FB: Liberty League

[labart96]

Hobart 24 - Merchant Marine 0

The Hobart Statesmen (5-1, 3-1) defense easily handled a rain-soaked and otherwise over-matched MMA (2-6, 1-4) offense last Saturday in Long Island.  The Mariners finished the day with only 46 net yards on 45 offensive snaps and the MMA rushing attack was held to 0 yards.  This game was also the first shut-out pitched by the defense since 2005 (Hobart defeated Dickinson and Franklin&Marshall by a combined 65-0 back in September of that season).

The Statesmen offense ran a season high 84 plays from scrimmage and gained 352 total yards - including a season high 231 yards rushing.  SR QB Rich Doyle completed just over 50% of his passes (11 for 21) for 121 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.  In all, Hobart controlled the time of possession by an impressive 43:37 to 16:23 margin.  MMA managed only five first downs for the entire game (two given to MMA because of Hobart penalties).

Although several Statesmen players stood out last Saturday, Hobart JR PK Paul Overdorf received a special teams player of the week honor from the Liberty League for making all of his PATs (three for three) and successfully converting a 29 yard FG to give Hobart a 3-0 lead early in the game.  Overdorf also averaged 34.4 yards punting, including a long of 56 and landing one inside the MMA 20 yard line.  Given the issues in the kicking game earlier in the season (e.g. three FG misses in the Union game), it was nice to see, even in inclement weather, Hobart had a perfect day on the kicking front.

FY DB Drake Woodard scored his first career touchdown blocking a MMA punt in the second quarter to put Hobart up 10-0.  Drake was once again named league rookie of the week, an honor he shared with Rochester FY LB Chris Bickford, for his efforts against the Mariners.

TGP Commentary:

The Finger Lakes Times gave Hobart kudos for not falling in a classic "trap" game with both Worcester Poly (6-1, 3-1) and Rensselaer (6-0, 4-0) looming in the very near future.  The Statesmen clearly dominated all aspects of this game - especially on defense - and deserve credit for an impressive outing. 

However, some critics (myself included) took note of a couple of stats that indicate this team could be in trouble during the next two critical weeks of the regular season.

Although the Statesmen offense racked up over 350 total yards, Hobart continued to struggle in two key yardage situations.  Namely, Hobart was only seven for 18 (38.8%) on third down and two for four on fourth down conversions, respectively.  Rain or not, for a team that out-gained MMA by over 300 yards, it is kind of surprising that Hobart's first offensive touchdown came with 13:06 to play in the fourth quarter.  The Statesmen need to step it up a notch (or three) on offense if they hope to qualify for a fifth consecutive NCAA play-off appearance.

WPI vs. Hobart - Win or [Stay] Home

This Saturday the Boz will host a de-facto "elimination" game between WPI and Hobart.  Both teams are tied at 3-1 for second place in the league and a loss effectively eliminates the loser from NCAA contention given the relatively large number of East Region teams vying for the eight NCAA play-off spots.

WPI comes into this contest with a 35-21 loss to RPI as the only blemish on the season.  Last weekend WPI defeated Rochester (2-5, 2-3) by a score of 21-14.  The Engineers were led by QB Justin Wells who completed 11-of-23 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown.  Wells added 64 yards rushing on the day as well.  WPI's defense, however, earned the game ball for the win over the Yellow Jackets.  Rochester had the ball inside the WPI 15 yard line on three different occasions during the fourth quarter but only scored once.  The Engineer defense held for the final time after the Yellow Jackets had a 1st and 10 at the 14 with just over a minute remaining.  The WPI defense forced three incomplete passes and a -2 yard rush and then ran out the clock to hang on for the win.

This Saturday WPI will be looking for their first victory over Hobart.  Since the series began in 2004, the Engineers are 0-4 against the Statesmen.

