FB: Liberty League

[AUPepBand]

Weather really put a damper on the RPI offense. They had a very good opportunity to pull it out in the end but that that long pass on 3rd down killed any chance they had. There had to be at least 10 drops in the game. Those spread offenses really disappear in inclement weather.

Oh well, on to MIT next week.

Seemed to be a multitude of dropped passes. Must have been a source of frustration for QB Jeff Avery. Engineers squandered a number of opportunities offered by AU's punt team...or the AU defense is much better than Pep had imagined. Seemed almost like AU was setting up RPI a little closer each time it attempted to punt, finally giving the Engineers the ball on the 1-yard-line!!

Crazy, crazy game.

Pep was pleased the 15 to 20 piece band remained throughout the persistent rain, huddled under two EZ-Ups and shrink-wrapped in clear ponchos to lock in freshness. Band played "Happy" when it was over!

[ITH radio]

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2015/09/13/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

[AUPepBand]

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2015/09/13/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

Regarding the audio feed (or lack thereof) for the webcast at Alfred University football...guilty as charged. Even feeding the audio for either of the two radio stations covering the game might have helped if synchronized. This has been a pet peeve of Pep's and perhaps something he will pursue further now that the university's director of bands has embraced the pep band as one of his own. (Sure sounds a whole lot better!) Nevertheless, on Saterday even those drenched fans in the stands were left in the dark regarding penalties as referee didn't use his mic and failed to explain some of the more puzzling calls.

Crazy game.

[lewdogg11]

I listened to the RPI/Alfred game. Sounded like the weather was terrible and the referees were nothing more than clueless. These 2 teams have produced some of the wackiest games in the past few years and it's turned into a very competitive rivalry. Sounded like it got quite chippy out there too. That said, I don't feel higher on Alfred or lower on RPI based on the final score. I think both teams could surprise in their conference. Its also possible this game has zero reflection on either team's final standings.

So I guess it's on to MIT in the nerdiest game in the country. If RPI doesn't win by 4 TD's, then I think they will struggle this year. Let Avery chuck it.

PS - I still would rather listen to a dentist drilling my teeth for 4 hours than having to endure the broadcast with Bob Conway. Kurt, keep up the good work and talk more...please, for our sanity!!!

[dlippiel]

Dlip too has enjoyed the RPI/Alfred series. He can say he applauds the Engineers for playing the Saxons and having some success while they are at it.

Dlip watched the MIT/WPI game and thought MIT had some good points to them...however after losing to ****ing Becker Dlip thinks he may be way off on that. RPI should handle them. Dlip likes Avery and hopes he stays healthy and has success this year.

Dlip ****ing loves Bob's color Lew...he's never quite heard anything like it. 😉

[AUPepBand]

I listened to the RPI/Alfred game. Sounded like the weather was terrible and the referees were nothing more than clueless. These 2 teams have produced some of the wackiest games in the past few years and it's turned into a very competitive rivalry. Sounded like it got quite chippy out there too. That said, I don't feel higher on Alfred or lower on RPI based on the final score. I think both teams could surprise in their conference. Its also possible this game has zero reflection on either team's final standings.

So I guess it's on to MIT in the nerdiest game in the country. If RPI doesn't win by 4 TD's, then I think they will struggle this year. Let Avery chuck it.

PS - I still would rather listen to a dentist drilling my teeth for 4 hours than having to endure the broadcast with Bob Conway. Kurt, keep up the good work and talk more...please, for our sanity!!!

Pep will have to agree with you here. Pep was impressed with the AU defense particularly shutting down the run. RPI's passing game was hindered, no doubt, by the wet conditions but seemed like a lot of dropped passes.

After the first couple of series and the long TD run to start the second half, seemed like the AU offense was a bit out of sync, not to mention the punt team. Yikes! Saxons could have put the game away but didn't. AU kept giving the ball back to RPI closer and closer to its own goal line (when it wasn't giving the Engineers a safety). Credit to the Engineers for never giving up, even down 26-4.

