FB: Liberty League

[Jonny Utah]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

Without getting a confirmation from Union, a check of Anna Maria Amcats 2019 schedule shows a home game against Union Sept.14th and a visit to RPI on Sept.28th. The Amcats were 1-9 in the weak ECFC last year...hmmm indeed.  Coupled with Union's reported game with Westfield St. that's not the type of opponent that will help your SOS (which btw was #12 nationally, behind #1 Hobart & #6 St. Lawrence).  My sources said they were hoping to keep Springfield and add MIT and Utica...we'll see.

Don't think the SOS has really come into play that much for LL teams has it?  Sure if Hobart goes 9-1 with a loss to the LL champ, that might get them a pool C this year, but does that happen often?

[Oline89]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

Without getting a confirmation from Union, a check of Anna Maria Amcats 2019 schedule shows a home game against Union Sept.14th and a visit to RPI on Sept.28th. The Amcats were 1-9 in the weak ECFC last year...hmmm indeed.  Coupled with Union's reported game with Westfield St. that's not the type of opponent that will help your SOS (which btw was #12 nationally, behind #1 Hobart & #6 St. Lawrence).  My sources said they were hoping to keep Springfield and add MIT and Utica...we'll see.

Don't think the SOS has really come into play that much for LL teams has it?  Sure if Hobart goes 9-1 with a loss to the LL champ, that might get them a pool C this year, but does that happen often?

Utah,  Muhlenberg got the pool C this year, their OOC was against St Thomas Moore.  Seems like the only shot at getting a pool C is to have a strong OOC schedule.  Other than theoretical damage to the team's psyche that can come with  a few losses, what is the downside to a tough OOC schedule?

[NED3Guy]

Has the LL ever had a pool C team?

Who have been east region teams to get pool C bids? I think Bridgewater Mass got one in 2012, but there have to be others since then right?

[tony/troy]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

According to Anna Maria's posted schedule, this game is at RPI. Making assumptions that the six Liberty League games are three home and three away AND that both Utica and Allegany return RPI's 2019 visits, the result may very well be only four road games for RPI with one of those being at Union. That is only three away games that involve any sort of travel. Based on who came to Troy in 2019, the away conference games would be Hobart, SLU and the aforementioned Union with the home conference games being Ithaca, UR and new conference member Buffalo State. However, the only possible hole in these assumptions may be that Buffalo State came to Troy last year. The only non conference away game appears to be WPI.

Not a bad schedule at all if you are either an RPI player or someone who likes to also attend the away games.

[ITH radio]

Has the LL ever had a pool C team?

Who have been east region teams to get pool C bids? I think Bridgewater Mass got one in 2012, but there have to be others since then right?

Yes, but it was about 10 years ago. 2007 actually, so 12. Both Hobart and RPI made it to the NCAAs that year. I think it happened in 05 and 06 too.

[Oline89]

Has the LL ever had a pool C team?

Who have been east region teams to get pool C bids? I think Bridgewater Mass got one in 2012, but there have to be others since then right?

Yes, but it was about 10 years ago. 2007 actually, so 12. Both Hobart and RPI made it to the NCAAs that year. I think it happened in 05 and 06 too.

I have to believe that the LL increasing in size to 7, improves the chances of it happening again.  Especially with the addition perennial power, Ithaca, to the league.

[Jonny Utah]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

Without getting a confirmation from Union, a check of Anna Maria Amcats 2019 schedule shows a home game against Union Sept.14th and a visit to RPI on Sept.28th. The Amcats were 1-9 in the weak ECFC last year...hmmm indeed.  Coupled with Union's reported game with Westfield St. that's not the type of opponent that will help your SOS (which btw was #12 nationally, behind #1 Hobart & #6 St. Lawrence).  My sources said they were hoping to keep Springfield and add MIT and Utica...we'll see.

Don't think the SOS has really come into play that much for LL teams has it?  Sure if Hobart goes 9-1 with a loss to the LL champ, that might get them a pool C this year, but does that happen often?

