FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

  Maybe I'm late to the party, but during the pregame discussions before today's Carolina/Tampa Bay game I heard that Ali Marpet has retired. Just wondered if any of the Hobart folks have any further information on what that's all about? According to the radio talking heads he's only 28.

Yes, Ali Marpet retired in a fairly low key way and surprised a number of people. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and he was named to the Pro Bowl, which were his goals. He  had a few nagging injuries he played through as well as seeing the CTE impact on a number of veterans(the NFL is especially brutal). I'm sure he could have played thru his injuries and extended his career, instead he walked away from a few 10MM future pay years to maintain his health and follow other passions in his life . He is smart, he was a players rep for the Bucs and I think a free thinker. As a Hobart fan I am selfishly disappointed because I loved the way he always said on TV introductions he was from "THE Hobart College"(half mocking the OSU grads). He is a man that, so far, is mostly defined by his football fame, but I'm sure he will succeed at whatever he decides to do. Tom Brady tried to persuade Ali to reverse his decision, but one ring and one pro bowl were enough for him.Good luck to Ali in the future, the greatest Statesman to wear the Orange and Purple.

[IC798891]

The LL playoff push starts now.

RPI and Ithaca are the highlight this week, while Hobart looks to play spoiler for Union.

The Ithaca/RPI series reminds me a lot of IC/Buff State in the mid-late 1990s, where two teams of relatively equal strength played and one team just kept coming out on top in close games. Is it mental? Does one team have a "will to win"? Is it just one of those odd things that happen, like Hobart always losing at IC in odd ways? Who knows?

I think Ithaca is the better team here, very slightly. RPI's defense is so, so good, I don't think Ithaca will be able to run at all against them. I feel a 16 carries for 28 yards type of game. But I think IC can make a few more plays in the passing game, and return game, and that gives them the edge. And they are at home, for whatever that's worth.

But IC is without their CB1, and RPI has had an extra week to get ready for this. (IC technically had an extra day too, but still played this week)

IC is not immune to underwhelming offensive first halves, as we saw against Rochester and St. Lawrence. But RPI has had three games this year where they have had 0 offensive points heading into the 4th quarter. They pulled one out, but there's a difference between sleepwalking and letting a team hang around, and the way RPI plays with fire.

Ithaca, IMO, really needs a good start. RPI is too good to bury the way they jumped on Brockport, but I think it would do IC a lot of good to get a few big plays early

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Ithaca wins 17-13. I think it's going to be close, and low scoring.

[Bartman]

The LL playoff push starts now.

RPI and Ithaca are the highlight this week, while Hobart looks to play spoiler for Union.

The Ithaca/RPI series reminds me a lot of IC/Buff State in the mid-late 1990s, where two teams of relatively equal strength played and one team just kept coming out on top in close games. Is it mental? Does one team have a "will to win"? Is it just one of those odd things that happen, like Hobart always losing at IC in odd ways? Who knows?

I think Ithaca is the better team here, very slightly. RPI's defense is so, so good, I don't think Ithaca will be able to run at all against them. I feel a 16 carries for 28 yards type of game. But I think IC can make a few more plays in the passing game, and return game, and that gives them the edge. And they are at home, for whatever that's worth.

But IC is without their CB1, and RPI has had an extra week to get ready for this. (IC technically had an extra day too, but still played this week)

IC is not immune to underwhelming offensive first halves, as we saw against Rochester and St. Lawrence. But RPI has had three games this year where they have had 0 offensive points heading into the 4th quarter. They pulled one out, but there's a difference between sleepwalking and letting a team hang around, and the way RPI plays with fire.

Ithaca, IMO, really needs a good start. RPI is too good to bury the way they jumped on Brockport, but I think it would do IC a lot of good to get a few big plays early

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Ithaca wins 17-13. I think it's going to be close, and low scoring.

Don't bother over analyzing this game.Ithaca is definitely a more talented team if you go position by position, but that matters not. I do think IC will have a better running day than you might think as I was impressed by their Online, but RPI stiffens in the red zone. Another "skinny win" by the Engineers by the same score 17-13

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear says ****ing RPI...this damn team. Ice says a couple of things here.