Pep thinks both teams are pretty solid but both have some work to do if they want to surprise their respective conference rivals.

[UfanBill]

 OK so Union is the only LL team that does not have a win just two weeks into the season.  Union's non-conference loss streak has now hit 11 games dating back to a 2011 win vs Springfield (Springfield wasn't a LL member in 2011...*Union lost 3 other non-conf. games that year) So far this year the big problem has been the defense.  In two games Union has given up 86 points and last week allowed 570 total yards of offense and 33 1st downs to a West. Conn. team that lost to Hartwick week one!  Now they face Western New England,,,who??? Well the WNE Golden Bears are 2-0 after going 8-2 last year(they were only 8 pts away from undefeated) and they beat both Springfield(38-34) and Union(36-14). They can score points, so the Union D has to step it up.  Wonder if coach Audino is having second thoughts about his decision to come back to "U" this Year? I for one remain baffled.   

[Div3Fan]

Hello, I am new to the forums. 

I'm very excited for the Hobart & IC showdown this Saturday, a rematch of the playoffs last year (though both teams are very different). Both teams are ranked in the top 25, and undoubtedly have high ceilings, yet I haven't been overly impressed.

A win for Hobart over IC, an E8 opponent, with be good for the LL.

How do ya'll see this playing out?

[Jonny Utah]

Hello, I am new to the forums. 

I'm very excited for the Hobart & IC showdown this Saturday, a rematch of the playoffs last year (though both teams are very different). Both teams are ranked in the top 25, and undoubtedly have high ceilings, yet I haven't been overly impressed.

A win for Hobart over IC, an E8 opponent, with be good for the LL.

How do ya'll see this playing out?

Its good for both teams that they are both ranked now as well.  That means a win for either team probably boosts each other, while a loss won't sting as bad.  I don't see Hobart or Ithaca running the table this year however, so top 25 teams from the E8/LL will probably vary every 2 weeks.

[Pat Coleman]

Hello, I am new to the forums. 

I'm very excited for the Hobart & IC showdown this Saturday, a rematch of the playoffs last year (though both teams are very different). Both teams are ranked in the top 25, and undoubtedly have high ceilings, yet I haven't been overly impressed.

A win for Hobart over IC, an E8 opponent, with be good for the LL.

How do ya'll see this playing out?

Welcome aboard!

[AUPepBand]

Hello, I am new to the forums. 

I'm very excited for the Hobart & IC showdown this Saturday, a rematch of the playoffs last year (though both teams are very different). Both teams are ranked in the top 25, and undoubtedly have high ceilings, yet I haven't been overly impressed.

A win for Hobart over IC, an E8 opponent, with be good for the LL.

How do ya'll see this playing out?

Welcome aboard! Gosh, you've used a couple of words that an Alfred University player once used on the boards here and, as an "honor" of the memory of his (ill-advised) post, the Empire 8 posters (well, many of them) have adopted his spelling of those two words in all future communications. So, Pep is exited to have you on the boards and also looks forward to the LL-E8 showdown this Saterday. You wouldn't happen to be a player, would you?

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bombers798891]

Hello, I am new to the forums. 

I'm very excited for the Hobart & IC showdown this Saturday, a rematch of the playoffs last year (though both teams are very different). Both teams are ranked in the top 25, and undoubtedly have high ceilings, yet I haven't been overly impressed.

A win for Hobart over IC, an E8 opponent, with be good for the LL.

How do ya'll see this playing out?

I wouldn't be surprised to see either team win it. Ithaca's grass can be tough to play on, even if you're used to it. The Bombers should have a stout defense and special teams, and an intriguing offense. I know less about Hobart, but they haven't lost a regular season game in so long...they must be doing something right.

[Div3Fan]

Its good for both teams that they are both ranked now as well.  That means a win for either team probably boosts each other, while a loss won't sting as bad.  I don't see Hobart or Ithaca running the table this year however, so top 25 teams from the E8/LL will probably vary every 2 weeks.

