FB: Liberty League

[Machiavelli]

Mach's amazingly mind-blowing predictions:

Hobart - 21
Ithaca - 24
I went back and forth on this one. I actually think Hobart might be a smidge better, but I'm going with the home field advantage this week, and thinking Ithaca squeaks on out.

St. Lawrence - 0
Union - 35
Not seeing much of a game here.

Rochester - 42
Buffalo St. - 10
I do think Rochester might hold their own this year and Buff St. just isn't good.

Good luck to all. Hopefully RPI is healing up nicely and getting ready to host the bomb-squad next week.

[ICAlum16]

Let's make some MOTHERF****NG picks for week 4!!!

Let's start with the marquee game of the weekend, Ithaca vs Hobart

Hobart 17 IC 21 - After watching IC this year and reading the Hobart recaps I am anticipating a physical game that will feature over 70% of the total offensive plays being on the ground. I still question both teams ability to stretch the ball vertically. I think that a veteran Bomber offensive line + first home game of the year on new turf + history will have the Bombers continue their dominance in the series.

SLU 10 Union 41 - Union continues to dominate inferior opponents as they begin to get into the tough part of their schedule. Hopefully the have everything tuned up after 4 cupcakes (I know this is conference play and can't control the schedule)

U of R 40 Buff st 12 - Yellow Jackets run for 250+ as the offense pads their stats and gets another mention on the D3 team of the week.

[Ice Bear]

Mach's amazingly mind-blowing predictions:

Hobart - 21
Ithaca - 24
I went back and forth on this one. I actually think Hobart might be a smidge better, but I'm going with the home field advantage this week, and thinking Ithaca squeaks on out.

St. Lawrence - 0
Union - 35
Not seeing much of a game here.

Rochester - 42
Buffalo St. - 10
I do think Rochester might hold their own this year and Buff St. just isn't good.

Good luck to all. Hopefully RPI is healing up nicely and getting ready to host the bomb-squad next week.

Here are my picks:

SLU at Union - Throughout the week, and after reviewing Palooza's thoughts from last week, I think I may have been too critical of Union. I just struggle giving credit to teams with week schedules and maybe within those big wins, I have been looking too close for any Union flaws. I'm thinking Springfield is still a decent team and Montclair...well I don't really know. Either way this one won't be close. The Garnet Charger D will give up it's second TD of the season, but otherwise they will shuts the Saints down. Union dominates 42-7

Rochester at Buffalo State - Rochester is obviously an improved team. How much have they improved in relation to the big 4? As happy as I am for their success thus far, I admittedly don't know, but I am guessing they are still not there. Regardless, they'll get a pretty easy W over what continues to be an abysmal Buffalo State team. Rochester 27 Buffalo State 10

Hobart at Ithaca - For me, this is a tough one to call. While I still had IC as my top team in the league, this is Hobarts "back to top form" game. I don't believe the Statesmen are all the way back to their usual form as a whole, but I think they are pretty close and show it with an over the top effort on the road. How tall is the artificial turf at Butterfield? I wouldn't be surprised if it is at least ankle high. Hobart 21 Ithaca 17

I'm hoping for some great LL football this weekend with absolutely no injuries and some very entertaining games. Good luck to all.
[/quote]

[UfanBill]

Mach's amazingly mind-blowing predictions:

Hobart - 21
Ithaca - 24
I went back and forth on this one. I actually think Hobart might be a smidge better, but I'm going with the home field advantage this week, and thinking Ithaca squeaks on out.

St. Lawrence - 0
Union - 35
Not seeing much of a game here.

Rochester - 42
Buffalo St. - 10
I do think Rochester might hold their own this year and Buff St. just isn't good.

Good luck to all. Hopefully RPI is healing up nicely and getting ready to host the bomb-squad next week.

Here are my picks:

SLU at Union - Throughout the week, and after reviewing Palooza's thoughts from last week, I think I may have been too critical of Union. I just struggle giving credit to teams with week schedules and maybe within those big wins, I have been looking too close for any Union flaws. I'm thinking Springfield is still a decent team and Montclair...well I don't really know. Either way this one won't be close. The Garnet Charger D will give up it's second TD of the season, but otherwise they will shuts the Saints down. Union dominates 42-7

Rochester at Buffalo State - Rochester is obviously an improved team. How much have they improved in relation to the big 4? As happy as I am for their success thus far, I admittedly don't know, but I am guessing they are still not there. Regardless, they'll get a pretty easy W over what continues to be an abysmal Buffalo State team. Rochester 27 Buffalo State 10

Hobart at Ithaca - For me, this is a tough one to call. While I still had IC as my top team in the league, this is Hobarts "back to top form" game. I don't believe the Statesmen are all the way back to their usual form as a whole, but I think they are pretty close and show it with an over the top effort on the road. How tall is the artificial turf at Butterfield? I wouldn't be surprised if it is at least ankle high. Hobart 21 Ithaca 17

I'm hoping for some great LL football this weekend with absolutely no injuries and some very entertaining games. Good luck to all.

