East Region Playoff Discussion

[Senor RedTackle]

I made the point earlier in the week that if Curry won the NEFC and Plymouth was 9-1, the should not and would not have given the Pool C to the NEFC.  However, it was the other way around, and it was Curry hoping for the bid.  They deserved it 100% and they showed it today.  Do I think Ithaca would beat them 9 out of 10?  Yes.  Do I think they can beat Cortland?  Nah.  But the bottom line is, Curry has been there for so many years, that they know how to compete with the big dogs now.  The rest of the league still can not.  Unfortunately, the rest of the NEFC being unable and unwilling to catch up will hold Curry back from being nationally respected.

Agreed with must everything, but........I feel Curry CAN beat Cortland.  I think Cortland will win, but I think Curry has a shot with that passing game and Cortland's lack of passing D.  Curry matches up better with Cortland than Ithaca and they dominated Ithaca statistically.

LD great post.  I think this game (IC/Curry) was a game of emotions.  And I don't know how much it was a factor, but Curry's defensive coordinator (Todd Nestor Ithaca '95) knows his stuff.  Plus, Bill Struzzi (Ithaca '07) is also on the staff and has a first hand knowledge of a lot of what Ithaca has going on.  I think that may have been a  big factor.  I just get the feeling on here sometimes that just because there is an NEFC team in the playoffs, that they have some coaching staff with a bunch of NEFC grads who have never seen the playoffs and might choke for some reason.  That is not the case.

And lets look at all the factors going into this game. 

-IC not knowing they are in the playoffs before last week,
-IC playing in front of 10,000 last week and 2,000 (dont know?) this week.
-IC high and sailing after a HUGE win last week
-Curry being disrespected all the time
-Curry beign the underdog
-IC looking towards next week.

Thats why point spreads always look at trends.  Good teams can beat bad teams on most given days.  Curry was too good for this to happen today.  That was the problem today.

Curry must've had a sitdown with King's Point last week.......

[union89]

I made the point earlier in the week that if Curry won the NEFC and Plymouth was 9-1, the should not and would not have given the Pool C to the NEFC.  However, it was the other way around, and it was Curry hoping for the bid.  They deserved it 100% and they showed it today.  Do I think Ithaca would beat them 9 out of 10?  Yes.  Do I think they can beat Cortland?  Nah.  But the bottom line is, Curry has been there for so many years, that they know how to compete with the big dogs now.  The rest of the league still can not.  Unfortunately, the rest of the NEFC being unable and unwilling to catch up will hold Curry back from being nationally respected.

Agreed with must everything, but........I feel Curry CAN beat Cortland.  I think Cortland will win, but I think Curry has a shot with that passing game and Cortland's lack of passing D.  Curry matches up better with Cortland than Ithaca and they dominated Ithaca statistically.

LD great post.  I think this game (IC/Curry) was a game of emotions.  And I don't know how much it was a factor, but Curry's defensive coordinator (Todd Nestor Ithaca '95) knows his stuff.  Plus, Bill Struzzi (Ithaca '07) is also on the staff and has a first hand knowledge of a lot of what Ithaca has going on.  I think that may have been a  big factor.  I just get the feeling on here sometimes that just because there is an NEFC team in the playoffs, that they have some coaching staff with a bunch of NEFC grads who have never seen the playoffs and might choke for some reason.  That is not the case.

And lets look at all the factors going into this game. 

-IC not knowing they are in the playoffs before last week,
-IC playing in front of 10,000 last week and 2,000 (dont know?) this week.
-IC high and sailing after a HUGE win last week
-Curry being disrespected all the time
-Curry beign the underdog
-IC looking towards next week.

Thats why point spreads always look at trends.  Good teams can beat bad teams on most given days.  Curry was too good for this to happen today.  That was the problem today.

I see what you're saying Utah, but ITHACA is too good to let this happen.  You are at home....in the playoffs....against a team which beat a conference rival last year in the first round.  For Curry to come into Butterfield and take this game from the Bombers who were the hottest team in the East speaks volumes about the program's current mind set....I respect and root for Ithaca in the E8....this loss will force the program to do some soul searching.

