FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

So can we all agree now that Hobart's ranking was justified?  They just beat the E8 champ and the #7 ranked team and are in the final 8 again.  The ranked teams in the final 8 are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11.  I'd say d3football.com's rankings are pretty legit.

Lewdogg,
Your logic is irrefutable, especially after Hobart's win against Hopkins. But for some reason the expert love is not flowing to this team yet due to their cardiac type wins. That said, the" talent gap" theory between the top 4-6 and the rest of D3 football will be tested in the Hobart-Wesley matchup(did the Linfield win test the theory or have they been accepted into the higher eschelon or did UMHB just suck for one day?...Widener will give us a clue). Wesley is obviously formidable(FCS'esque), and hopefully the Statesmen defense can disrupt this offensive machine(Wesley had 157 yards of penalties in 2011 game) and keep them under 35 points. If Hobart can run and be turnover free, get some receivers free and execute, and hog the ball, the game will be as competitive as 2011.  We will see.

[rlk]

So can we all agree now that Hobart's ranking was justified?  They just beat the E8 champ and the #7 ranked team and are in the final 8 again.  The ranked teams in the final 8 are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11.  I'd say d3football.com's rankings are pretty legit.

Lewdogg,
Your logic is irrefutable, especially after Hobart's win against Hopkins. But for some reason the expert love is not flowing to this team yet due to their cardiac type wins. That said, the" talent gap" theory between the top 4-6 and the rest of D3 football will be tested in the Hobart-Wesley matchup(did the Linfield win test the theory or have they been accepted into the higher eschelon or did UMHB just suck for one day?...Widener will give us a clue). Wesley is obviously formidable(FCS'esque), and hopefully the Statesmen defense can disrupt this offensive machine(Wesley had 157 yards of penalties in 2011 game) and keep them under 35 points. If Hobart can run and be turnover free, get some receivers free and execute, and hog the ball, the game will be as competitive as 2011.  We will see.

UMHB's first round game was close, and during the regular season they gave up a lot more points than UWW, Mount Union, and Wesley.  They scored a lot more in some cases too, but it's hard to read much into it, partly because their conference appears to be very high scoring (perhaps weak defensively) and partly because the difference between 50 and 80 points might simply mean playing aggressively in the second half of a blowout vs. playing more conservatively.  I don't think UMHB was quite at the same level as the top three.

[lewdogg11]

So can we all agree now that Hobart's ranking was justified?  They just beat the E8 champ and the #7 ranked team and are in the final 8 again.  The ranked teams in the final 8 are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11.  I'd say d3football.com's rankings are pretty legit.

Lewdogg,
Your logic is irrefutable, especially after Hobart's win against Hopkins. But for some reason the expert love is not flowing to this team yet due to their cardiac type wins. That said, the" talent gap" theory between the top 4-6 and the rest of D3 football will be tested in the Hobart-Wesley matchup(did the Linfield win test the theory or have they been accepted into the higher eschelon or did UMHB just suck for one day?...Widener will give us a clue). Wesley is obviously formidable(FCS'esque), and hopefully the Statesmen defense can disrupt this offensive machine(Wesley had 157 yards of penalties in 2011 game) and keep them under 35 points. If Hobart can run and be turnover free, get some receivers free and execute, and hog the ball, the game will be as competitive as 2011.  We will see.

UMHB's first round game was close, and during the regular season they gave up a lot more points than UWW, Mount Union, and Wesley.  They scored a lot more in some cases too, but it's hard to read much into it, partly because their conference appears to be very high scoring (perhaps weak defensively) and partly because the difference between 50 and 80 points might simply mean playing aggressively in the second half of a blowout vs. playing more conservatively.  I don't think UMHB was quite at the same level as the top three.

Well, my take on Linfield/MHB is that while Linfield may not have been considered top 5 echelon this year, they've been very good for a long time and they've played UWW twice, North Central, Wesley, and St. Thomas twice in the playoffs in just the last few years.  They are battle tested and they have tasted that level of football.  While Hobart isn't considered in that top tier, they have played Wesley tough in recent years and therefore, an upset(while highly unlikely) wouldn't be a complete shocker.  I think Hobart will go in with some confidence.  It may not matter whatsoever if Wesley is as good as advertised(which I think they are), but going in, Hobart DOES have the chance to win, unlike Wesley's last 2 opponents, and I think Wesley is aware of that.

I think the ability to get to this point often gives teams confidence when going up against the big dogs because they realize they are human and the intimidation factor is mitigated.  There is a reason SJF does well in the playoffs(when they make it), and it's because they know they can compete.  That is why Curry finally broke the NEFC's playoff losing streak a few years back and why Framingham can now compete in these games against E8, NJAC, LL upper level teams, because they know they've gained that experience.  I think this is really important in the ECAC games, maybe less for a Fisher team getting matched with Western CT, but i'm sure it will be beneficial for the teams who haven't been there year in and year out.