Utah,  Muhlenberg got the pool C this year, their OOC was against St Thomas Moore.  Seems like the only shot at getting a pool C is to have a strong OOC schedule.  Other than theoretical damage to the team's psyche that can come with  a few losses, what is the downside to a tough OOC schedule?

Yea I don't think there is much of a downside. I'm just saying it is rare that it comes into play.  If Hobart goes 9-1 (losing to the LL champ) they most likely will get a pool C bid.  But would a 9-1 Union team get one if they beat Anna Maria and Westfield 66-0 or 55-0?  Because Hobart going 9-1 might be harder than Union going 9-1 with the same schedule (not even sure if the SOS would be so far off seeing they all play mostly the same teams).

[Oline89]

The 2019 academic/football calendar for Hobart is interesting.  Combine the late start date for the season (September 7), the normal start date for classes (August 26), and the new standard for first preseason practice 23 days before first game (August 15), the amount of practice time seems very limited.  Add in 5 days of heat acclimation, and the need for one day off per week in preseason camp, the team may only have 5 legitimate practices before the start of classes.   Interesting dilemma for the coaching staff to work out.

[unionpalooza]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

Without getting a confirmation from Union, a check of Anna Maria Amcats 2019 schedule shows a home game against Union Sept.14th and a visit to RPI on Sept.28th. The Amcats were 1-9 in the weak ECFC last year...hmmm indeed.  Coupled with Union's reported game with Westfield St. that's not the type of opponent that will help your SOS (which btw was #12 nationally, behind #1 Hobart & #6 St. Lawrence).  My sources said they were hoping to keep Springfield and add MIT and Utica...we'll see.

Don't think the SOS has really come into play that much for LL teams has it?  Sure if Hobart goes 9-1 with a loss to the LL champ, that might get them a pool C this year, but does that happen often?

Utah,  Muhlenberg got the pool C this year, their OOC was against St Thomas Moore.  Seems like the only shot at getting a pool C is to have a strong OOC schedule.  Other than theoretical damage to the team's psyche that can come with  a few losses, what is the downside to a tough OOC schedule?

Yea I don't think there is much of a downside. I'm just saying it is rare that it comes into play.  If Hobart goes 9-1 (losing to the LL champ) they most likely will get a pool C bid.  But would a 9-1 Union team get one if they beat Anna Maria and Westfield 66-0 or 55-0?  Because Hobart going 9-1 might be harder than Union going 9-1 with the same schedule (not even sure if the SOS would be so far off seeing they all play mostly the same teams).

I think it is safe to say that if Hobart goes 9-1 against their 2019 schedule with one LL loss, they absolutely WILL earn a Pool C. Of course, the odds of dropping a LL game but winning all four of those OOC is pretty low.

[Jonny Utah]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

Without getting a confirmation from Union, a check of Anna Maria Amcats 2019 schedule shows a home game against Union Sept.14th and a visit to RPI on Sept.28th. The Amcats were 1-9 in the weak ECFC last year...hmmm indeed.  Coupled with Union's reported game with Westfield St. that's not the type of opponent that will help your SOS (which btw was #12 nationally, behind #1 Hobart & #6 St. Lawrence).  My sources said they were hoping to keep Springfield and add MIT and Utica...we'll see.

Don't think the SOS has really come into play that much for LL teams has it?  Sure if Hobart goes 9-1 with a loss to the LL champ, that might get them a pool C this year, but does that happen often?

Utah,  Muhlenberg got the pool C this year, their OOC was against St Thomas Moore.  Seems like the only shot at getting a pool C is to have a strong OOC schedule.  Other than theoretical damage to the team's psyche that can come with  a few losses, what is the downside to a tough OOC schedule?

Yea I don't think there is much of a downside. I'm just saying it is rare that it comes into play.  If Hobart goes 9-1 (losing to the LL champ) they most likely will get a pool C bid.  But would a 9-1 Union team get one if they beat Anna Maria and Westfield 66-0 or 55-0?  Because Hobart going 9-1 might be harder than Union going 9-1 with the same schedule (not even sure if the SOS would be so far off seeing they all play mostly the same teams).

