problem with them being ranked so high.  As for Alfred, I didn't expect anything..would have been nice to receive some votes, but just means they will have to work hard this season to get noticed.  I always felt we played better when we weren't ranked or noticed to be honest.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

I think you should pleased that Hartwick even received votes....Is this the first year that it's even happened?  As for Ithaca...why are they ranked so high?  Probably the 34 Straight winning seasons (I may be wrong there, it could be higher) They also have been to that thing called the Stagg bowl a few times...may have won a few as well.  With a history like that a team will get the respect in the polls they deserve.  They are also a good team..so I don't really have a problem with them being ranked so high.  As for Alfred, I didn't expect anything..would have been nice to receive some votes, but just means they will have to work hard this season to get noticed.  I always felt we played better when we weren't ranked or noticed to be honest.

I would sincerely hope the poll voters wouldn't take into account Ithaca winning a Stagg bowl in the 70's, 80's, and last one in 1991 when I was 7 years old into the 2008 pre-season poll.  I get you are saying and everything but it should just be based solely on this upcoming year and Ithaca looks like they will be a very good team so they were ranked in the top 20. 

[Jonny Utah]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

I think you should pleased that Hartwick even received votes....Is this the first year that it's even happened?  As for Ithaca...why are they ranked so high?  Probably the 34 Straight winning seasons (I may be wrong there, it could be higher) They also have been to that thing called the Stagg bowl a few times...may have won a few as well.  With a history like that a team will get the respect in the polls they deserve.  They are also a good team..so I don't really have a problem with them being ranked so high.  As for Alfred, I didn't expect anything..would have been nice to receive some votes, but just means they will have to work hard this season to get noticed.  I always felt we played better when we weren't ranked or noticed to be honest.

I would sincerely hope the poll voters wouldn't take into account Ithaca winning a Stagg bowl in the 70's, 80's, and last one in 1991 when I was 7 years old into the 2008 pre-season poll.  I get you are saying and everything but it should just be based solely on this upcoming year and Ithaca looks like they will be a very good team so they were ranked in the top 20. 

Heres why I think Ithaca should be ranked right where they are:

-They have 6 returning starters on offense.  And this is an offense that basically tore apart one of the best defenses in the country in the air.  And they also showed in their last 3-5 games that they improved and could compete with anyone.  Included in this returning offense:

*-QB Juvan:  This kid impressed me more than any QB I have ever seen at the d3 level in the last 4 games in the season.  There was no defense (including MT Union) that stopped this kid.  He tore them apart.

*-TE Weverbergh:  Returning starter and preseason all-american, this kid is a #1 WR and a #1 olineman that can block.  He can do it all.  Returning with another starter, WR K. Crandall, Juvan will have a few returning targets that were deadly last year.

*-3 returning OLineman.  Gray, Mirkov, and Russo all return from an oline that seemed to gel towards the end of the season.

*-6 returning starters on defense, including 5 guys up front in the 3-4 defense.  2 DL and 3 LBs return from a defense that improved 1000% from a year ago.  I was really impressed with freshman LB Lonson Becker who had one of the hardest hits Ive ever seen at the d3 level in the MT Union game.  Id look for their run defense to be deadly this year.

*-a special teams unit that will include the NCAA returning leader in punt return average Jason Chier and a team return leading 18.06 yards a return.  This kid was good and their special teams should be one of the nations best from what I saw last year.  Again, I thought they did an awesome job against Mt. Union and Cortland last year.


I see two (potential) weaknesses comming into this year:

1) The running game.  Ithaca loses both great running backs (Donovon and Baez) and its fullback (Ross).  This seems to be a question mark this year.  Any freshman comming in?

2) Secondary.  IC loses 3/4 starters from last years secondary.  Inexperienced secondaries are never a great sign, but I also do not know who they have for back ups.

Im not sure if all these guys mentioned above are comming back.  Im basing them on who were underclassmen last year.  But I think the preseason ranking is well deserved.  As long as they werent ranked behind cortland like in the other poll.  Now I guess we know why his poll is the only one that counts.

