FB: Liberty League

[Oline89]

Can't believe that Hobart didn't make the top 10 in rankings at this point.  #5 SOS in entire country!  Can't figure how WPI or Wilkes can be ranked ahead...

Ice Bear says what he always does...because the regional rankings ARE NOT rankings of the best teams in the region...they are a cluster of ****...but enjoyable to look at, sometimes laugh at, talk about, etc..

Except this year, If Hobart doesn't get ranked, it may affect IC's chances of getting a Pool C bid

[NedM]

Think it worth noting the Union OL has 1 freshman, 1 soph, and 3 juniors and the TE mentioned (Crystal) is also a junior so bodes well for the near future.

I'm a terrible pessimist and, as others have addressed, am worried about Unions final 2 games, especially against RPI. Seems like the classic "Trap game" scenarios.

Weather forecast here in central Delaware for Saturday is chilly and windy but no precipitation. No doubt will be cold in Schenectady but is rain or snow being called for?

[MRMIKESMITH]

Can't believe that Hobart didn't make the top 10 in rankings at this point.  #5 SOS in entire country!  Can't figure how WPI or Wilkes can be ranked ahead...

Ice Bear says what he always does...because the regional rankings ARE NOT rankings of the best teams in the region...they are a cluster of ****...but enjoyable to look at, sometimes laugh at, talk about, etc..

Except this year, If Hobart doesn't get ranked, it may affect IC's chances of getting a Pool C bid

At the end of the day Ithaca controls its own destiny and has to beat Cortland at the Met. Otherwise, it is Cortland with a current .504 who I still think may get the nod as the 2nd East team if everything plays out in the east. Ithaca could still end up in the rankings.

[unionpalooza]

The regional rankings are here: https://d3football.com/playoffs/2019/first-regional-ranking

Really don't get Del Valley above Union.  Sure, they have higher SOS, but Union's got the better RR win, and Del Val has a loss.

And if SOS is so important relative to a loss, than 6-2 Hobart DEFINITELY should be ranked ahead of -1 Wilkes - nearly .200 tougher SOS, and a RR win where Wilkes has none.

[Bartman]

The regional rankings are here: https://d3football.com/playoffs/2019/first-regional-ranking

Really don't get Del Valley above Union.  Sure, they have higher SOS, but Union's got the better RR win, and Del Val has a loss.

And if SOS is so important relative to a loss, than 6-2 Hobart DEFINITELY should be ranked ahead of -1 Wilkes - nearly .200 tougher SOS, and a RR win where Wilkes has none.

Totally agree.

[Bartman]

Predictions continue whether you like it or not . So far 32-9 on the year, and LL is 15-11 on OOC wins with top 4 going 13-1 and bottom of the LL at 2-10.

Week 10:

Ithaca           42         RPI             21                  Engineers give it a go but secondary is overmatched

Rochester      14        SLU             42                  Saints ahead early, lots of playing time for everyone

Utica             21         Union          31                  Union has a hard time putting away Pioneers

Buff St           7        Hobart          28                   Hobart has another good rushing effort

The LL will go to 16-11 in  OOC games with Union win, but this is definitely a trap game if the Dutchmen don't take the Pioneers seriously, especially if the good Pioneers show up.

[Ice Bear]

Predictions continue whether you like it or not . So far 32-9 on the year, and LL is 15-11 on OOC wins with top 4 going 13-1 and bottom of the LL at 2-10.

Week 10:

Ithaca           42         RPI             21                  Engineers give it a go but secondary is overmatched

Rochester      14        SLU             42                  Saints ahead early, lots of playing time for everyone

Utica             21         Union          31                  Union has a hard time putting away Pioneers

Buff St           7        Hobart          28                   Hobart has another good rushing effort

The LL will go to 16-11 in  OOC games with Union win, but this is definitely a trap game if the Dutchmen don't take the Pioneers seriously, especially if the good Pioneers show up.

Ice Bear says truer words have not been typed Manbart.

[Oline89]

Other than a nice rivalry game between RPI and IC  (anxious to see how Germ bonces back), not too much exciting in LL play this week.  What games have implications on LL getting 2 teams into the playoffs?  I guess Wilkes-Stevenson has become important.