[Jonny Utah]

I made the point earlier in the week that if Curry won the NEFC and Plymouth was 9-1, the should not and would not have given the Pool C to the NEFC.  However, it was the other way around, and it was Curry hoping for the bid.  They deserved it 100% and they showed it today.  Do I think Ithaca would beat them 9 out of 10?  Yes.  Do I think they can beat Cortland?  Nah.  But the bottom line is, Curry has been there for so many years, that they know how to compete with the big dogs now.  The rest of the league still can not.  Unfortunately, the rest of the NEFC being unable and unwilling to catch up will hold Curry back from being nationally respected.

Agreed with must everything, but........I feel Curry CAN beat Cortland.  I think Cortland will win, but I think Curry has a shot with that passing game and Cortland's lack of passing D.  Curry matches up better with Cortland than Ithaca and they dominated Ithaca statistically.

LD great post.  I think this game (IC/Curry) was a game of emotions.  And I don't know how much it was a factor, but Curry's defensive coordinator (Todd Nestor Ithaca '95) knows his stuff.  Plus, Bill Struzzi (Ithaca '07) is also on the staff and has a first hand knowledge of a lot of what Ithaca has going on.  I think that may have been a  big factor.  I just get the feeling on here sometimes that just because there is an NEFC team in the playoffs, that they have some coaching staff with a bunch of NEFC grads who have never seen the playoffs and might choke for some reason.  That is not the case.

And lets look at all the factors going into this game. 

-IC not knowing they are in the playoffs before last week,
-IC playing in front of 10,000 last week and 2,000 (dont know?) this week.
-IC high and sailing after a HUGE win last week
-Curry being disrespected all the time
-Curry beign the underdog
-IC looking towards next week.

Thats why point spreads always look at trends.  Good teams can beat bad teams on most given days.  Curry was too good for this to happen today.  That was the problem today.

I see what you're saying Utah, but ITHACA is too good to let this happen.  You are at home....in the playoffs....against a team which beat a conference rival last year in the first round.  For Curry to come into Butterfield and take this game from the Bombers who were the hottest team in the East speaks volumes about the program's current mind set....I respect and root for Ithaca in the E8....this loss will force the program to do some soul searching.

I agree that some lessons will be learned here (soul searching), but "good" teams simply don't let this happen.  You are 100% right there.  That is why Curry won the game.  They were better.

[Senor RedTackle]

I made the point earlier in the week that if Curry won the NEFC and Plymouth was 9-1, the should not and would not have given the Pool C to the NEFC.  However, it was the other way around, and it was Curry hoping for the bid.  They deserved it 100% and they showed it today.  Do I think Ithaca would beat them 9 out of 10?  Yes.  Do I think they can beat Cortland?  Nah.  But the bottom line is, Curry has been there for so many years, that they know how to compete with the big dogs now.  The rest of the league still can not.  Unfortunately, the rest of the NEFC being unable and unwilling to catch up will hold Curry back from being nationally respected.

Agreed with must everything, but........I feel Curry CAN beat Cortland.  I think Cortland will win, but I think Curry has a shot with that passing game and Cortland's lack of passing D.  Curry matches up better with Cortland than Ithaca and they dominated Ithaca statistically.

LD great post.  I think this game (IC/Curry) was a game of emotions.  And I don't know how much it was a factor, but Curry's defensive coordinator (Todd Nestor Ithaca '95) knows his stuff.  Plus, Bill Struzzi (Ithaca '07) is also on the staff and has a first hand knowledge of a lot of what Ithaca has going on.  I think that may have been a  big factor.  I just get the feeling on here sometimes that just because there is an NEFC team in the playoffs, that they have some coaching staff with a bunch of NEFC grads who have never seen the playoffs and might choke for some reason.  That is not the case.

And lets look at all the factors going into this game. 

-IC not knowing they are in the playoffs before last week,
-IC playing in front of 10,000 last week and 2,000 (dont know?) this week.
-IC high and sailing after a HUGE win last week
-Curry being disrespected all the time
-Curry beign the underdog
-IC looking towards next week.

Thats why point spreads always look at trends.  Good teams can beat bad teams on most given days.  Curry was too good for this to happen today.  That was the problem today.

