FB: Liberty League

[boobyhasgameyo]

I'm not saying they aren't down from a few years ago.  It was certainly stronger about 5 years ago.  But that doesn't mean to me the conference isn't deserving of the ranking.  They still went out and earned their OOC record.  Just wondering what other conferences should be ranked ahead in PA's mind and why. 

[pumkinattack]

I only pay enough attention to the rest of the country to know who the players are, so let me rephrase:

If the E8 is the 5th best conference in the country this year as they were in past years then there a hell of a lot of parity in the country now beyond the top 4 teams (based on the IWU game, I'm a NCC skeptic at this point and wouldn't include then in that elite tier until they prove it against an OOC top ten team).  Either way, in my opinion the conference was a lot stronger in prior years.  And it ain't at the expense of any other east region conference,, all of which seem generally weaker than 2-3 yrs ago.

[drt]

Not sure how you can say the conference is down when the last place team lost to the two
playoff contenders by a total of 6 points....

[Upstate]

Heard a few days ago Conlan would be a go, but I've been worried since Sprinngfield about health and depth.  We had three guys go down against union for example.  Tons of talent, but the 35th, 40th and perhaps even 50th guy on the roster is going to make plays this weekend.  Every DB, LB and DT is going to have to play balls to the wall, not just Tyre, TJ, DW and a few other starters.  Souffrant, Fasano, Berkowitz and Robinson can't drop balls like they have too often this season.  Brad burns, Justin Burke and Chris Holoman are going to have to be effective when they are in the game.

Doesn't matter, most people seem to think Hobart is somewhat fraudulent and Fisher is going to walk in and win because their schedule is so much stronger (agreed about W&J, not sold on the E8 this year as a top 5 conference, but it's still better than the LL top to bottom pretty much since 2005-2006 area). 

I and a few other who pay attention have been waiting pretty much for round two all year and we'll find out now if they are for real.  It may sound presumptuous, but it's true.  I know these kids are tough as nails and have a lot of pride.  Now it's time to show the world, or not, what they're made of.  I have my opinions, but the arguing and inconsistent rationalization a everyone throws around are done come playoff time.  I plan to eat myself into a coma tomorrow, watch the Hobart game off Sat and then hopefully celebrate a win while watching Ga Tech take down UGA before passing out and waking up to December.

Could swear that Hobart is a 6-4 team that barely snuck in because of a tiebreaker with this post...

You have a top 10 team...

Suck it up buttercup...

[boobyhasgameyo]

But you do have to admire how perfectly he has positioned himself with posts like that.  If Fisher wins it's because Hobart has been decimated by injuries and are a shell of themselves.  But if Hobart wins or even blows out Fisher, you can almost feel it now how much he will lay into the Cardinals.  How the game will prove our conference is down, justify their high ranking this year, vindicate their softer schedule, etc.  The game can only indicate long standing trends if Hobart wins you see.  Also, Fisher and every other team left standing in the playoffs are without injury or loss of personnel...so Hobart is dealing with a unique circumstance on that front.  Whew just thinking about it all and the pressure starts to build!  I think I'd try and position myself in such a fashion as well! 

[Frank Rossi]

PA is sounding much like our resident "In the HuddLLe" analyst...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8

Happy Thanksgiving, All.  Enjoy the turkey, the football, and the D3 PLAYoffs.

[sjfcards]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Enjoy!

[dlippiel]

Dlip wishes everyone here on the boards and third families a wonderful thanksgiving!!! Dlip is very thankful for d3football.com and most of all (regarding football) for you crazy passionate d3 football posters. Eat eat eat and eat some more ladies and gentlemen!!!!

[pumkinattack]

Funny, tell me again about the three weeks we had in 2011 or how you had all your backups when you beat powerhouse JHU and DelVal. 

You're assuming I care if I prove anything to you.  Just transmitting bought, but I am reading into your mindsets with these comments.  It's up to the current roster of players, not a kid from the barely above .500 late 90s, to prove anything tomorrow.

For a group of folks that make a whole ton of excuses and bend their realities when it suits them (see post pre JCU game "if JCU wins by a ton"), the conspiracies are rampant. Everyone has been saying how Hobart has played no one and is suspect all year.  I'm going to let my guys do the talking tomorrow and well see what happens.  Others can cherry pick and selectively read/hear what they want to make themselves feel better.

Want something to get your panties up about.  Fine, here:

I think my guys has every not as much heart and fight as Fisher and has tremendous talent even if not the full roster they started the season with.  I think Hobart will play balls out defense and will be able to run the ball and wins 24-10.

There, feast number 2 for you all after what I genuinely hope was a terrific round of Thanksgivigs yesterday.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Nah, no panties in a bunch about you predicting Hobart to win.  I can't speak for upstate but my last post was more tongue in cheek than anything.  I think Hobart is obviously a fine team, unproven for their top 10 ranking, but that's something even you have said throughout the year if I recall.

Holding Fisher to 10 points would be an accomplishment.  If Hobart pulls that off then they deserve to win  .  Can't wait until tomorrow! 

