FB: Liberty League

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear has been thinking about SOS/OOC games this week.

In the past Ice Bear has hammered the likes of Rensselaer and others for soft ass OOC scheduling. Ice Bear sees his beloved Garnet now doing this for the second consecutive year. Ice Bear used to hate it...now Ice Bear likes it.

Ice Bear says it gives his top players some initial exposure to game speed and the opportunity to have some success as well as to gain confidence while playing in small portions of the game. Ice Bear says when they are taken out early it not only prevents injury (less time on the field exposed to the ****ing physical toll football takes) but also provides important game experience to young players. Ice Bear says as a former athlete there is nothing like game experience.

Ice Bear does worry about the figurative "punch in the mouth" the team may receive when faced with a much higher level opponent for the first time (see Union's loss to a pumped up Hobart last season).

Ice Bear is in favor of this early season "cupcake" scheduling for his Dutchmen as of now. Ice Bear keeps saying it but the ****ing wounds of our program's nose dive are still fresh. More So than when Ice Bear used to wake up in his own slop after many night's of boozing swearing it off until the very second he felt better and was back at it.

Ice Bear expects more from the Pride on Saturday but feels the Dutch SHOULD still take this game by at least 10-14 points. If they lose we know where they really stand. If they win we still know very little until Hobart.

Ice Bear is happy.

[Bartman]

Ice Bear has been thinking about SOS/OOC games this week.

In the past Ice Bear has hammered the likes of Rensselaer and others for soft ass OOC scheduling. Ice Bear sees his beloved Garnet now doing this for the second consecutive year. Ice Bear used to hate it...now Ice Bear likes it.

Ice Bear says it gives his top players some initial exposure to game speed and the opportunity to have some success as well as to gain confidence while playing in small portions of the game. Ice Bear says when they are taken out early it not only prevents injury (less time on the field exposed to the ****ing physical toll football takes) but also provides important game experience to young players. Ice Bear says as a former athlete there is nothing like game experience.

Ice Bear does worry about the figurative "punch in the mouth" the team may receive when faced with a much higher level opponent for the first time (see Union's loss to a pumped up Hobart last season).

Ice Bear is in favor of this early season "cupcake" scheduling for his Dutchmen as of now. Ice Bear keeps saying it but the ****ing wounds of our program's nose dive are still fresh. More So than when Ice Bear used to wake up in his own slop after many night's of boozing swearing it off until the very second he felt better and was back at it.

Ice Bear expects more from the Pride on Saturday but feels the Dutch SHOULD still take this game by at least 10-14 points. If they lose we know where they really stand. If they win we still know very little until Hobart.

Ice Bear is happy.

Bartman thinks this line makes the most sense and can't wait to visit Bailey for a game that counts to start the LL season. Bartman is also happy that Ice Bear is happy, for now......but Bartman thinks he is happy that the Statesmen scheduled opponents that provide a challenge to improve his Statesmen in preparation for a  tough LL schedule this year. Bartman will be happiest if the scheduling theory results in a Statesmen win at big bad Bailey on 10/5....and all players are healthy.

[Machiavelli]

I've been wanting to do predictions the last few weeks just haven't had time. Here's a shot at this week...

MACHIAVELLI'S BOLD PREDICTIONS - WEEK 3

Ithaca - 42
Alfred - 24
Big test for Ithaca. I think we may see them pin the gas pedal this week.

Morrisville St. - 17
St. Lawrence - 7
Snoozfest city.

Alfred St. - 6
Rochester - 21
Snoozefest City number 2. But Rocha-cha get's a W on the board. Embarrassment to the program if they drop this one.

Brockport - 31
Buffalo State - 14
I think the score here dictates finally that Brockport isn't that good this year.

Rowan - 13
Hobart - 31
Everyone is saying Rowan could be the best losing team in the country. Just because they have a tough schedule doesn't make them good. i think Hobart handles them easily.

