FB: Liberty League

[JT]

JT -- How does the pricing work for that setup?

MJT has a free membership to Goldstar.  A site that lists specials in various cities.  List price is $175 per seat. She got them for $125 + $19 service fee, pick up at Yankee Stadium will call.  For what some field level regular seats cost, it isn't a bad deal.  Top shelf liquor only $12, beer on tap is $10.  I had a couple of Blue Moons, she had a couple of Kettle Ones and cranberry.  $44 for two drinks each.  Staff will come around and take drink orders, including serving free soda and water.  You can always hit the bar also.  Private restrooms are inside club.

1st row is against the window, 2nd row (best row) is raised above 1st, 3rd is raised above 2nd.

They also served a fish dish. And they had ballpark fare too: Hot dogs, cracker jacks, potato chips.

http://www.goldstar.com

[Jonny Utah]

JT -- How does the pricing work for that setup?

MJT has a free membership to Goldstar.  A site that lists specials in various cities.  List price is $175 per seat. She got them for $125 + $19 service fee, pick up at Yankee Stadium will call.  For what some field level regular seats cost, it isn't a bad deal.

1st row is against the window, 2nd row (best row) is raised above 1st, 3rd is raised above 2nd.

They also served a fish dish. And they had ballpark fare too: Hot dogs, cracker jacks, potato chips.

http://www.goldstar.com

I went to a Chicago White Sox games a few years ago and they had a similar setup although the seats were in the outfield.  All you could eat in the bleacher bar in Center Field with your ticket.  It was a good deal if I remember correctly.

[maxpower]

JT -- How does the pricing work for that setup?

MJT has a free membership to Goldstar.  A site that lists specials in various cities.  List price is $175 per seat. She got them for $125 + $19 service fee, pick up at Yankee Stadium will call.  For what some field level regular seats cost, it isn't a bad deal.

1st row is against the window, 2nd row (best row) is raised above 1st, 3rd is raised above 2nd.

They also served a fish dish. And they had ballpark fare too: Hot dogs, cracker jacks, potato chips.

http://www.goldstar.com

I went to a Chicago White Sox games a few years ago and they had a similar setup although the seats were in the outfield.  All you could eat in the bleacher bar in Center Field with your ticket.  It was a good deal if I remember correctly.

Yeah, my friends and I were at new cellular in 08 and ate at that restaurant behind the RF fence. The coolest thing about it was you could buy beers in there for slightly less and take them back to your seats.

MP's 6'7" friend: "Um, could I have two 24oz Miller Lites, please?"

Waitress: "Really?"

[Frank Rossi]

We're going to be examining the question of RPI potentially moving to Division I during our first edition of "In the HuddLLe" next month... However, a new question for RPI is on the horizon:  Is the hockey program going to move to the Hockey East Conference?

This is a relevant question, as discussed in the "Without a Peer" Blog at http://www.withoutapeer.com/ -- the brief story is that Notre Dame has been invited to join Hockey East, as the Central US's college hockey conferences have shuffled this off-season.  To balance Notre Dame's potential entry, RPI, a team that was invited in the early 1980s when the initial ECAC/Hockey East split occurred, has reportedly received consideration and/or an invitation to move.

I will warn you that I find "Without a Peer" a bit skewed in its discussion, as it minimizes factors like geography -- in reality, in college hockey, geography has been causing issues that have led to some of the shuffling and realignment we're witnessing.  Hockey East's desire to include Notre Dame is obviously one based on increased revenues from games against a national university like ND.  However, RPI's location, size and history do work against the school in this type of situation.  Granted, a 12th team would be needed to balance out the Hockey East schedule -- and I know of no other team invited as of now.

The reason I bring this up alongside the D1 questions in the preface is that while we've already witnessed a number of things that point to RPI jumping divisions, this move would be further symbolic of such a move -- it would throw out the notion of traditional history against programs like Clarkson, St. Lawrence and Union in hockey (although, you'd assume that they would keep non-conference games against those teams, but not two games a year like they currently play).  That is a central question posed to RPI when the D1 discussion comes up -- what about your traditions in athletics?  If they are somewhat meaningless in the case of hockey, then they are not going to permeate in D3 considerations, one would think.