[Frank Rossi]

We interrupt the "PaBooby Show" for an important message:

HAPPY DLIPPIN' BIRTHDAY, DLIP!!!!

Thank you for your patience.  We now return to our regular programming.

[pumkinattack]

Yes, happy birthday. 

We'll see.  Hobart wasn't really tested last year either until the playoffs, but I would say W&L was a better test going into Witt than Galludet going into this game.  Now that I've called the over/under 35 it's going to end up 42-38 or something like that. 

For SJF folks, the best opportunity to beat Bart is in the secondary.  Our DB's are as fast as any, but small.  Most of the bigger pass plays against them are just jump balls where our DB is bodied up to a 6'2" type receiver (think Hayes at Roch) as if our guy is twerking the WR and they just win the jump ball.  That'll be the best place to exploit.  That (and health is still a concern) and the lack of a real test are the two big concerns, but these guys have played some excellent teams in serious settings the past few years, so I hope they're ready for a challenge. 

I seriously expect Cragg to rush both Webb and our very fast, talented and strong FB (Dominique Ellis) 30+ times tomorrow and try to control TOP along with bringing a lot of pressure on Fenti so that he can't sit there and perfect those jump ball passes.  I know Conlan can do a ton more than what he's shown, but there's been no need to throw more than 10-15x/game all year.  He's way ahead of Kennedy in efficiency rating and had similar TDs in half the passing attempts.  He, throws better than Strang did, but Nick proved to just figure out how to win and this will be Conlan's time to prove it.  Our WR's and TE's have dropped a lot of balls this year as well.   That can't happen.

[boobyhasgameyo]

One of our wide receivers specializes in jump ball opportunities.  Nigolian is super athletic and he can go up and get it.  Look for fades to him in the red zone.  Francis is more of a burner like his older brother, also extremely effective. 

Webb is a dynamic runner and has been since the moment he stepped on campus.  Fisher has done a good job of containing the run so far this year, except for Salisbury - but Salisbury has our number and their rush offense isn't exactly conventional.  If it's a matter of trying to line up your offensive line and play a power style against our d line, then that could be problematic for Hobart.  Webb will need to break some tackles.  Obviously he is capable, but tackling has been a strength of the Fisher defense all year.  It'll be an interesting matchup of strengths. 

[Upstate]

Funny, tell me again about the three weeks we had in 2011 or how you had all your backups when you beat powerhouse JHU and DelVal. 

You're assuming I care if I prove anything to you.  Just transmitting bought, but I am reading into your mindsets with these comments.  It's up to the current roster of players, not a kid from the barely above .500 late 90s, to prove anything tomorrow.

For a group of folks that make a whole ton of excuses and bend their realities when it suits them (see post pre JCU game "if JCU wins by a ton"), the conspiracies are rampant. Everyone has been saying how Hobart has played no one and is suspect all year.  I'm going to let my guys do the talking tomorrow and well see what happens.  Others can cherry pick and selectively read/hear what they want to make themselves feel better.

Want something to get your panties up about.  Fine, here:

I think my guys has every not as much heart and fight as Fisher and has tremendous talent even if not the full roster they started the season with.  I think Hobart will play balls out defense and will be able to run the ball and wins 24-10.

There, feast number 2 for you all after what I genuinely hope was a terrific round of Thanksgivigs yesterday.

Don't forget you had three weeks and were playing against a RB that was playing QB!!!

In all kidding aside, you guys took is to the woodshed and nothing anyone says can change that, your OC had Fisher guessing and on their heels all game. It was really impressive to watch and disheartening all at the same time. Fisher couldn't get out of their own way on offense and put their defense back on the field with like 4 straight 3 & outs to open the game. Bottom line is Bart whooped on Fisher, end of story...

I can see any type of outcome on Saturday and it wouldn't surprise me either way. Fisher hasn't faced a smash mouth power run game like the one Webb and Hobart have and I don't think Hobart has seen a multi dimensional offense led by a QB and RB like Fishers this year. It could go to OT or it could be a blow out by either team...

Regardless of the outcome one of the best programs from the east over the last decade is moving on to the Elite 8 so good luck to both teams!!!

[sjfcards]

To me tomorrow will be a case of strength against strength. Hobart likes to run the ball, and obviously has a stud that can carry the load for them. Fisher is strong against the run, and likes to take the ball away. I agree Hobart will try to control the clock, and limit turnovers by keeping the ball in Webb's hands. Fisher will move the ball on offense I have no doubt but has to avoid turnovers and penalties that have plagued them all year. They did it against JCU, but two weeks in a row?

Hobart fans can "aw shucks, we're not all that good" all they want. Teams don't go undefeated in two straight regular seasons without talent and depth. Last year I thought the same thing about Hobart not being tested, and they went out and beat some very good teams in the playoffs.

I think it is a pick em game, and whoever limits mistakes will win. Either way, this is perhaps the two best programs in the East over the last 10 years playing for a chance to play a national power in the elite 8. It doesn't get much better than that!