Springfield - 10
Union - 35
I'd love to see Springfield make a run at it like Mike McDermott to the WSOP, but I think Springfield also stinks and Union is good. Blasphemous I know. But fair is fair. Pay that man his munneee.

Utica - 21
RPI - 34
This game scares the daylights out of me TBH. Utica can score, but RPI's strength is it's defense. I think Utica's defense lets them down and RPI's Offense wakes up after last week. A lot riding on this game for an OOC.



Bonus
Wesley - 24
Endicott - 17
I think this one will be a lot closer than most are expecting. Endicott may give them a scare.

WPI - 42
Husson - 27
WPI continues to roll. Husson can score, but they stink.

[pumkinattack]

Well no after Hobart wins it'll prove that rowan is trash.  Linfield will still be considered great and the travel will be the excuse for that game being fairly competitive but after losing to Hobart it'll be clear that Rowan stinks. 

[Machiavelli]

Well no after Hobart wins it'll prove that rowan is trash.  Linfield will still be considered great and the travel will be the excuse for that game being fairly competitive but after losing to Hobart it'll be clear that Rowan stinks.

I wasn't saying Hobart stinks whatsoever. i think Hobart is very good. More or less saying Rowan stinks compared to what some think they are. Still a tough opponent for Hobart, I just don't think Rowan is at that level this year.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Well no after Hobart wins it'll prove that rowan is trash.  Linfield will still be considered great and the travel will be the excuse for that game being fairly competitive but after losing to Hobart it'll be clear that Rowan stinks.

Depending on how the game flows will definitely be my deciding factor. Sometimes scoreboard results doesn't always tell the whole story of how a game went. I watched the Rowan and Linfield game and I would definitely say Linfield had 1st game jitters and Rowan had major penalties from keeping them in the game and possibly pulling the upset. However, one team has a higher upside than the other and that is Linfield (although I hate to say it), their program standards and coaching allows them to compete on the highest stages year in and year out. Now if Hobart comes out blazing 35 nothing at half. I'd say that Hobart is at the same level as this current Linfield team. Look at it this way they are only #11 and will stay that way until they play Whitworth down the road and boom that's their season until playoffs. Whereas Hobart has the next 4 to 5 weeks to make a major statement with how strong the conference representatives in the LL.

[pumkinattack]

I'm kidding/being sarcastic.  I just think brockport was really downgraded way too far after the hobart game.  Their defense will be as good as any in the e8.  We did knock out their starting QB so even the BSU result is incorporating the backup qB.  The new OL will I be for them over time and morrison was getting weighed down from everyone swinging on his nuts two wars ago and now he's trash.  Meanwhile people seem to be sweating AU, cortland and Utica for little good reason. 

I don't expect Bart to start out fast, even at home, still a young/inexperienced OL and I don't think there using like 30-40% of the playbook until Union.  We will have a different offense in a few more weeks.  Hoping we have our top four with more more than 2 losses and at least one undefeated and one 1 loss team.  Will offset the bottom three.

[Bombers798891]

I'm kidding/being sarcastic.  I just think brockport was really downgraded way too far after the hobart game.  Their defense will be as good as any in the e8.  We did knock out their starting QB so even the BSU result is incorporating the backup qB. 

I agree with you on Brockport's defense. They look excellent two weeks into the season. Their offense and special teams set them up in no win situations against Hobart. You simply can't give a good team the ball in the red zone repeatedly and expect your defense to bail you out all game.

morrison was getting weighed down from everyone swinging on his nuts two wars ago and now he's trash

I really hope this is sarcasm too, considering he suffered an injury last year.
[/quote]

[pumkinattack]

Two years ago.  Wars bc I typed from my phone.  He's still the same player.  Even with the mispelling surely you saw the word "two" before it and could've figure that out.  Or your choosing to not read closely. 

Hobart has some early mistakes, blown coverage in the secondary that gave MVille some opps, didn't blitz at all in the first half.  Started blitzing and cleaned it up and went 21-3 in the second half against them.  Even their second half yardage was gained late when it was clear the game was over.  Bart's D is pretty good this year.  They're not getting enough credit.  Might be the best D in the LL, health pending since we lost two starters last week (Spano and Calero, hear Calero May be back soon not sure on Spano). 

