FB: Liberty League

[lewdogg11]

I'm not that beat up about Hobart's scheduling.  Maybe the Curry game is stretching it a bit, but Endicott has a good chance of being Regionally Ranked every year.  When RPI was playing them, they were a brand new program.  Now that they are established. it's a tough(er) game for the schedule.  Curry has been down though in recent years.  If it were Salve or Framingham or Bridgewater, those could be decent challenges.  But who knows, maybe dem spicy boys will return in the next 2 years to their former selves...

[Frank Rossi]

I'm not that beat up about Hobart's scheduling.  Maybe the Curry game is stretching it a bit, but Endicott has a good chance of being Regionally Ranked every year.  When RPI was playing them, they were a brand new program.  Now that they are established. it's a tough(er) game for the schedule.  Curry has been down though in recent years.  If it were Salve or Framingham or Bridgewater, those could be decent challenges.  But who knows, maybe dem spicy boys will return in the next 2 years to their former selves...

What happened to your "challenge" requirement when discussing SJF's scheduling lessons?

[lewdogg11]

I'm not that beat up about Hobart's scheduling.  Maybe the Curry game is stretching it a bit, but Endicott has a good chance of being Regionally Ranked every year.  When RPI was playing them, they were a brand new program.  Now that they are established. it's a tough(er) game for the schedule.  Curry has been down though in recent years.  If it were Salve or Framingham or Bridgewater, those could be decent challenges.  But who knows, maybe dem spicy boys will return in the next 2 years to their former selves...

What happened to your "challenge" requirement when discussing SJF's scheduling lessons?

I think Endicott is a worthy opponent. Not so much Curry but Endicott is a upgrade me thinks.

[Jonny Utah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAo5yqyUx68

[Hobart PBP]

James, you said it Sunday night -- Hobart seems content to not play outside it's comfort zone, and the further we see this type of scheduling, the more it confirms Ted Baker's point: Hobart doesn't care about or doesn't think it's possible to reach the #5 zone or above nationally.

I didn't say Hobart doesn't care about getting to the next level. I don't speak for Hobart. I was offering my opinion, nothing more.

I believe I responded to the question "what can Hobart do to get to the next level?" My answer was that I don't know if they can. They're not issuing many invitations to the club. The levels of D3 football are: "We Are the Champions" aka Mt. Union and Whitewater. Then, quoting the old rental car commercial, there's "Not Exactly." That's your Wesley, Mary Hardin Baylor and maybe one of two others who begin every year with championship dreams and end with a loss to Mt. Union or Whitewater. Hobart seems to have arrived at the third level, "Put us down for one, maybe two, playoff wins."

Why didn't Hobart go past the second round this year? Because they didn't play tougher opponents in their first two games? No, because they drew in the second round a team that likes to think of itself as the top program in the area, but has seen that mantle slipping away over the last couple of years, a team that was embarrassed by Hobart in their house three years ago, a team that just barely got into the tournament and had a lot to prove, a team whose strengths matched up advantageously with Hobart's weaknesses and a team who seized the momentum early and played a great game.

A lot of factors go into OOC scheduling, cost, recruiting, friendships between coaches, availability of opponents. Who knows who Hobart may have tried to schedule without success? What do the big boys have to gain from taking Hobart's call? If you beat them, no big deal, if you don't, which is a real possibility, maybe that's the loss that costs you a tournament spot.

What Hobart needs more than a tough game or two in September is some tough games with Union, RPI and/or someone else in the league. Anyway, if you want to consider 22-2 in two years somehow coming up short, I'm glad I don't have to Christmas shop for you.

[D3viewer]

James, you said it Sunday night -- Hobart seems content to not play outside it's comfort zone, and the further we see this type of scheduling, the more it confirms Ted Baker's point: Hobart doesn't care about or doesn't think it's possible to reach the #5 zone or above nationally.

I didn't say Hobart doesn't care about getting to the next level. I don't speak for Hobart. I was offering my opinion, nothing more.

I believe I responded to the question "what can Hobart do to get to the next level?" My answer was that I don't know if they can. They're not issuing many invitations to the club. The levels of D3 football are: "We Are the Champions" aka Mt. Union and Whitewater. Then, quoting the old rental car commercial, there's "Not Exactly." That's your Wesley, Mary Hardin Baylor and maybe one of two others who begin every year with championship dreams and end with a loss to Mt. Union or Whitewater. Hobart seems to have arrived at the third level, "Put us down for one, maybe two, playoff wins."