First, Ice thinks Isernia is a damn good coach. Ice believes year in and year out this team plays tough football without tons of talent. Ice is not saying there have not been and/or there is not talent at RPI now, because there is. His point is that rarely do they have an Irabor, Arcidiacono, Ross type player/players that puts up insane number and maybe garners some national attention. IIBHO Marionopolous was very underwhelming to watch, yet the kid played tough football within the system to enable the team's success. To Ice, they consistently seem like a unit on both sides of the ball that clicks together, like cogs that have to all fit. Ice says who knows if he is making sense here, but he really is trying to compliment this team and program for the product it consistently puts on the field in front of 6 fans (when there is no pandemic) or 1 fan (during a pandemic).

To Ice, IC should do enough to win this game and should be the favorite here. Ice says the Bombers need to come into this game really mentally prepared, because this game is going to be mental. Drop the offensive expectations in relation to all other games played thus far and prepare to be frustrated on offense. Don't come into the game all pumped up, fired up and yelling like ****ing wild men. Come with a laser focus and confidence to chip away, to be frustrated, and to do what you do until the big play happens, which it will if they don't panic IIBHO.

Ice says ****ing RPI...

[unionpalooza]

Ice Bear says ****ing RPI...this damn team. Ice says a couple of things here.

First, Ice thinks Isernia is a damn good coach. Ice believes year in and year out this team plays tough football without tons of talent. Ice is not saying there have not been and/or there is not talent at RPI now, because there is. His point is that rarely do they have an Irabor, Arcidiacono, Ross type player/players that puts up insane number and maybe garners some national attention. IIBHO Marionopolous was very underwhelming to watch, yet the kid played tough football within the system to enable the team's success. To Ice, they consistently seem like a unit on both sides of the ball that clicks together, like cogs that have to all fit. Ice says who knows if he is making sense here, but he really is trying to compliment this team and program for the product it consistently puts on the field in front of 6 fans (when there is no pandemic) or 1 fan (during a pandemic).

I think this analysis of RPI is spot - RPI has always been well-coached, but they always strike me as incredibly disciplined in a way that allows them to out-perform their talent level.  Especially the small stuff - in the Hobart game, their DLs and LBs were complaining after nearly every play about Hobert's o-linemen playing past the whistle, and ended up getting two personal fouls called that killed drives at the very end of the game.

With that said, I think RPI gets it butt kicked by Ithaca this weekend.  Ithaca has plenty of balance and their going to get three or four scores, and I don't see RPI's offense scoring more than once against a very stout Ithaca D. 

I think anything could happen in Geneva this weekend, with either team capable of pulling out a win.  Union remains a bit of a mystery to me.  Particularly with the Utica loss, they seem a clear step behind Ithaca this year, with both the offense and defense going flat from time to time.  On the other hand, they're 6-1, was on the verge of blowing Utica out before losing their QB at the half, and are averaging 40 points a game versus 12 against.  If they play their best ball and stay healthy (more on that shortly), they're absolutely a playoff team.  If not, it would not be at all surprising to see them finish 6-4. 

Injuries have definitely been a major struggle for Union this year.  They definitely have high-end talent, but not with depth.  All four of their best playmakers on offense (Pacatte, Irabor, Ross Jr. and Dunneman) have all missed significant time, as well as some key pieces of the o-line and defense.  (It sounds like Ithaca has been had a little of this, too, losing a stud CB.). I think much of the LL dog fight here the last few weeks will come down to who can keep their best players on the field, and who has enough depth to patch things up where they don't.

Whatever happens, I can't wait until the Shoes game the last week.  Thanks to RPI, Union was a dumb unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from winning the shoes and snagging a Pool C bid last year, so should be plenty of motivation for this year's Brawl in the Troylet.

To Ice, IC should do enough to win this game and should be the favorite here. Ice says the Bombers need to come into this game really mentally prepared, because this game is going to be mental. Drop the offensive expectations in relation to all other games played thus far and prepare to be frustrated on offense. Don't come into the game all pumped up, fired up and yelling like ****ing wild men. Come with a laser focus and confidence to chip away, to be frustrated, and to do what you do until the big play happens, which it will if they don't panic IIBHO.

Ice says ****ing RPI...

[UfanBill]

Ice Bear says ****ing RPI...this damn team. Ice says a couple of things here.

