FB: Liberty League

[labart96]

TGP's Frozen Cat Turd Bowl Preview 2007
The NCAA Playoffs Start This Saturday

This weekend RPI (2-0) comes to the fabled Boz (drip, drip, drip) to face Hobart (1-1) for the Liberty League season opener for both teams.  This match up is basically a regular season playoff game since the LL champ gets an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Championship tournament.  With the defending LL co-champs Union College (0-2) losing 34-0 to Muhlenberg last weekend, it appears as though potentially Hobart and RPI are in the drivers seat to take the LL AQ in 2007. 

RPI was picked by most pundits to win the league since both Hobart and Union lost many key players to graduation.  RPI returned a core group including now 3 year starting JR QB Jimmy Robertson. 

Last season as a sophomore Robertson led RPI to an average of 31.3 points per game, which was 25th in the nation.  He completed 168 of 288 passes (58.3%) for 2,160 yards with 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions in ten games.  He averaged 216.0 yards per game and finished with a 135.50 efficiency rating.  Robertson, who ranked among the nation's best in four individual categories, also rushed for 181 net yards.

So far this season RPI has pretty much coasted in their non-conference games with easy wins over inferior opponents:  a 34-10 decision over Endicott (0-2) and a 24-0 shutout of Utica (1-2).

Although RPI may be the favorite this year, Hobart has owned the series, with 5 straight victories dating back to the 2002 season.  The last Engineer victory over the Statesmen was all the way back in 2001 when RPI defeated Hobart 35-29.  The last two contests have seen RPI trailing early then storming back late to force Hobart to hang on for a 56-48 win in triple OT in 2005 and a 24-17 win in 2006.  TGP expects another high scoring and close game this year.

Although it's tough to pick against Hobart at home, many D3 experts think that this year RPI is due to finally win a game against Hobart and claim the '07 LL title.  Also, although Hobart has played NCAA-tournament caliber opponents so far this season, they have faced teams with literally zero passing games.  This will be the first real test of Hobart's pass D since Robertson is a great QB.  If they can stop Robertson, Hobart will win.

TGP's Prediction:

RPI 35 - Hobart 31 (TGP really, really hopes he is wrong on this pick)

[Frank Rossi]

Still need someone to provide updates from the STL and USMMA games.  If I don't hear from anyone, I'll have to go all Kanye on the air.

You dont think george bush likes black people either?

I won't answer until somebody gives me my G-D VMA for "Best Spoken-Word Video Without an Appearance by Speaker" -- WHAT?!  Senor Redtackle won that?!  I ain't nevah comin' back on this board again.  Give an olive-complexioned man a chance!

[Frank Rossi]

With the defending LL co-champs Union College (0-2) losing 34-0 to Muhlenberg last weekend, it appears as though potentially Hobart and RPI are in the drivers seat to take the LL AQ in 2007. 

I think this is somewhat of an over-statement.  I think it's more a problem for the loser than it is a boon for the winner this year.  I don't know if any of the LL teams are capable of maintaining momentum this season, especially since nobody but WPI is maintaining any real sense of momentum three weeks into the season.  With that said, 'Bart wins with an early jump and the ability to hold RPI in the 4th.

['gro]

Nice writeup TGP.

Worried, as always. Hobart is not Endicott or Utica. Hobart usually smacks RPI around and it takes a half before they wake up and play. Turnovers killed us last year, they better have that issue corrected.

I like that score prediction and think it could go that way.

[labart96]

TGP knew that statement would ruffle some Union feathers.

Fair enough Counselor.

Although Hobart is 1-1, TGP has been pleased with the how Hobart looks so far this season.  They have been consistent in pretty much all facets of the game, save for the turnover problems in the Dickinson game.

TGP knows the season is early, but Strom is performing way above expectations IMHO:

44 for 66 (66.7%) with 439 yds (220 avg) with 4 TDs, 0 INTs and 69 net rushing yds and 1 TD.

The Hobart D has been giving up the yards in the rushing dept, but in general are playing as well as last year - basically making key stops when necessary.  It was really the offense that cost them the win in the Dickinson game.

Ancona and the special teams have been as advertised as well. 

Hmm.  Maybe TGP should switch his prediction to:

Hobart 35 - RPI 31?

[Frank Rossi]

Not so ruffled...Just feel that the whole "inside track" rule of thumb with this game is out the window this year.  I really don't see a one-league-loss team winning the league this season.  I highly doubt that we'll be ordaining a winner of the LL in the second-to-last week of the season like we did in '04 and '06 (Union-Hobart game determined both times).  I think we're going to Week 8 of conference play.

[labart96]

Guess we'll find out eventually -

Regardless of the Muhlenberg outcome, the LL season gives Union a "clean slate" of sorts.  All they need to do is win out/get into a tie breaker situation that falls into their favor.

Should be interesting to say the least.

[Regulator]

Reg has a question for the LLPP...
What is a normal amount of shoes/sneakers/sandals for a man to own?
Reg has over 28 pairs of footwear and 4 pair haven't ever even been worn yet.

Is this nornal?

[Frank Rossi]

Reg has a question for the LLPP...
What is a normal amount of shoes/sneakers/sandals for a man to own?
Reg has over 28 pairs of footwear and 4 pair haven't ever even been worn yet.

Is this nornal?

I might have about 4 more pair than that -- I think Reg needs to get his tax deductions in order by donating the ones he no longer needs to the Salvation Army (make sure to get your receipt).  That way, Reg will have room for more when Shoes.com puts another 25% off with free shipping coupon sometime soon.

[labart96]

TGP thinks he owns about 15-20.  

About 5-7 are "work/biz casual".

About 3-5 are casual (crocs, flips, mandals, etc)

2 pair Justin Cowboy boots for rockin and sh*t kickin

Every pair is in the rotation and a few are scheduled for retirement.

[lewdogg11]

Reg has a question for the LLPP...
What is a normal amount of shoes/sneakers/sandals for a man to own?
Reg has over 28 pairs of footwear and 4 pair haven't ever even been worn yet.

Is this nornal?

LD11 has:

1 Pair of sneakers
1 pair of brown shoes
1 pair of black shoes for my suit
5 pairs of flip flops

[Frank Rossi]

Not to give a free plug, but in order to save LLPPers some good money this '07 Season, a certain hat store that was started originally by a Union College Grad in my Class of '98 -- that sounds like the top of a garbage can or sealable bowl -- has placed all Z-100 NCAA fitted caps on sale for $10 ($4.99 shipping).  Not a bad buy.

[Pat Coleman]

1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of old sneakers (mowing lawn, working in garden)
1 pair of comfortable black shoes for work
1 pair of heavy black shoes (wear to work in the winter or in the rain)
1 pair of fancy black shoes (job interviews, church)
1 pair of cleats (softball, baby!)

What's with you people?

[labart96]

1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of old sneakers (mowing lawn, working in garden)
1 pair of comfortable black shoes for work
1 pair of heavy black shoes (wear to work in the winter or in the rain)
1 pair of fancy black shoes (job interviews, church)
1 pair of cleats (softball, baby!)

What's with you people?

That's how we roll.

[Frank Rossi]

1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of old sneakers (mowing lawn, working in garden)
1 pair of comfortable black shoes for work
1 pair of heavy black shoes (wear to work in the winter or in the rain)
1 pair of fancy black shoes (job interviews, church)
1 pair of cleats (softball, baby!)

What's with you people?

The Guru goes to Church?  I thought the Guru OWNED the Church.