FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

Can anyone tell me what they hell just happened in the Ithaca-Alfred game?  Alfred appeared to run a trick fake FG for a conversion and then apparently got a live ball unsportsmanlike for running a trick play?

D3 refereeing is just a clown show these days.

In other news, I thought Ithaca was going to run away with this one, but nice to see Alfred stiffen up and hang in there a bit.  They just don't seem to have the offense horses to consistently move the ball and really make a game of it.

Ithaca offense has clicked nicely, but man, watching them play offense is like watching paint dry.  Everything is swing passes, WR screens, dinks and dunks.  I don't think Wingfield has thrown the ball more than 5 yards downfield more than a half dozen times.  It works against a defense like Alfred's but it is so boring to watch.

EDIT:  Alfred just getting hosed by the refs now.  Big fourth down stop on the Bombers and they throw the world's weakest flag for roughing the passer.

Alfred has some talent, are tough, but not enough to overcome IC and the refs.I was in Alfred for Hobart game and the refs looked like they were on Alfred's payroll, then all of a sudden made some terrible calls against Alfred. Bottom line, Alfred is  tougher than their skill level and Ithaca is not so scary on offense this year. The defense is solid, althoughI feel the top four is a lot closer in ability than I thought and we will have some great games this year........ Rochester could be a serious spoiler after seeing portions of their win over Salve Regina.

[Jersey42]

Maybe this is the wrong board for this, but for the second week in a row, former LL member Susquehanna won another game in upstate NY with a last second FG.  Cortland was up 35-21 with less than five and 1/2 minutes remaining, when they punted the ball.  Then all hell broke loose.  A 3 play TD drive to bring the score to 35-28. 3 and out for Cortland. A 2 play TD drive to tie the game.  Cortland fumbles on the kickoff return and Susquehanna runs down the clock to set up a winning FG as time expired. Final score was 38-35.

I watched the last five minutes on Cortland's web site.  I could not find a direct link, but the following link will get you close.  Just look for the On Demand tab. It is worth a watch.
https://www.cortlandreddragons.com/sports/2019/8/15/BlueFramePage.aspx

[Bartman]

Maybe this is the wrong board for this, but for the second week in a row, former LL member Susquehanna won another game in upstate NY with a last second FG.  Cortland was up 35-21 with less than five and 1/2 minutes remaining, when they punted the ball.  Then all hell broke loose.  A 3 play TD drive to bring the score to 35-28. 3 and out for Cortland. A 2 play TD drive to tie the game.  Cortland fumbles on the kickoff return and Susquehanna runs down the clock to set up a winning FG as time expired. Final score was 38-35.

I watched the last five minutes on Cortland's web site.  I could not find a direct link, but the following link will get you close.  Just look for the On Demand tab. It is worth a watch.
https://www.cortlandreddragons.com/sports/2019/8/15/BlueFramePage.aspx

Whoa....just watched the replay, great comeback by Susquehanna, and equal choke by Cortland.

[IC798891]

With Ithaca's leading rusher, Jake Williams, not playing, IC's offense struggled to find its footing, winning 22-0, but still not making the big, explosive plays.

Still, the game wasn't really in doubt. Whatever issues with the officiating, Alfred had just 155 total yards.

Ithaca's going to need to ride the 2013, 2014 style to a conference title, relying on a stout defense to make up for an offense that seems to have a ceiling.

[unionpalooza]

Having watched the whole Union-Springfield game, I am increasingly optimistic that Union is as good as anyone in the LL.  They dominated a very good Springfield team on both sides of the ball, and think the defensive front seven is the best Union's had since the 90s.  It took them a little while to get the run game going, but Pacatte threw beautiful balls all night; but for three of four perfect deep balls that were dropped, the score would have been even more lopsided.  And I love the playcalling under the new OC - much more aggressive, much less dependent on a few stars and much more wide open, with Pacatte being allowed to sit in the pocket and work through his reads.  Union's WR core remains talented but pretty inexperienced, but they are getting better quickly.

Hobart still remains a bit of a mystery, but if I'm ranking the league, I think Union and RPI sit tied at 1, and Hobart and Ithaca sit tied at 2, with Rochester behind them but probably good enough to at least give one of the big four a scare.

