East Region Playoff Discussion

[SUADC]

Looking forward to some great games this weekend. I think if Widener limits its turnovers and limit the big play defensively, it should be a close game and Widener prevailing. As for the Hobart vs. UST, I think this is going to be great game, I love this matchup overall. I have a sense that this Hobart team is on a mission, love their style of play. This should be a close game as well, with the winner making a big play early in the third to change the game and I think that winner is Hobart.

If Wesley wins this weekend, they'll need to run the ball a little more, therfore controlling the clock, I think if they do that, they should be fine. Nevertheless, Wesley vs. UMHB has always been fun to listen to or watch, hoping for another great game between two top teams.

If everthing holds true, I'm most likely going to make the trip to Dover next weekend to watch Widener @ Wesley or Watching both Wesley vs. Widener and Hobart vs. Linfield/UW-Oshkosh on my dual screens. Most likely the ladder of the two.

Good Luck to all teams this weekend.

I think you're way too optimistic about Widener's chances (which is understandable because they just knocked out your Gulls).  As some of the others have said already: Widener is very good and I'd give them a chance against several other teams still in the field.

That Mount Union team is plain nasty this year.  Widener's taking a big step up in class this week.  Don't get me wrong, I love change and parity and I always want to see some new teams making a run, but I think Widener loses by four touchdowns or more.

Funny that you say I was being way too optimistic, I actually was...lol! I was trying not to a pessimist in my conversations, but I could have went more on the lines of a realist.

[wesleydad]

i will be stunned if widener is within 30.  defense is way to soft to deal with mount o.  offense will struggle scoring.

[mattvsmith]

Looking forward to some great games this weekend. I think if Widener limits its turnovers and limit the big play defensively, it should be a close game and Widener prevailing. As for the Hobart vs. UST, I think this is going to be great game, I love this matchup overall. I have a sense that this Hobart team is on a mission, love their style of play. This should be a close game as well, with the winner making a big play early in the third to change the game and I think that winner is Hobart.

From your lips to God's ears, SUADC. The Rev has rediscovered religion in anticipation of this game.

[pg04]

The East teams are really doing well in the early going... 

[skunks_sidekick]

I know this sounds like piling on....but Widener is horrible. 

This does not bode well for Mount in the semi's.  They needed a test. 

To be honest.....I can't believe Salisbury was lost to this team.  They must have had their worst game of the year.

[pg04]

Hobart got off to a horrible start but attempting to reel things back in.

[fisheralum91]

bart down 22-7 2nd qtr

[SUADC]

Hobart need to line up like Stanford and run the ball.

[pg04]

St. Thomas has wide open receivers all over the field. This is an embarrassment of a day so far for the region. If this continues we are going to have to take whatever seedings come in the future.

[Frank Rossi]

St. Thomas has wide open receivers all over the field. This is an embarrassment of a day so far for the region. If this continues we are going to have to take whatever seedings come in the future.

If Hobart and/or Widener were able to return next year with undefeated records, their 2-1 playoff records, assuming things remain this way, would actually propel (with all other numbers being relatively equal) them to a strong chance for a #1 seed and virtual guarantees for a #2 seed.  They're both losing to #1 seeds and Hobart beat two out-of-region opponents in the process.  The world has not ended today.

[SUADC]

Hobart needs to do what UST is doing.

[pg04]

St. Thomas has wide open receivers all over the field. This is an embarrassment of a day so far for the region. If this continues we are going to have to take whatever seedings come in the future.

If Hobart and/or Widener were able to return next year with undefeated records, their 2-1 playoff records, assuming things remain this way, would actually propel (with all other numbers being relatively equal) them to a strong chance for a #1 seed and virtual guarantees for a #2 seed.  They're both losing to #1 seeds and Hobart beat two out-of-region opponents in the process.  The world has not ended today.

I don't know, I just see two teams grossly overmatched so far. Sure it is a number 1 seed but it seemed like everyone wanted to be all up on Hobart and that the Tommies were so weak for a 1 seed. Still a lot of time left but the last two weeks didn't really garner much respect for the east IMO. The East will generally always have at least one team in the 3rd round.

[Frank Rossi]

St. Thomas has wide open receivers all over the field. This is an embarrassment of a day so far for the region. If this continues we are going to have to take whatever seedings come in the future.

If Hobart and/or Widener were able to return next year with undefeated records, their 2-1 playoff records, assuming things remain this way, would actually propel (with all other numbers being relatively equal) them to a strong chance for a #1 seed and virtual guarantees for a #2 seed.  They're both losing to #1 seeds and Hobart beat two out-of-region opponents in the process.  The world has not ended today.

I don't know, I just see two teams grossly overmatched so far. Sure it is a number 1 seed but it seemed like everyone wanted to be all up on Hobart and that the Tommies were so weak for a 1 seed. Still a lot of time left but the last two weeks didn't really garner much respect for the east IMO. The East will generally always have at least one team in the 3rd round.

Subjectivity only plays so much of a role.  If you're undefeated with a relatively sane SOS and perhaps have one RRO game on your schedule come selection time, you're almost guaranteed a #2 seed in this day and age (only the very weakest of conferences can't assume that).  Now throw in 2-1 records in the playoffs, and Hobart and Widener would be in position for #1 consideration depending on the remainder of the undefeated teams.  It's pretty much as simple as that now.  They try to find the top 8 teams and seed them #1 and #2.  Remember, this year there was an unusual number of undefeated teams and unusually low number of one-loss teams.

[bleedpurple]

St. Thomas has wide open receivers all over the field. This is an embarrassment of a day so far for the region. If this continues we are going to have to take whatever seedings come in the future.

If Hobart and/or Widener were able to return next year with undefeated records, their 2-1 playoff records, assuming things remain this way, would actually propel (with all other numbers being relatively equal) them to a strong chance for a #1 seed and virtual guarantees for a #2 seed.  They're both losing to #1 seeds and Hobart beat two out-of-region opponents in the process.  The world has not ended today.

I don't know, I just see two teams grossly overmatched so far. Sure it is a number 1 seed but it seemed like everyone wanted to be all up on Hobart and that the Tommies were so weak for a 1 seed. Still a lot of time left but the last two weeks didn't really garner much respect for the east IMO. The East will generally always have at least one team in the 3rd round.

I agree with pg04 If the day continues as it is right now, the world doesn't end, but it is a definite set-back in the Easts Regions striving for respect nationally.  I do believe that when you get past the top couple of teams in each region, the east probably holds it's own pretty well.  I think the top teams in the east match-up OK with the 3rd or 4th best teams in the other regions.  But the east needs to have someone rise up and be competitive with the #1's at some point to be taken seriously as a #1 seed for the playoffs. If the region expects to have a #1, they need a team to be able to play with the #1's. A 2-1 playoff record is not #1 worthy, nor does it make for a good argument for a #1 seed.

[pg04]

Hobart very much looks like a team not ready for the pressure of this game. Lots of mistakes, dropping balls, overthrows, etc.