This is one to watch, as it looks doubtful that RPI is going to give an indication regarding D1 anytime soon -- even though I'm sure the Liberty League would like to know the school's intentions sooner rather than later with the E8/LL competition for teams at its peak... E8 will have 6 football teams as of 2013, making that a prospective problem for the LL in a fight to retain schools.  Stay tuned.

[John McGraw]

We're going to be examining the question of RPI potentially moving to Division I during our first edition of "In the HuddLLe" next month... However, a new question for RPI is on the horizon:  Is the hockey program going to move to the Hockey East Conference?

This is a relevant question, as discussed in the "Without a Peer" Blog at http://www.withoutapeer.com/ -- the brief story is that Notre Dame has been invited to join Hockey East, as the Central US's college hockey conferences have shuffled this off-season.  To balance Notre Dame's potential entry, RPI, a team that was invited in the early 1980s when the initial ECAC/Hockey East split occurred, has reportedly received consideration and/or an invitation to move.

I will warn you that I find "Without a Peer" a bit skewed in its discussion, as it minimizes factors like geography -- in reality, in college hockey, geography has been causing issues that have led to some of the shuffling and realignment we're witnessing.  Hockey East's desire to include Notre Dame is obviously one based on increased revenues from games against a national university like ND.  However, RPI's location, size and history do work against the school in this type of situation.  Granted, a 12th team would be needed to balance out the Hockey East schedule -- and I know of no other team invited as of now.

The reason I bring this up alongside the D1 questions in the preface is that while we've already witnessed a number of things that point to RPI jumping divisions, this move would be further symbolic of such a move -- it would throw out the notion of traditional history against programs like Clarkson, St. Lawrence and Union in hockey (although, you'd assume that they would keep non-conference games against those teams, but not two games a year like they currently play).  That is a central question posed to RPI when the D1 discussion comes up -- what about your traditions in athletics?  If they are somewhat meaningless in the case of hockey, then they are not going to permeate in D3 considerations, one would think.

This is one to watch, as it looks doubtful that RPI is going to give an indication regarding D1 anytime soon -- even though I'm sure the Liberty League would like to know the school's intentions sooner rather than later with the E8/LL competition for teams at its peak... E8 will have 6 football teams as of 2013, making that a prospective problem for the LL in a fight to retain schools.  Stay tuned.

I think Hockey East would take Quinnipiac over RPI personally.

[lewdogg11]

Ok, so i'm trying to end this week and pass the time and all these terds on the E8 are predicting their teams to go undefeated, so i'll give it a whirl for 1 meaningless mid-July prediction...

We all know that RPI is a total mystery this year.  One comment that I have heard from the new coaching staff is 'There is a LOT of talent here'.  I think anyone who's followed this program knows that there is a lot of talent there, and there has been for the past few years, and they've under performed.  There's a chance they still can't put it all together.  I'm thinking they will perform rather well.  Why?  Because I don't think this new coaching staff will allow for the 1-2 game meltdowns against piss poor competition that RPI has been known to partake in almost every year.  I think they will beat who they are supposed to beat, and they'll compete with the better teams.  Beating who you are SUPPOSED to beat, should equate to atleast 6 games every year with their schedule.  So that said, here goes something...

9/10 at Alfred
According to one poster on the E8 board, Alfred is in a different class than RPI.  I don't agree.  I think this game COULD surprise a lot of people, and I honestly have a feeling that RPI could really make a statement in this game.  With that said, i'm gonna take the high route and make the conservative prediction:
Alfred 34
RPI 28

9/17 vs Castleton State
I'm thinking the same thing everyone else is thinking....Who the hell is Castleton State and WHY?  Well, their 55-51 W over Husson last year DOES speak volumes to me.  I think i'll stay conservative here too:
RPI 49
Castleton State 3

9/24 at WPI
This is one of those LL SHOULD WIN games.  The first of the bunch.  WPI is always a tough game but this year I think RPI does it right:
RPI 35
WPI 14

