FB: Liberty League

[D3MAFAN]

Here's the entirety of my list.  Note that 7-8-9 are pretty much interchangeable, but the winner of Frostburg/Salisbury likely finishes ahead of SLU.  That means the loser of Fisher/Alfred and the winner of Frostburg/Salisbury are ahead of SLU for Pool C consideration.

1) Alfred 9-0 .552 0-0 RRO
2) Hobart 8-1 .605 1-0 RRO
3) Fisher 8-1 .563 1-0 RRO
4) Stevenson 8-1 .501 1-0 RRO
5) Wesley 7-2 .584 2-0 RRO
6) WNE 9-0 .500 0-0 RRO
7) Frostburg 8-1 .504 0-1 RRO
8) Salisbury 7-2 .533 1-1 RRO
9) SLU 8-1 .500 0-1 RRO
10) Albright 7-2 .517 0-2 RRO

MISSING THE BOARD (In No Order):

Husson 8-1 .440 0-1 RRO
DVC 7-2 .495 1-2 RRO (lost to Albright, lower SOS than WES & ALB)
Bridgewater St. 7-2 .503 0-0 RRO
Salve Regina 7-1 .511 0-1 RRO

If the committee goes this route, it will be interesting how those final rankings come into play. If Case loses, does this open the door for the possibility of two teams from the East getting on board. I think the best of the rest IMHO is St. John Fisher, they can win a couple of games in the playoffs.

[Bartman]

I just checked the playoff scenarios for LL teams Hobart and SLU by forecasting SOS after next weeks games for the secret RR purposes.For Hobart, they need to beat the Yellow Jackets for the automatic since they will have no hope with 2 losses...then Hobart definitely wants an Alfred win over SJF, otherwise we will slip behind SJF in the RR and also stay behind Alfred.With this scenario Hobart will probably be ranked 3/4 in our bracket with one home game( chances of 2 home games is gone due to RPI loss). 
As far as the Saints are concerned it seems even with a win over WPI(no easy feat) ,their  only path now is to have the Yellow Jackets beat Hobart and get the automatic(certainly not Bartman's preference). This is not fun.... I remember rooting for MMA last season to beat SLU to get the automatic (oh well ,Hobart missed the opportunity to get thumped by Mt. Union...again). It looks like no Pool C for the LL this year, essentially due to SLU's weaker schedule based on opponents performance( who knew when scheduling that Morrrisville would go winless and Norwich , Endicott would be under .500 ?). This is too bad, as I was really hoping for 2 LL teams in the NCAA's this year to show conference strength.

[Hobart15]

Little late but here is my take on Saturday's game, which I was fortunate enough to attend. Weather was a huge factor going in as Hobart is now almost exclusively a passing team. Couldn't ask for a better day in November. Feedback from some Union players to Hobart players was that they felt the defense was a little over-rated. Since they had not faced a throwing team, it was a great story line. We now know that it worked out in Hobart's favor. Not sure what the game plan was but to have #31 cover Shed by himself until late in the game was a risk that didn't seem to make sense. Under reported was how well the offensive line for the Statesmen pass protected. The all american defensive lineman didn't get his name called until late in the game and was not a big factor in the game.

Offensively, Mitch Gallagher is a stud. Hobart did not have an answer for him. The QB was very difficult to bring down although I felt the defensive lineman were tackling high giving him a chance to stiff arm and elude. He had some open receivers during the game that he didn't capitalize on. Their running game, which was exclusively between the tackles was not effective at all. Hobart has been playing the run much better as the season has progressed. For the second week in a row, Harper had a  big interception.

With Rochester putting up a tremendous fight against WPI, will be interesting to see how that game goes this weekend. Will also be interesting to see how St. Lawrence bounces back against a similar offense in WPI.

[ITH radio]

Harper's INT basically put the game away. He's had a strong end to the year.

I agree re the HOB OL and my favorite shot of that game was Koch with his jersey torn from battling in the trenches. It'll be interesting if UofR puts up a fight or gets rolled Saturday. Then it's basically a who knows scenario with the playoff selection. I could see Hobart hosting anyone from Bridgewater or Wesley. Hopefully they'll get a decent draw bc the 3 NE teams, especially Husson creates some travel issues and the Eagles have already played Alfred so they may get shipped out to avoid a rematch.

[D3MAFAN]

Harper's INT basically put the game away. He's had a strong end to the year.

I agree re the HOB OL and my favorite shot of that game was Koch with his jersey torn from battling in the trenches. It'll be interesting if UofR puts up a fight or gets rolled Saturday. Then it's basically a who knows scenario with the playoff selection. I could see Hobart hosting anyone from Bridgewater or Wesley. Hopefully they'll get a decent draw bc the 3 NE teams, especially Husson creates some travel issues and the Eagles have already played Alfred so they may get shipped out to avoid a rematch.

WNE will most likely host Husson with Bridgewater being sent to either Hobart or Wesley. I think Johns Hopkins gets either Stevenson or Wesley 1st round if they do not host. Hobart will get the at-large selection in St. John Fisher. This is not a projected bracket or quad, but just potential 1st round games. We can also have the ODAC team put in place of Fisher while Fisher goes to Mount Union.

Edit: Wesley may get sent with two losses to RM (don't think the outcome changes). This prevents Johns Hopkins yearly match up with Wesley.

[Bartman]

Harper's INT basically put the game away. He's had a strong end to the year.

