FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

Big day today in the LL.

RPI/Hobart is huge for both teams. If you ask Dutch if the Engineers win today and run over the Pumpkinheads, they win the league (don't know the specifics but don't care) end of story.

For the Garnet they must ****ing bring it today and not only win but win with an exclamation to achieve respectability within the league and to actually bring some type of mystique to the upcoming Shoes game. Union loses today or squeaks out a W, they lose the season IDBHO and will get ****ing steam rolled by RPI. If they win in an impressive manner, by dismantling a SLU team they ****ing should dismantle, they will steam roll listless Roch cha cha and go into Troy with some energy and the realistic possibility of royally pissing off the Engineer faithful (many of whom can design a ****ing nuclear submarine but can't change a mother****ing light bulb...).

It is true that today's RPI/Hobart game was huge for both teams...and congratulations to the Engineers for building up a 24-3 advantage and fighting off a "never say die" Hobart team that just fell short today and on the season . RPI essentially won the league by winning today unless they crater and lose 2 of the next 3 LL games which is highly unlikely(unless SLU's passing game plays way above their head for one game),although a Shoes game loss is very possible... 40% probability IMHO. That said, I was proud that the Statesmen never gave up, kinda similar to the Union game last year where we mounted a comeback but just ran out of time. Hobart ended the game with more yards than RPI (although this has happened in every RPI game except Buff State). A blocked kick at the end of the first half that led to an RPI TD, a holding call that wiped out a Hobart TD and an onside kick where the RPI player barely got a hand on an almost perfect kick from Hackett all contributed to the RPI win today...I am not sure I agree with DeWall's decision to go with an onside kick with slightly less than 3 minutes left and 2 timeouts remaining.....although it almost worked.
In other LL action Ithaca did what it had to do to beat U of R , and Union does the same against the Saints. It doesn't look like either the Yellowjackets or the Saints have enough horsepower to upset RPI, so today's win over Hobart was really for the LL title. Congratulations to the Engineers.
On a positive note for the Statesmen, I think this young team has some great returning talent that has gained important experience for next year. If we can finish strong against the Bombers and the Saints, the momentum can carry over to a LL title run next year.

[ITH radio]

Hobart start of game to 21:30 - 10 yards of offense

From that point on - 439 yards of offense

Jekyl meet Hyde?

[Oline89]

Hobart start of game to 21:30 - 10 yards of offense

From that point on - 439 yards of offense

Jekyl meet Hyde?

Well that was quite a game to watch in person.  So many twists to the game, it was up an down all game.  Not until 5 minutes left in the game did it appear that Hobart had a chance.  The game did have it all, goal line stands, onside kicks, questionable holding/PI calls, interceptions, even a near brawl on the sidelines.  At the end, it was clear, this is RPI's year.  Now, on to possibilities:

IF Hobart beats Ithaca and Union beats RPI, what is the tie breaker?

IF Hobart beats Ithaca and RPI beats Union, who goes to the Empire Bowl (there is still an Empire Bowl, isn't there?)

If Ithaca beats Hobart, and Union beats RPI, what is the tiebreaker?

[AUPepBand]

Hobart start of game to 21:30 - 10 yards of offense

From that point on - 439 yards of offense

Jekyl meet Hyde?

Well that was quite a game to watch in person.  So many twists to the game, it was up an down all game.  Not until 5 minutes left in the game did it appear that Hobart had a chance.  The game did have it all, goal line stands, onside kicks, questionable holding/PI calls, interceptions, even a near brawl on the sidelines.  At the end, it was clear, this is RPI's year.  Now, on to possibilities:

IF Hobart beats Ithaca and Union beats RPI, what is the tie breaker?   Pep says were it the E8, RPI goes, head-to-head is tiebreaker (RPI).
IF Hobart beats Ithaca and RPI beats Union, who goes to the Empire Bowl (there is still an Empire Bowl, isn't there?) Pep believes there is a NYS Bowl, to be hosted by E8 runner-up. Should Brockport sweep Utica, Cortland and Morrisville and Alfred wins out (no guarantee at this juncture) over Hartwick and Fisher, AU would host LL runner-up. If Brockport sweeps and AU stumbles, Cortland State would host NYS Bowl.