10/1 vs Rochester
Rochester is the weirdest team EVER.  For some reason, they get to a place where they seem like they might become relevant, then they don't follow through.  Last year, they went 4-5 ending the year with consecutive wins over WPI, Alfred(E8 Champion), St. Lawrence(LL Champion), and Hobart.  I think they will be a similar team this year.  But the first LL home game at the ECAV, look for RPI to light it up:
RPI  42
Rochester 21

10/8 vs Utica
You ever have one of those horseflies that follows you around and you sprint up the street and that little f'er is still buzzing in your ear and dive-bombing into your head?  That is Utica.  Under the former regime, RPI just couldn't get up for Utica.  RPI pretty much embarrassed the entire LL last year by getting doubled up by Utica who went 0-5 in the E8.  RPI has actually lost twice to Utica in the series history.  Once again, I think this is one of those games that RPI SHOULD win and might not in the past, but they will this year.
RPI 24
Utica 0

10/22 vs St. Lawrence
So I jumped in this hot tub, spilled red bull all over the controls and ended up in 1986 for the last 12 months.  I got back and someone told me that St. Lawrence won the LL and played Mount Union last year in the playoffs.  Wha wha wha?  Yeah, that's about as likely as the Pirates being in first place this year...St. Lawrence will be back to their old selves this year.  They weren't far off last year, they just caught a pathetic league:
RPI 38
St. Lawrence 13

10/29 at Union
Union went 2-7 last year.  That's crazy to me.  They had a tough year emotionally and some crazy stuff happen.  But wow.  I don't expect that this year.  I think Union will be back.  However, Union still has the same coach:
RPI 24
Union 14

11/5 at Hobart
Noon o'clock game in November at the Boz.  I think Hobart will have a better year than last year.  And at their place in the cold, I think they will have an advantage.  I think at this point, RPI would have to lose it's last 2 games to be challenged for the league.  I think this one trips them up.  But will it be enough for another LL team to take the LL crown?
Hobart  14
RPI 10

11/2 vs Merchant Marine
Talk about another one of those teams that you should blow off of the field each year.  The talent level here isn't even close.  The MMA discipline has been a major factor though.  The last 3 contests have all been decided by 3 points or less.  But let's face it, MMA just isn't that good.  The last SHOULD WIN of the season.
RPI 45
MMA 6

That puts RPI at 7-2 for the year.  1 LL loss.  I think that gets them a 3-4 seed in the playoffs, and maybe sets them up for a 2nd-3rd round exit.  This would be a great year for the program.  It's hard to imagine this team losing more than 3 games, mostly because of their schedule.  Do I think they will be world beaters?  Not this year.  Maybe in 2 or 3.  But I expect to see some improvement and some success. 

Discuss.  And have a fantastically shweaty weekend.

[pg04]

At 7-2 I doubt there would be a 3 or 4 seed.  And they'd only get in the playoffs had Hobart lost two LL games and RPI won the conference, in your scenario.

2 losses will once again be difficult to get into the playoffs outside of Pool A

[lewdogg11]

At 7-2 I doubt there would be a 3 or 4 seed.  And they'd only get in the playoffs had Hobart lost two LL games and RPI won the conference, in your scenario.

2 losses will once again be difficult to get into the playoffs outside of Pool A

Yes, Pool A. Make it a 4-5 seed. And find a grammatical error or something.

[pg04]

At 7-2 I doubt there would be a 3 or 4 seed.  And they'd only get in the playoffs had Hobart lost two LL games and RPI won the conference, in your scenario.

2 losses will once again be difficult to get into the playoffs outside of Pool A

Yes, Pool A. Make it a 4-5 seed. And find a grammatical error or something.

I reread your post and see that it is implied that RPI would get an A.  Sorry about that.    I still think you are high on the seedings, but it really depends on the strength of the NJAC and MAC.  

And no, no grammatical errors. I won't mention it unless you use your and you're incorrectly   .

[Jonny Utah]

Ok, so i'm trying to end this week and pass the time and all these terds on the E8 are predicting their teams to go undefeated, so i'll give it a whirl for 1 meaningless mid-July prediction...