I see what you're saying Utah, but ITHACA is too good to let this happen.  You are at home....in the playoffs....against a team which beat a conference rival last year in the first round.  For Curry to come into Butterfield and take this game from the Bombers who were the hottest team in the East speaks volumes about the program's current mind set....I respect and root for Ithaca in the E8....this loss will force the program to do some soul searching.

eh, U89, not sure anymore in the East if RT buys your logic....RT thought RPI was "too good" to let the last reg season home game at '86 be a defeat w/ the AQ on the line. Then he though they were "too good" to lose to KP in the finale w/ a pool C on the line.  The fact is the Curry is probably better then we thought. Didn't IC lose to SJF this year?? These things happen.....they were probably hung over from Cortica

[clandfan]

Hungover from Cortaca?  It was a huge game to be sure but it was only Cortaca...this was the NCAA playoffs and a team has to get up for that.  Respecting IC as I do, Cortaca was a memory and had no impact on this team.  What happened to IC was Curry, and believe me...Cortland just got a big wake up call.

[Jonny Utah]

Hungover from Cortaca?  It was a huge game to be sure but it was only Cortaca...this was the NCAA playoffs and a team has to get up for that.  Respecting IC as I do, Cortaca was a memory and had no impact on this team.  What happened to IC was Curry, and believe me...Cortland just got a big wake up call.

who knows cland fan.  Thats a huge emotional swing.  It has to mean something.

[Senor RedTackle]

Hungover from Cortaca?  It was a huge game to be sure but it was only Cortaca...this was the NCAA playoffs and a team has to get up for that.  Respecting IC as I do, Cortaca was a memory and had no impact on this team.  What happened to IC was Curry, and believe me...Cortland just got a big wake up call.

RT doesnt doubt that IC was focused on the NCAAs but, to a man, you can't tell RT that IC wasn't riding high from knocking off a #1 East ranked Cortland at their dojo then would have a chance for round 2 in the playoffs to get to MUC. Sure Curry was 9-1 but RT feels pretty confident that IC didn't expect this kind of game. RT has been there as a player. It's not like you intentionally look past someone but it's hard not to think about something bigger down the road (like Cortica II)...especially when the NEFC has the perception they've had. RT agrees Cortland has a wake-up call and needs to take this VERY seriously

[gobombers15]

Hungover from Cortaca?  It was a huge game to be sure but it was only Cortaca...this was the NCAA playoffs and a team has to get up for that.  Respecting IC as I do, Cortaca was a memory and had no impact on this team.  What happened to IC was Curry, and believe me...Cortland just got a big wake up call.

There was a letdown, for sure. Again, take nothing away from Curry, they deserved the win. As JU touched on, I think they spent a week hearing about how they were the best team in the region, how they'd be playing Cortaca 2.0, thinking about everything except Curry, etc. I think the Bombers thought the only prerequisite to winning today was showing up. Obviously, that wasn't true. They learned a hard lesson today. It's a shame.

[Jonny Utah]

I made the point earlier in the week that if Curry won the NEFC and Plymouth was 9-1, the should not and would not have given the Pool C to the NEFC.  However, it was the other way around, and it was Curry hoping for the bid.  They deserved it 100% and they showed it today.  Do I think Ithaca would beat them 9 out of 10?  Yes.  Do I think they can beat Cortland?  Nah.  But the bottom line is, Curry has been there for so many years, that they know how to compete with the big dogs now.  The rest of the league still can not.  Unfortunately, the rest of the NEFC being unable and unwilling to catch up will hold Curry back from being nationally respected.

Agreed with must everything, but........I feel Curry CAN beat Cortland.  I think Cortland will win, but I think Curry has a shot with that passing game and Cortland's lack of passing D.  Curry matches up better with Cortland than Ithaca and they dominated Ithaca statistically.

LD great post.  I think this game (IC/Curry) was a game of emotions.  And I don't know how much it was a factor, but Curry's defensive coordinator (Todd Nestor Ithaca '95) knows his stuff.  Plus, Bill Struzzi (Ithaca '07) is also on the staff and has a first hand knowledge of a lot of what Ithaca has going on.  I think that may have been a  big factor.  I just get the feeling on here sometimes that just because there is an NEFC team in the playoffs, that they have some coaching staff with a bunch of NEFC grads who have never seen the playoffs and might choke for some reason.  That is not the case.

And lets look at all the factors going into this game. 

-IC not knowing they are in the playoffs before last week,
-IC playing in front of 10,000 last week and 2,000 (dont know?) this week.
-IC high and sailing after a HUGE win last week
-Curry being disrespected all the time
-Curry beign the underdog
-IC looking towards next week.