[/quote]

My Turn

Hobart at Ithaca...Yes Ice my friend the new turf on Butterfield is the key. Hobart has lost seventeen straight times at Ithaca but that was in the ankle deep,soft,wet grass that the Bombers used to their advantage, sometimes just psychologically. Opponents talked about it, complained about it , prepared for it and maybe even altered their game plans to combat it. Usually to no avail. Now there's a level playing field. No more excuses Hobart.
With that I'll take the Statesmen to finally get off the snide...17-14 Hobart in a game where their defense holds a late Bombers drive. Could even be OT.

Rochester at Buffalo State...It's the third straight road game for the Yellow Jackets. This time they don't have to go to Rhode Island or Maine but they could still have bus lag. This could be closer than people think as the Bengals have shown that they can score a little. How about 27-13 Rochester. in a ho hummer.   

St. Lawrence at Union...The Garnet have done everything you can ask so far. No reason to think they'll lose focus in their league opener. Fiore and Anderson get 2 TDs each and the 2nd and 3rd teamers continue to get experience. 49-7 Union

[Bartman]

Mach's amazingly mind-blowing predictions:

Hobart - 21
Ithaca - 24
I went back and forth on this one. I actually think Hobart might be a smidge better, but I'm going with the home field advantage this week, and thinking Ithaca squeaks on out.

St. Lawrence - 0
Union - 35
Not seeing much of a game here.

Rochester - 42
Buffalo St. - 10
I do think Rochester might hold their own this year and Buff St. just isn't good.

Good luck to all. Hopefully RPI is healing up nicely and getting ready to host the bomb-squad next week.

Here are my picks:

SLU at Union - Throughout the week, and after reviewing Palooza's thoughts from last week, I think I may have been too critical of Union. I just struggle giving credit to teams with week schedules and maybe within those big wins, I have been looking too close for any Union flaws. I'm thinking Springfield is still a decent team and Montclair...well I don't really know. Either way this one won't be close. The Garnet Charger D will give up it's second TD of the season, but otherwise they will shuts the Saints down. Union dominates 42-7

Rochester at Buffalo State - Rochester is obviously an improved team. How much have they improved in relation to the big 4? As happy as I am for their success thus far, I admittedly don't know, but I am guessing they are still not there. Regardless, they'll get a pretty easy W over what continues to be an abysmal Buffalo State team. Rochester 27 Buffalo State 10

Hobart at Ithaca - For me, this is a tough one to call. While I still had IC as my top team in the league, this is Hobarts "back to top form" game. I don't believe the Statesmen are all the way back to their usual form as a whole, but I think they are pretty close and show it with an over the top effort on the road. How tall is the artificial turf at Butterfield? I wouldn't be surprised if it is at least ankle high. Hobart 21 Ithaca 17 [/b]

I'm hoping for some great LL football this weekend with absolutely no injuries and some very entertaining games. Good luck to all.

[/quote]
IB, I think I will give you a big virtual Ice Bear hug for picking the Statesmen. I'm hoping for the 2021 version where we battled until the last possession in a close one score game....but this time Hobart breaks the Bombers spirit with a game ending field goal or a Boswell scamper.  If it is a single monkey stomp like last year, I might need you to update the prediction results for us since I will be in a very unhappy mood until at least the Union game. Good luck to the Garnet Chargers.

[Bartman]

UFAN Bill goes for the Statesmen as well..... . I'm loving the Union fans here until the sparks fly in Schenectady in October.

[ICAlum16]

Mach's amazingly mind-blowing predictions:

Hobart - 21
Ithaca - 24
I went back and forth on this one. I actually think Hobart might be a smidge better, but I'm going with the home field advantage this week, and thinking Ithaca squeaks on out.

St. Lawrence - 0
Union - 35
Not seeing much of a game here.