[Machiavelli]

While I went undefeated in my predictions this week, I was a little disappointed in my score predictions. Need to get better. Let's go!


Also, really interesting that neither RPI, Union nor Hobart received even a single vote in the Top 25 poll, while perennial world beaters like Utica, Endicott, and King's(all without an impressive win) have received votes. I can see a case being made for Endicott, but what have Utica and King's EVER really done? I know it will all work itself out in the end, but just a general observation that there wasn't even a single 'one of these teams tends to make a few waves in the playoffs every year' courtesy votes.



Ithaca - 28 (22)
Alfred - 10 (0)
I think Ithaca finds their groove this week(a little).
Not super far off. Didn't expect IC to pitch the shut out.

Springfield - 20 (7)
Union - 24 (34)
This is a very intriguing matchup since we know NOTHING about Union, and Springfield throttled what are typically 2 decent teams that might be very mediocre this year. I think Union pulls an Ithaca and pulls off a comeback in the 4th to take the W. And O'Doyle still rules...
I'll give credit to Union where credit is due. I expected this to be a little closer. But I'm also thinking maybe Springfield really isn't THAT strong. A good showing by Union nonetheless.

Rochester - 35 (17)
Salve Regina Steamer Carpet Cleaner - 31 (10)
It's actually another intriguing matchup. I just don't really care about it too much. I'll give the Jackets the nod for this week.
This was a close one on paper. Rochester got it done. If Rochester only lost to the vote getting powerhouse Utica by 3, they must be totally legit.

St. Lawrence - 14 (21)
Western New England - 35 (42)
Tough call, but I think St. Lawrence is lucky to have gotten their win for this year.
Happy with my predication here. Feels like the Larries stink...

RPI - 42 (25)
WPI - 21 (0)
While WPI can sometimes be pesky in the battle for the Transit Trophy, I think RPI keeps rolling...
Not sure why I thought WPI could score 21, but RPI continues to do what they need to do. One more layup before a bye and the real season starts.

Dean - 9 (7)
Buff St. - 10 (41)
Well, Buff St. has 3 winnable games on their schedule. This is one of them. Godspeed.
This might be the biggest surprise of the week. Not that Buff St. won, but how they won. Glad they were able to take advantage and get in the W column. Would have been a bad look for the LL basement.

Mach's amazing Predictions for next week TBD...

[Pat Coleman]

While I went undefeated in my predictions this week, I was a little disappointed in my score predictions. Need to get better. Let's go!


Also, really interesting that neither RPI, Union nor Hobart received even a single vote in the Top 25 poll, while perennial world beaters like Utica, Endicott, and King's(all without an impressive win) have received votes. I can see a case being made for Endicott, but what have Utica and King's EVER really done? I know it will all work itself out in the end, but just a general observation that there wasn't even a single 'one of these teams tends to make a few waves in the playoffs every year' courtesy votes.

Utica won a playoff game last year.

I would have thought Union might get a vote or two this week, but I wasn't willing to give them one of mine, so ...

[Machiavelli]

While I went undefeated in my predictions this week, I was a little disappointed in my score predictions. Need to get better. Let's go!


Also, really interesting that neither RPI, Union nor Hobart received even a single vote in the Top 25 poll, while perennial world beaters like Utica, Endicott, and King's(all without an impressive win) have received votes. I can see a case being made for Endicott, but what have Utica and King's EVER really done? I know it will all work itself out in the end, but just a general observation that there wasn't even a single 'one of these teams tends to make a few waves in the playoffs every year' courtesy votes.

Utica won a playoff game last year.

I would have thought Union might get a vote or two this week, but I wasn't willing to give them one of mine, so ...

And RPI lost 3 games all by 3 last year, 2 of them to playoff teams that were undefeated in the regular season, both meeting their demise in the postseason against North Central(The Fisher game was definitely a major blemish). If Utica having one good season in the last 23+ years is the best evidence we have to go on, then I guess you're right.

Atleast Endicott has been consistent for a bit...

[unionpalooza]

While I went undefeated in my predictions this week, I was a little disappointed in my score predictions. Need to get better. Let's go!