Thats why point spreads always look at trends.  Good teams can beat bad teams on most given days.  Curry was too good for this to happen today.  That was the problem today.

I see what you're saying Utah, but ITHACA is too good to let this happen.  You are at home....in the playoffs....against a team which beat a conference rival last year in the first round.  For Curry to come into Butterfield and take this game from the Bombers who were the hottest team in the East speaks volumes about the program's current mind set....I respect and root for Ithaca in the E8....this loss will force the program to do some soul searching.

And I don't think its fair to say the programs current mind set compared to the teams current mind set.  And we are speculating both ways.

[dlippiel]

Hungover from Cortaca?  It was a huge game to be sure but it was only Cortaca...this was the NCAA playoffs and a team has to get up for that.  Respecting IC as I do, Cortaca was a memory and had no impact on this team.  What happened to IC was Curry, and believe me...Cortland just got a big wake up call.

RT doesnt doubt that IC was focused on the NCAAs but, to a man, you can't tell RT that IC wasn't riding high from knocking off a #1 East ranked Cortland at their dojo then would have a chance for round 2 in the playoffs to get to MUC. Sure Curry was 9-1 but RT feels pretty confident that IC didn't expect this kind of game. RT has been there as a player. It's not like you intentionally look past someone but it's hard not to think about something bigger down the road (like Cortica II)...especially when the NEFC has the perception they've had. RT agrees Cortland has a wake-up call and needs to take this VERY seriously

RT I think Curry is much better than I had thought and feel that from this I need to not judge teams without more thorough insight, research and actually having seen them played during the season of question. Do you think the IC players just bought into the "weak" NEFC talk?

[gobombers15]

I am very surprised more people haven't taken issue with Welch's decision to punt the ball TWICE from Curry's 30 yd line in the 4th qtr. The weather was an issue, but could you picture any D1 team, even the ones with weaker kickers, punting the ball twice in that situation.

I think those were chicken s#it decisions. You PLAY to WIN the GAMES!!!

[theoriginalupstate]

I am very surprised more people haven't taken issue with Welch's decision to punt the ball TWICE from Curry's 30 yd line in the 4th qtr. The weather was an issue, but could you picture any D1 team, even the ones with weaker kickers, punting the ball twice in that situation.

I think it those were chicken s#it decisions. You PLAY to WIN the GAMES!!!

Yeah so far its only been two of us...

[Jonny Utah]

I am very surprised more people haven't taken issue with Welch's decision to punt the ball TWICE from Curry's 30 yd line in the 4th qtr. The weather was an issue, but could you picture any D1 team, even the ones with weaker kickers, punting the ball twice in that situation.

I think it those were chicken s#it decisions. You PLAY to WIN the GAMES!!!

Yeah so far its only been two of us...

Yea I wasn't there I can't comment. 

Seems to me if IC can pin Curry inside the 10 and force them 3 and out and get the ball at the 40 yard line again it might be a good decision.

If they go for it (25%?, 50%? of making it) and lose it, Curry now gets the ball at the 30/40 and IC is not in FG range after one first down.

[Frank Rossi]

I am very surprised more people haven't taken issue with Welch's decision to punt the ball TWICE from Curry's 30 yd line in the 4th qtr. The weather was an issue, but could you picture any D1 team, even the ones with weaker kickers, punting the ball twice in that situation.

I think it those were chicken s#it decisions. You PLAY to WIN the GAMES!!!

Yeah so far its only been two of us...

Bret Page and I were discussing it during our HSU/UMHB broadcast earlier today when I read about it on here -- we both were saying how it makes no sense (with or without snow) since punters can't really control the ball to THAT degree.  Either they'd have to kick it low (and risk a block or just a terrible punt), angle themselves (which takes time and risks a block even more) or try to kick it really high (which really isn't something natural for a kicker to try... my thought is that they'd miss the ball if they tried a different windup than normal to add power).  There was no logical reason to think the punter would benefit.  At least take a couple delay of game penalties if you're going to try it.

[gobombers15]

If you decide on 3rd down that you're going to go for it, that really opens the playbook. You can run, make a high percentage short pass, throw a screen, etc. I just think this situation is a fitting microcosm of what Ithaca has become under Mike Welch in tight games.

We don't have Jeff Feagles, our punter isn't pinning them inside their 5 yd line, Mike.