FB: Liberty League

[Pat Coleman]

If half-games count, what does that say for Utica against RPI?

[redswarm81]

If half-games count, what does that say for Utica against RPI?

If I understand the question, I guess it says the same thing for Utica against unranked RPI as it says for Rochester against ranked St. John Fisher.

UPDATE: About the time I was posting, I did manage to figure out that the reference was to RT's citation of the 10-10 halftime score of RPI at SJU in the 2003 National Semifinal.

But I'm still geeking out about the death defying antics of the Yellowjackets of Doom from yesterday's game against St. John Fisher.

[Pat Coleman]

Right, though I was referencing RPI against St. John's 2003.

[Senor RedTackle]

And just for the record, I don't think RPI should schedule Mount Union.  But they SHOULD try to schedule someone in the middle tier.  A game that they can win, but a team that they will have to play well against to beat.  Like an NJAC team.  Even a team like Curry that has had some success.  Shoot, at this rate, i'd rather see Coast Guard and the shot glass trophy game back. 

This, just to me, seems kind of contrary to what you are saying. If the goal is to compete for and win national championships, then what's the difference between scheduling a "middle tier" against a team they "can beat" vs. scheduling softer teams in the regular season? Are you saying they can't win against MUC so don't schedule them but go a notch below to someone who is "respectable"?  In my mind, putting Fisher back on the schedule for RPI would get them no closer to competing against MUC for the national championship then playing Utica. While RT does believe that playing tough competition makes a team better, he also believes that on any given day, anything can happen on a football field because of all the variables....weather, coaching, lucky/unlucky breaks, etc. That's why we play the games. For example, Notre Dame stunk last year but managed to beat UCLA, who beat USC. Maybe not the best example but one RT will use nonetheless.

RT needs to make sure he's clear on one thing....he would have no problems playing MUC or SJU in the regular season because, like most other fans, RT would like to see how RPI would stack up. The fact is that D3 has the wonderful format of a national tournament which allows for the potential for a team to get a nice set up in the pairings then make a run.....ala RPI in 2003 or SJF a couple years ago.

[Senor RedTackle]

If half-games count, what does that say for Utica against RPI?

Nothing except that on any given day, a team can go out and compete. Should we just only let teams in the top 25 poll play regular season games?

[Jonny Utah]

And just for the record, I don't think RPI should schedule Mount Union.  But they SHOULD try to schedule someone in the middle tier.  A game that they can win, but a team that they will have to play well against to beat.  Like an NJAC team.  Even a team like Curry that has had some success.  Shoot, at this rate, i'd rather see Coast Guard and the shot glass trophy game back. 

This, just to me, seems kind of contrary to what you are saying. If the goal is to compete for and win national championships, then what's the difference between scheduling a "middle tier" against a team they "can beat" vs. scheduling softer teams in the regular season? Are you saying they can't win against MUC so don't schedule them but go a notch below to someone who is "respectable"?  In my mind, putting Fisher back on the schedule for RPI would get them no closer to competing against MUC for the national championship then playing Utica. While RT does believe that playing tough competition makes a team better, he also believes that on any given day, anything can happen on a football field because of all the variables....weather, coaching, lucky/unlucky breaks, etc. That's why we play the games. For example, Notre Dame stunk last year but managed to beat UCLA, who beat USC. Maybe not the best example but one RT will use nonetheless.

RT needs to make sure he's clear on one thing....he would have no problems playing MUC or SJU in the regular season because, like most other fans, RT would like to see how RPI would stack up. The fact is that D3 has the wonderful format of a national tournament which allows for the potential for a team to get a nice set up in the pairings then make a run.....ala RPI in 2003 or SJF a couple years ago.

RT I think untill RPI gets snubbed for a playoff spot to an upstate team that has a worse record but a stronger SOS, you probably wont see RPI changing their schedule philosophy.

I just like seeing good non-league games because you can see how you stack up against the best, and if you actually go to the game, the atsmophere will be more intense.  That is what I hope this IC/Union series will bring out.

[Pat Coleman]

If half-games count, what does that say for Utica against RPI?

Nothing except that on any given day, a team can go out and compete. Should we just only let teams in the top 25 poll play regular season games?

No, and I'm not sure where that last sentence even comes from.

On any given day a team can go out and compete for 30 minutes. That doesn't mean they are on the same plane as those teams.

[stimulator]

I just like seeing good non-league games because you can see how you stack up against the best, and if you actually go to the game, the atsmophere will be more intense

Well if you were at Utica with only 6 1/2 minutes left in the fourth and losing 10-9, with the season on the line, ~ 3K homecoming Utica fans smelling upset, fourth and 1 from the 15 or so, ..... I can tell you there was plenty of intensity.  Especially on the RPI sideline.. coaches, players, nervous fans.

['gro]

Re: RPI schedule

Play whoever you want, but mix it up a little... it's been Utica/Endicott for 5-6 years now.  Sometimes playing a team you're not familiar with can cause problems, but as a fan I'd like to see some new teams in the schedule. Some suggestions

1. Start a new rivalry to replace coast guard: If you replace Endicott w/ MIT, you can still be favored to win, recruit the Boston area, and create an uber dork rivalry.

2. Play another NY team not named utica - Negotiate a few home and home deals with other NY schools over the next few seasons. Remember how much fun it was to spank cortland a few years back?

3. Add a 10th game - maybe a long trip against another region that "doesn't count" in the selection process, but helps RPI on the national scene.

[JQV]

I just like seeing good non-league games because you can see how you stack up against the best, and if you actually go to the game, the atsmophere will be more intense

Well if you were at Utica with only 6 1/2 minutes left in the fourth and losing 10-9, with the season on the line, ~ 3K homecoming Utica fans smelling upset, fourth and 1 from the 15 or so, ..... I can tell you there was plenty of intensity.  Especially on the RPI sideline.. coaches, players, nervous fans.

