FB: Liberty League

[Reno Hightower]

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

Utica is not true, Mules stay on. 3 out of conference games-Mules, Ithaca, Salisbury. Pretty (ahem) ballsy scheduling!

[lewdogg11]

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.

Sure, you get nervous as you should.  The rest of the LL outside of Union and Hobart provides enough garbage teams to squeak out close wins.  Maybe if we are having so much trouble with Utica, certain people should stop their whining about getting 'respect'.  Either that or the players just have a hard time getting up for Utica since they aren't very good. 

Don't you think the players, fans, coaches etc., would feel much better about where they compared to the competition beating a good team, rather than taking a big breath after squeaking by a crappy team?

[stimulator]

I don't know who is claiming being disrespected among RPI supporters.  IMHO, and if you had the oppty to ask the coaches and players they would probably agree that they have not earned any adulation as a top team .... yet.

Against Utica it was sloppy.  But Utica seemed inspired and maybe played a bit above their level.  The Utica coaches seemed to have a good defensive scheme and I thought they tackled pretty well keeping the play in front of them. 

WPI will be a test.

[lewdogg11]

I don't know who is claiming being disrespected among RPI supporters.  IMHO, and if you had the oppty to ask the coaches and players they would probably agree that they have not earned any adulation as a top team .... yet.

Against Utica it was sloppy.  But Utica seemed inspired and maybe played a bit above their level.  The Utica coaches seemed to have a good defensive scheme and I thought they tackled pretty well keeping the play in front of them. 

WPI will be a test.

It hasn't been said this year...yet.  But it happens every year.  RPI does something good at the end of the year, finishes strong then it's back to 3 votes at the beginning of the next year, until they find out if RPI can beat Hobart or Union.  It's the same cycle because they aren't the model of consistency.  That can only come with proving their worth, in which the opportunity comes but twice a year.

[Knightstalker]

And as a break from all this football talk, week 2 NFL Cheerleaders.   Number 22 is a bit scary.

[union89]

LD.....how's Fogell doing this week??

[lewdogg11]

LD.....how's Fogell doing this week??

I guess we'll find out tonight.  I wouldn't count me out with LT, Gates and SD D.

['gro]

I don't know who is claiming being disrespected among RPI supporters.  IMHO, and if you had the oppty to ask the coaches and players they would probably agree that they have not earned any adulation as a top team .... yet.

Against Utica it was sloppy.  But Utica seemed inspired and maybe played a bit above their level.  The Utica coaches seemed to have a good defensive scheme and I thought they tackled pretty well keeping the play in front of them. 

WPI will be a test.

It hasn't been said this year...yet.  But it happens every year.  RPI does something good at the end of the year, finishes strong then it's back to 3 votes at the beginning of the next year, until they find out if RPI can beat Hobart or Union.  It's the same cycle because they aren't the model of consistency.  That can only come with proving their worth, in which the opportunity comes but twice a year.

Good point LD.  Losing to TCNJ in the playoffs at home was really, really bad for the program.  Just getting to the playoffs is not the goal and gro knows the coaches and players want to advance as far as possible but the truth is out of 4 trips to the dance since '99 3 were 1-and-dones (full disclosure: gro played on 2 of those teams).

Had RPI beat TCNJ, regardless of the result of the next game against MUC, RPI would be in a much better place for gaining national respect and not sitting behind Curry in the "others receiving votes" section.

[lewdogg11]

I don't know who is claiming being disrespected among RPI supporters.  IMHO, and if you had the oppty to ask the coaches and players they would probably agree that they have not earned any adulation as a top team .... yet.

Against Utica it was sloppy.  But Utica seemed inspired and maybe played a bit above their level.  The Utica coaches seemed to have a good defensive scheme and I thought they tackled pretty well keeping the play in front of them. 

WPI will be a test.

It hasn't been said this year...yet.  But it happens every year.  RPI does something good at the end of the year, finishes strong then it's back to 3 votes at the beginning of the next year, until they find out if RPI can beat Hobart or Union.  It's the same cycle because they aren't the model of consistency.  That can only come with proving their worth, in which the opportunity comes but twice a year.

Good point LD.  Losing to TCNJ in the playoffs at home was really, really bad for the program.  Just getting to the playoffs is not the goal and gro knows the coaches and players want to advance as far as possible but the truth is out of 4 trips to the dance since '99 3 were 1-and-dones (full disclosure: gro played on 2 of those teams).

