FB: Liberty League

[Jonny Utah]

Right, but now your numbers come at least into the ballpark of ours, winning percentage wise.

Good think a lot of Montclairs opponents scheduled Morrisville St.

[union89]

Dear LLPPers,

I'm torn about an issue and was hoping you could help me with the problem.  I discussed this with RT last night, and I think he's disappointed in me for taking the stance I have already.  Perhaps I need to re-evaluate said stance.

Here's the issue:  I can't find it inside me to root for Ithaca this weekend.  It's not that I'm a huge fan of Mount Union -- I'm somewhat ambivalent toward Mt. Union now that Garcon is gone.  I found it much easier to root for Fisher last year because, while I think a lot of the Fisher rhetoric about being the team of destiny was a little stoopid, I respect the fact that they played a hardcore schedule over the last seven or eight years to build their program up to where it is today.  In the case of Ithaca, though, I'm really sick of the Bombers and their rhetoric -- sort of in a "what have you done for me lately" approach.

The thing that tipped me toward this lack of support for Ithaca this year is the withdrawal from ECAC consideration when they were well on the outside looking in on the NCAA Playoff bubble.  It just made no sense and almost smells of "the ECACs don't deserve us" mentality.  Sure, Union would have benefitted from such brattyness, but it undermines the institution of the ECAC Bowls, love them or hate them, that allows teams to have a little time in the spotlight before turning in their uniforms for the season.

So, I ask you LLPPers, am I wrong for my refusal to root for Ithaca to this point?  I mean, 27% of the voters in the E8PP think Ithaca will win Saturday -- should I join this bandwagon?  Should I join the frothy discussion going on in the E8PP?  Or is it acceptable to retain my current stance and pretty much root for a well-played game in which Ithaca gets its tail handed to it like Mt. Union's other ten opponents this year?

Please help me with this troubling issue, LLPPers.  I thank you in advance.

Your friend,

Frank "the Tank" Rossi

U89 has read no responses to Frank's note yet, but here is U89's response....

Frank, grow a set of stones....
How can you not root for a fellow Eastern team ESPECIALLY against MUC??  A victory for Ithaca or any other teams in this geography is huge for the east....I don't like what IC pulled with the ECAC process, but that situation should be pretty easy to get past.  Heck, I hate Widener and thier fans, but would love to see them dominate that bracket.

U89 was going to go on a longer rant, but feels that FR might just be attempting to stir up some debate....no true LL supporter can honestly feel that way.

[union89]

Here's a hack at previewing the Bart-SJF game (homer alert!) 

NCAA Play-off Preview:   #5 Hobart vs. #2 St John Fisher

With RPI's (8-1, 5-1) 20-14 victory over Union College (5-4, 4-2), the Statesmen had to hope for a Pool C "at large" invitation.  Fortunately for Hobart, on Sunday morning the Selection Committee rewarded the Statesmen's efforts with a #5 seeding in the East Region Bracket.  For the second time in 2 weeks, Hobart will make the short drive to Rochester, but this time will head to the campus of the St John Fisher Cardinals (9-1, 5-1).  SJF also made the field of 32 as a Pool C entrant having lost earlier in the year to Hartwick (8-2, 5-1) who won the Empire 8 Conference's Pool A bid following a 72-70 4 OT victory over Utica.

Like Hobart (averaging nearly 39 pts a game), Fisher has a high powered offense.  SJF QB Rob Kramer has had a great season throwing 143-230-6 for 62.2% completions, 1894 yds and 25 TDs (162 QB efficiency - almost identical to Strom's rating.  In general Strom's stats are only slightly better in all categories except for yardage where he has thrown for over 600 yds more than Kramer).  Kramer can also tuck and run, having gained 162 yds and 3 rushing TDs (compared to Strom's 393 yds and 3 TDs).  SJF RB Ryan Hanson is the Cardinals leading rusher tallying 951 yds and 11 TDs.  RB James Reile is a good change of pace for SJF, adding 636 yds and 7 TDs.

Like Strom, Kramer also has a solid trio of WRs.  SJF WR Jimmy Smith is Kramer's favorite target with 39 catches for 653 yds and 12 TDs.  Smith was responsible for SJF's longest TD reception on the season, a 97 yarder that helped lead SJF over Brockport 45-7 back in October.

