FB: Liberty League

[Oline89]

The two teams which meet in the title game aren't necessarily the two best in the country.

Touché!  So you agree that the best two teams in the country reside in the CCIW this preseason?

[Mr. Ypsi]

The two teams which meet in the title game aren't necessarily the two best in the country.

Touché!  So you agree that the best two teams in the country reside in the CCIW this preseason?

This discussion all assumes there will BE a title game this season.  I'm hopeful, but only cautiously optimistic.

[Pat Coleman]

The two teams which meet in the title game aren't necessarily the two best in the country.

Touché!  So you agree that the best two teams in the country reside in the CCIW this preseason?

It is Keith who has his name on that Top 25 ranking. I may have a different take when I sit down to look at the info.

[Caz Bombers]

not sure when this happened, but apparently Montclair State at RPI season opener on 9/5 is cancelled.

Brockport only has 9 games and not supposed to open until the following week. Alternately, perhaps Cortland could go to RPI that day instead of down to Washington & Lee, seems like a wise economic choice.

[Oline89]

not sure when this happened, but apparently Montclair State at RPI season opener on 9/5 is cancelled.

Brockport only has 9 games and not supposed to open until the following week. Alternately, perhaps Cortland could go to RPI that day instead of down to Washington & Lee, seems like a wise economic choice.

Nice pickup, Caz.  Looks like the game is not on the Montclair schedule, but is still on the RPI schedule.  Someone may need to tell the Engineers......

[ITH radio]

I see it on the MSU 2020 schedule. Will see if I can't get confirmation either way.

Yeah it's not looking good - hopefully the Engineers can figure out a Plan b

[ITH radio]

Some good news for a change:

http://gohobart.blogspot.com/2020/06/statesmen-shooting-for-august-11th-to.html

[Oline89]

So we are 80 days to Hobart-Alfred Friday night kickoff and only 51 days until D3 camp can begin.  I am feeling much more positive that we will have football in 2020.  Hobart has made a definite move toward opening classes on August 24th. Any updates from other LL schools?

[ITH radio]

SLU: "Our current planning anticipates an in-person semester with a phased return of students in the last week of August and online or hybrid instruction of courses to the extent needed for community safety throughout the semester. "

Rochester: "considering options" (no press release since May 1)

Ithaca: 10/5, no word on athletics

Hobart: reopening 8/24-11/25, exams at home. Athletics planning to resume (for now)

RPI: "still deciding" (last update 6/8)

Union: planning for in-person by September (no specific follow up since 5/8, still in process): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiikVDrbPpU&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=PMT+Updates&utm_campaign=6cb78e44fa-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_05_08_05_07_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8bc039f210-6cb78e44fa-491544770

Buff State; 3 scenarios presented to SUNY

All the above per: https://www.chronicle.com/article/Here-s-a-List-of-Colleges-/248626

[Bartman]

Lindy's Sports predicts Union at #6 and Hobart at #20 with Hobart's Emmett Forde first team defense and Rayshawn Boswell first team Returner, Union's Driscoll first team OL and Ike Irabor second team RB, Saints Max Warden first team OL and Ethan Roberts second team LB...all of this just one source's forecast, but pretty nice recognition for the LL.

[UfanBill]

Lindy's Sports predicts Union at #6 and Hobart at #20 with Hobart's Emmett Forde first team defense and Rayshawn Boswell first team Returner, Union's Driscoll first team OL and Ike Irabor second team RB, Saints Max Warden first team OL and Ethan Roberts second team LB...all of this just one source's forecast, but pretty nice recognition for the LL.

Thanks Bartman for the Lindy's report.

A final ranking of #6 nationally would mean that Union takes it one step farther in 2020. CAN they go undefeated through the Liberty League and get a #1 or #2 seed in "East"? Then win both a 1st and a 2nd round NCAA game? Sure, they came very close to doing just that last year. For now I'm not holding out hope that will happen. I'm still hoping we even have a 2020 season.