[UfanBill]

JV SCHEDULE ... A couple of points that tie into the discussion of playing an early cupcake schedule. Many schools have discontinued their JV schedule. Union did so a decade ago and coincidently it corresonds to a sharp decline in the programs on field success.  Ithaca currently shows an 8 game JV schedule against various levels of opponents and I can find 2 games listed for Hobart. What other LL/E8 schools still have a JV team?
   As a Union fan I always looked forward to seeing the Dutchmen match up with non league opponents. They played games against the MAC,CC,NJAC,E8 and New England. For example the 2009 OOC opponents were Ithaca, Muhlenburg and Salisbury.  Then the JV program was ended and Union started scheduling down. 2011 - Salve Regina and a fledgling Utica. Maybe the thought was...play an easier opener and let the young guys get into the game as we monkey-stomp them. The problem was, Union was losing those games. The young guys were not playing, not getting valuable experience and not getting game day evaluation. In fact Union lost 13 OOC games in a row!!! and without any game tested depth. It all came to a head in 2015 with an 0-10 season that cost coach John Audino his job.
  New coach Jeff Behrman came in and has changed the early schedule leaning heavily towards teams from New England where Union gets the bulk of it's recruits. Would I love to see a NJAC team come to Schenectady instead of Westfield St.? Sure BUT just maybe the new scheduling is working. Without a JV program the first years and backups might not see the field against a Rowan but they played ALL of the 2nd half against cupcakes Westfield and Anna Maria. Sort of like a varsity and JV game in one. Seems to be working so far...and just maybe we'll see that NJAC or MAC team in Schenectady in November.

[Pat Coleman]

I'm kidding/being sarcastic.  I just think brockport was really downgraded way too far after the hobart game.  Their defense will be as good as any in the e8.  We did knock out their starting QB so even the BSU result is incorporating the backup qB.  The new OL will I be for them over time and morrison was getting weighed down from everyone swinging on his nuts two wars ago and now he's trash.  Meanwhile people seem to be sweating AU, cortland and Utica for little good reason. 

Hellwig played against Framingham. My understanding is that he didn't play more because he wasn't effective.

[Oline89]

JV SCHEDULE ... A couple of points that tie into the discussion of playing an early cupcake schedule. Many schools have discontinued their JV schedule. Union did so a decade ago and coincidently it corresonds to a sharp decline in the programs on field success.  Ithaca currently shows an 8 game JV schedule against various levels of opponents and I can find 2 games listed for Hobart. What other LL/E8 schools still have a JV team?
   As a Union fan I always looked forward to seeing the Dutchmen match up with non league opponents. They played games against the MAC,CC,NJAC,E8 and New England. For example the 2009 OOC opponents were Ithaca, Muhlenburg and Salisbury.  Then the JV program was ended and Union started scheduling down. 2011 - Salve Regina and a fledgling Utica. Maybe the thought was...play an easier opener and let the young guys get into the game as we monkey-stomp them. The problem was, Union was losing those games. The young guys were not playing, not getting valuable experience and not getting game day evaluation. In fact Union lost 13 OOC games in a row!!! and without any game tested depth. It all came to a head in 2015 with an 0-10 season that cost coach John Audino his job.
  New coach Jeff Behrman came in and has changed the early schedule leaning heavily towards teams from New England where Union gets the bulk of it's recruits. Would I love to see a NJAC team come to Schenectady instead of Westfield St.? Sure BUT just maybe the new scheduling is working. Without a JV program the first years and backups might not see the field against a Rowan but they played ALL of the 2nd half against cupcakes Westfield and Anna Maria. Sort of like a varsity and JV game in one. Seems to be working so far...and just maybe we'll see that NJAC or MAC team in Schenectady in November.