Utica got 3,000 people into the yard for a game?  Really?  That alone is a win for the new coach.

[union89]

Over / under on how many balls (golf) U89 will lose today at his golf outing?

LD you are the odds maker. What say you?

Very nice and very narrow.....lost 2 balls, but found 4......I WIN!!!!

[union89]

....a good football team and some poor mistakes kill the Dutchmen today...

Also poor QB play.....put in the freshman from Foxboro....he has a nice arm, but needs to work on touch.  The starter was not good and made very poor decisions.

[JT]

Over / under on how many balls (golf) U89 will lose today at his golf outing?

LD you are the odds maker. What say you?

Very nice and very narrow.....lost 2 balls, but found 4......I WIN!!!!

Were the ones you found of higher quality then the ones you lost?

[union89]

Worchester Polyechnic 3-0.
The Rev wonders how well they will survive the next two weeks against RPI and Union.

If they beat one or both, this could be the most different season we've seen in years.

Ehhh...NOT SO FAST, My Friend...

Here are WPI's 2007 results (4-6 final standings):

Sep. 1  7:00 PM  Mass-Dartmouth •  W, 49-17     
Sep. 7  7:00 PM  at Worcester State •  W, 40-14     
Sep. 15  2:00 PM  Becker •  W, 61-33     
Sep. 22  5:00 PM  Merchant Marine * •  W, 35-0     
Sep. 29  1:00 PM  Hobart * •  L, 45-35     
Oct. 6  1:00 PM  at Union * •  L, 16-3     
Oct. 20  1:00 PM  at Rochester * •  L, 42-27     
Oct. 27  2:00 PM  RPI * •  L, 21-14 2OT     
Nov. 3  12:00 PM  Susquehanna * •  L, 8-7     
Nov. 10  12:00 PM  at St. Lawrence * •  L, 24-13 

They started 4-0 and lost their last 6.  So, their pre-conference schedule doesn't tell you much about what they will be facing starting next week.  I'll be a believer when I see more.  I'm more concerned about Rochester finally breaking through this season.

- Frank

Doesn't ANYBODY read my ATR column?!   

WPI has won 13 non-conference games in a row, but you see how far that gets them when LL play starts.

Read?  Who the hell reads anymore?!  But to answer RedSwarm's question, WPI's geography has a little bit to do with their non-conference schedule.  Because of the school's location in relation to the rest of the Liberty League, WPI doesn't want to travel long distances for the non-conference portion of its schedule (it already does that 3 or 4 times in its conference schedule).  Worcester State is also a rivalry game for WPI, so that one can't come off.  The one plus for WPI is that at least they face a 10-game schedule (3 non-conference games).  I give thumbs up for that fact for reasons I explained ad nauseum in 2007.  The only enhancement that I could ever see happening is WPI dropping either UMass-Dartmouth or Becker and gaining either Coast Guard or Western Connecticut to minimize travel to some extent.

- Frank

Rumor has it that Union will be playing a 10 game schedule again in 2010.  Out of conference games look like Ithaca, Salisbury and Utica.

[PBR...]

Worchester Polyechnic 3-0.
The Rev wonders how well they will survive the next two weeks against RPI and Union.

If they beat one or both, this could be the most different season we've seen in years.

Ehhh...NOT SO FAST, My Friend...

Here are WPI's 2007 results (4-6 final standings):

Sep. 1  7:00 PM  Mass-Dartmouth •  W, 49-17     
Sep. 7  7:00 PM  at Worcester State •  W, 40-14     
Sep. 15  2:00 PM  Becker •  W, 61-33     
Sep. 22  5:00 PM  Merchant Marine * •  W, 35-0     
Sep. 29  1:00 PM  Hobart * •  L, 45-35     
Oct. 6  1:00 PM  at Union * •  L, 16-3     
Oct. 20  1:00 PM  at Rochester * •  L, 42-27     
Oct. 27  2:00 PM  RPI * •  L, 21-14 2OT     
Nov. 3  12:00 PM  Susquehanna * •  L, 8-7     
Nov. 10  12:00 PM  at St. Lawrence * •  L, 24-13 

They started 4-0 and lost their last 6.  So, their pre-conference schedule doesn't tell you much about what they will be facing starting next week.  I'll be a believer when I see more.  I'm more concerned about Rochester finally breaking through this season.

- Frank

Doesn't ANYBODY read my ATR column?!   

WPI has won 13 non-conference games in a row, but you see how far that gets them when LL play starts.

Read?  Who the hell reads anymore?!  But to answer RedSwarm's question, WPI's geography has a little bit to do with their non-conference schedule.  Because of the school's location in relation to the rest of the Liberty League, WPI doesn't want to travel long distances for the non-conference portion of its schedule (it already does that 3 or 4 times in its conference schedule).  Worcester State is also a rivalry game for WPI, so that one can't come off.  The one plus for WPI is that at least they face a 10-game schedule (3 non-conference games).  I give thumbs up for that fact for reasons I explained ad nauseum in 2007.  The only enhancement that I could ever see happening is WPI dropping either UMass-Dartmouth or Becker and gaining either Coast Guard or Western Connecticut to minimize travel to some extent.

- Frank

Rumor has it that Union will be playing a 10 game schedule again in 2010.  Out of conference games look like Ithaca, Salisbury and Utica.

that would be a tough ooc schedule...2 out of those 3 games are tough...salisbury runs a unique offense that is tough to prep for as dvc has learned playing salisbury and wesley the last 2 years