Why didn't Hobart go past the second round this year? Because they didn't play tougher opponents in their first two games? No, because they drew in the second round a team that likes to think of itself as the top program in the area, but has seen that mantle slipping away over the last couple of years, a team that was embarrassed by Hobart in their house three years ago, a team that just barely got into the tournament and had a lot to prove, a team whose strengths matched up advantageously with Hobart's weaknesses and a team who seized the momentum early and played a great game.

A lot of factors go into OOC scheduling, cost, recruiting, friendships between coaches, availability of opponents. Who knows who Hobart may have tried to schedule without success? What do the big boys have to gain from taking Hobart's call? If you beat them, no big deal, if you don't, which is a real possibility, maybe that's the loss that costs you a tournament spot.

What Hobart needs more than a tough game or two in September is some tough games with Union, RPI and/or someone else in the league. Anyway, if you want to consider 22-2 in two years somehow coming up short, I'm glad I don't have to Christmas shop for you.

Note all the subtle/not so subtle insults directed at SJF..

[Upstate]

James, you said it Sunday night -- Hobart seems content to not play outside it's comfort zone, and the further we see this type of scheduling, the more it confirms Ted Baker's point: Hobart doesn't care about or doesn't think it's possible to reach the #5 zone or above nationally.

I didn't say Hobart doesn't care about getting to the next level. I don't speak for Hobart. I was offering my opinion, nothing more.

I believe I responded to the question "what can Hobart do to get to the next level?" My answer was that I don't know if they can. They're not issuing many invitations to the club. The levels of D3 football are: "We Are the Champions" aka Mt. Union and Whitewater. Then, quoting the old rental car commercial, there's "Not Exactly." That's your Wesley, Mary Hardin Baylor and maybe one of two others who begin every year with championship dreams and end with a loss to Mt. Union or Whitewater. Hobart seems to have arrived at the third level, "Put us down for one, maybe two, playoff wins."

Why didn't Hobart go past the second round this year? Because they didn't play tougher opponents in their first two games? No, because they drew in the second round a team that likes to think of itself as the top program in the area, but has seen that mantle slipping away over the last couple of years, a team that was embarrassed by Hobart in their house three years ago, a team that just barely got into the tournament and had a lot to prove, a team whose strengths matched up advantageously with Hobart's weaknesses and a team who seized the momentum early and played a great game.

A lot of factors go into OOC scheduling, cost, recruiting, friendships between coaches, availability of opponents. Who knows who Hobart may have tried to schedule without success? What do the big boys have to gain from taking Hobart's call? If you beat them, no big deal, if you don't, which is a real possibility, maybe that's the loss that costs you a tournament spot.

What Hobart needs more than a tough game or two in September is some tough games with Union, RPI and/or someone else in the league. Anyway, if you want to consider 22-2 in two years somehow coming up short, I'm glad I don't have to Christmas shop for you.

Since 2002 Fisher is 5-0 vs Hobart when Fisher doesn't have a RB playing QB...

But yeah keep hanging onto that 2011 win, sure got you far this year...

I'm sure Curry and Endicott will help Hobart's efforts...

Let me guess, Wesley backed out of a game and you had to settle for those two playoff doormats???

[Bartman]

Ok Fisher won with some great efforts in the playoffs, they should feel good about that and Hobart was disappointed (regardless of schedule )to lose in the second round. In fact I rooted for Fisher against UMHB and they played hard, but another East team failed to make it to the Elite level. However, the bs that the 2011 Hobart win doesn't count because Fisher used a RB for a QB is ridiculous . Did the QB play both ways ? The Hobart offense made the Fisher D look like a High School team that day, just accept it. Would love it if Hobart and Fisher played in the regular season( great local OOC rivalry potential)but the fact is we need the rest of the Liberty League teams to get back to top form to eliminate the "weak schedule" knock. Hobart loses some great All Region players to graduation, so we have some significant reloading to do to keep winning with any schedule. I will really miss watching  Webb , he was an extraordinary talent and Fisher did a good job limiting him to 81 yards on 19 carries in his last game.

[Upstate]

Ok Fisher won with some great efforts in the playoffs, they should feel good about that and Hobart was disappointed (regardless of schedule )to lose in the second round. In fact I rooted for Fisher against UMHB and they played hard, but another East team failed to make it to the Elite level. However, the bs that the 2011 Hobart win doesn't count because Fisher used a RB for a QB is ridiculous . Did the QB play both ways ? The Hobart offense made the Fisher D look like a High School team that day, just accept it. Would love it if Hobart and Fisher played in the regular season( great local OOC rivalry potential)but the fact is we need the rest of the Liberty League teams to get back to top form to eliminate the "weak schedule" knock. Hobart loses some great All Region players to graduation, so we have some significant reloading to do to keep winning with any schedule. I will really miss watching  Webb , he was an extraordinary talent and Fisher did a good job limiting him to 81 yards on 19 carries in his last game.