Here's the tale of tape on how Hobart matches up with the Engineers:

Key stats:      Hobart          WPI Scoring Offense      25.2   pts/game       28 Scoring Defense      16.5   pts/game       17.1 Pass Offense      200.2   yds/game       228 Pass Defense      123.8   yds/game       183.1 Turnover Margin      3   Margin       0 Rushing Offense      158.5   yds/game       148.4 Rushing Defense      153.5   yds/game       88.1 Total Defense      271.3   yds/game       277.3 Sacks/Sacks Against   9s/7sa   total      11s/16sa Red Zone Offense      65.5   convers       73.5 Red Zone Defense      76.5   rate      59.1 Kicking                     28.60%   rate     16.70% Possession                31:49     TOP     32:15 Penalties                     52.2   yds/game      51

Obviously, these teams are pretty even across the board.  The keys to the game, in my opinion, will be:

Home Field Advantage - This year, it will be the Engineers who will have to make the 300+ miles, five hour trek for this match-up.  Of course this may change, but the Saturday's forecast is a typical Geneva-esque high of 42 with a chance of showers.  The Boz can become a quagmire in these conditions and WPI plays it's home games on a new-style turf field.  Poor and/or sloppy field conditions may negate WPI's 200+ yards/passing game and WPI's #1 rusher, SO RB Manny Cambra, only averages a modest 43.1 yards rushing/game (on 69 attempts for 302 yards and five touchdowns). 
Defense and Turnovers - TGP predicts a low scoring affair on Saturday with both offenses looking to exploit each respective defense's achilles heel (for Hobart - the run and for WPI - the pass).  Hobart's secondary has done an excellent job collecting errant throws from opposing QB's this season.  Drake Woodard leads the league with six interceptions and the Statesmen D has collected a total of 11 interceptions over six games.  Although WPI features a pair of excellent receivers - JRs Cody McGregor and R.C. Grady are ranked in the top five in the league in receptions/game and receiving yards/game - Hobart owns the best pass defense WPI has faced to date.  Although WPI QB Justin Wells has only been intercepted four times this season, the WPI OL has allowed 16 sacks on the year, so Wells may be forced into some bad throws while under pressure from Hobart's LB's and DL this Saturday.  WPI's defensive strength is their ability to shut down the run, so SR QB Rich Doyle will need to manage an efficient, west-coast offense style passing game utilizing weapons like TE Matt Duliba and WRs Zach Schultz and Tyler Vincent to move the chains and keep the Engineer defense on their heels.  Of course, TGP'd welcome a break-out game from either SR RB Anthony Hobaica or SO RB Andrew Marlier, but TGP doesn't see it coming against WPI and their league best rushing defense (88.1 yards rushing allowed/game).
Red Zone and Special Teams play - Hobart's biggest issue to date remains their relative inability to score (65.5%) inside their opponents 20 yard line.  Hobart's red zone defense has been less than stellar either allowing points almost 77% of the time.  The offensive struggles in the end zone were exacerbated by a horrendous kicking game (one for six), prior Overdorf taking over the kicking duties last week.  Expect Overdorf to play a big role once again on special teams against WPI.  Interestingly enough, the only team in the league that has struggled with kicking more than the Statesmen are the Engineers.  WPI ranks dead last in field goals (one for six) and PATs (21 for 26).  WPI also happens to be last in punting too (27.9 avg/punt).  Given that this game may come down to field position and possessions - every point (even a PAT) will be critical.  Hobart's defense should also be prepared for a lot of four down possessions as WPI Coach Ed Zaloom may opt to go for it instead of missing a FG and/or eking out a short punt.  Regardless, neither team can afford to get into the red zone and not score.  Not with what's at stake in this game.
Experience - Every Statesmen player (Freshmen excluded) have been on NCAA play-off and/or League Championship teams.  They've played in bigger games at the D3 college level than any WPI player combined.  This Saturday, Hobart needs to lean on this experience to get them past the inevitable rough patches during the game.  Hobart needs to play loose and get after the Engineers.  Much like the 2006 WPI-Hobart game at the Boz, this game will be low scoring with a lot of defense.  Unlike 2006 however, this year the Statesmen know that WPI is a legitimate contender and won't take them lightly.  In my opinion, the pressure is on WPI as this is basically the biggest game in their program's relatively brief history.  Hobart's been in many play-off type games in the past four years and should be able to manage the pressure, especially at home.

All these factors taken into consideration, TGP is going to predict a 20-14 Hobart victory Saturday.  WPI may lead for some, if not most, of the game, but TGP thinks Hobart's home field, experience and superior defense will help the Statesmen prevail to set up a de-facto league championship game next weekend against RPI.

Kick-off is slated for 12:00 PM EST (an hour earlier than usual) so be sure to tune into WEOS (www.weos.org) or check D3football.com for web and/or audio casts for this elimination play-off game.