Yea, I kind of equate it to last weeks Oregon vs MSU game. As far as running the table, I think, as always, Ithaca will have a much harder time - specifically the last 3-4 games of the season. Hobart, I feel, has a much greater chance since the tough games are separated by relatively "weaker" teams.

Welcome aboard! Gosh, you've used a couple of words that an Alfred University player once used on the boards here and, as an "honor" of the memory of his (ill-advised) post, the Empire 8 posters (well, many of them) have adopted his spelling of those two words in all future communications. So, Pep is exited to have you on the boards and also looks forward to the LL-E8 showdown this Saterday. You wouldn't happen to be a player, would you?

On Saxon Warriors!

Thank you. I'm not a player, and good thing too since I'll be at a wedding Saturday. I do have a vested interest in the LL though.

[dlippiel]

Dlip welcomes you Div3fan. Good to have some new people on here.

As far as Ithaca/Hobart goes Dlip thinks it could go either way. Dlip was impressed with IC against his Dutchmen in week#1 however after last week in CT Dlip doesn't put as much stock in Ithaca's week 1 win. The Bombers looked quite good on both sides of the ball. Athletes on D and some playmakers on O. This could be another kind of unknown Bomber squad that wins the E8 or Dlip could see them with a few losses.

Dlip still doesn't really have a feel for The Pumpkinheads since he has yet to watch them play this season. Dlip thought they would handle Endicott in a more impressive fashion however they did what they needed to do.

IC wins at home on some crazy grass that would even slow Bolt down...24-17

[Bartman]

Dlip welcomes you Div3fan. Good to have some new people on here.

As far as Ithaca/Hobart goes Dlip thinks it could go either way. Dlip was impressed with IC against his Dutchmen in week#1 however after last week in CT Dlip doesn't put as much stock in Ithaca's week 1 win. The Bombers looked quite good on both sides of the ball. Athletes on D and some playmakers on O. This could be another kind of unknown Bomber squad that wins the E8 or Dlip could see them with a few losses.

Dlip still doesn't really have a feel for The Pumpkinheads since he has yet to watch them play this season. Dlip thought they would handle Endicott in a more impressive fashion however they did what they needed to do.

IC wins at home on some crazy grass that would even slow Bolt down...24-17

Another welcome to Div3fan.
Dlip, I can't argue too much with your prediction as I think the homefield advantage and revenge incentive from last year's playoffs could be the difference. As far as the talent analysis, I noticed that Ithaca had a hard time running against Union(2.5 per carry), although Westconn had no problem(300+ yards), indicating to me that the Oline of Ithaca could be suspect(2 weeks of practice may fix that ,though). If Ithaca can't run against Hobart and is forced to pass more than planned, I think Hobart will cause some turnovers due to a  very athletic secondary along  with the strongest set of linebackers I have seen at Hobart(Toney and Stanley in the middle are beasts, while Jemison and Harper on outside are very athletic) . The Dline and LB blitzes  can put strong pressue on the Bomber QB, but Hobart could also get burned as they did a couple of times against Endicott. The Hobart Dline is average but tough in the middle. If Ithaca can beat Hobart in the air without turnovers they could have the talent to become the future E8 champs.
On the Hobart side of the ball, the Oline is still developing and had some problems getting push between the tackles against Endicott. The passing game last week provided little analytical data due to the weather(poor snaps,drops, high passes....probably needed Tom Brady's boys to deflate the footballs) but saw Sweeney's(GenevaHS/Albany transfer) strong performance at QB against Dickinson and he will be great with more game experience(replacement/transfer Sydeski is also quite capable ). Hobart running backs and recievers are strong and will flourish if the Oline performs.
  I think this game will be very close and if neither team can get the run game going, the first year starter QB's  will need to make big plays in order to win.
   The Statesmen have never won a football game in Ithaca(also 0-5 against Cornell) and have an overall 4-24 record against the Bombers. Despite the burdens of history, I see a 28-24 win by the Statesman (what do you expect from a Bartman?).....and bring back a piece of Butterfield turf for the history books!