East Region Playoff Discussion

[Jonny Utah]

Anyone know why Framingham couldn't host?

And how do we know that Wittenberg isn't the #2 seed?  How do we know the first 2 automatically?

The attempt has been in the last couple seasons to have the Committee choose the top 8 teams and guarantee them 1s and 2s -- and place them in the bracket (in normal 1/2 positions) before building the matchups around them.  Brad Bankston, last year's Committee Chair, indicated that process was being used on 'In the HuddLLe," and Duey Naatz, this year's Chair, suggested that they hadn't changed that approach.  Looking at the pure numbers, Hopkins was slightly better than Witt in SOS and had a slightly better overall resume in my view (I considered this earlier -- but it still fits the 1/2 bracketing situation correctly).

Yea that makes sense, but I'm willing to bet that if Vegas put out odds, Witt would be a 7 point favorite over JHU on a neutral field.

[Pat Coleman]

If you're looking at the photo of their stadium on our site, it's shot from the press box side, so the box isn't visible. I understand there's one there, at least.

[Jonny Utah]

If you're looking at the photo of their stadium on our site, it's shot from the press box side, so the box isn't visible. I understand there's one there, at least.

If you are talking about Framingham, yes but that stadium is the municipal Stadium owned by the City of Framingham (Bowditch Field).  It is the nicest HS football stadium in Massachusetts, and it would probably one of the nicest college stadiums in Massachusetts (After BC, Harvard, Holy Cross, and maybe Amherst, and Williams) as well. I can only guess it is not ok for hosting because it is off campus and there are no showers/lockers on site?

I also do not believe Framingham State plays all their games there, their campus stadium (maybe the worst stadium in all of d3) most certainly could not host, although I heard they redid it a few years ago, but I can almost bet it is still not good enough.

[Frank Rossi]

If you're looking at the photo of their stadium on our site, it's shot from the press box side, so the box isn't visible. I understand there's one there, at least.

No, I was speaking of the Google Maps satellite view of their field -- at least the field in closest proximity near the reservoir.

[EDIT: The photo of which you're speaking made me actually go to the overhead view as it seemed like the seating was large enough to accommodate the NCAA's demands.  The stadium I found had very abbreviated stands and no discernible press box.]

[Jonny Utah]

If you're looking at the photo of their stadium on our site, it's shot from the press box side, so the box isn't visible. I understand there's one there, at least.

No, I was speaking of the Google Maps satellite view of their field -- at least the field in closest proximity near the reservoir.

Yea that is the campus stadium.  I coach a team who played there 5 years ago and it was not only the worst college field I had ever seen, it was the worst HS football field I had ever seen (it did have turf though).

Bowditch Field is in under construction on the googlemaps view.

[Pat Coleman]

Yes, they've played at Bowditch Field this season, not Maple Street or whatever the other one is.

[Jonny Utah]

Yes, they've played at Bowditch Field this season, not Maple Street or whatever the other one is.

Maple St. is the campus Stadium.

[lewdogg11]

Last week was a great weekend for the East.  Mostly in the form of St. John Fisher.  Hobart did what we expected.  Rowan did what we had hoped.  Lebanon Valley proved to us that the MAC was not as good as some of us maybe thought.(Delaware Valley's performance helped this thinking as well)  I watched the Ithaca/Framingham game and I was telling Utah, they are just not impressive.  Somehow they have a knack for winning which you have to really respect though.  Offensively, they just aren't good.  But they could have packed it in but they didn't and somehow won, i'm not even sure how.  That said, although Framingham played a good game and should have/could have won, I wasn't impressed with them either.  Watching the Rowan game, I think Rowan was much more impressive to watch than either of them.

So for this weekend, i'm not too keen on some Hobart posters already packing it in because of injuries.  Hobart has so much experience in the playoffs and they are just a good team regardless and well coached.  Key injuries or not, I don't expect Hobart to lay down, and I think it will be a great game.  I do think Fisher might win, more than anything because Fisher is flying high right now.  But playing in Geneva after November 1 is no picnic.  I think Ithaca might get smoked, and I fear Rowan will get smoked too. 

[Frank Rossi]

Yes, they've played at Bowditch Field this season, not Maple Street or whatever the other one is.

Maple St. is the campus Stadium.

Jonny -

Instead of guessing further on my end, I put in an official request for info a little bit ago.  If I hear back, I'll let you know the answer.

[Frank Rossi]

Last week was a great weekend for the East.  Mostly in the form of St. John Fisher.  Hobart did what we expected.  Rowan did what we had hoped.  Lebanon Valley proved to us that the MAC was not as good as some of us maybe thought.(Delaware Valley's performance helped this thinking as well)  I watched the Ithaca/Framingham game and I was telling Utah, they are just not impressive.  Somehow they have a knack for winning which you have to really respect though.  Offensively, they just aren't good.  But they could have packed it in but they didn't and somehow won, i'm not even sure how.  That said, although Framingham played a good game and should have/could have won, I wasn't impressed with them either.  Watching the Rowan game, I think Rowan was much more impressive to watch than either of them.