Everybody is certainly familiar with Union RB Ike Irabor. Seeing he is a 2nd team Lindy's Preseason All American is not really a surprise BUT what about this other guy, Driscoll... Tim Driscoll plays LT protecting the blind side of Union QB Will Bellamy. Quietly he got major recognition last season...LL 1st team, ECAC 2nd team, D3football All East 2nd team...after being named NYS Class B player of the year in 2017 for Pleasantville High School, where he was better known for his defensive playmaking. He's still growing into his 6'6" frame having come into Union as a #225 firstyear and now he's in the #255 range reportedly. Potentially another Ali Marpet? AND he may not even be the best O-lineman on his team. Center Ryan Ehrets has gotten even greater accolades...Driscoll and Ehrets are also Liberty League All Academic team members.   

With the strength the Liberty League displayed last season, overtaking the E8 as the best league in New York, and the caliber of teams and players set to get on the field this fall, I desperately need to believe football will happen.

[Oline89]

Wow, some news out of MIT.  Only 60% of the student body allowed back on campus.  Death blow to fall sports.  Also, from the NESCAC board, it looks bleak for Wesleyan to allow for fall sports.  Hopefully, the LL continues with slow, prudent steps towards full fall semesters.....

[jmcozenlaw]

Wow, some news out of MIT.  Only 60% of the student body allowed back on campus.  Death blow to fall sports.  Also, from the NESCAC board, it looks bleak for Wesleyan to allow for fall sports.  Hopefully, the LL continues with slow, prudent steps towards full fall semesters.....

OLine, it is going to make a mess out of Winter sports as well as Men's and Women's Wrestling start practicing on October 1, with matches starting as early as the end of October.........and Men's and Women's Hoops start practice on October 15th and start games the first week of November. Yikes!!!

[Oline89]

Wow, some news out of MIT.  Only 60% of the student body allowed back on campus.  Death blow to fall sports.  Also, from the NESCAC board, it looks bleak for Wesleyan to allow for fall sports.  Hopefully, the LL continues with slow, prudent steps towards full fall semesters.....

OLine, it is going to make a mess out of Winter sports as well as Men's and Women's Wrestling start practicing on October 1, with matches starting as early as the end of October.........and Men's and Women's Hoops start practice on October 15th and start games the first week of November. Yikes!!!

Can't you foresee a plan where they begin Jan 1?  No out of league games.  Maybe a week or two of preseason?

[jmcozenlaw]

Wow, some news out of MIT.  Only 60% of the student body allowed back on campus.  Death blow to fall sports.  Also, from the NESCAC board, it looks bleak for Wesleyan to allow for fall sports.  Hopefully, the LL continues with slow, prudent steps towards full fall semesters.....

OLine, it is going to make a mess out of Winter sports as well as Men's and Women's Wrestling start practicing on October 1, with matches starting as early as the end of October.........and Men's and Women's Hoops start practice on October 15th and start games the first week of November. Yikes!!!

Can't you foresee a plan where they begin Jan 1?  No out of league games.  Maybe a week or two of preseason?

While there are some schedules that have been finalized (in number 3 pencil), many have not been as a result. Dave McHugh, Pat Coleman, Ryan Scott and Gordon Mann know much more about this than I do, but through some contacts, I've heard a few things. Fluidity is the name of the game. As is flexibility. As is patience. As is depression.

I could see what you mentioned as a scenario, BUT here is the other issue, or issues, (as I see it and as I've heard).

There are more schools considering the option to open up a little earlier than usual and to not have students come back for the post-Thanksgiving through pre-Christmas timeframe. For those schools that want to basically shut it all down for that approximately two month long period (call it Nov 20ish - Jan 20ish...........during this period of time, close to half of a team's games are scheduled.)..................are they really going to open things back up for a couple dozen student athletes? If not, you would need some practice and scrimmage time (last ten days of Jan) and would basically have to cram games into February. Last season's final regular season schedule ended on February 22 for most conferences, followed by the conference playoffs.

I just don't see how it all happens. I have a sick feeling in my stomach that this coming Fall's and Winter's teams will suffer the same fate as the teams from this past Spring.............with fingers crossed that we are good to go by the Spring and those student athletes don't miss two consecutive seasons.

By the way, Braveheart Highland Pub is open in Hellertown. Give it a whirl. Great food and drinks!