Had RPI beat TCNJ, regardless of the result of the next game against MUC, RPI would be in a much better place for gaining national respect and not sitting behind Curry in the "others receiving votes" section.

That's what i'm saying, except my brain has officially turned into moosh.  3 days in Myrtle Beach = 2 1/2 days longer than LD11 can handle in his old age.

[dlippiel]

I don't know who is claiming being disrespected among RPI supporters.  IMHO, and if you had the oppty to ask the coaches and players they would probably agree that they have not earned any adulation as a top team .... yet.

Against Utica it was sloppy.  But Utica seemed inspired and maybe played a bit above their level.  The Utica coaches seemed to have a good defensive scheme and I thought they tackled pretty well keeping the play in front of them. 

WPI will be a test.

It hasn't been said this year...yet.  But it happens every year.  RPI does something good at the end of the year, finishes strong then it's back to 3 votes at the beginning of the next year, until they find out if RPI can beat Hobart or Union.  It's the same cycle because they aren't the model of consistency.  That can only come with proving their worth, in which the opportunity comes but twice a year.

Good point LD.  Losing to TCNJ in the playoffs at home was really, really bad for the program.  Just getting to the playoffs is not the goal and gro knows the coaches and players want to advance as far as possible but the truth is out of 4 trips to the dance since '99 3 were 1-and-dones (full disclosure: gro played on 2 of those teams).

Had RPI beat TCNJ, regardless of the result of the next game against MUC, RPI would be in a much better place for gaining national respect and not sitting behind Curry in the "others receiving votes" section.

Listen as much as I can't stand RPI I have conceded to the validity of their reasoning regarding the scheduling of "weak" teams in the Out of Conference games each year. Yet I feel there have been some very good points made here. As a fan of the LL I would ike to see RPI join Union and Hobart in scheduling some "tougher" competition in the beginning of the season. I feel it would clearly help with recruiting and their overall perception by others regarding their program on a national level and the LL as a whole. Yet each year RPI continues (I hate to admit this) either beat or play Hobart and Union. So how much can the weak schedule really be hurting them? On the other hand if they played some tough teams early from OOC maybe they wouldn't lose those games to UR and SLU like they do each year. I guess my conclusion is that as long as they are making the NCAA's and beating the top comp in their league the scheduling isn't hurting them all that much. But they should get "a pair" and mix things up.

[dlippiel]

union89 my old man definetly remembers you from that Stagg Bowl team, I think that is pretty cool. Anyway do you really think they should pass on Catellier and play Connelly? I do think Catellier looked poor and made two HUGE mistakes, but I also felt he didn't have a lot of time out there and the coverage was decent. I don't know that O just looked so anemic to me (aside from Coney). I think the U O has some serious talent but they just need to figure out how to use it. I was very annoyed that Audino did not call more pass plays to Gourrier early on. You have to get him more involved. The QB question is an interesting one.

[union89]

union89 my old man definetly remembers you from that Stagg Bowl team, I think that is pretty cool. Anyway do you really think they should pass on Catellier and play Connelly? I do think Catellier looked poor and made two HUGE mistakes, but I also felt he didn't have a lot of time out there and the coverage was decent. I don't know that O just looked so anemic to me (aside from Coney). I think the U O has some serious talent but they just need to figure out how to use it. I was very annoyed that Audino did not call more pass plays to Gourrier early on. You have to get him more involved. The QB question is an interesting one.

dlippiel,
I certainly think the U should go with the FR Connelly....maybe suffer a bit short term, but IMO, Catellier is a lost cause.  Catellier is a local kid and has a good deal of support.  Connelly impressed me with his arm....the touch will come....the sooner the better.  Gourrier is a huge talent and very nice kid.  I had the opportunity to meet many of the players at the golf tourney on Friday and I must say I was very impressed with every single kid.  All were very personable and thankful of the support.

[Senor RedTackle]

we're BAAAAAAAAAACk.....

www.blogtalkradio.com/LLRecap

[superman57]

It looks like IHOPs Heroes will enfact sneak by the MonkeySpankers

[lewdogg11]

LD.....how's Fogell doing this week??

I guess we'll find out tonight.  I wouldn't count me out with LT, Gates and SD D.

not too shabby...