Thanks and GO BART!

[union89]

So, I wonder if some of the voters in the Top 25 poll have a crush on Curry, or if they are sleeping at the wheel.  STILL, after losing to Plymouth State, Curry is getting 5 votes in the poll.  Plymouth State, 7-1, who beat DSPz, gets no votes, with a loss to Mt. Ida...

I know it is meaningless, but who are these people?   This means someone thinks a 6-1 Curry, with a loss to Plymouth State deserves to be in the top 25??  Yikes...Stripes...

Two things struck me with the Top 25 Poll.  What LD mentioned about Curry and Muhlenburg's seeding.  Muhlenburg entered the weekend at #5.....#'s 2,3 & 4 all lost and Muhlenburg only moved up 1 spot to #4.  Two teams leapfrogged Muhlenburg...1 beat #15 and the other beat an unranked Wooster.

Remember that one of those losses came in a non-divisional game -- so that should have no poll effect for the team that lost.

I hear ya and I think you're referring to Mary Hardin Baylor.....If so, they fell to #8 and wouldn't even be involved in the 2 teams leapfrogging Muhlenburg though.....correct?

[Pat Coleman]

Remember that one of those losses came in a non-divisional game -- so that should have no poll effect for the team that lost.

I disagree, considering the loss was to a team two Division III teams have beaten.

['gro]

So, I wonder if some of the voters in the Top 25 poll have a crush on Curry, or if they are sleeping at the wheel.  STILL, after losing to Plymouth State, Curry is getting 5 votes in the poll.  Plymouth State, 7-1, who beat DSPz, gets no votes, with a loss to Mt. Ida...

I know it is meaningless, but who are these people?   This means someone thinks a 6-1 Curry, with a loss to Plymouth State deserves to be in the top 25??  Yikes...Stripes...

Haha, Curry has 1 more point than Fisher... let's see that one on the field.


One observation about the top 25.  #13. Case Western.  They started the year ranked, thanks to an undefeated 2007 regular season and 1 win in the playoffs. They are 7-0 this year and gradually moving up as other teams fall off with losses.  Case's schedule is nothing spectacular, and they don't have a good history (mostly a .500 team the past 7-8 years) that wins votes like it would for a team like Ithaca, but here they are #13 eight weeks into the season.

Now, had RPI won their 1 playoff game vs TCNJ, maybe they would be getting some pollster love this year, but I doubt it would be that much. First off, RPI - win your friggen HOME playoff games! Secondly, where did this crush on CWR come from?

[Reno Hightower]

Frank,

What would a Union victory over RPI mean?  Wouldn't it throw the LL into chaos in terms of playoff bids, with four teams struggling for an A and C slot?

Break it down.

Not really chaos, as RPI/Hobart will have probably the final say on the Pool A bid (a lot depends on Hobart-WPI this weekend).  RPI still controls its own destiny with a win or loss.  Hobart still controls its own destiny with a win.  WPI needs RPI to lose twice for the Pool A slot.  Union needs quite a bit of help in just three weeks -- so it's not likely that Union will win the LL.  However, stranger things have happened.  After this weekend, only one team will be competing for a Pool C slot, technically -- the winner of Hobart/WPI.  RPI would have to fall into a Pool C slot if a one-loss Hobart beat RPI on 11/8.

Note:  There cannot be a one-loss, three-way tie in the LL this year.

What exactly is the stranger thing that has happened than a 6-3 team making the playoffs with 2 conference losses?!?!?!?!?!

There are currently 48 zero- and one-loss teams in Division III.  Until we see a lot more carnage, I don't think the worst scenarios will need to be dealt with. 

Thats not the point. Nor was it yours. You are being WAY too optimistic about Union's chances at making the playoffs!!!!!! ECAC even at this point is a reach with so many 1 loss teams.....one can wish though, kudos for the optimism!

[Reno Hightower]

Hobart 24 - Merchant Marine 0

The Hobart Statesmen (5-1, 3-1) defense easily handled a rain-soaked and otherwise over-matched MMA (2-6, 1-4) offense last Saturday in Long Island.  The Mariners finished the day with only 46 net yards on 45 offensive snaps and the MMA rushing attack was held to 0 yards.  This game was also the first shut-out pitched by the defense since 2005 (Hobart defeated Dickinson and Franklin&Marshall by a combined 65-0 back in September of that season).

