FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

It is quite alarming to see how weak the non-conference is for every team besides Ithaca. I am obviously biased but this is the equivalent of the P5 conferences scheduling FCS opponents prior to conference play. I have clearly been down on this Ithaca team but continuing to see these schedules makes me feel more confident about a more tested Ithaca team heading into next week.

Can't argue with this, although I think Hobart's first 2 opponents were respectable region opponents. Certainly Ithaca is battle tested and maybe took something off for the Alfred game, but who knows?I applaud IC for their scheduling.  We will find out on September 30th at Butterfield how battle tested this year's team is , which will start the LL gauntlet for the Bombers with the 3 contenders back to back.

[Jersey42]

Speaking about OOC scheduling. I just noticed that #5 Hardin-Simmons travels from Texas to Massachusetts to play Endicott tomorrow night.  I have no idea what to expect, but given Endicott has already played both Ithaca and St. Lawrence at home, it might be worth following. A good showing by Endicott bodes well for Ithaca and the LL.  A blowout loss will just reinforce the opinion of some that the Eastern schools cannot compete with the national powers.

[Machiavelli]

The OOC schedule debate has proven to be filled with holes no matter which side you stand on. Playing beasts could get you beat up, down on yourselves, embarassed, etc. Or it could lift you up, get you battle tested, hyped up, confident, all that good stuff. Weak OOCs can be a solid extension of the preseason, and I think are really valuable for the younger teams or teams in 'reload' mode. I'm not even pitching playing Hardin-Simmons like Endicott is doing, but the Utica's and Cortland's and Endicott's, hell even Husson tossed in can give a solid bump in competition, experience, confidence, or more knowledge of where your holes are. Might be good for coaches as well.

We've seen teams play absolute garbage in their OOC schedules and then continue rolling. RPI hasn't traditionally been affected by mostly weak OOC schedules with only a few bigger named teams sprinkled in over the years. It's worked for them. We've seen others have the huge wakeup call when they play worthy competition. I'd love a slightly better mix than what RPI traditionally secheduls, I just think you can make the case either way, and you really can't make a determination to how it affects that team until the real season is played.

As fans, weak ass OOC schedules are just kind of boring during those first few weeks. I actually like how Union scheduled this year with 2 pop warner teams, followed by an increase in competition w/ Springfield and Montclair, followed by a rest up against St. Lawrence before getting to the huge thick and girthy part of the schedule. But will that make them better at the end? It didn't in 2021. So it all comes down to results.

[UfanBill]

Speaking about OOC scheduling. I just noticed that #5 Hardin-Simmons travels from Texas to Massachusetts to play Endicott tomorrow night.  I have no idea what to expect, but given Endicott has already played both Ithaca and St. Lawrence at home, it might be worth following. A good showing by Endicott bodes well for Ithaca and the LL.  A blowout loss will just reinforce the opinion of some that the Eastern schools cannot compete with the national powers.

This will be a very interesting game. Personally I'd expect Endicott gets monkey stomped but I'll be rooting for them to stay in it. Hardin Simmons has to make the long trip and may be lacking focus. It's a gigantic opportunity for the Gulls. BTW Endicott's following game is against, there's that team again, Hilbert. 

One more thing about taking long road trips...The Rochester Yellowjackets are off to a surprising 2-1 start and have seemingly winable games the next two weeks against New England University and Buffalo St. Not surprising to me really as I predicted they could be 5-0 when meeting Union week #6. Of course they fell just short in their opener against Utica but had a nice win at Salve Regina last week. I'm going to go against my earlier thoughts since I think Rochester will lose at UNE Saturday. Another long road trip (this time to Biddeford, Maine) and the questionable status of RB Daniel Papantonis will prove too much for the Yellowjackets. He didn't play at Salve. It's also Homecoming for the Nor'easters...UNE 21-Roch 13. A 4-1 week for the LL.   

[unionpalooza]

Holy moly. That Ithaca win over Endicott looks a whole lot better now. 

[Bartman]

Holy moly. That Ithaca win over Endicott looks a whole lot better now.

Epic win for Endicott. It was unfortunate that the HSU QB went down early, but even so, the HSU defense could not stop the Endicott offense, and Endicott's defense was stout. This should generate a lot of head scratching on the gap between the regions. Ithaca should get a boost from this in the rankings as well.

[Ice Bear]

My goodness that was an absolutely huge W for Endicott and the East as a whole. Happy for Endicott and their fans who are electric. Congratulations!

[Jersey42]

Epic win for Endicott. It was unfortunate that the HSU QB went down early, but even so, the HSU defense could not stop the Endicott offense, and Endicott's defense was stout. This should generate a lot of head scratching on the gap between the regions. Ithaca should get a boost from this in the rankings as well.

In my original post about this game, I said I had no idea what to expect.  But based solely on reputation, I sort of expected an HSU blow out and hoped Endicott could keep it close.  Boy was I wrong.  I was going to watch the beginning of the game, but I ended up skipping something else and I watched it until the end.  I completely agree with your thoughts.  Endicott pretty much dominated the whole game and even if the HSU starting QB did not get hurt, I doubt the outcome would have changed.  Kudos to the Gulls and coach McGonagle. It looks like they will play again next season in Texas.

[UfanBill]

Kudos to Endicott for their EPIC win over Hardin Simmons. The East gains major cred.

Since I previously commented on Rochester vs UNE and gave a score prediction I'll join the group and put the rest of my LL predictions out there.

These are easy...RPI 52 - Dean 6
                         Hobart 41 - Keystone 13
                         St Lawrence 42 - Castleton 7
                         Union 37 - Montclair St 14
and my outlier... U New England 21 - Rochester 13

[Bartman]

Good luck to all of the LL teams today and to everyone on their picks. Looks like the majority are looking for a LL Saterday  sweep, but a couple are Noreaster fans with the coastal weather today.

[unionpalooza]

Union leads Montclair 20-6 at the half in a very uneven game.  Looked like Union was going to run away with it but an ill-advised onside kick and a fumble evened things out, so Union doesn't have as much to show for their 316 yards of first half offense as they should. Montclair has made some nice plays, especially on a few deep passes, though Union D has mostly stood stout.

[Bartman]

Congrats to the Yellowjackets on an exciting double OT win over UNE. Union rolled over the Redhawks and the Larries are rolling as well. Good day for the LL so far.

[unionpalooza]

Congrats to the Yellowjackets on an exciting double OT win over UNE. Union rolled over the Redhawks and the Larries are rolling as well. Good day for the LL so far.

Also nice to see Western New England play Susquehanna tough and make a real game of it.  Good showing by New England on the larger stage this weekend.

[Bartman]

Congrats to the Yellowjackets on an exciting double OT win over UNE. Union rolled over the Redhawks and the Larries are rolling as well. Good day for the LL so far.

Also nice to see Western New England play Susquehanna tough and make a real game of it.  Good showing by New England on the larger stage this weekend.

Yup, WNE lost to Springfield by more than they just lost to Succotash U, and we know what Union did to Springfield. I have to admit that Union looks very good thus far. This LL season will be awesome.

[Machiavelli]

Utica was super impressive vs Dem loaded Spicy Boyz. And Delaware Valley smoked the dominant King's crew. I'd expect both Utica and DV to be in the top 10 this week while King's gets votes for a solid showing.