[Ithaca798891]

At the end of the day Ithaca controls its own destiny and has to beat Cortland at the Met. Otherwise, it is Cortland with a current .504 who I still think may get the nod as the 2nd East team if everything plays out in the east. Ithaca could still end up in the rankings.

Well, no Pool C team really controls their own destiny. That's how Pool C works. Certainly, the Bombers have to do their part, but it's undeniable that their case is bolstered significantly based on what the committee does with Cortland and Hobart.

[Ithaca798891]

Other than a nice rivalry game between RPI and IC  (anxious to see how Germ bonces back), not too much exciting in LL play this week.  What games have implications on LL getting 2 teams into the playoffs?  I guess Wilkes-Stevenson has become important.

Bethel/St. Thomas
Heidelberg/John Carroll
Hardin-Baylor/Texas Lutheran

[UfanBill]

Predictions continue whether you like it or not . So far 32-9 on the year, and LL is 15-11 on OOC wins with top 4 going 13-1 and bottom of the LL at 2-10.

Week 10:

Ithaca           42         RPI             21                  Engineers give it a go but secondary is overmatched

Rochester      14        SLU             42                  Saints ahead early, lots of playing time for everyone

Utica             21         Union          31                  Union has a hard time putting away Pioneers

Buff St           7        Hobart          28                   Hobart has another good rushing effort

The LL will go to 16-11 in  OOC games with Union win, but this is definitely a trap game if the Dutchmen don't take the Pioneers seriously, especially if the good Pioneers show up.

Ice Bear says truer words have not been typed Manbart.

I will be bundled up and at this game Saturday. I seriously think coach Behrman has already shown that he will sit out or play sparingly players that are injured. even if those players could and would go if the game mattered. I'm doubting that we'll see much if any of Ike Irabor and some others. That would greatly impact the Dutchmen's chances of winning this game. As a fan I want a maximum effort especially since Union is 0-4 against Utica but the meaningful games are still ahead. It will be all hands on board for the "Shoes". 

[Bartman]

UPDATED:Gladney/Germinerio of 2019 thru 9 games(projected to 11 game schedule) vs. Shed/Sweeney of 2016(11 games):


          QB                           Yards                      Ints                     TDs

Sweeney(2016)                  3,436                       6                          36

Germinerio(2019)               3,516*(2877)          9.77*(8)                 36.6*(30)

        WR

Shed(2016)                         1284                                                    17

Gladney(2019)                    1139*(932)                                           17.1*(14)     

* Pro rata of 9 games projected to 11 games for comparison

Well, these All American Connections look pretty close when you project the IC combo for 11 games( Hobart ended the 2016 season by losing to Mount Union at the Boz 38-24 in the playoffs)Ithaca has Cortland left on the schedule. Looking like the RPI surprise(2 INT by The Germ)  has made the comparison even closer. Although The Germ already has 8 Ints compared to Sweeney's 6 in 11 games

[Caz Bombers]

Just saw the IC-RPI score. What in the smoking hell was that all about???

Injuries? Flat, not ready to go? Bad gameplan? If it was either of the second two, then quite frankly, fire Dan Swanstrom. Dead serious.

[ITH radio]

Two turnovers cashed in for quick scores had the Bombers down 21-0. Defense looked bad. Definitely seemed to be looking past this one. Got behind so fast it was over even before IC had a chance to wake up and get their bearings.

[UfanBill]

An excellent effort by the Utica Pioneers came up short. Union did just enough to hold off Utica and dodged the upset. The Dutchmen played well at times but didn't execute a couple of plays that would have resulted in scores and couldn't finish 2 redzone opportunities. While the offense wasn't clicking the defense was it's usual stingy self and that held the day.

The one thing I most feared came to pass as Union suffered at least four to seven critical injuries which might very well prove costly going forward. RB Ike Irabor reinjured a lower leg, WR Andre Ross Jr. had an apparent groin injury, starting CB Brandon Scanlon and his backup CB Travis Demby both left the game and did not return.  The most damaging injury of all could be that of captain LB Evan Gulland who appeared to have injured a knee. Add in potential injuries to WR Will Sirmon and RB Joe Ferreira and it was a nightmare for coach Jeff Behrman.

The Dutchmen won the battle but will this cost them the war? With "the Shoes " game next week and the tournament on the horizon the depth and balance of this team will be seriously tested.