First, Ice thinks Isernia is a damn good coach. Ice believes year in and year out this team plays tough football without tons of talent. Ice is not saying there have not been and/or there is not talent at RPI now, because there is. His point is that rarely do they have an Irabor, Arcidiacono, Ross type player/players that puts up insane number and maybe garners some national attention. IIBHO Marionopolous was very underwhelming to watch, yet the kid played tough football within the system to enable the team's success. To Ice, they consistently seem like a unit on both sides of the ball that clicks together, like cogs that have to all fit. Ice says who knows if he is making sense here, but he really is trying to compliment this team and program for the product it consistently puts on the field in front of 6 fans (when there is no pandemic) or 1 fan (during a pandemic).

I think this analysis of RPI is spot - RPI has always been well-coached, but they always strike me as incredibly disciplined in a way that allows them to out-perform their talent level.  Especially the small stuff - in the Hobart game, their DLs and LBs were complaining after nearly every play about Hobert's o-linemen playing past the whistle, and ended up getting two personal fouls called that killed drives at the very end of the game.

With that said, I think RPI gets it butt kicked by Ithaca this weekend.  Ithaca has plenty of balance and their going to get three or four scores, and I don't see RPI's offense scoring more than once against a very stout Ithaca D. 

I think anything could happen in Geneva this weekend, with either team capable of pulling out a win.  Union remains a bit of a mystery to me.  Particularly with the Utica loss, they seem a clear step behind Ithaca this year, with both the offense and defense going flat from time to time.  On the other hand, they're 6-1, was on the verge of blowing Utica out before losing their QB at the half, and are averaging 40 points a game versus 12 against.  If they play their best ball and stay healthy (more on that shortly), they're absolutely a playoff team.  If not, it would not be at all surprising to see them finish 6-4. 

Injuries have definitely been a major struggle for Union this year.  They definitely have high-end talent, but not with depth.  All four of their best playmakers on offense (Pacatte, Irabor, Ross Jr. and Dunneman) have all missed significant time, as well as some key pieces of the o-line and defense.  (It sounds like Ithaca has been had a little of this, too, losing a stud CB.). I think much of the LL dog fight here the last few weeks will come down to who can keep their best players on the field, and who has enough depth to patch things up where they don't.

Whatever happens, I can't wait until the Shoes game the last week.  Thanks to RPI, Union was a dumb unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from winning the shoes and snagging a Pool C bid last year, so should be plenty of motivation for this year's Brawl in the Troylet.

To Ice, IC should do enough to win this game and should be the favorite here. Ice says the Bombers need to come into this game really mentally prepared, because this game is going to be mental. Drop the offensive expectations in relation to all other games played thus far and prepare to be frustrated on offense. Don't come into the game all pumped up, fired up and yelling like ****ing wild men. Come with a laser focus and confidence to chip away, to be frustrated, and to do what you do until the big play happens, which it will if they don't panic IIBHO.

Ice says ****ing RPI...

UNION's DEPTH...I'm not sure why palooza would question Union's depth. Sure Pacatte, Irabor, Ross and Dunneman have missed some time BUT with the exception of Pacatte(2nd half Utica) the back ups have come in and done a great job. Remember Pacatte missed all of the following Buff St. game and freshman Patch Flanagan was sensational in his stead.  They also lost their starting center week#1 and a freshman, Nick Olivola, has come in to not miss a beat until he also went out last week and another freshman Jake Rubin filled the key spot admirably. Defensive captain LB Tommy Cavallo missed last week with a sprained ankle and his replacement, Jaden Duncan, was solid. Union has players. They're 4 deep at RB behind Irabor and at WR behind Ross. So deep that last year's rookie WR sensation Robby Tolbert and 2019 LL 2nd team RB Joseph Ferreira can hardly get time on the field. Union has lots of depth and talent and because their training staff is protective I expect all hands healthy and on deck for Hobart. 

Ithaca is only 2-5 all time versus RPI and 0-4 since joining the Liberty League. The Engineers have a way with the Bombers that dates to the infamous 2003  "Snow Bowl" game. Maybe a hex perpetuated by Bob Conway?...Aside- Conway was the very outspoken "color man" on all RPI football and hockey radio broadcasts for years known for understating the obvious like "RPI needs to score to win this game" or "it's snowing pretty hard out there" during the Snow Bowl as visibility hit zero.. An unforgettable character if you ever heard him and quite possibly the inspiration for D3football's and In the Huddle's own Frank Rossi? Conway was once mayor of Troy...Frank, a former Union radio announcer, is now mayor of Ballston Spa and unforgettable in his own way. Can't wait for Frank's take on this game. I've got the home team 20-10. 