The Statesmen offense ran a season high 84 plays from scrimmage and gained 352 total yards - including a season high 231 yards rushing.  SR QB Rich Doyle completed just over 50% of his passes (11 for 21) for 121 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.  In all, Hobart controlled the time of possession by an impressive 43:37 to 16:23 margin.  MMA managed only five first downs for the entire game (two given to MMA because of Hobart penalties).

Although several Statesmen players stood out last Saturday, Hobart JR PK Paul Overdorf received a special teams player of the week honor from the Liberty League for making all of his PATs (three for three) and successfully converting a 29 yard FG to give Hobart a 3-0 lead early in the game.  Overdorf also averaged 34.4 yards punting, including a long of 56 and landing one inside the MMA 20 yard line.  Given the issues in the kicking game earlier in the season (e.g. three FG misses in the Union game), it was nice to see, even in inclement weather, Hobart had a perfect day on the kicking front.

FY DB Drake Woodard scored his first career touchdown blocking a MMA punt in the second quarter to put Hobart up 10-0.  Drake was once again named league rookie of the week, an honor he shared with Rochester FY LB Chris Bickford, for his efforts against the Mariners.

TGP Commentary:

The Finger Lakes Times gave Hobart kudos for not falling in a classic "trap" game with both Worcester Poly (6-1, 3-1) and Rensselaer (6-0, 4-0) looming in the very near future.  The Statesmen clearly dominated all aspects of this game - especially on defense - and deserve credit for an impressive outing. 

However, some critics (myself included) took note of a couple of stats that indicate this team could be in trouble during the next two critical weeks of the regular season.

Although the Statesmen offense racked up over 350 total yards, Hobart continued to struggle in two key yardage situations.  Namely, Hobart was only seven for 18 (38.8%) on third down and two for four on fourth down conversions, respectively.  Rain or not, for a team that out-gained MMA by over 300 yards, it is kind of surprising that Hobart's first offensive touchdown came with 13:06 to play in the fourth quarter.  The Statesmen need to step it up a notch (or three) on offense if they hope to qualify for a fifth consecutive NCAA play-off appearance.

WPI vs. Hobart - Win or [Stay] Home

This Saturday the Boz will host a de-facto "elimination" game between WPI and Hobart.  Both teams are tied at 3-1 for second place in the league and a loss effectively eliminates the loser from NCAA contention given the relatively large number of East Region teams vying for the eight NCAA play-off spots.

WPI comes into this contest with a 35-21 loss to RPI as the only blemish on the season.  Last weekend WPI defeated Rochester (2-5, 2-3) by a score of 21-14.  The Engineers were led by QB Justin Wells who completed 11-of-23 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown.  Wells added 64 yards rushing on the day as well.  WPI's defense, however, earned the game ball for the win over the Yellow Jackets.  Rochester had the ball inside the WPI 15 yard line on three different occasions during the fourth quarter but only scored once.  The Engineer defense held for the final time after the Yellow Jackets had a 1st and 10 at the 14 with just over a minute remaining.  The WPI defense forced three incomplete passes and a -2 yard rush and then ran out the clock to hang on for the win.

This Saturday WPI will be looking for their first victory over Hobart.  Since the series began in 2004, the Engineers are 0-4 against the Statesmen.

Here's the tale of tape on how Hobart matches up with the Engineers:

Key stats:      Hobart          WPI Scoring Offense      25.2   pts/game       28 Scoring Defense      16.5   pts/game       17.1 Pass Offense      200.2   yds/game       228 Pass Defense      123.8   yds/game       183.1 Turnover Margin      3   Margin       0 Rushing Offense      158.5   yds/game       148.4 Rushing Defense      153.5   yds/game       88.1 Total Defense      271.3   yds/game       277.3 Sacks/Sacks Against   9s/7sa   total      11s/16sa Red Zone Offense      65.5   convers       73.5 Red Zone Defense      76.5   rate      59.1 Kicking                     28.60%   rate     16.70% Possession                31:49     TOP     32:15 Penalties                     52.2   yds/game      51

Obviously, these teams are pretty even across the board.  The keys to the game, in my opinion, will be:

Home Field Advantage - This year, it will be the Engineers who will have to make the 300+ miles, five hour trek for this match-up.  Of course this may change, but the Saturday's forecast is a typical Geneva-esque high of 42 with a chance of showers.  The Boz can become a quagmire in these conditions and WPI plays it's home games on a new-style turf field.  Poor and/or sloppy field conditions may negate WPI's 200+ yards/passing game and WPI's #1 rusher, SO RB Manny Cambra, only averages a modest 43.1 yards rushing/game (on 69 attempts for 302 yards and five touchdowns). 
Defense and Turnovers - TGP predicts a low scoring affair on Saturday with both offenses looking to exploit each respective defense's achilles heel (for Hobart - the run and for WPI - the pass).  Hobart's secondary has done an excellent job collecting errant throws from opposing QB's this season.  Drake Woodard leads the league with six interceptions and the Statesmen D has collected a total of 11 interceptions over six games.  Although WPI features a pair of excellent receivers - JRs Cody McGregor and R.C. Grady are ranked in the top five in the league in receptions/game and receiving yards/game - Hobart owns the best pass defense WPI has faced to date.  Although WPI QB Justin Wells has only been intercepted four times this season, the WPI OL has allowed 16 sacks on the year, so Wells may be forced into some bad throws while under pressure from Hobart's LB's and DL this Saturday.  WPI's defensive strength is their ability to shut down the run, so SR QB Rich Doyle will need to manage an efficient, west-coast offense style passing game utilizing weapons like TE Matt Duliba and WRs Zach Schultz and Tyler Vincent to move the chains and keep the Engineer defense on their heels.  Of course, TGP'd welcome a break-out game from either SR RB Anthony Hobaica or SO RB Andrew Marlier, but TGP doesn't see it coming against WPI and their league best rushing defense (88.1 yards rushing allowed/game).
Red Zone and Special Teams play - Hobart's biggest issue to date remains their relative inability to score (65.5%) inside their opponents 20 yard line.  Hobart's red zone defense has been less than stellar either allowing points almost 77% of the time.  The offensive struggles in the end zone were exacerbated by a horrendous kicking game (one for six), prior Overdorf taking over the kicking duties last week.  Expect Overdorf to play a big role once again on special teams against WPI.  Interestingly enough, the only team in the league that has struggled with kicking more than the Statesmen are the Engineers.  WPI ranks dead last in field goals (one for six) and PATs (21 for 26).  WPI also happens to be last in punting too (27.9 avg/punt).  Given that this game may come down to field position and possessions - every point (even a PAT) will be critical.  Hobart's defense should also be prepared for a lot of four down possessions as WPI Coach Ed Zaloom may opt to go for it instead of missing a FG and/or eking out a short punt.  Regardless, neither team can afford to get into the red zone and not score.  Not with what's at stake in this game.
Experience - Every Statesmen player (Freshmen excluded) have been on NCAA play-off and/or League Championship teams.  They've played in bigger games at the D3 college level than any WPI player combined.  This Saturday, Hobart needs to lean on this experience to get them past the inevitable rough patches during the game.  Hobart needs to play loose and get after the Engineers.  Much like the 2006 WPI-Hobart game at the Boz, this game will be low scoring with a lot of defense.  Unlike 2006 however, this year the Statesmen know that WPI is a legitimate contender and won't take them lightly.  In my opinion, the pressure is on WPI as this is basically the biggest game in their program's relatively brief history.  Hobart's been in many play-off type games in the past four years and should be able to manage the pressure, especially at home.

All these factors taken into consideration, TGP is going to predict a 20-14 Hobart victory Saturday.  WPI may lead for some, if not most, of the game, but TGP thinks Hobart's home field, experience and superior defense will help the Statesmen prevail to set up a de-facto league championship game next weekend against RPI.

Kick-off is slated for 12:00 PM EST (an hour earlier than usual) so be sure to tune into WEOS (www.weos.org) or check D3football.com for web and/or audio casts for this elimination play-off game.

Thanks and GO BART!

Blatant attempt by TGP to help the LL catch up to the E8!

and you know what? Reno digs it!

[labart96]

thx - tgp tries.  lots more to type/say this week given the high stakes. 

if hobart loses, the next weekly preview might read like this:

ECAC or bust.  Who gives a @#$%?!?!?!