Seems to me going 0-13 OOC is a good enough reason to start scheduling easier games.  I am not sure what is the best way to schedule OOC either, however you and IB are right about a couple of things.  The Hobart starters have been on the field deep into the 4th Q.  The more they play, the higher risk of injury.  However, a bunch of kids that have never played at the varsity level, and a revamped Oline have now been battle tested against top level defenses (Brockport) and offenses (M'Ville).  Maybe playing half a game against cupcakes, and potential fewer injuries will help the Dutchmen, I know that the Statesmen will be game ready.

[Bartman]

JV SCHEDULE ... A couple of points that tie into the discussion of playing an early cupcake schedule. Many schools have discontinued their JV schedule. Union did so a decade ago and coincidently it corresonds to a sharp decline in the programs on field success.  Ithaca currently shows an 8 game JV schedule against various levels of opponents and I can find 2 games listed for Hobart. What other LL/E8 schools still have a JV team?
   As a Union fan I always looked forward to seeing the Dutchmen match up with non league opponents. They played games against the MAC,CC,NJAC,E8 and New England. For example the 2009 OOC opponents were Ithaca, Muhlenburg and Salisbury.  Then the JV program was ended and Union started scheduling down. 2011 - Salve Regina and a fledgling Utica. Maybe the thought was...play an easier opener and let the young guys get into the game as we monkey-stomp them. The problem was, Union was losing those games. The young guys were not playing, not getting valuable experience and not getting game day evaluation. In fact Union lost 13 OOC games in a row!!! and without any game tested depth. It all came to a head in 2015 with an 0-10 season that cost coach John Audino his job.
  New coach Jeff Behrman came in and has changed the early schedule leaning heavily towards teams from New England where Union gets the bulk of it's recruits. Would I love to see a NJAC team come to Schenectady instead of Westfield St.? Sure BUT just maybe the new scheduling is working. Without a JV program the first years and backups might not see the field against a Rowan but they played ALL of the 2nd half against cupcakes Westfield and Anna Maria. Sort of like a varsity and JV game in one. Seems to be working so far...and just maybe we'll see that NJAC or MAC team in Schenectady in November.

Seems to me going 0-13 OOC is a good enough reason to start scheduling easier games.  I am not sure what is the best way to schedule OOC either, however you and IB are right about a couple of things.  The Hobart starters have been on the field deep into the 4th Q.  The more they play, the higher risk of injury.  However, a bunch of kids that have never played at the varsity level, and a revamped Oline have now been battle tested against top level defenses (Brockport) and offenses (M'Ville).  Maybe playing half a game against cupcakes, and potential fewer injuries will help the Dutchmen, I know that the Statesmen will be game ready.

Bartman thinks Oline is a very wise contributor and we all should listen.

[pumkinattack]

I'm kidding/being sarcastic.  I just think brockport was really downgraded way too far after the hobart game.  Their defense will be as good as any in the e8.  We did knock out their starting QB so even the BSU result is incorporating the backup qB.  The new OL will I be for them over time and morrison was getting weighed down from everyone swinging on his nuts two wars ago and now he's trash.  Meanwhile people seem to be sweating AU, cortland and Utica for little good reason. 

Hellwig played against Framingham. My understanding is that he didn't play more because he wasn't effective.

There was an official timeout when he came off the field from the hobart game after being down for a prolonged period.  Saw it.  Don't know about their second game but he was only in for a very short time.  Reality is that line needs to get a lot better he had zero
Time to do anything against us, no QB can have much success with that.

On the schedule, audino was losing his touch later on and the school definitely shifted resources to the hockey program (successfully) which probably has a lot more to
Do with it than some plan to play backups.  Reality is playing tough OOCs is a better bet bc odds are better to win a conference AQ than get a pool C and if you win the tough OOC and have a slipup in AQ territory you might still have a shot at the rare pool c berth.  Either way your in better shape come playoff time playing more better teams.  But beating up on the descendants of DAR does give kids a good feeling about themselves. 

[NYfootball]

Morrisville qb has dropped the ball on contact alot tonight, SL qb making plays. 19-7 SL over Morrisville half