FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

The Unsexy LL Picks of the Week:

Bombers           31.           Stingers               14             Run fest as Pappy breaks a couple but JLO cleats are on fire

Statesmen.              24.           L z _l                    20.            OT thriller as Hobart's Boswell TD pass from the wildcat wins it

Buff State.               42.            Hawks.                10.            Ale Wilson runs for 150+

Engineers                45             Larries.                10             Slideruler's offense meet little resistance

Say what you will...I think your picks are sexy.

Mach watches this to inspire him before every pick courtesy of old LewDogg's buddy.....Pit Bull                                     
https://youtu.be/sOUQ3kfxEaQ?si=cTPKC_oZ7UBRFctb

[Ice Bear]

My marginally attractive picks:

Hilbert @ Buffalo St. - Well, everyone deserves an easy game, maybe they don't, I don't know. Regardless, Buffalo State will pummel Hilbert on Saturday. The Bengals will release lots of pent up frustration just like they did at Dean; only this game is much closer to home. Bengals roll 45 - 13

Ithaca @ Rochester - Ithaca starts a freshmen QB (Colin Schumm?) but I don't think it will matter much. It may be a bit close early but I think IC pounds Rochester on the ground and Schumm will make a couple impressive throws later in the game after an INT or two. Ithaca 24 - 10

RPI @ SLU - Wins against Castleton and Norwich won't suffice in this matchup. While I was impressed they made a game of it against Rochester I think they will run into a frustrated RPI defense that will make up for some uncharacteristic sloppy play last week. Kazanowsky will sow some oats as RPI pitches a shutout. RPI 35-0

Hobart @ Union - Game 2 for Union against a really good football team. I may get slack for this but I'm picking against Union again. I do think they have what it takes to win but I don't think it's going to happen. I see a better day for Pacatte as he refuses to let last week define him, and I also see Fiore and/or Anderson breaking a long run or two. With that said I think tomorrow the Union D is going to struggle for the first time this season. I feel the Hobart O will have them off balance and the game will be a close one with Hobart making one or two big plays late to win the game. Hobart 24 - 21

I'm looking forward to a great weekend of LL football and an intense game in Schenectady on Saturday. I hope I'm wrong here picking Hobart but looking at the body of work of both teams this season, I feel after last week Poppe will see some of the weaknesses he needs to address moving forward. Hoping the weather holds.

[Ice Bear]

Also sending a quick shout out to the fellas who participate in the weekly quick picks. I really do look forward to these. Great to have knowledgeable passionate people at the D3 level making picks each week for us junkies to enjoy. Much appreciated fellas!

Nice to see the Union/Hobart matchup getting some love this week.

[unionpalooza]

OK, picks this week, after holding out last week so as not to jinx Union on South Hill (so much for that theory) —

Ithaca 28, Rochester 20. This game won't feel as close as the score, as the Bombers will rush for a lot of yards, and the Bees will score their points on a few big plays here and there.  But I think what we'll see won't bode well for the Bombers down the road without Wingfield, which is a monkey stomp loss to Cortland and a first round playoff exit against a high seed.

Buff. St. 34, Hilbert 13.. The Hawks continue to juice the stats but crater the SOS of LL teams.

RPI 31, SLU 7.. The Larries defense is not terrible, but their O line woes makes this a non-contest.  RPI stays in the Pool C hunt another week.

Union 28, Hobart 10.. A big bounce back performance from the Charging Garnet Dutchmen in Shocktown as Poppe has his young men focused. The Union defense plays bend but don't break football and the offense pounds the rock and gets just enough from the passing game to pull away in the second quarter. 

[unionpalooza]

One other thought, looking ahead to the Pool C landscape. It seems like right now, all of Dickinson, Hobart, RPI and Union probably sit on a bubble just outside the top 8 teams in Region 1.  To extent there is a 9-1 team that emerges from the Hobart/Union/RPI pack, a lot may depend on whether and which of the remainder might manage to finish 8-2 and snag a last RR spot, because a 9-1 LL team is not going to have a shot unless it has a win or two against a RRO.  Union is likely to have one in Springfield, and RPI might end up with one in Dickinson (though seems unlikely given what games Dickinson has left.)