Looking at the big picture, for Hobart to beat SJF, they will need to figure out a way to solve for SJF's defense, while maitaining their own brand of "bend, don't break" defensive play that helped them into the play-offs. 

Hobart thrives on Strom's ability to move the chains and leverage off of deep threats LiDrazzah (56 catches, 821 yds, 9 TD) and Wright (55R-850YD-12TD) to stretch the field.  Since the Statesmen don't really have a primary back, expect Coach Cragg to continue the rotation of Hobaica (569 yds, 7 TD), Marlier (284 yds, 6 TD), and Gilardi (302 yds, 5 TD) to give SJF different looks.  A key match up will be how Hobart's FBs Rob Nieves and/or Dan Bittner help isolate the SJF LBs to give the Statesmen RB's a chance to gain some yards against their extremely stingy rush defense.

Aside from Hobart's slight advantage in total offense and SJF's scoring and rushing defense advantages, the match ups are pretty even across the board (sorry, but TGP was too stoopid and couldn't get the damn numbers to line up).

   Hobart   SJF
Scoring Offense   38.3   39
Rushing Yds/Game   170.7   189.1
TDs Rushing   23   24
Passing Yds/Game   272.6   198.8
TDs Passing   28   25
Total Offense   443.3   387.9
TOP   33:20:00   30:13:00
INTs thrown   2   7
Fumbles lost   3   4
     
Scoring Defense   22.5   12.8
Rush Allowed   153.2   91.9
Rush TD Allowed   20   5
Pass Allowed   154.3   180.7
Pass TD Allowed   9   11
INTs   16   23
FR   6   8
     
Avg Penalties   39.5   44.5
Punting (Net Avg)   32.5   36.8
FGs   77%   69%
Long FG   41   40
PATs   92%   94%
Kick Return AVG   20.1   25.2
Punt Return AVG   6.2   13.8

For SJF to beat Hobart, they will need to get Strom to do something he rarely has done all season and that's to throw interceptions.  TGP expects SJF to blitz Strom a lot meaning the Statesmen will have opportunities to get the ball to LiDrazzah and Wright (possibly Vincent who has emerged as a strong possesion receiver in the last few games) since they'll be in single coverage.  TE Matt Duliba is also a viable option due to his size (6'1", 225) and speed.

Hobart's experienced secondary should be up to the task.  James Alexander leads the Statesmen D with 8 picks on the season.  Justin Hager (LB) leads the team in tackles (99), while Jim Drury (DL) and Kwame Lovell (OLB) lead the Statesmen with 4 and 3 sacks, respectively.  SJF's OL will need to account for Sr DL Ryan Aruck who's 3rd on the team in tackles (47) and often freeing up Hager to make tackles because he's drawing double teams from the opposition's line.

Although Hobart leads the all-time series 10-4, SJF has won the last 2 meetings (with 17-14 and 20-12 wins in 2002 and 2003, respectively).  Neither team has played the other since 2003.  This season the only common opponents between the 2 schools were Rochester; who Hobart beat last weekend and SJF defeated in Week 3 of the season by a score of 37-21 and Alfred; who Hobart beat in Week 8 41-22 and SJF beat last weekend 39-18.

For this weekend's game, TGP is going to bank on Andy Strom being the difference.  In fact, going into the Rochester game, Hobart lead the nation with fewest turnovers lost.  The ability to control TOP and not make drive killing mistakes will be a key component to Hobart's success against SJF.

TGP believes the game will be more of defensive battle than both teams are used to playing with Hobart struggling to establish the run and SJF having success moving the chains but not scoring points.  In the end it will come down to which defense makes the big play (basically forcing the opposing offense to make a critical mistake).  My money is on Strom (and Ancona, Hobart's Sr PK and leading scorer with 77 pts on 10-13 FG and 47-51 PATs) to lead Hobart past the Cardinals by a FG.

TGP's Prediction:

Hobart 27 - St John Fisher 24

+1...as always, great analysis.

[maxpower]

In defense of IC pulling out of the ECAC's... not many teams have a game like Cortaca to end their season. Unless you get to the playoffs, Cortaca is the BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR, hands down. You're playing in front of 12,000 people when you're used to 1,500, all screaming at the top of their drunken lungs. It's hard to top that, I can see why IC would want to end its season with a bang... after Cortaca, no game is a bang.