Not far from Ithaca the Union Dutchmen will be looking to end a long losing streak at the Boz against Hobart. The Statesmen have not lost at home in this match-up since 2008.  Most of those games have been very close. The last time Union visited Geneva in 2018 the Statesmen scored last to win 29-28 and last year in Schenectady Union's 27-20 win was in Overtime. The All Time series shows Union leading 53-49-2 and dates to 1896! I expect another last possession win with the Dutchmen ending their frustration at the Boz 21-17.

[Machiavelli]

While I tried posting earlier in the season, only to be blocked due to some type of suspicious IP address  conflict, it's probably time I make an appearance...

While I haven't posted at all, I have watched the majority of RPI's games this year. I remember texting Jonny Utah during the game against the Dicks thinking the new QB could sling it, but there were a bunch of drops that game. I think that game affected the RPI offense in an inexplicable way, as I didn't think they looked bad and had a ton of promise, but then the rest of the season started to unfold.

They should've beaten CMU and, as it turned out, CMU has a pretty decent team this year. Losing to SJF, well that is just inexcusable. Ironically, I missed the Fisher game entirely, but it sounds like watching paint dry would have been more entertaining.

Then 2 weeks ago, I was in the car with the fam listening(i.e. - watching out of the corner of my good eye while my lazy eye was laser focused on the highway) vs the Pumpkinheads when I got frustrated halfway through the 4th and shut it off down 13-2. Upon arriving at my destination, while taking a massive dump, I figured I'd check scores only to see a 16-13 final mixed with a bunch of whiny bitching on the LLPP about horseshoes up a$$es and stuff like that that a lot of Union peeps do for fun on Saturday nights when they run out of Zima.

Anyway, moral of the story is, I agree with what most are saying here. RPI's defense makes it a toss up, but if the offense can do anything in the first 3 quarters(and that's a huge if), this game could shock people. I think RPI needs to take some risks on offense. Some trick plays, some misdirection, something schoolyard(let's face it, they can't do worse than 0 against sh*tty SJF so why the F not?).

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say RPI 24 Ithaca 10.

And to the Union guys, when you're done with that nasty rusty stank a$$ horseshoe, send it over to Utah. He's gonna need it Saturday night. Pinkies up!

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear says ah the words of Mach/Lewdogg ring true. Ice says nice to see you Lew. Ice is glad you are back. RPI certainly has a way about them, like Ice has said, a way that he respects...even coming from that dump Troy. If the Bombers aren't slinging it on Saturday and this bitch stays close throughout, all you'll need to do is turn that radio off and then, POOF! RPI wins. Great weekend of LL FB on tap.

[HSCTiger74]

  Maybe I'm late to the party, but during the pregame discussions before today's Carolina/Tampa Bay game I heard that Ali Marpet has retired. Just wondered if any of the Hobart folks have any further information on what that's all about? According to the radio talking heads he's only 28.

Yes, Ali Marpet retired in a fairly low key way and surprised a number of people. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and he was named to the Pro Bowl, which were his goals. He  had a few nagging injuries he played through as well as seeing the CTE impact on a number of veterans(the NFL is especially brutal). I'm sure he could have played thru his injuries and extended his career, instead he walked away from a few 10MM future pay years to maintain his health and follow other passions in his life . He is smart, he was a players rep for the Bucs and I think a free thinker. As a Hobart fan I am selfishly disappointed because I loved the way he always said on TV introductions he was from "THE Hobart College"(half mocking the OSU grads). He is a man that, so far, is mostly defined by his football fame, but I'm sure he will succeed at whatever he decides to do. Tom Brady tried to persuade Ali to reverse his decision, but one ring and one pro bowl were enough for him.Good luck to Ali in the future, the greatest Statesman to wear the Orange and Purple.

  Thanks Bartman. I hope that the rest of his life goes as well as his NFL career did, minus the injuries of course.

[Bartman]

Mach is back, which is very bad news for the Bombers and the Dutchies....when he posts the Sliderulers usually win. Bartman will enjoy the future exchanges; however Mach is crazy that RPI will beat the Bombers by more than 3 points, the game will be won in the last minute following a Bomber turnover.

[Bartman]

  Maybe I'm late to the party, but during the pregame discussions before today's Carolina/Tampa Bay game I heard that Ali Marpet has retired. Just wondered if any of the Hobart folks have any further information on what that's all about? According to the radio talking heads he's only 28.