Also, really interesting that neither RPI, Union nor Hobart received even a single vote in the Top 25 poll, while perennial world beaters like Utica, Endicott, and King's(all without an impressive win) have received votes. I can see a case being made for Endicott, but what have Utica and King's EVER really done? I know it will all work itself out in the end, but just a general observation that there wasn't even a single 'one of these teams tends to make a few waves in the playoffs every year' courtesy votes.

Utica won a playoff game last year.

I would have thought Union might get a vote or two this week, but I wasn't willing to give them one of mine, so ...

And RPI lost 3 games all by 3 last year, 2 of them to playoff teams that were undefeated in the regular season, both meeting their demise in the postseason against North Central(The Fisher game was definitely a major blemish). If Utica having one good season in the last 23+ years is the best evidence we have to go on, then I guess you're right.

Atleast Endicott has been consistent for a bit...

I think Utica's 5 votes just proves that some voters are not paying much attention the bottom of their ballot at all.  They lost their best guys, and struggled to beat Rochester and Lycoming.  Meanwhile, Brockport actually has the best on field resume in the E8 -- 2-1 with a single point loss to #15 Susquehanna — and gets no votes.

I get that people love polls, but just all proof that the polls are mostly a fantasy fun game at this stage, and will be until there is enough evidence on the field to draw reasonable conclusions.

[Pat Coleman]

Agreed in that I am not voting for Utica either, but there is at least some justification for having them on a ballot.

As for RPI, can't argue, but Dickinson, Wilkes, WPI and Dean as the first four are not going to get them too many votes.

[Machiavelli]

Agreed in that I am not voting for Utica either, but there is at least some justification for having them on a ballot.

As for RPI, can't argue, but Dickinson, Wilkes, WPI and Dean as the first four are not going to get them too many votes.

100% agree on the RPI schedule so far, but a Utica 38-35 W over Lycoming, who lost to Cortland 62-7, doesn't scream Top 25 to me either.

[Pat Coleman]

Good news -- they have just 5 votes and are not in danger of making the Top 25.

[IC798891]

Meanwhile, Brockport actually has the best on field resume in the E8 -- 2-1 with a single point loss to #15 Susquehanna — and gets no votes.

I get that people love polls, but just all proof that the polls are mostly a fantasy fun game at this stage, and will be until there is enough evidence on the field to draw reasonable conclusions.

Brockport does not have a better on-field resume than Cortland.

Both teams narrowly lost to Susquehanna, but Cortland's got a dominant win over the #25 team in the country, which is a lot more impressive than wins over Wilkes and Buff State.

[Machiavelli]

Good news -- they have just 5 votes and are not in danger of making the Top 25.

But they still got 5 votes, as did King's, who's opponents have a whopping 0 wins and a cumulative -253 point differential in the 9 combined games(average loss by 28.11 points). I need Utah to get some TOP stats out there, because I bet that might paint a different story and make this all make more sense. Either way, it just feels either homer-ish by particular voters or lazy or a little of both.

In any case, at this point in the season for most of the LL teams, all we can really do is speculate, make predictions, and b!tch about the Top 25 votes with some soft ass OOC schedules.

[Bartman]

Congratulations to Mach for having a perfect pick week in Week #3. FYI, Unionpalooza was perfect in week #1 and yours truly was perfect in week #2. With the Statesmen having a bye week, I had the time to summarize the incredible prognostication skills of the LL contributors. Not everyone picked every week( Only IC Alum, Ice Bear and Bartman have nothing else to do with their lives), so I think we will have two winning categories :a) Total correct picks for the entire season, and b) highest percentage of correct picks with a five week minimum to qualify.Prizes to be contributed by Mach's dog or his designee.

Participant            Wins per week. Total.  Percentage

ICAlum(the instigator).      5/6/5                           16/19*.           .842
UnionPalooza.                   7/5/-                            12/14.             .857
Bartman.                          6/7/5.                          18/20.             .900
Ice Bear.                          6/6/4.                           16/20.             .800
Jersey 42.                        6/-/-                               6/7.               .857
Machiavelli                       -/5/6.                            11/13.             .846
Oline.                              -/4/-                               4/7.               .571
IC798891.                       -/-/5.                               5/6.              .833

* no selection for the first  Friday night  game was made

Please advise if you notice any errors I might have made. Good luck the rest of the season.


Bartman.