Sorry but your PBP guy is using it (2011) as an example of some imaginary "mantle" that was passed because of that game...

That right there is hilarious...

[Bombers798891]

Ok Fisher won with some great efforts in the playoffs, they should feel good about that and Hobart was disappointed (regardless of schedule )to lose in the second round. In fact I rooted for Fisher against UMHB and they played hard, but another East team failed to make it to the Elite level. However, the bs that the 2011 Hobart win doesn't count because Fisher used a RB for a QB is ridiculous . Did the QB play both ways ? The Hobart offense made the Fisher D look like a High School team that day, just accept it. Would love it if Hobart and Fisher played in the regular season( great local OOC rivalry potential)but the fact is we need the rest of the Liberty League teams to get back to top form to eliminate the "weak schedule" knock. Hobart loses some great All Region players to graduation, so we have some significant reloading to do to keep winning with any schedule. I will really miss watching  Webb , he was an extraordinary talent and Fisher did a good job limiting him to 81 yards on 19 carries in his last game.

Sorry but your PBP guy is using it (2011) as an example of some imaginary "mantle" that was passed because of that game...

That right there is hilarious...

Yeah, but the whole qualifying that loss makes it sound like that was the sole reason they lost the game. I mean, Fisher's also 5-0 against Hobart when not allowing 56 points. Seems like that would be a more accurate description of your problem that day, but let's not mention it. I know it's trendy around these parts to bash Kramer (I saw him in action a few weeks after the Hobart game and was similarly unimpressed.) But I'm not sure why people keep bringing this into the equation. Bomber fans don't say "Ithaca was X-X in 2002 when they didn't have a linebacker at QB."

Seriously, we get it. Kramer sucked, and he wasn't even a real quarterback. Hobart obliterated Fisher that day, but that is clearly the exception in this series

[ITH radio]

I think you guys are reading way too much into those statements.  IMO the mantle has more to do with the E8 than with Hobart.  Fisher is 1-3 vs Ithaca and Salisbury last two seasons.  The latter dominated the Cards this year and ended up 6-4.  Sometimes it's the matchups and in one case Fisher was at a disadvantage (Sals)in another they had the advantage (like vs Hobart).

Fortunately Fisher's SOS gave them a shot several other teams thought they deserved. To clarify I agreed with SJF getting in.  There were other teams that felt their season was as good or better than other Pool C selections (which happens every year).

Also I don't get why saying a team that got it via Pool C, was a big underdog in Rd 1, and was going on the road to play a team that beat them badly a couple years ago is a put down?  Fisher was very motivated and they showed it.  How is saying that disrespectful? 

[Bombers798891]

I think you guys are reading way too much into those statements.  IMO the mantle has more to do with the E8 than with Hobart.  Fisher is 1-3 vs Ithaca and Salisbury last two seasons.  The latter dominated the Cards this year and ended up 6-4.  Sometimes it's the matchups and in one case Fisher was at a disadvantage (Sals)in another they had the advantage (like vs Hobart).

Fortunately Fisher's SOS gave them a shot several other teams thought they deserved. To clarify I agreed with SJF getting in.  There were other teams that felt their season was as good or better than other Pool C selections (which happens every year).

Also I don't get why saying a team that got it via Pool C, was a big underdog in Rd 1, and was going on the road to play a team that beat them badly a couple years ago is a put down?  Fisher was very motivated and they showed it.  How is saying that disrespectful?

Fisher was dominated by Salisbury? They lost by seven points

[ITH radio]

Ok, so Dominated isn't the right word.  Fisher did give up 451 rush yards and their final 14 points came with under 4 mins to go in the game (and SU had a 14 pt lead with 4 mins to go, etc.), last TD with under 30 secs.  Sals also held the ball for almost 35 mins in the game.  Maybe those big numbers made me think it was more than a 7 point win, but your point is valid, final score was 42-35.

Point I was trying to make is Sals is a match up challenge for Fisher, just like a Fisher was a challenge match up wise for Hobart (Cards strengths took advantage of Hobart's primary weaknesses).

[dlippiel]

Dlip just wanted to wish everyone on here a wonderful Christmas and/or holiday season! You guys really do mean a lot, all of you, and Dlip considers himself quite lucky to be able to discuss D3 football with such passionate people. Thanks all and Dlip wishes you and your families the very best!

[PBR...]

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