[AUPepBand]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

I think you should pleased that Hartwick even received votes....Is this the first year that it's even happened?  As for Ithaca...why are they ranked so high?  Probably the 34 Straight winning seasons (I may be wrong there, it could be higher) They also have been to that thing called the Stagg bowl a few times...may have won a few as well.  With a history like that a team will get the respect in the polls they deserve.  They are also a good team..so I don't really have a problem with them being ranked so high.  As for Alfred, I didn't expect anything..would have been nice to receive some votes, but just means they will have to work hard this season to get noticed.  I always felt we played better when we weren't ranked or noticed to be honest.

Ol' Alex Yunevich (Pep, per guru's orders, must be careful not to use "Legendary" as title to AU's old coach),  after his Saxons had pulled out a big win and his boys were starting to feel pretty good about "getting noticed," would often tell his boys to bring their press clippings to next Saturday's game because he was certain that the boys on the other side of the ball would be impressed. Of course, Pep knows he said it a bit differently, but that's the gist of it.

[AUPepBand]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

I think you should pleased that Hartwick even received votes....Is this the first year that it's even happened?  As for Ithaca...why are they ranked so high?  Probably the 34 Straight winning seasons (I may be wrong there, it could be higher) They also have been to that thing called the Stagg bowl a few times...may have won a few as well.  With a history like that a team will get the respect in the polls they deserve.  They are also a good team..so I don't really have a problem with them being ranked so high.  As for Alfred, I didn't expect anything..would have been nice to receive some votes, but just means they will have to work hard this season to get noticed.  I always felt we played better when we weren't ranked or noticed to be honest.

I would sincerely hope the poll voters wouldn't take into account Ithaca winning a Stagg bowl in the 70's, 80's, and last one in 1991 when I was 7 years old into the 2008 pre-season poll.  I get you are saying and everything but it should just be based solely on this upcoming year and Ithaca looks like they will be a very good team so they were ranked in the top 20. 

Heres why I think Ithaca should be ranked right where they are:

-They have 6 returning starters on offense.  And this is an offense that basically tore apart one of the best defenses in the country in the air.  And they also showed in their last 3-5 games that they improved and could compete with anyone.  Included in this returning offense:

*-QB Juvan:  This kid impressed me more than any QB I have ever seen at the d3 level in the last 4 games in the season.  There was no defense (including MT Union) that stopped this kid.  He tore them apart.

*-TE Weverbergh:  Returning starter and preseason all-american, this kid is a #1 WR and a #1 olineman that can block.  He can do it all.  Returning with another starter, WR K. Crandall, Juvan will have a few returning targets that were deadly last year.

*-3 returning OLineman.  Gray, Mirkov, and Russo all return from an oline that seemed to gel towards the end of the season.

*-6 returning starters on defense, including 5 guys up front in the 3-4 defense.  2 DL and 3 LBs return from a defense that improved 1000% from a year ago.  I was really impressed with freshman LB Lonson Becker who had one of the hardest hits Ive ever seen at the d3 level in the MT Union game.  Id look for their run defense to be deadly this year.

*-a special teams unit that will include the NCAA returning leader in punt return average Jason Chier and a team return leading 18.06 yards a return.  This kid was good and their special teams should be one of the nations best from what I saw last year.  Again, I thought they did an awesome job against Mt. Union and Cortland last year.


I see two (potential) weaknesses comming into this year:

1) The running game.  Ithaca loses both great running backs (Donovon and Baez) and its fullback (Ross).  This seems to be a question mark this year.  Any freshman comming in?

2) Secondary.  IC loses 3/4 starters from last years secondary.  Inexperienced secondaries are never a great sign, but I also do not know who they have for back ups.

Im not sure if all these guys mentioned above are comming back.  Im basing them on who were underclassmen last year.  But I think the preseason ranking is well deserved.  As long as they werent ranked behind cortland like in the other poll.  Now I guess we know why his poll is the only one that counts.