As devastating as last week felt, if Union can run the table and RPI or Hobart finishes 8-2 and regionally ranked, I think their Pool C odds with a 9-1 record and two RRO wins would not actually be terrible.

[Ice Bear]

OK, picks this week, after holding out last week so as not to jinx Union on South Hill (so much for that theory) —

Ithaca 28, Rochester 20. This game won't feel as close as the score, as the Bombers will rush for a lot of yards, and the Bees will score their points on a few big plays here and there.  But I think what we'll see won't bode well for the Bombers down the road without Wingfield, which is a monkey stomp loss to Cortland and a first round playoff exit against a high seed.

Buff. St. 34, Hilbert 13.. The Hawks continue to juice the stats but crater the SOS of LL teams.

RPI 31, SLU 7.. The Larries defense is not terrible, but their O line woes makes this a non-contest.  RPI stays in the Pool C hunt another week.

Union 28, Hobart 10.. A big bounce back performance from the Charging Garnet Dutchmen in Shocktown as Poppe has his young men focused. The Union defense plays bend but don't break football and the offense pounds the rock and gets just enough from the passing game to pull away in the second quarter.

+k Palooza, you are a lot more well spoken and football knowledgeable than I am so I'm jumping on your back here buddy! Let's go U. I'll also make sure to pop over and say hello at the game...in the rain.

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

[IC798891]

One other thought, looking ahead to the Pool C landscape. It seems like right now, all of Dickinson, Hobart, RPI and Union probably sit on a bubble just outside the top 8 teams in Region 1.  To extent there is a 9-1 team that emerges from the Hobart/Union/RPI pack, a lot may depend on whether and which of the remainder might manage to finish 8-2 and snag a last RR spot, because a 9-1 LL team is not going to have a shot unless it has a win or two against a RRO.  Union is likely to have one in Springfield, and RPI might end up with one in Dickinson (though seems unlikely given what games Dickinson has left.)

As devastating as last week felt, if Union can run the table and RPI or Hobart finishes 8-2 and regionally ranked, I think their Pool C odds with a 9-1 record and two RRO wins would not actually be terrible.

I fail to see a world where an 8-2 RPI or Hobart is ranked.

There were no 8-2 teams in the R2 rankings last year. And if you're looking for an 8-2 team to get in there in 2023, it's gonna be Ithaca if they lose to Cortland.

[UfanBill]

My turn...

Ithaca 31 - Rochester 13... The Bombers will focus more without Wingfield than they might have with him. Rochester finally underachieves and slides into it's place.

Buffalo St. 27 - Hilbert 13... Almost called for the upset here since this must be the Hawks most important game of the year, right?...and they'll give it all they've got. Problem is they don't have much and the Bengals have some O. 

RPI 20 - St. Lawrence 7... This one has been close and ugly. Weather calls for rain so it'll be ugly again but the Engineers D won't let the unthinkable happen. It's a long, dark, quiet bus ride if they do.   

Union 27 - Hobart 24...I'm sticking with the Garnet. They are pissed and want their season to end better than last year. Hopefully the O-line will do less standing around this week...as my high school coach once said "damn it HIT somebody 'till the whistle". 

[unionpalooza]

One other thought, looking ahead to the Pool C landscape. It seems like right now, all of Dickinson, Hobart, RPI and Union probably sit on a bubble just outside the top 8 teams in Region 1.  To extent there is a 9-1 team that emerges from the Hobart/Union/RPI pack, a lot may depend on whether and which of the remainder might manage to finish 8-2 and snag a last RR spot, because a 9-1 LL team is not going to have a shot unless it has a win or two against a RRO.  Union is likely to have one in Springfield, and RPI might end up with one in Dickinson (though seems unlikely given what games Dickinson has left.)

As devastating as last week felt, if Union can run the table and RPI or Hobart finishes 8-2 and regionally ranked, I think their Pool C odds with a 9-1 record and two RRO wins would not actually be terrible.

I fail to see a world where an 8-2 RPI or Hobart is ranked.