Rochester - 42
Buffalo St. - 10
I do think Rochester might hold their own this year and Buff St. just isn't good.

Good luck to all. Hopefully RPI is healing up nicely and getting ready to host the bomb-squad next week.

Here are my picks:

SLU at Union - Throughout the week, and after reviewing Palooza's thoughts from last week, I think I may have been too critical of Union. I just struggle giving credit to teams with week schedules and maybe within those big wins, I have been looking too close for any Union flaws. I'm thinking Springfield is still a decent team and Montclair...well I don't really know. Either way this one won't be close. The Garnet Charger D will give up it's second TD of the season, but otherwise they will shuts the Saints down. Union dominates 42-7

Rochester at Buffalo State - Rochester is obviously an improved team. How much have they improved in relation to the big 4? As happy as I am for their success thus far, I admittedly don't know, but I am guessing they are still not there. Regardless, they'll get a pretty easy W over what continues to be an abysmal Buffalo State team. Rochester 27 Buffalo State 10

Hobart at Ithaca - For me, this is a tough one to call. While I still had IC as my top team in the league, this is Hobarts "back to top form" game. I don't believe the Statesmen are all the way back to their usual form as a whole, but I think they are pretty close and show it with an over the top effort on the road. How tall is the artificial turf at Butterfield? I wouldn't be surprised if it is at least ankle high. Hobart 21 Ithaca 17 [/b]

I'm hoping for some great LL football this weekend with absolutely no injuries and some very entertaining games. Good luck to all.

IB, I think I will give you a big virtual Ice Bear hug for picking the Statesmen. I'm hoping for the 2021 version where we battled until the last possession in a close one score game....but this time Hobart breaks the Bombers spirit with a game ending field goal or a Boswell scamper.  If it is a single monkey stomp like last year, I might need you to update the prediction results for us since I will be in a very unhappy mood until at least the Union game. Good luck to the Garnet Chargers.
[/quote]

I have been trying to be objective but I can feel my Bomber homerism about to fly out of my ears. I can't wait for another IC win over Hobart. I do not think DeWall has the chops to win this game he has shown it time and time again. Bombers roll

[Ice Bear]

Ok, it'd be nice to continue our football discussion without losing karma.

[unionpalooza]

Union wins in double monkey stomp. 

Rochacha wins in single monkey stomp.

Hobart 23, Ithaca 21. Let the chaos begin. 

[Oline89]

LL season begins, the real picks matter:

Union 35 SLU 6:  Second team plays the entire second half

Ro cha cha 49 Buff St 12 : U of R's game of the year

Hobart 27 IC 24:  Statesmen running game on turf at Butterfield is a short term win, by 2024 the turf is torn up and IC798891 and ICAlum16 are personally spotted reseeding with original IC perennial rye and bluegrass

[Bartman]

LL season begins, the real picks matter:

Union 35 SLU 6:  Second team plays the entire second half

Ro cha cha 49 Buff St 12 : U of R's game of the year

Hobart 27 IC 24:  Statesmen running game on turf at Butterfield is a short term win, by 2024 the turf is torn up and IC798891 and ICAlum16 are personally spotted reseeding with original IC perennial rye and bluegrass

Good point Oline, I think we'll have a third category of pics: Record picking LL Conference games. Good luck to everyone this weekend.

[UfanBill]

An interesting note regarding St. Lawrence...QB Daniel Lawther took over behind center midway through his freshmen season in 2021 and immediately made a difference for the Saints. He twice won LL rookie of the week honors that season. In 2022 Lawther started all 10 games throwing 11 TDs giving St. Lawrence solid QB play. He was the catalyst for their offense and a LL Honorable Mention pick. Seemingly a star in the making.

Two weeks ago against Western New England Lawther threw two interceptions. The second a pick six and the next series he was replaced at QB by Will Lederman. Lederman started last week against Castleton and Lawther did not play. Is Lawther injured or did coach Dan Puckhaber just want a change? Lederman played well against Castleton, throwing 2 TDs and running for 2 more. Is he just better?

In looking at St.Lawrence's Two Deep for Saturday's game against Union, Lederman is listed as the starter and Lawther as the backup. It will be an interesting dynamic to watch.     

[stlawus]

Lawther is injured. If Lederman keeps playing like he has it might be his spot indefinitely. 