Yes, Ali Marpet retired in a fairly low key way and surprised a number of people. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and he was named to the Pro Bowl, which were his goals. He  had a few nagging injuries he played through as well as seeing the CTE impact on a number of veterans(the NFL is especially brutal). I'm sure he could have played thru his injuries and extended his career, instead he walked away from a few 10MM future pay years to maintain his health and follow other passions in his life . He is smart, he was a players rep for the Bucs and I think a free thinker. As a Hobart fan I am selfishly disappointed because I loved the way he always said on TV introductions he was from "THE Hobart College"(half mocking the OSU grads). He is a man that, so far, is mostly defined by his football fame, but I'm sure he will succeed at whatever he decides to do. Tom Brady tried to persuade Ali to reverse his decision, but one ring and one pro bowl were enough for him.Good luck to Ali in the future, the greatest Statesman to wear the Orange and Purple.

  Thanks Bartman. I hope that the rest of his life goes as well as his NFL career did, minus the injuries of course.

Tiger74,
     Ali has already lost over 50 pounds and is not regretting his decision to live a healthy life. Eating stacks of Pancakes to maintain his weight to pancake opponents is now in his past.
     https://twitter.com/JoeBucsFan/status/1531046199180021762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1531046199180021762%7Ctwgr%5E7c0b2fa303513a8e2ecca8fead2741f8159beeb0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joebucsfan.com%2F2022%2F05%2Fthe-incredibly-shrinking-ali-marpet%2F

[Jonny Utah]

While I tried posting earlier in the season, only to be blocked due to some type of suspicious IP address  conflict, it's probably time I make an appearance...

While I haven't posted at all, I have watched the majority of RPI's games this year. I remember texting Jonny Utah during the game against the Dicks thinking the new QB could sling it, but there were a bunch of drops that game. I think that game affected the RPI offense in an inexplicable way, as I didn't think they looked bad and had a ton of promise, but then the rest of the season started to unfold.

They should've beaten CMU and, as it turned out, CMU has a pretty decent team this year. Losing to SJF, well that is just inexcusable. Ironically, I missed the Fisher game entirely, but it sounds like watching paint dry would have been more entertaining.

Then 2 weeks ago, I was in the car with the fam listening(i.e. - watching out of the corner of my good eye while my lazy eye was laser focused on the highway) vs the Pumpkinheads when I got frustrated halfway through the 4th and shut it off down 13-2. Upon arriving at my destination, while taking a massive dump, I figured I'd check scores only to see a 16-13 final mixed with a bunch of whiny bitching on the LLPP about horseshoes up a$$es and stuff like that that a lot of Union peeps do for fun on Saturday nights when they run out of Zima.

Anyway, moral of the story is, I agree with what most are saying here. RPI's defense makes it a toss up, but if the offense can do anything in the first 3 quarters(and that's a huge if), this game could shock people. I think RPI needs to take some risks on offense. Some trick plays, some misdirection, something schoolyard(let's face it, they can't do worse than 0 against sh*tty SJF so why the F not?).

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say RPI 24 Ithaca 10.

And to the Union guys, when you're done with that nasty rusty stank a$$ horseshoe, send it over to Utah. He's gonna need it Saturday night. Pinkies up!

Well what do we have here. Look what Halloween has brought us.  I predict a snowstorm in Ithaca this weekend and a 5-2 win by RPI. 

[IC798891]

Weather's supposed to be great on South Hill. Sticking with my IC prediction, but very cautiously

[Ice Bear]

Weather's supposed to be great on South Hill. Sticking with my IC prediction, but very cautiously

Ice Bear says listen, this is a team who lost ****ing 3-0 to a not very good SJF team. Ice says it's not out of control to think IC ****ing steamrolls RPI on Saturday.

[Caz Bombers]

Weather's supposed to be great on South Hill. Sticking with my IC prediction, but very cautiously

Ice Bear says listen, this is a team who lost ****ing 3-0 to a not very good SJF team. Ice says it's not out of control to think IC ****ing steamrolls RPI on Saturday.

And you guys lost the Shoes to this team last year on a botched onside kick and FG at the gun in the rain on the road by a moonlighting 3rd string soccer player.

These people are highly experienced sorcerers of deep Valyrian f***ing blood magic, Ice. Caz refuses to anger these MF'ers if at all possible.