Well stated, JU. Juvan had a couple of big plays in the fourth quarter against my Saxons in '07 that he couldn't muster at Merrill in '06. His senior season will no doubt be special. And, if Pep remembers correctly, the IC defense shut down Hendrix that game during a season that the tailback went for a school record 1406 yards.

Pep hopes this year's game at Merrill Field will have the E8 still up for grabs and that the First Down Club will be mobiling to Mayberry in full force. Speaking of FDC.....what's up, FDCers?

[fisheralum91]

Hey-
Fisher coming out of the blocks at ten is a good thing.
IC being ranked high as well as Cortland could make for interesting things come cortaca.
That being said---it is a preseason poll and nobody has laced them up yet so the waiting begins.
Any news from Fisher camp yet?

[saxondeuce]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

I think you should pleased that Hartwick even received votes....Is this the first year that it's even happened?  As for Ithaca...why are they ranked so high?  Probably the 34 Straight winning seasons (I may be wrong there, it could be higher) They also have been to that thing called the Stagg bowl a few times...may have won a few as well.  With a history like that a team will get the respect in the polls they deserve.  They are also a good team..so I don't really have a problem with them being ranked so high.  As for Alfred, I didn't expect anything..would have been nice to receive some votes, but just means they will have to work hard this season to get noticed.  I always felt we played better when we weren't ranked or noticed to be honest.

I would sincerely hope the poll voters wouldn't take into account Ithaca winning a Stagg bowl in the 70's, 80's, and last one in 1991 when I was 7 years old into the 2008 pre-season poll.  I get you are saying and everything but it should just be based solely on this upcoming year and Ithaca looks like they will be a very good team so they were ranked in the top 20. 

I understand...but what the Hartwick faithful dont take into account is that they are very new to this success (one season)...They are complaining that they aren't getting the Recognition that they think they deserve...So yes, polls should be based on the previous season and the potential for the next season, but some history and tradition are bound to make its way into the voting.  Example (not very likely) If Mt. Union were to go 7 and 3 this year and not make any postseason, chances are they would still be ranked in the 2009 pre season poll.

[fisheralum91]

the only thing im waiting for next from the wick faithful is the respect crap......cmon wait for it.............its gotta happen at some point on here!

[theoriginalupstate]

Good to see the Empire 8 well represented.... I'm a little disappointed Hartwick didn't receive more votes, Alfred didn't receive any, and Ithaca is ranked so high....

In case you forgot...

Wick went 0-2 vs the NEFC and gave that conference their first NCAA victory.  How come everyone remembers that except for the Hartwick faithful?

Thats probably why they didnt recieve so many votes!

We all know they lost to western new england and curry, but they also was 2-0 against #10 st john fisher, and #17 Ithaca. I personally think pre season polls are stupid and pointless. And considering where they were ranked at the beginning of last season 12 votes is alot.

Big difference between losing on the road vs the NEFC and winning tight games at home vs ranked teams.

Im sorry but the losses overshadow your big wins last season.

[fisheralum91]

Upstate- i agree- there is also the fact that there will be no suprises this year-Wick wont come out of nowhere.

Listen - before you wick guys blow a gasket--you had a hell of a season- i was at the fisher game and you played your hearts out.  I just dont think you have the staying power to keep up with the big boys.  One more good season--pobably--after that who knows.


But before you all start going nuts---it took a LONG time for Fisher to get where they are today--just glad that they got there!!
Way too much time as the door mat!

[Ethelred the Unready]

I'm pretty new to the E8 football scene, and frankly do not have a deep abiding allegence to any E8 team, but I am curious about something I've heard.  Not sure where I heard it or from who, but there is a feeling that Fishers rise coincides with the Bills coming to campus for training camp.  Is that accurate and if so how does it help.  I mean with the Bills sucking and all....  JUST KIDDING!  Is it a matter of a higher profile.  Better facilities (I assume they would have to be)?  Just curious

[fisheralum91]

Not a coincidence.
The fact that the Bills moved the training camp out of Fredonia and to Fisher put the campus on a national stage with improvement of every football related facility.
Was the team improving before the arrival of the Bills- yes, but this springboarded the program and gave them the real ability to recruit blue chippers.