[Ice Bear]

I find it interesting that Greg Thomas picked Union as his most surprising 5-0 team this season. At first, I scratched my head a bit but then after thinking about it, and seeing his reasoning in a response he made to a posted comment, I kind of get it.

This team was 6-4 last year and was steam rolled over the last three games of the season (throw into that the devastating comeback loss to Utica in week 4 as well). I say steamrolled not referring to the score differential per say, but losing three in a row to their top rivals, all at the end of the season. The proverbial air was completely let out of the balloon. Especially after the loss to RPI, which was was absolutely embarrassing. Not because of RPI but because of the way we played. IMHO Union may have found themselves in a place they hadn't been, since Behrman took over...and yes that includes their initial 3-7 season. Move ahead to this this season and you have a new coach, some losses at some key positions (WR and the secondary), and some uncertainty about which direction this team would head in 2023. Who knew what we were going to see? Obviously knowing Pacatte was coming back, Tolbert, a strong D-line and LB core made me think they would be competitive, but I still didn't know and was feeling quite down at the end of last season.

Now, we must take into account this weak schedule, which really consists of three scrimmages, one quasi-test in Springfield, and a Montclair team that I still have no clue about, and you may say, "No, 5-0 was expected." Honestly, I see it either way, it is a surprise they are 5-0 and it's not a surprise they are 5-0.

However, what Greg did say, that does really make sense to me is the way in which Union has arrived at 5-0, is surprising. They have really looked good, especially the two times they faced ok competition. Obviously IC, Hobart, and RPI seem like they are big steps up, and I think they are. But Union has looked very good on both sides of the ball. So good that I've even come to "nit pick" a bit to point out any weaknesses that I think may hurt the Garnet Chargers against the big boys.

So, taking all into account, this has been a very good start for Union and maybe one where some say they could be the best of the four...or at the very least in the mix. Either way I applaud Greg for his pick of Union even though it's not such an easy sell. Gutsy call Greg. Well done.

[unionpalooza]

I find it interesting that Greg Thomas picked Union as his most surprising 5-0 team this season. At first, I scratched my head a bit but then after thinking about it, and seeing his reasoning in a response he made to a posted comment, I kind of get it.

This team was 6-4 last year and was steam rolled over the last three games of the season (throw into that the devastating comeback loss to Utica in week 4 as well). I say steamrolled not referring to the score differential per say, but losing three in a row to their top rivals, all at the end of the season. The proverbial air was completely let out of the balloon. Especially after the loss to RPI, which was was absolutely embarrassing. Not because of RPI but because of the way we played. IMHO Union may have found themselves in a place they hadn't been, since Behrman took over...and yes that includes their initial 3-7 season. Move ahead to this this season and you have a new coach, some losses at some key positions (WR and the secondary), and some uncertainty about which direction this team would head in 2023. Who knew what we were going to see? Obviously knowing Pacatte was coming back, Tolbert, a strong D-line and LB core made me think they would be competitive, but I still didn't know and was feeling quite down at the end of last season.

Now, we must take into account this weak schedule, which really consists of three scrimmages, one quasi-test in Springfield, and a Montclair team that I still have no clue about, and you may say, "No, 5-0 was expected." Honestly, I see it either way, it is a surprise they are 5-0 and it's not a surprise they are 5-0.

However, what Greg did say, that does really make sense to me is the way in which Union has arrived at 5-0, is surprising. They have really looked good, especially the two times they faced ok competition. Obviously IC, Hobart, and RPI seem like they are big steps up, and I think they are. But Union has looked very good on both sides of the ball. So good that I've even come to "nit pick" a bit to point out any weaknesses that I think may hurt the Garnet Chargers against the big boys.

So, taking all into account, this has been a very good start for Union and maybe one where some say they could be the best of the four...or at the very least in the mix. Either way I applaud Greg for his pick of Union even though it's not such an easy sell. Gutsy call Greg. Well done.

Yeah, I think it's more the style that he was deeming surprising.  Maybe 5-0 is not a shocker given the schedule, but I don't think many would have predicted that Union would have outscored its opponents 205-14 in the first four games and be among the top 10 nationally in fifteen different statistical categories.  That said, I think many did not expect much from Union because they didn't realize how much Union brought back this year, and the fact that 6-4 final record looks a lot worse than what might have been, as Union blew three blown late leads against Utica, Hobart, and Ithaca.

On that same column, I thought Greg's take on the poll issues we've been discussing was really thoughtful.  Folks should check it out, if they haven't.