[dlippiel]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!   

Knicks Cut Ewing Jr.

Unfortunate....I think they made a mistake. Just the name Ewing serves the knicks better than the actual person of Stephan Marbury. They need to get rid of his #$% ASAP and cure that team of its worst disease ever...Marbury disease.

Can't believe I missed "In the Huddle" last night. I was so pumped but we had company and I could not get to it. I will be listening to it soon to get myself pumped for the shoes game this weekend. I am very interested to hear what Coach King had to say. I have so much respect for him. Bart and WPI will be very interesting but I think the nod has to go to Bart. Considering they are playing at the Boz and the experience of the Bart players to me, Bart is the favorite. I will say if WPI does win then I will really believe they are for real. Just want to give props to the Union Hockey team. The non-scholarship Dutch defeated full scholarship RPI in a shootout (even though they got outplayed) and then went on to beat a solid Colgate team. Congrats U!

[labart96]

Can't believe I missed "In the Huddle" last night. I was so pumped but we had company and I could not get to it. I will be listening to it soon to get myself pumped for the shoes game this weekend. I am very interested to hear what Coach King had to say. I have so much respect for him. Bart and WPI will be very interesting but I think the nod has to go to Bart. Considering they are playing at the Boz and the experience of the Bart players to me, Bart is the favorite. I will say if WPI does win then I will really believe they are for real. Just want to give props to the Union Hockey team. The non-scholarship Dutch defeated full scholarship RPI in a shootout (even though they got outplayed) and then went on to beat a solid Colgate team. Congrats U!

you definitely missed out on some biting sports journalism.  there was literally no filter on last night's show.  both union and rpi's coaches had to dance like travolta around some of those questions.

other fascinating topics including reg's bench press, jello consumption and other relevant stuff. 

oh yeah, the wpi sid is a phillies nut.

best ITH to date.....

[dlippiel]

Can't believe I missed "In the Huddle" last night. I was so pumped but we had company and I could not get to it. I will be listening to it soon to get myself pumped for the shoes game this weekend. I am very interested to hear what Coach King had to say. I have so much respect for him. Bart and WPI will be very interesting but I think the nod has to go to Bart. Considering they are playing at the Boz and the experience of the Bart players to me, Bart is the favorite. I will say if WPI does win then I will really believe they are for real. Just want to give props to the Union Hockey team. The non-scholarship Dutch defeated full scholarship RPI in a shootout (even though they got outplayed) and then went on to beat a solid Colgate team. Congrats U!

you definitely missed out on some biting sports journalism.  there was literally no filter on last night's show.  both union and rpi's coaches had to dance like travolta around some of those questions.

other fascinating topics including reg's bench press, jello consumption and other relevant stuff. 

oh yeah, the wpi sid is a phillies nut.

best ITH to date.....

I always thought Audino had some Tony Molero in him!

"He hits my hair. I work hard on my hair and he hits it, he hits my hair!"

[Jonny Utah]

So, I wonder if some of the voters in the Top 25 poll have a crush on Curry, or if they are sleeping at the wheel.  STILL, after losing to Plymouth State, Curry is getting 5 votes in the poll.  Plymouth State, 7-1, who beat DSPz, gets no votes, with a loss to Mt. Ida...

I know it is meaningless, but who are these people?   This means someone thinks a 6-1 Curry, with a loss to Plymouth State deserves to be in the top 25??  Yikes...Stripes...

Haha, Curry has 1 more point than Fisher... let's see that one on the field.


One observation about the top 25.  #13. Case Western.  They started the year ranked, thanks to an undefeated 2007 regular season and 1 win in the playoffs. They are 7-0 this year and gradually moving up as other teams fall off with losses.  Case's schedule is nothing spectacular, and they don't have a good history (mostly a .500 team the past 7-8 years) that wins votes like it would for a team like Ithaca, but here they are #13 eight weeks into the season.

Now, had RPI won their 1 playoff game vs TCNJ, maybe they would be getting some pollster love this year, but I doubt it would be that much. First off, RPI - win your friggen HOME playoff games! Secondly, where did this crush on CWR come from?

I was also thinking about Cortland in kind of the same way.  I mean,  what did they do last year (or this year) to put them that high up?  If Ithaca had beaten SJF would they be that high?  I guess the fact that they got beat so bad kind of speaks for itself.