We all know that RPI is a total mystery this year.  One comment that I have heard from the new coaching staff is 'There is a LOT of talent here'.  I think anyone who's followed this program knows that there is a lot of talent there, and there has been for the past few years, and they've under performed.  There's a chance they still can't put it all together.  I'm thinking they will perform rather well.  Why?  Because I don't think this new coaching staff will allow for the 1-2 game meltdowns against piss poor competition that RPI has been known to partake in almost every year.  I think they will beat who they are supposed to beat, and they'll compete with the better teams.  Beating who you are SUPPOSED to beat, should equate to atleast 6 games every year with their schedule.  So that said, here goes something...

9/10 at Alfred
According to one poster on the E8 board, Alfred is in a different class than RPI.  I don't agree.  I think this game COULD surprise a lot of people, and I honestly have a feeling that RPI could really make a statement in this game.  With that said, i'm gonna take the high route and make the conservative prediction:
Alfred 34
RPI 28

9/17 vs Castleton State
I'm thinking the same thing everyone else is thinking....Who the hell is Castleton State and WHY?  Well, their 55-51 W over Husson last year DOES speak volumes to me.  I think i'll stay conservative here too:
RPI 49
Castleton State 3

9/24 at WPI
This is one of those LL SHOULD WIN games.  The first of the bunch.  WPI is always a tough game but this year I think RPI does it right:
RPI 35
WPI 14

10/1 vs Rochester
Rochester is the weirdest team EVER.  For some reason, they get to a place where they seem like they might become relevant, then they don't follow through.  Last year, they went 4-5 ending the year with consecutive wins over WPI, Alfred(E8 Champion), St. Lawrence(LL Champion), and Hobart.  I think they will be a similar team this year.  But the first LL home game at the ECAV, look for RPI to light it up:
RPI  42
Rochester 21

10/8 vs Utica
You ever have one of those horseflies that follows you around and you sprint up the street and that little f'er is still buzzing in your ear and dive-bombing into your head?  That is Utica.  Under the former regime, RPI just couldn't get up for Utica.  RPI pretty much embarrassed the entire LL last year by getting doubled up by Utica who went 0-5 in the E8.  RPI has actually lost twice to Utica in the series history.  Once again, I think this is one of those games that RPI SHOULD win and might not in the past, but they will this year.
RPI 24
Utica 0

10/22 vs St. Lawrence
So I jumped in this hot tub, spilled red bull all over the controls and ended up in 1986 for the last 12 months.  I got back and someone told me that St. Lawrence won the LL and played Mount Union last year in the playoffs.  Wha wha wha?  Yeah, that's about as likely as the Pirates being in first place this year...St. Lawrence will be back to their old selves this year.  They weren't far off last year, they just caught a pathetic league:
RPI 38
St. Lawrence 13

10/29 at Union
Union went 2-7 last year.  That's crazy to me.  They had a tough year emotionally and some crazy stuff happen.  But wow.  I don't expect that this year.  I think Union will be back.  However, Union still has the same coach:
RPI 24
Union 14

11/5 at Hobart
Noon o'clock game in November at the Boz.  I think Hobart will have a better year than last year.  And at their place in the cold, I think they will have an advantage.  I think at this point, RPI would have to lose it's last 2 games to be challenged for the league.  I think this one trips them up.  But will it be enough for another LL team to take the LL crown?
Hobart  14
RPI 10

11/2 vs Merchant Marine
Talk about another one of those teams that you should blow off of the field each year.  The talent level here isn't even close.  The MMA discipline has been a major factor though.  The last 3 contests have all been decided by 3 points or less.  But let's face it, MMA just isn't that good.  The last SHOULD WIN of the season.
RPI 45
MMA 6

That puts RPI at 7-2 for the year.  1 LL loss.  I think that gets them a 3-4 seed in the playoffs, and maybe sets them up for a 2nd-3rd round exit.  This would be a great year for the program.  It's hard to imagine this team losing more than 3 games, mostly because of their schedule.  Do I think they will be world beaters?  Not this year.  Maybe in 2 or 3.  But I expect to see some improvement and some success. 