I think it is safe to say that if Hobart goes 9-1 against their 2019 schedule with one LL loss, they absolutely WILL earn a Pool C. Of course, the odds of dropping a LL game but winning all four of those OOC is pretty low.

Yea that was kind of my point.  It just doesn't happen that often where SOS is the main reason you might get a pool C or not.  Usually the 2nd place LL team isn't 9-1 and when they do go 9-1 they are in the mix regardless of OCC (Hobart 2016 which I admit I do not know the SOS)

[Jonny Utah]

The 2019 academic/football calendar for Hobart is interesting.  Combine the late start date for the season (September 7), the normal start date for classes (August 26), and the new standard for first preseason practice 23 days before first game (August 15), the amount of practice time seems very limited.  Add in 5 days of heat acclimation, and the need for one day off per week in preseason camp, the team may only have 5 legitimate practices before the start of classes.   Interesting dilemma for the coaching staff to work out.

What is the dilemma you are talking about?

[Oline89]

The 2019 academic/football calendar for Hobart is interesting.  Combine the late start date for the season (September 7), the normal start date for classes (August 26), and the new standard for first preseason practice 23 days before first game (August 15), the amount of practice time seems very limited.  Add in 5 days of heat acclimation, and the need for one day off per week in preseason camp, the team may only have 5 legitimate practices before the start of classes.   Interesting dilemma for the coaching staff to work out.

What is the dilemma you are talking about?

Normally, preseason camp is time to install offensive/defensive schemes, team meetings, etc.  Once classes start, the coaches no longer have the kids 24/7.  Last season the team started camp on August 10 and classes started August 27, this year camp starts August 15 and classes on August 26.  That is 5 less days of "camp".  Just my thoughts....

[Jonny Utah]

The 2019 academic/football calendar for Hobart is interesting.  Combine the late start date for the season (September 7), the normal start date for classes (August 26), and the new standard for first preseason practice 23 days before first game (August 15), the amount of practice time seems very limited.  Add in 5 days of heat acclimation, and the need for one day off per week in preseason camp, the team may only have 5 legitimate practices before the start of classes.   Interesting dilemma for the coaching staff to work out.

What is the dilemma you are talking about?

Normally, preseason camp is time to install offensive/defensive schemes, team meetings, etc.  Once classes start, the coaches no longer have the kids 24/7.  Last season the team started camp on August 10 and classes started August 27, this year camp starts August 15 and classes on August 26.  That is 5 less days of "camp".  Just my thoughts....

Ah ok gotcha.  So they "lose" a week of 24/7 football because of the late game pushing the start date back. 

[tony/troy]

Union and RPI adding Amcats to their 2019 schedule is..... well.... hmmm

According to Anna Maria's posted schedule, this game is at RPI. Making assumptions that the six Liberty League games are three home and three away AND that both Utica and Allegany return RPI's 2019 visits, the result may very well be only four road games for RPI with one of those being at Union. That is only three away games that involve any sort of travel. Based on who came to Troy in 2019, the away conference games would be Hobart, SLU and the aforementioned Union with the home conference games being Ithaca, UR and new conference member Buffalo State. However, the only possible hole in these assumptions may be that Buffalo State came to Troy last year. The only non conference away game appears to be WPI.

Not a bad schedule at all if you are either an RPI player or someone who likes to also attend the away games.

RPI has posted their 2019 football schedule on their twitter account. It pretty much is as was speculated above.

However, with the way they posted it you better be up on your logos or you will have no idea who RPI is playing.

I personally would have stumbled over two of them had I not known RPI was playing Anna Maria on 9/28. The other stumble was the mountain goat (or whatever that thing is) on 9/14. Had no idea that WPI had that thing for a logo.

[ITH radio]

Yeah, that's Gompei. WPI has had him as a mascot for a while now.

Was in Daytona Beach over the weekend and there were a couple of dads rocking Hobart and RPI hats (and I wasn't one of them). Speaking of Hobart, new president will be announced Friday, 2/8 at 3:30 pm.