[union89]

So, I wonder if some of the voters in the Top 25 poll have a crush on Curry, or if they are sleeping at the wheel.  STILL, after losing to Plymouth State, Curry is getting 5 votes in the poll.  Plymouth State, 7-1, who beat DSPz, gets no votes, with a loss to Mt. Ida...

I know it is meaningless, but who are these people?   This means someone thinks a 6-1 Curry, with a loss to Plymouth State deserves to be in the top 25??  Yikes...Stripes...

Haha, Curry has 1 more point than Fisher... let's see that one on the field.


One observation about the top 25.  #13. Case Western.  They started the year ranked, thanks to an undefeated 2007 regular season and 1 win in the playoffs. They are 7-0 this year and gradually moving up as other teams fall off with losses.  Case's schedule is nothing spectacular, and they don't have a good history (mostly a .500 team the past 7-8 years) that wins votes like it would for a team like Ithaca, but here they are #13 eight weeks into the season.

Now, had RPI won their 1 playoff game vs TCNJ, maybe they would be getting some pollster love this year, but I doubt it would be that much. First off, RPI - win your friggen HOME playoff games! Secondly, where did this crush on CWR come from?

I was also thinking about Cortland in kind of the same way.  I mean,  what did they do last year (or this year) to put them that high up?  If Ithaca had beaten SJF would they be that high?  I guess the fact that they got beat so bad kind of speaks for itself.

Hmmmm, being the only team to beat both Rowan and Montclair State along with beating a pretty good Kean team looks really impressive to U89.  Two of those wins were also on the road.

[Jonny Utah]

So, I wonder if some of the voters in the Top 25 poll have a crush on Curry, or if they are sleeping at the wheel.  STILL, after losing to Plymouth State, Curry is getting 5 votes in the poll.  Plymouth State, 7-1, who beat DSPz, gets no votes, with a loss to Mt. Ida...

I know it is meaningless, but who are these people?   This means someone thinks a 6-1 Curry, with a loss to Plymouth State deserves to be in the top 25??  Yikes...Stripes...

Haha, Curry has 1 more point than Fisher... let's see that one on the field.


One observation about the top 25.  #13. Case Western.  They started the year ranked, thanks to an undefeated 2007 regular season and 1 win in the playoffs. They are 7-0 this year and gradually moving up as other teams fall off with losses.  Case's schedule is nothing spectacular, and they don't have a good history (mostly a .500 team the past 7-8 years) that wins votes like it would for a team like Ithaca, but here they are #13 eight weeks into the season.

Now, had RPI won their 1 playoff game vs TCNJ, maybe they would be getting some pollster love this year, but I doubt it would be that much. First off, RPI - win your friggen HOME playoff games! Secondly, where did this crush on CWR come from?

I was also thinking about Cortland in kind of the same way.  I mean,  what did they do last year (or this year) to put them that high up?  If Ithaca had beaten SJF would they be that high?  I guess the fact that they got beat so bad kind of speaks for itself.

Hmmmm, being the only team to beat both Rowan and Montclair State along with beating a pretty good Kean team looks really impressive to U89.  Two of those wins were also on the road.

Im just not that impressed with Rowan, Montclair or Kean really.  Has what theyve done really seperated themselves that much from what RPI and Ithaca has done?

[redswarm81]

So, I wonder if some of the voters in the Top 25 poll have a crush on Curry, or if they are sleeping at the wheel.  STILL, after losing to Plymouth State, Curry is getting 5 votes in the poll.  Plymouth State, 7-1, who beat DSPz, gets no votes, with a loss to Mt. Ida...

I know it is meaningless, but who are these people?   This means someone thinks a 6-1 Curry, with a loss to Plymouth State deserves to be in the top 25??  Yikes...Stripes...

Haha, Curry has 1 more point than Fisher... let's see that one on the field.

I have a hard time being so dismissive of a team that wins as many games as Curry does consistently.

When comparing Curry to Fisher--mid-season 2008, I just have to wonder if Curry would stand less of a chance than Hartwick--a team that had given up an average of 53 pts/game at the time they played SJFisher.

[dlippiel]

Who are those wins against? What would RPI, Ithaca, or Cortland State's record be against the competition that Curry has played? Only difference is that the aforementioned teams and many others play good competition consistently.