FB: Liberty League

[Senor RedTackle]

C'mon RT -

Middle of no-where?

Hmm.

TGP would take this:



over



and don't even get TGP started on WS vs. RPI-Friendosaurus co-ed comparison.....

LOL...nice find on the Troy pic. What...you don't want to be part of this??

[Senor RedTackle]

C'mon RT -

Middle of no-where?

Hmm.

TGP would take this:



over



and don't even get TGP started on WS vs. RPI-Friendosaurus co-ed comparison.....

RT thinks the similarities are striking...

[Senor RedTackle]

Frank...seriously, you are going to have a coronary and miss the Sat pregame show. Have a cocktail, take a break from the board....RT needs you for SAT!!!!

[labart96]

now that's a LOL!  k+

[lewdogg11]

Dude, RPI is not good enough to 'phone it in'!!! Only good teams like Ithaca and Cortland can do that.

why do you always find a reason to badmouth your own school?? If it isn't the scheduling, now they're not in the same league as Cortland or IC? RPI has done as much as either of those 2 teams on a national level in the last 10 years....man, RT doesn't know about you LD....

Dude, are you serious?  That was the most sarcastic post of all time.  My point was that when RPI wins an ECAC game, it doesn't matter to anyone.  But when teams like Ithaca and Cortland lose to teams like Union and RPI, it's because they were too good to play in that game and they didn't show.  Always an excuse for those 'better' programs.  My post is the exact opposite of your response.

Jeeeeesh...

[labart96]

EAST REGION NCAA Rankings
1. Cortland State 7-0 7-0
2. RPI 5-0 6-0
3. Ithaca 5-1 6-1
4. Montclair State 6-1 6-1
5. Rowan 6-1 6-1
6. Hartwick 5-1 5-1
7. Worcester Polytech 6-1 6-1
8. Hobart 5-1 5-1
9. Plymouth State 5-1 7-1
10. Husson 6-0 6-2

Very surprised SJFC is not on this list

TGP gets credit -- posting it in E8 (but not here?!)  -- My darkhorse candidate of Husson is making the East's Pool C scenarios a nightmare right now.

TGP knows that Frank the Tank is the king of LLPP play-off prognosticating.  Didn't want to steal your thunder.

Note that in general, the NCAA top 5 or 6 is pretty even with our East Region Pollsters.  

And to quote 'Gro:

Husson?  (Husson?)

[Frank Rossi]

Frank...seriously, you are going to have a coronary and miss the Sat pregame show. Have a cocktail, take a break from the board....RT needs you for SAT!!!!

Hey, me having a coronary on the air would be our best...ratings...EVAH.

[Frank Rossi]

EAST REGION NCAA Rankings
1. Cortland State 7-0 7-0
2. RPI 5-0 6-0
3. Ithaca 5-1 6-1
4. Montclair State 6-1 6-1
5. Rowan 6-1 6-1
6. Hartwick 5-1 5-1
7. Worcester Polytech 6-1 6-1
8. Hobart 5-1 5-1
9. Plymouth State 5-1 7-1
10. Husson 6-0 6-2

Very surprised SJFC is not on this list

TGP gets credit -- posting it in E8 (but not here?!)  -- My darkhorse candidate of Husson is making the East's Pool C scenarios a nightmare right now.

TGP knows that Frank the Tank is the king of LLPP play-off prognosticating.  Didn't want to steal your thunder.

Note that in general, the NCAA top 5 or 6 is pretty even with our East Region Pollsters.  

And to quote 'Gro:

Husson?  (Husson?)

Ain't my son!

[Garnet]

Frank,

It was along time ago and perhaps the details as I remember them may not be as accurate as an attorney would like. If I had the time, I could go back and do some research to get the details straightened out.  The vote could have come with two games to go which makes more sense.

I don't think any team that had been the top dog for years would want to play an 11th game after falling from their perch.  I can see the players today looking for a tenth game to me that makes a lot of sense.  They have something to prove.

NOTE the next sentence is pure speculation:   The younger guys back then may have been looking to move on to the next season and their chance to see more playing time.