If Ithaca beats Hobart, and Union beats RPI, what is the tiebreaker? Pep believes RPI has head-to-head tiebreaker over Ithaca.

Pep would love to see Alfred and Hobart win out and meet on Merrill Field in Yunevich Stadium Nov. 17.

[Caz Bombers]

The only team in the LL that controls its own destiny besides RPI is St. Lawrence. SLU finishes with the 3 top teams in the next 3 weeks, so let's assume they drop at least one of those games (spoiler alert: they will lose all of them).

As long as RPI doesn't lose 2 of its last 3, they go to the playoffs, full stop. They will have the Pool A locked up 7 days before the Dutchman's Shoes Game even kicks off.

[Oline89]

The only team in the LL that controls its own destiny besides RPI is St. Lawrence. SLU finishes with the 3 top teams in the next 3 weeks, so let's assume they drop at least one of those games (spoiler alert: they will lose all of them).

As long as RPI doesn't lose 2 of its last 3, they go to the playoffs, full stop. They will have the Pool A locked up 7 days before the Dutchman's Shoes Game even kicks off.

That's what I thought, in a two way tie, the tiebreaker is head to head matchup.

[Ice Bear]

The only team in the LL that controls its own destiny besides RPI is St. Lawrence. SLU finishes with the 3 top teams in the next 3 weeks, so let's assume they drop at least one of those games (spoiler alert: they will lose all of them).

As long as RPI doesn't lose 2 of its last 3, they go to the playoffs, full stop. They will have the Pool A locked up 7 days before the they ****ing lose the Dutchman's Shoes Game even kicks off.

[Oline89]

Hobart start of game to 21:30 - 10 yards of offense

From that point on - 439 yards of offense

Jekyl meet Hyde?

Well that was quite a game to watch in person.  So many twists to the game, it was up an down all game.  Not until 5 minutes left in the game did it appear that Hobart had a chance.  The game did have it all, goal line stands, onside kicks, questionable holding/PI calls, interceptions, even a near brawl on the sidelines.  At the end, it was clear, this is RPI's year.  Now, on to possibilities:

IF Hobart beats Ithaca and Union beats RPI, what is the tie breaker?   Pep says were it the E8, RPI goes, head-to-head is tiebreaker (RPI).
IF Hobart beats Ithaca and RPI beats Union, who goes to the Empire Bowl (there is still an Empire Bowl, isn't there?) Pep believes there is a NYS Bowl, to be hosted by E8 runner-up. Should Brockport sweep Utica, Cortland and Morrisville and Alfred wins out (no guarantee at this juncture) over Hartwick and Fisher, AU would host LL runner-up. If Brockport sweeps and AU stumbles, Cortland State would host NYS Bowl.

If Ithaca beats Hobart, and Union beats RPI, what is the tiebreaker? Pep believes RPI has head-to-head tiebreaker over Ithaca.

Pep would love to see Alfred and Hobart win out and meet on Merrill Field in Yunevich Stadium Nov. 17.

So, to take this out a step further.  It is possible that Ithaca and Cortland could again end up 2nd in their respective league.  Cortica Redux?  Or would both teams defer to the next in line....

[Bombers798891]

I don't know if I've ever seen something as odd as RPI being outgained in five of their six games on the season and still being 6-0. That's not meant as a criticism, and I'm aware of how yardage totals can be misleading. It's just sort of mindblowing to me.

They remind me a lot of the 2013 Bombers. The offense isn't going to do anything super exciting, but they're going to do enough, and they're going to get big plays every single week from their defense and special teams that are going to provide the difference. Against the Bombers, a long punt return did it. Against Bart, a blocked punt. Against Utica, a pick-6. Some teams just make the plays, and that strikes me as RPI this year.

[ITH radio]

That's what IC did last season. They opted for ECAC instead of NYS Bowl and so Union was next man up. I could see this happening again but this time Hobart would be the team in the 3rd place seat that could potentially take the game at Cortland. If Hobart beats IC H2H they'd be in 2nd place for sure, then my only question is whether or not the school would allow them to accept the invite. They stopped participating in ECAC games over a decade ago, citing "fairness" reasons....