[tecmobowler]

Ithaca has done this with the ECAC's the past few years.  I don't think it's so much that the program sees itself above the ECAC'S.  

Rather, what is the right way to end the season?  In front of 10,000 fans against your biggest rival, or against some goofy NEFC team for some fictional championship.  I'd love to see the team play again if given the oppotunity, but you can at least see where the team is coming from by choosing the former.  

[union89]

And Montclairs OPW was higher than ICs....

The numbers differ with that assessment:

http://www.d3football.com/strength-of-schedule/2007

I guess I dont know exactly what Opponents Winning Percentage is.

Ithacas opponents were 49-51 and Montclairs were 52-18.  And all the games were in-region.  Maybe Im adding wrong.

There is an Ithaca joke here, but U89 is rising above....

[Frank Rossi]

In defense of IC pulling out of the ECAC's... not many teams have a game like Cortaca to end their season. Unless you get to the playoffs, Cortaca is the BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR, hands down. You're playing in front of 12,000 people when you're used to 1,500, all screaming at the top of their drunken lungs. It's hard to top that, I can see why IC would want to end its season with a bang... after Cortaca, no game is a bang.

Then why did they file for the ECACs in the first place, only to withdraw?  Their schedule didn't change between the filing deadline and their date of withdrawal.

[maxpower]

In defense of IC pulling out of the ECAC's... not many teams have a game like Cortaca to end their season. Unless you get to the playoffs, Cortaca is the BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR, hands down. You're playing in front of 12,000 people when you're used to 1,500, all screaming at the top of their drunken lungs. It's hard to top that, I can see why IC would want to end its season with a bang... after Cortaca, no game is a bang.

Then why did they file for the ECACs in the first place, only to withdraw?  Their schedule didn't change between the filing deadline and their date of withdrawal.

Beats me. Maybe Welchy got more confident for Cortaca after the SC and Alfred games.

[Knightstalker]

Frank, I do not know about all programs but several of the NJAC basketball coaches will declare for the ECAC's but leave it up to the players whether or not they go.  Ithaca may have had the players vote on it and they decided not to go.

[Frank Rossi]

In defense of IC pulling out of the ECAC's... not many teams have a game like Cortaca to end their season. Unless you get to the playoffs, Cortaca is the BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR, hands down. You're playing in front of 12,000 people when you're used to 1,500, all screaming at the top of their drunken lungs. It's hard to top that, I can see why IC would want to end its season with a bang... after Cortaca, no game is a bang.

Then why did they file for the ECACs in the first place, only to withdraw?  Their schedule didn't change between the filing deadline and their date of withdrawal.

Beats me. Maybe Welchy got more confident for Cortaca after the SC and Alfred games.

Ummm...and that would matter because...?  You're saying the coach thought they were headed for a loss vs. Cortland by filing for the ECACs?  Wow, his players would've responded well to that mentality.

Anybody else wanna give this one a try?

[Frank Rossi]

Frank, I do not know about all programs but several of the NJAC basketball coaches will declare for the ECAC's but leave it up to the players whether or not they go.  Ithaca may have had the players vote on it and they decided not to go.

That one's more feasible, KS.  However, there's this point:  Ithaca felt they were in at 8-2.  Ithaca knew they were out if they lost to Cortland at 7-3.  Would you rather end on a win or loss?  With a loss, they were in the ECACs for a potential final win.  From my experience this weekend with the Union players, players don't want to end on a loss, no matter what, especially to their rival.

[Pat Coleman]

I'm sure it's possible for Ithaca to feel differently.

[Frank Rossi]

I'm sure it's possible for Ithaca to feel differently.

I'll take that under advisement.

[Tags]

Hey, I know this was discussed a while back, but can anyone help explain to me how to get i-tunes over to my new laptop?

[DanPadavona]

Ithaca has done this with the ECAC's the past few years.  I don't think it's so much that the program sees itself above the ECAC'S. 

Rather, what is the right way to end the season?  In front of 10,000 fans against your biggest rival, or against some goofy NEFC team for some fictional championship.  I'd love to see the team play again if given the oppotunity, but you can at least see where the team is coming from by choosing the former. 

Fictional Championship?  It's for the Championship for all of New England!