[Garnet]

OKAY now lest move on to a new topic.

Union pulls the upset this week.

What say you?

[Frank Rossi]

Frank,

It was along time ago and perhaps the details as I remember them may not be as accurate as an attorney would like. If I had the time, I could go back and do some research to get the details straightened out.  The vote could have come with two games to go which makes more sense.

I don't think any team that had been the top dog for years would want to play an 11th game after falling from their perch.  I can see the players today looking for a tenth game to me that makes a lot of sense.  They have something to prove.

NOTE the next sentence is pure speculation:   The younger guys back then may have been looking to move on to the next season and their chance to see more playing time.

I appreciate the answer in the first place, Garnet.  I just was suggesting some of the things that might be different now compared to 20 years ago.  No need for the research, as you cleared up most of what was eating at me regarding '89's posts from a couple nights ago.  Thanks for being a gentleman on here, as always.

[lewdogg11]

Dude, RPI is not good enough to 'phone it in'!!! Only good teams like Ithaca and Cortland can do that.

why do you always find a reason to badmouth your own school?? If it isn't the scheduling, now they're not in the same league as Cortland or IC? RPI has done as much as either of those 2 teams on a national level in the last 10 years....man, RT doesn't know about you LD....

Dude, are you serious?  That was the most sarcastic post of all time.  My point was that when RPI wins an ECAC game, it doesn't matter to anyone.  But when teams like Ithaca and Cortland lose to teams like Union and RPI, it's because they were too good to play in that game and they didn't show.  Always an excuse for those 'better' programs.  My post is the exact opposite of your response.

Jeeeeesh...

And I think I deserve an apology. 

[redswarm81]

Of course there is going to be evidence on both sides, because I am only arguing that it sometimes happens, not that it only happens.

I know you say that there's evidence on both sides, but I haven't seen (or heard or read) any evidence on the "phone it in" side.  The closest anyone's come is U89's story about his tailback teammate who apparently was voting against accepting an invitation to the ECAC playoff/championship game.  Apparently he was not voting against playing in the game, especially since Union wasn't invited to play.

Even if we stipulate that U89's account is correct, there's no evidence there that any player didn't give 100% in any ECAC playoff/championship game.

[labart96]

OKAY now lest move on to a new topic.

Union pulls the upset this week.

What say you?

TGP can only hope (since it would be great for Hobart if they beat WPI setting up a winner take all show-down against RPI the following week).

TGP sent the following to Frank and RT earlier in the day.  Alas, TGP is picking RPI in this one:

Union vs. RPI - The Dutchman Shoes Game

The 107th battle for Capital District - the oldest college football rivalry in New York State - will kick off this Saturday at 1 RPI's '86 Field in Troy.  An experienced RPI team is the only undefeated (6-0, 4-0) Liberty League team left standing.  Union (3-3, 2-2) struggled early in the season but has two consecutive wins and the advantage of coming off a bye week heading into this big rivalry game.

RPI leads the league in the majority of the league's key statistical categories.  In fact, a "tale of tape" analysis would suggest a RPI landslide victory:  the Engineers have the #1 Offense, Defense, Kicking game, not to mention the #1 QB and WRs in the league. 

Still, there are a few aspects that could be to Union's advantage.  In short, the keys the game for Union are:

1. Pressure Robertson - The RPI OL has done a fantastic job protecting the #1 rated LL QB SR Jimmy Robertson, allowing a paltry five sacks over six games.  RPI has the #1 passing offense in the league and will look to stretch the field against a Union defense that allows almost 200 passing yards a game.  The Union defense has eight sacks on the season, but will need to come up with big plays up front to free up leading tacklers LB John Peters, DB Kevin Rautenstrauch and LB Joe Catalano.
2. Run, Run, Run - Union leads the LL in rushing from scrimmage and features the league's top RB and TD scorer, SO Chris Coney.  The forecast for Saturday's game calls for possible showers so the RPI passing attack could be watered down.  Although FY QB Andrew Connolly has only rushed for 49 yards on the season, he is a very athletic and mobile QB. 
3. Ball control and capitalize on turnovers - RPI doesn't cough up the ball much - in fact they lead the league in turnover margin at +10 - but turnovers are always critical factors in big rivalry games.  They change the momentum and could disrupt the well-oiled machine that is the RPI offense.  Using Coney and Connolly, Union's best defense is keeping the tandem of Robertson, Savasli and McCarthy on the sideline as much of the game as possible.  Look for the Dutchmen to run a ball-control style offense that moves the chains and keeps TOP in Union's favor.  This could potentially wear down the RPI defense which hasn't truly been tested all season since the offense has normally given them big leads early in the game which leads to the final key;
4. Keep it close - RPI has outscored opponents by a 102-38 margin in the FIRST HALF this season.   If Union can keep it close in the early stages of the game, like they did against Hobart, Union will have a great opportunity to pull off the upset.  Still, even if RPI goes up big early, don't count out these Dutchmen.  They have enough weapons to come back if RPI gets complacent.

Key stats - Team   RPI      Union                  
Scoring Offense   33.5   PPG   25.3                  
Scoring Defense   12.8   PPG   23.7                  
Pass Offense   275.8   YPG   192.2                  
Pass Defense   180.2   YPG   197.8                  
Turnover Margin   10   Pos   6                  
Rushing Offense   116.2   YPG   163.3                  
Rushing Defense   108.7   YPG   146.5                  
Total Offense   392   YPG   355.5                  
Total Defense   288.8   YPG   344.3                  
Pass Eff   160.3   Rating   118.1                  
Pass Def Eff   93.5   Rating   121.2                  
Sacks By/Against   12 v 5   #   8 v 11                  
Penalties   66.3   YPG   55.7                  
Red Zone Off   83.3   %   70.8                  
Red Zone Def   55.6   %   69.2                  
FG   80   %   42.9                  
TOP   28:58:00   Time   28:18:00                                          
Individual League Leaders                        
RPI                        
Offense                                                                           
QB Jimmy Robertson         
#1 in Pass Avg/Game = 270 ypg               
#1 in Total Offense = 293.5 ypg               
#1 in Pass Eff/Game = 158.5                  

WR Patrick McCarthy         
#1 in Receptions/Game = 8                  
#1 All Purpose Yards = 158.7                  
#1 Kick Return Avg = 25.9                                    
WR Eren Savasli         
#1 in Receiving Yards = 125 ypg
                     
Defense                           
DB Joe Albano            
#16 in Tackles per game = 43 total (7.2 avg)      

UNION
Offense
RB Chris Coney
#1 in Rushing = 137 ypg
#1 in Scoring = 12 PPG
#1 in Total TDs = 12   

Defense
DB Kevin Rautenstrauch
#6 in Tackles = 57 total (9.8 avg)

LB John Peters         
#8 in Tackles = 54 total (8 avg)

Although TGP will be technically be a Dutchmen fan (since a RPI ultimately helps Hobart - especially if they can beat WPI Saturday), ultimately TGP thinks this is RPI's year.  Union has never lost more than two LL games in a season, but given the senior leadership, home field and the stats listed above, it will be a tall order for the Dutchmen to knock off this Engineer squad.  Still, the beauty of these rivalry games is that you can often through all the stats, W/L records out the window.

TGP sees a competitive game Saturday, but RPI prevailing by a score of 28-21.

Enjoy the game and good luck to both squads.

[Senor RedTackle]

Dude, RPI is not good enough to 'phone it in'!!! Only good teams like Ithaca and Cortland can do that.

why do you always find a reason to badmouth your own school?? If it isn't the scheduling, now they're not in the same league as Cortland or IC? RPI has done as much as either of those 2 teams on a national level in the last 10 years....man, RT doesn't know about you LD....

Dude, are you serious?  That was the most sarcastic post of all time.  My point was that when RPI wins an ECAC game, it doesn't matter to anyone.  But when teams like Ithaca and Cortland lose to teams like Union and RPI, it's because they were too good to play in that game and they didn't show.  Always an excuse for those 'better' programs.  My post is the exact opposite of your response.

Jeeeeesh...

And I think I deserve an apology. 

maybe a half hearted one.....