For the record, my pickem has Wesley winning the whole thing this year.

[D3MAFAN]

So can we all agree now that Hobart's ranking was justified?  They just beat the E8 champ and the #7 ranked team and are in the final 8 again.  The ranked teams in the final 8 are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11.  I'd say d3football.com's rankings are pretty legit.

Lewdogg,
Your logic is irrefutable, especially after Hobart's win against Hopkins. But for some reason the expert love is not flowing to this team yet due to their cardiac type wins. That said, the" talent gap" theory between the top 4-6 and the rest of D3 football will be tested in the Hobart-Wesley matchup(did the Linfield win test the theory or have they been accepted into the higher eschelon or did UMHB just suck for one day?...Widener will give us a clue). Wesley is obviously formidable(FCS'esque), and hopefully the Statesmen defense can disrupt this offensive machine(Wesley had 157 yards of penalties in 2011 game) and keep them under 35 points. If Hobart can run and be turnover free, get some receivers free and execute, and hog the ball, the game will be as competitive as 2011.  We will see.

UMHB's first round game was close, and during the regular season they gave up a lot more points than UWW, Mount Union, and Wesley.  They scored a lot more in some cases too, but it's hard to read much into it, partly because their conference appears to be very high scoring (perhaps weak defensively) and partly because the difference between 50 and 80 points might simply mean playing aggressively in the second half of a blowout vs. playing more conservatively.  I don't think UMHB was quite at the same level as the top three.

Well, my take on Linfield/MHB is that while Linfield may not have been considered top 5 echelon this year, they've been very good for a long time and they've played UWW twice, North Central, Wesley, and St. Thomas twice in the playoffs in just the last few years.  They are battle tested and they have tasted that level of football.  While Hobart isn't considered in that top tier, they have played Wesley tough in recent years and therefore, an upset(while highly unlikely) wouldn't be a complete shocker.  I think Hobart will go in with some confidence.  It may not matter whatsoever if Wesley is as good as advertised(which I think they are), but going in, Hobart DOES have the chance to win, unlike Wesley's last 2 opponents, and I think Wesley is aware of that.

I think the ability to get to this point often gives teams confidence when going up against the big dogs because they realize they are human and the intimidation factor is mitigated.  There is a reason SJF does well in the playoffs(when they make it), and it's because they know they can compete.  That is why Curry finally broke the NEFC's playoff losing streak a few years back and why Framingham can now compete in these games against E8, NJAC, LL upper level teams, because they know they've gained that experience.  I think this is really important in the ECAC games, maybe less for a Fisher team getting matched with Western CT, but i'm sure it will be beneficial for the teams who haven't been there year in and year out.

For the record, my pickem has Wesley winning the whole thing this year.

As do mine, but I had no other logic behind it, it was more of a homer pick. IMHO, which I believe was discussed already by the DIII crew. Linfield is an outlier team out West that has been having great success within its conference and with them winning most years, NCAA matches teams based upon geography, you would think that that outlier team (Linfield) would have the opportunity to play a variety of teams due to majority (if not all) of teams having to fly there or as like this year them flying to. The NCAA has the freedom to put any team they deem necessary in their bracket, such as HS-C, North Central (Ill.), Wesley for second/third round matchups. In any case they have played well in all of those games (especially at home) and have been one of the few teams to come within a touchdown (not sure if this is true or not) of UWW in the playoffs during its historic run over the last decade. With that being said, I am hoping to see some other teams in Salem this year, however I wouldn't mind watching Linfield against Mount Union.

[D3MAFAN]

Not sure if Hobart received the Charlotte film, but here are some Charlotte highlights against Wesley, doesn't tell the full story since it is one-sided, but I am not sure Hobart can mirror some of those explosive runs like Charlotte. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaklZs1yFaE

[ITH radio]

UNCC only averaged 3.3 YPC (48 rushes for 160 yards), longest was being 22 yd run. I'm sure that compared to what WES is used to doing to other teams that seems "explosive" but 3.3 YPC is pretty average IMO. HOB averages 4.8 YPC but I'm sure will struggle against a WES rush D that allows only 2 YPC (and only 1 rush TD in 7 D3 games).

[BartHead12]

Big Hobart fan here, this is my first post although I am an avid reader. To go back to what wesleydad said, I think Hobart is going to struggle mightily running the ball and even worse throwing the ball. They simple just do not have the athletes on either side of the ball compared to Wesley, and let's be real, JHU really won that game twice before losing it. If Hobart stays within 30-35 I think that's a big win for the program, I am sure the team is just happy to be there.