So for this weekend, i'm not too keen on some Hobart posters already packing it in because of injuries.  Hobart has so much experience in the playoffs and they are just a good team regardless and well coached.  Key injuries or not, I don't expect Hobart to lay down, and I think it will be a great game.  I do think Fisher might win, more than anything because Fisher is flying high right now.  But playing in Geneva after November 1 is no picnic.  I think Ithaca might get smoked, and I fear Rowan will get smoked too.

Good post, LD.  One thought, though.  When I called Ithaca at Union in Week 3, I wasn't impressed at all with the Ithaca Offense, but I thought their Defense was tremendous.  During the season, Dempsey came in for Neumann and sparked the Offense to win the E8.  My thought is that Saturday was a trap game for Ithaca, perhaps with the team looking ahead a bit.  We know that's a mistake based on the Curry debacle last decade, but 18-22yo men don't have those memories.  During the second half, it seemed like the Bombers could move the ball almost at will compared to the first half.  Also, the Rams had a very long drive to keep the ball away from Ithaca to end the first half.  This strategy almost worked until Ithaca made defensive adjustments in the second half.  So, while the Ithaca Offense may seem off a bit, I applaud the maturation that occurred over the last two months and believe that they can put up a fight vs. Wesley this weekend.  Will they win?  Tough call.  But I don't see a drubbing in their future.

[lewdogg11]

Last week was a great weekend for the East.  Mostly in the form of St. John Fisher.  Hobart did what we expected.  Rowan did what we had hoped.  Lebanon Valley proved to us that the MAC was not as good as some of us maybe thought.(Delaware Valley's performance helped this thinking as well)  I watched the Ithaca/Framingham game and I was telling Utah, they are just not impressive.  Somehow they have a knack for winning which you have to really respect though.  Offensively, they just aren't good.  But they could have packed it in but they didn't and somehow won, i'm not even sure how.  That said, although Framingham played a good game and should have/could have won, I wasn't impressed with them either.  Watching the Rowan game, I think Rowan was much more impressive to watch than either of them.

So for this weekend, i'm not too keen on some Hobart posters already packing it in because of injuries.  Hobart has so much experience in the playoffs and they are just a good team regardless and well coached.  Key injuries or not, I don't expect Hobart to lay down, and I think it will be a great game.  I do think Fisher might win, more than anything because Fisher is flying high right now.  But playing in Geneva after November 1 is no picnic.  I think Ithaca might get smoked, and I fear Rowan will get smoked too.

Good post, LD.  One thought, though.  When I called Ithaca at Union in Week 3, I wasn't impressed at all with the Ithaca Offense, but I thought their Defense was tremendous.  During the season, Dempsey came in for Neumann and sparked the Offense to win the E8.  My thought is that Saturday was a trap game for Ithaca, perhaps with the team looking ahead a bit.  We know that's a mistake based on the Curry debacle last decade, but 18-22yo men don't have those memories.  During the second half, it seemed like the Bombers could move the ball almost at will compared to the first half.  Also, the Rams had a very long drive to keep the ball away from Ithaca to end the first half.  This strategy almost worked until Ithaca made defensive adjustments in the second half.  So, while the Ithaca Offense may seem off a bit, I applaud the maturation that occurred over the last two months and believe that they can put up a fight vs. Wesley this weekend.  Will they win?  Tough call.  But I don't see a drubbing in their future.

I agree Framingham was definitely a trap game, but they didn't really impress me.  I actually thought Framingham was going to be better than they were.  Ithaca's defense is good, but Framingham just didn't do it for me.  That said, Ithaca could completely be terrible in the box score against Wesley and pull out another head scratching W, but I just think Wesley is too big, too fast, and too athletic.  I like your optimism, and I wish I shared your optimism, it's just not there.

[Upstate]

I don't buy the Bart posters getting all down in the dumps about injuries either. They have 3 All Americans on that team. Unless the back up QB comes in and throws 4-5 INTs the game is going to be a good one. They have a really nice sized O-line to block for Webb, yes PA said they might be down a guy or two but a program like Bart likely has depth to at least give them a decent option.

Fisher's 3-3-5 can be a nightmare for QBs. I don't know if Bart just wanted to keep it simple and just run the ball but they look to be limited at QB, even when healthy. If Judd, Priesh and the rest of their front 6 can put Bart in 3rd and longs their secondary should be able to make some big plays!

ICs defense and special teams carried them all year, I don't remember seeing an IC defense this good in a decade. They are so fast and have a knack for creating turnovers. They had the #1 defense in the E8 yet the #7 offense but still won the conference. I think they keep IC in the game but I can see Wesley pulling away late if the IC offense doesn't help out the Defense this week.