I agree re the HOB OL and my favorite shot of that game was Koch with his jersey torn from battling in the trenches. It'll be interesting if UofR puts up a fight or gets rolled Saturday. Then it's basically a who knows scenario with the playoff selection. I could see Hobart hosting anyone from Bridgewater or Wesley. Hopefully they'll get a decent draw bc the 3 NE teams, especially Husson creates some travel issues and the Eagles have already played Alfred so they may get shipped out to avoid a rematch.

If take care of Rochacha, and we play Wesley at any point it will be our Stagg Bowl equivalent...... I may be crazy, but I would love to meet them again with a first string QB like Sweeney. We played them close in 2011 with Kelly Olney playing a gutsy game for Nick Strang. Funny, the Wesley QB was named Shane McSweeny that year, maybe our Shane Sweeney can win it this time. I am sure Weslydad remembers this nail biter for the Wolverines.

[ITH radio]

I do think a HOB SJF pairing is very likely. Only potential issue is separating them and Alfred bc they would have just played and you'd think maybe Hobart would have to go to Alfred in Rd 2 if they can advance...?

[RtSLl3100]

Harper's INT basically put the game away. He's had a strong end to the year.

I agree re the HOB OL and my favorite shot of that game was Koch with his jersey torn from battling in the trenches. It'll be interesting if UofR puts up a fight or gets rolled Saturday. Then it's basically a who knows scenario with the playoff selection. I could see Hobart hosting anyone from Bridgewater or Wesley. Hopefully they'll get a decent draw bc the 3 NE teams, especially Husson creates some travel issues and the Eagles have already played Alfred so they may get shipped out to avoid a rematch.

WNE will most likely host Husson with Bridgewater being sent to either Hobart or Wesley. I think Johns Hopkins gets either Stevenson or Wesley 1st round if they do not host. Hobart will get the at-large selection in St. John Fisher. This is not a projected bracket or quad, but just potential 1st round games. We can also have the ODAC team put in place of Fisher while Fisher goes to Mount Union.

Edit: Wesley may get sent with two losses to RM (don't think the outcome changes). This prevents Johns Hopkins yearly match up with Wesley.

I know the 500 mile rule really hurts the bracket bc of Husson, but I think Wesley v Stevenson, Hobart v SJF (assuming they win), JHU v Bridgewater to eliminate the WNE rematch from last year. But I could also see them just sending Husson to Mt Union first round although a flight would keep intergity of entire bracket together

[Upstate]

If Fisher wins I don't see the committee pairing up the top two teams in the region during the first round...

If Fisher sneaks in via pool C then it would be much more likely they meet up at Hobart...

[RtSLl3100]

True they dont like too, but depends on the other 3 regions of the actual bracket not just regional rankings.  Look at Welsey v JHU in 2013 (granted 2 v 4 on 2nd RR of that year)

[dlippiel]

Bartman and Dlip:

Congratulations to the Hobart Statesmen....Sweeney took it to the Shed a few times, eh? Now screw it up and let those Yellowjackets sting you like in 2010.

Congratulations to the Union Dutchmen...who made significant strides this season and who will certainly put up a fight for those shoes!

On Saxon Warriors!

Thanks Pep!!!! +k! What a game!!!!!!!

[Bartman]

If Fisher wins I don't see the committee pairing up the top two teams in the region during the first round...

If Fisher sneaks in via pool C then it would be much more likely they meet up at Hobart...

Hobart -Fisher first round game sounds like a classic at the BOZ followed by a trip to Mayberry , football gods willing, I really like that sequence...if we win both do you have to give Hobart the E8 trophy? (OOPS, IF Hobart beats U of R Saturday... cannot look ahead... )

[Upstate]

If Fisher wins I don't see the committee pairing up the top two teams in the region during the first round...

If Fisher sneaks in via pool C then it would be much more likely they meet up at Hobart...

Hobart -Fisher first round game sounds like a classic at the BOZ followed by a trip to Mayberry , football gods willing, I really like that sequence...if we win both do you have to give Hobart the E8 trophy? (OOPS, IF Hobart beats U of R Saturday... cannot look ahead... )

History has been very unkind to Hobart when they meet Fisher in the playoffs...

I don't see Hobart going 2-0 vs the E8 in the playoffs...

However Sweeney and Shed vs Naton and Coon would be a fantastic match up!!!

[Bartman]

OK, need to pick early as busy work week before "The Game" on Saturday:

WPI          38             Rochester         17       WPI is a strong squad and will rebound from heartbreaking loss to Hobart

RPI           28             Springfield        24       Hard fought and tight

MMA         35             Union               21       MMA keeps rolling over the waves(sorry no upset for the Dutchmen)

Hobart      31             SLU                 28        This time Hobart needs a last minute interception to fend off the Saints last drive

Record so far is 31-8....I am not good at picking upsets, Hobart over Saints is an obvious homer upset pick, so Saints fans should feel confident...can't wait for the game in Canton....I hope it is a clean win without any controversial calls determining the outcome ....Good luck to both squads...

Final week's picks, 2-2 last week, 33-10 on year:

Hobart            38     Rochester           17
Union              24     RPI                    21
Springfield       35     MMA                  28
SLU                 31     WPI                   24

One Playoff game next week....

[dlippiel]

The ugliest ****ing building ever made! Looks like a beached ****ing manatee overlooking Troylet...that ****ing place...