Discuss.  And have a fantastically shweaty weekend.

I say RPI loses 3-4 games.  They will go 1-2 or 2-1 versus Union, Hobart and Alfred, and they will lose 1 or 2 other games to the field.

[lewdogg11]

Utah, maybe so, the problem is, this league is so bad, and their OOC schedule is so bad, how can you 'predict' losses to any teams other than possibly Alfred, Hobart, or Union?  It's very difficult.  I, like you said, have them going 1-2 vs. Alfred, Union and Hobart.  I just can't pick out another team that they maybe should lose to.

[Frank Rossi]

LD, the biggest question mark here is the offense that will be installed by the new coach.  He's most recently of a running-back centric offensive approach, which we both know counters the entirety of the last ten years of RPI's base offense.  You can't just retool that scenario overnight with the pieces you need to accomplish a success with that switch of offense.

Now, let's say they want to still utilize Hermann at QB and try to slowly make the slide toward a more balanced offense.  Hermann would need some mobility to accomplish that balance to a point that would allow RPI to make defenses have to go a bit more flat-footed each play until they saw the play develop.  However, Hermann isn't that type of quarterback.  Attempts at mobility in the past got him injured or were plain ineffective.  So, it's tough to go game by game right now when we haven't the slightest clue how the new staff will approach what they want to do offensively vs. what they CAN do offensively.

[Jonny Utah]

Utah, maybe so, the problem is, this league is so bad, and their OOC schedule is so bad, how can you 'predict' losses to any teams other than possibly Alfred, Hobart, or Union?  It's very difficult.  I, like you said, have them going 1-2 vs. Alfred, Union and Hobart.  I just can't pick out another team that they maybe should lose to.

That is the problem with picking games in the preseason.  You really can't predict wins or loses for a team like RPI because there are so many unknowns going into next year.  New coaching staff, new system, some new players, some bad losses last year, etc.  Like you and others have said, RPI may have underperformed for the amount of talent they have had, and they might have lost a game or two last year because of those underperformances. 

It seems that RPI has been one of those teams that lose one, sometimes two or three games a year to teams they are better than.  Are these loses always the fault of the coaching staff?

That being said, Caselton State and MM are probably the only two guarentted wins for RPI, with WPI being a team they should beat.  Utica, St. Lawrence, Union and Rochester are four teams that seem to have the talent to beat RPI, Ithaca, Alfred or any east team on any given Sunday.  It would be hard to predict RPI to lose to one of those teams if you went down the list, but RPI has found a way to lose to these teams in the past, and I don't see this year being too much different. 

[Jonny Utah]

LD, the biggest question mark here is the offense that will be installed by the new coach.  He's most recently of a running-back centric offensive approach, which we both know counters the entirety of the last ten years of RPI's base offense.  You can't just retool that scenario overnight with the pieces you need to accomplish a success with that switch of offense.

Now, let's say they want to still utilize Hermann at QB and try to slowly make the slide toward a more balanced offense.  Hermann would need some mobility to accomplish that balance to a point that would allow RPI to make defenses have to go a bit more flat-footed each play until they saw the play develop.  However, Hermann isn't that type of quarterback.  Attempts at mobility in the past got him injured or were plain ineffective.  So, it's tough to go game by game right now when we haven't the slightest clue how the new staff will approach what they want to do offensively vs. what they CAN do offensively.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but SJSU ran the pistol spread the last few years, and any spread offense is going to run the ball if they can, including RPI over the past few years.  That is the great thing about the spread/no huddle.  You can audible run or pass based on the defense.  I don't think Herman would be effected that much by a new offense unless they decided to go from under center and switched to a pro-style offense

[Frank Rossi]

I think looking at his style at Bucknell might be more telling since his stint there was for multiple seasons.  According to this old bio, his attack was a run-centric "spread option offense" that didn't focus much on the passing game until about midway through his tenure at Bucknell.

http://www.bucknellbison.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/landis_tim00.html