[D3MAFAN]

UNCC only averaged 3.3 YPC (48 rushes for 160 yards), longest was being 22 yd run. I'm sure that compared to what WES is used to doing to other teams that seems "explosive" but 3.3 YPC is pretty average IMO. HOB averages 4.8 YPC but I'm sure will struggle against a WES rush D that allows only 2 YPC (and only 1 rush TD in 7 D3 games).

I may have exaggerated with saying "explosive", however the rb ran tough. The link to the highlight is above.

[ITH radio]

Yeah, OL did a nice job blocking too. HOB has a couple of guys Phillips size (5'10" 205), Hartigan being one, but probably not the same amount of "power" / leg strength. Hartigan had a few nice runs but he needed to look up a cpl times on short yardage and didn't (ended up running into his own OL and came up short on a 4th down for example). FBs Ellis and Holoman could be a match up problem is put in as TBs but not sure they as quick as KP and compared to Wesley's LBs/OLBs to break something 10+ yards like Phillips did. Holoman has also fumbled a couple times this season and Ellis was a little banged up in the JHU game so his status is probably TBD.

Will come down to OL vs. DL like FB pretty much always does.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Big Hobart fan here, this is my first post although I am an avid reader. To go back to what wesleydad said, I think Hobart is going to struggle mightily running the ball and even worse throwing the ball. They simple just do not have the athletes on either side of the ball compared to Wesley, and let's be real, JHU really won that game twice before losing it. If Hobart stays within 30-35 I think that's a big win for the program, I am sure the team is just happy to be there.

Ha, so are you really a Hobart fan or are you trying to incite something?  I agree that my head tells me Hobart will have a tough time keeping this one within 4 scores, but even I, fan of a completely different team, would disagree the team is just "happy to be there." 

[Pat Coleman]

Checked and it is an IP address based in New York ... all I can say for sure.

[lewdogg11]

I'm happy to be here myself, with underpants on.

[ITH radio]

Yeah, this Hobart team wants / expects to win and is preparing accordingly. They had a legitimate chance to beat Wesley in 2011 and the SRs this season were FY that year. Kind of a nice "full circle" story in way.

Starters on this year's team that played in that 2011 game include Ellis (started at FB), Toran (OLB) and Coleman (DE). Other guys who played during that game but didn't start (in 2011) but are starters now included Jackson (left JHU game with injury, status TBD), Berkowitz (has a high ankle sprain so status for Sat is TBD), Johnson and Souffrant.

[PBR...]

I'm happy to be here myself, with underpants on.

Moving up in the world... usually your commando

[Bartman]

So can we all agree now that Hobart's ranking was justified?  They just beat the E8 champ and the #7 ranked team and are in the final 8 again.  The ranked teams in the final 8 are 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11.  I'd say d3football.com's rankings are pretty legit.

Lewdogg,
Your logic is irrefutable, especially after Hobart's win against Hopkins. But for some reason the expert love is not flowing to this team yet due to their cardiac type wins. That said, the" talent gap" theory between the top 4-6 and the rest of D3 football will be tested in the Hobart-Wesley matchup(did the Linfield win test the theory or have they been accepted into the higher eschelon or did UMHB just suck for one day?...Widener will give us a clue). Wesley is obviously formidable(FCS'esque), and hopefully the Statesmen defense can disrupt this offensive machine(Wesley had 157 yards of penalties in 2011 game) and keep them under 35 points. If Hobart can run and be turnover free, get some receivers free and execute, and hog the ball, the game will be as competitive as 2011.  We will see.

UMHB's first round game was close, and during the regular season they gave up a lot more points than UWW, Mount Union, and Wesley.  They scored a lot more in some cases too, but it's hard to read much into it, partly because their conference appears to be very high scoring (perhaps weak defensively) and partly because the difference between 50 and 80 points might simply mean playing aggressively in the second half of a blowout vs. playing more conservatively.  I don't think UMHB was quite at the same level as the top three.

Well, I am hoping for  Wartburg, JC  upsets, which I think are very possible. Hobart will have a higher hill to climb as I do think Wesley might be the best of the "top 3". The Linfield -Widener matchup will be difficult for Widener, but they have the advantage of a home game. I am still disappointed that MIT couldn't pull it out against Wesley last week and give Hobart one more home game
I can't read  any posts saying  Hobart is happy just to be here, or look at Youtubes of Wesley, it will ruin my positive thoughts. Admittedly, I did pick Wesley to go all the way, but losing my bracket for a Hobart upset is more than an acceptable tradeoff  .