[Jonny Utah]

Last week was a great weekend for the East.  Mostly in the form of St. John Fisher.  Hobart did what we expected.  Rowan did what we had hoped.  Lebanon Valley proved to us that the MAC was not as good as some of us maybe thought.(Delaware Valley's performance helped this thinking as well)  I watched the Ithaca/Framingham game and I was telling Utah, they are just not impressive.  Somehow they have a knack for winning which you have to really respect though.  Offensively, they just aren't good.  But they could have packed it in but they didn't and somehow won, i'm not even sure how.  That said, although Framingham played a good game and should have/could have won, I wasn't impressed with them either.  Watching the Rowan game, I think Rowan was much more impressive to watch than either of them.

So for this weekend, i'm not too keen on some Hobart posters already packing it in because of injuries.  Hobart has so much experience in the playoffs and they are just a good team regardless and well coached.  Key injuries or not, I don't expect Hobart to lay down, and I think it will be a great game.  I do think Fisher might win, more than anything because Fisher is flying high right now.  But playing in Geneva after November 1 is no picnic.  I think Ithaca might get smoked, and I fear Rowan will get smoked too.

Good post, LD.  One thought, though.  When I called Ithaca at Union in Week 3, I wasn't impressed at all with the Ithaca Offense, but I thought their Defense was tremendous.  During the season, Dempsey came in for Neumann and sparked the Offense to win the E8.  My thought is that Saturday was a trap game for Ithaca, perhaps with the team looking ahead a bit.  We know that's a mistake based on the Curry debacle last decade, but 18-22yo men don't have those memories.  During the second half, it seemed like the Bombers could move the ball almost at will compared to the first half.  Also, the Rams had a very long drive to keep the ball away from Ithaca to end the first half.  This strategy almost worked until Ithaca made defensive adjustments in the second half.  So, while the Ithaca Offense may seem off a bit, I applaud the maturation that occurred over the last two months and believe that they can put up a fight vs. Wesley this weekend.  Will they win?  Tough call.  But I don't see a drubbing in their future.

I agree Framingham was definitely a trap game, but they didn't really impress me.  I actually thought Framingham was going to be better than they were.  Ithaca's defense is good, but Framingham just didn't do it for me.  That said, Ithaca could completely be terrible in the box score against Wesley and pull out another head scratching W, but I just think Wesley is too big, too fast, and too athletic.  I like your optimism, and I wish I shared your optimism, it's just not there.

I've watched about 4-5 Ithaca games on the internet this year, and I've come to the following conclusions/observations:

-They love to run play action, but the run fakes are so slow that their O-line often times gets beat and the QB has a defender in his face before he can throw the ball.  Dempsey also looks a little awkward back there on the fakes, and that doesn't help things.

-If the QB can get some time, the WRs and RBs in the flat/crossing patterns can make some great plays.  This is the only way I think Ithaca can win games in the playoffs. 

-They went back to the senior running back last week (Jones), but I think the freshman (Skea) is a little better.  Either way Ithaca also loves to run some sort of weird inside zone run that never seems to work. 

-If the QB has time, he is very accurate and makes some very tough throws.  He is not a runner though, and that hurts them.

-The defense is tough, and all 11 guys hit hard, can cover well, and tackle well.  They also make adjustments that seem to hurt teams in the 2nd half.

-The secondary is small though, and taller bigger receivers can do some damage even while covered.

[wesleydad]

When you look at the stats for Ithaca you have to wonder how they are not a 500 team.  I saw them play Salisbury and was not impressed at all by the offense.  They will have to bring much more than that to defeat Wesley.  The defense was very good and kept them in the game long enough to win the game.  I think they have trouble scoring on Wesley and if they d line does not get pressure on the QB they will have trouble with the receivers.  They had no worries about a passing game against Salisbury, that won't be the case this weekend.  I think Wesley wins this game, easily without any turnovers. 

[Jonny Utah]

When you look at the stats for Ithaca you have to wonder how they are not a 500 team.  I saw them play Salisbury and was not impressed at all by the offense.  They will have to bring much more than that to defeat Wesley.  The defense was very good and kept them in the game long enough to win the game.  I think they have trouble scoring on Wesley and if they d line does not get pressure on the QB they will have trouble with the receivers.  They had no worries about a passing game against Salisbury, that won't be the case this weekend.  I think Wesley wins this game, easily without any turnovers.

Yea, Ithaca will try to run the ball, and then keep running it again and again even if it isn't working.  Then they will sprinkle some play action in there every now and then.  Then they will run a few concepts/plays that work really well, and make you ask yourself why they don't do those things more often.

I think Ithaca's only chance is if Dempsey has a big day, and they can exploit Wesley's defense with crossing patterns and passes to the backs out of the backfield.  They don't have any superstars on offense, but they do have 7 or 8 guys who can all do the same thing (block well, catch well, and run routes well enough where any one of them can beat you deep if you don't cover them properly).