[MRMIKESMITH]

That's what IC did last season. They opted for ECAC instead of NYS Bowl and so Union was next man up. I could see this happening again but this time Hobart would be the team in the 3rd place seat that could potentially take the game at Cortland.

...and what a wild game that was. Wish I could throw the whole 2nd half away.

[Machiavelli]

I don't know if I've ever seen something as odd as RPI being outgained in five of their six games on the season and still being 6-0. That's not meant as a criticism, and I'm aware of how yardage totals can be misleading. It's just sort of mindblowing to me.

They remind me a lot of the 2013 Bombers. The offense isn't going to do anything super exciting, but they're going to do enough, and they're going to get big plays every single week from their defense and special teams that are going to provide the difference. Against the Bombers, a long punt return did it. Against Bart, a blocked punt. Against Utica, a pick-6. Some teams just make the plays, and that strikes me as RPI this year.

And not that it adds up completely, but keep in mind a long kick/punt return means a shorter field. A DEF/ST TD means 1 less Offensive Possession. RPI is getting these each game so they are losing offensive possessions and getting short field opportunities. While it's skews the stats, you don't really notice it during the flow of the game. The offense actually hasn't been half bad as of late.

[Bombers798891]

I don't know if I've ever seen something as odd as RPI being outgained in five of their six games on the season and still being 6-0. That's not meant as a criticism, and I'm aware of how yardage totals can be misleading. It's just sort of mindblowing to me.

They remind me a lot of the 2013 Bombers. The offense isn't going to do anything super exciting, but they're going to do enough, and they're going to get big plays every single week from their defense and special teams that are going to provide the difference. Against the Bombers, a long punt return did it. Against Bart, a blocked punt. Against Utica, a pick-6. Some teams just make the plays, and that strikes me as RPI this year.

And not that it adds up completely, but keep in mind a long kick/punt return means a shorter field. A DEF/ST TD means 1 less Offensive Possession. RPI is getting these each game so they are losing offensive possessions and getting short field opportunities. While it's skews the stats, you don't really notice it during the flow of the game. The offense actually hasn't been half bad as of late.

Oh totally. It's not a harbinger of bad things for RPI (Well, they wouldn't want to get outgained like they were at IC every week, but all the others have been pretty even). It's just one of those utterly bizarre things that doesn't seem like it could happen over the course of 6 weeks. I'd actually be amazed if they went 9-0 but with fewer yards on the season than their opponents

[ITH radio]

That's what IC did last season. They opted for ECAC instead of NYS Bowl and so Union was next man up. I could see this happening again but this time Hobart would be the team in the 3rd place seat that could potentially take the game at Cortland.

...and what a wild game that was. Wish I could throw the whole 2nd half away.

It really was a crazy game. I can actually see a situation develop where Hobart gets the NYS bid whether they beat IC or not. If IC wins, they end up in sole possession of 2nd place but have already played both Alfred and Cortland, who'll likely end up 5-2 and tied for 2nd in the E8, but the Saxons having the H2H win. IC would likely go ECAC again instead of a rematch, so a 3rd place Hobart team would move up. If Hobart wins, they'd be the defacto 2nd place team if they also beat SLU, obviously.

Just wonder if the Statesmen admin would balk at another game or not. I think they'll be ok with a game at Alfred (it's the E8's turn to host) on 11/17. Close by and a good opportunity for both programs to renew an old rivalry.

[Bombers798891]

So here's a Q:

If IC turns down a NYS Bowl Game bid, and Hobart does too, is there a point where the LL and the E8 realize that this game is not the draw they thought it might be?

I mean, maybe I'm putting too much stock in Ithaca basically having the stance of "We don't want a rematch" and Hobart will end up playing in it.

But at the same time, the rematch issue was predictable from the start, and it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon. At some point, I'm guessing the powers that be would want the game, which is being marketed as, "The top non NCAA playoff teams from the E8/LL" to actually feature the top non playoff teams