There were no 8-2 teams in the R2 rankings last year. And if you're looking for an 8-2 team to get in there in 2023, it's gonna be Ithaca if they lose to Cortland.

Sure, but there were 3 in 2021, and both 8-2 runners up in the LL were ranked in the top 8 of the old 4 region RR in 2019.  So it's not so crazy.

[Ice Bear]

My turn...

Ithaca 31 - Rochester 13... The Bombers will focus more without Wingfield than they might have with him. Rochester finally underachieves and slides into it's place.

Buffalo St. 27 - Hilbert 13... Almost called for the upset here since this must be the Hawks most important game of the year, right?...and they'll give it all they've got. Problem is they don't have much and the Bengals have some O. 

RPI 20 - St. Lawrence 7... This one has been close and ugly. Weather calls for rain so it'll be ugly again but the Engineers D won't let the unthinkable happen. It's a long, dark, quiet bus ride if they do.   

Union 27 - Hobart 24...I'm sticking with the Garnet. They are pissed and want their season to end better than last year. Hopefully the O-line will do less standing around this week...as my high school coach once said "damn it HIT somebody 'till the whistle".

They certainly had their butts handed to them last Saturday Bill. Hope to see you tomorrow buddy.

[Jonny Utah]

My turn...

Ithaca 31 - Rochester 13... The Bombers will focus more without Wingfield than they might have with him. Rochester finally underachieves and slides into it's place.

Buffalo St. 27 - Hilbert 13... Almost called for the upset here since this must be the Hawks most important game of the year, right?...and they'll give it all they've got. Problem is they don't have much and the Bengals have some O. 

RPI 20 - St. Lawrence 7... This one has been close and ugly. Weather calls for rain so it'll be ugly again but the Engineers D won't let the unthinkable happen. It's a long, dark, quiet bus ride if they do.   

Union 27 - Hobart 24...I'm sticking with the Garnet. They are pissed and want their season to end better than last year. Hopefully the O-line will do less standing around this week...as my high school coach once said "damn it HIT somebody 'till the whistle".

They certainly had their butts handed to them last Saturday Bill. Hope to see you tomorrow buddy.

If I were betting I would take Union this weekend.  The close game (score) versus Rochester scares me but something just didn't click last week.  A second watch of the game showed a bunch of WRs open that Paquette missed.  He is a top QB in the country and I don't see him having two stinkers in a row.  Don't get me wrong, Hobart gave Ithaca a much better game and I can't say Union is winning because of anything else except emotion and pride. 

Since Massachusetts has allowed sports betting though, I'm about 30% so Hobart will probably win......

[Caz Bombers]

I have a very bad feeling about the UofR game. As long as they beat Buff State and SLU it doesn't really matter, but throwing a freshman QB out there on the road against a significantly improved BEEEEES team feels like a problem.

[Bartman]

I have a very bad feeling about the UofR game. As long as they beat Buff State and SLU it doesn't really matter, but throwing a freshman QB out there on the road against a significantly improved BEEEEES team feels like a problem.

Caz, I really don't think this game is a problem for the Bombers if they stick to the ground game. Although ,if the defense has a few lapses, Rose and Pappy could make it a game. As you said, unless U of R runs the gauntlet, you just need 2 of 3 for the LL title. This gives your Freshman time to get some solid experience in before Cortaca. No worries, be happy.....I'd love to be in your position. Also, although it sucks to lose Wingfield, this experience for your Frosh QB will help him grow up really fast which will help the 2024 season.

[Ice Bear]

I have a very bad feeling about the UofR game. As long as they beat Buff State and SLU it doesn't really matter, but throwing a freshman QB out there on the road against a significantly improved BEEEEES team feels like a problem.

Caz I agree with Bartman that I believe Ithaca will be fine today. I think there will be some struggles for them early, finding their game on O with the new QB but I think the strong running game of the Bombers will help with this. Rochester has also proven to be a decent football team with an offense that can hurt you but I don't think they will be able to do enough for four quarters to get a win against IC. Let's hope for a great game and no injuries on either side.