East Region Fan Poll

[Bombers798891]

and I actually thought that we would stop hearing this someday...I mean, respectfully, can we chalk IC's success in 798891 to the glaciers that formed the beautiful panoramic views in Ithaca....of course the facilities matter....but what is your point?

I know nobody wants to hear this from me, but Fisher was a decent program at one time before they were a doormat in the late '90's and early '00's.  In 1995, with a **** hole field, barely stands and barely a scoreboard (not to mention the so-called training facilities), we started the season 6-0 and were ranked 4th in the East region and in line for a play-off bid...back when a coaches poll determined the top 4 from each region and 16 total went to the NCAA.  We finished 7-3, losing to then powerhouses RPI and Buff State in very competitive games.  In fact we were just slightly better than .500 in my four years from 92-95.  

Vosburgh was the coach and was building the groundwork for what we have today.

So its not just the Bills....Vosburgh kinda knows what he's doing.

Vos is a great coach, but you can't win a horse race with out a horse...

The coaches were given everything they needed to build a better program and they ran with it...

I came there in 97 on a visit and despite the great staff there I wanted nothing to do with the program because of their facilities.  A couple years later it was a completely different mentality and atmosphere surrounding the program...

Even the AD says the Bills and the facilities are a huge reason for the improvement...

I don't see why some can't agree with that...

re-read my post..."of course facilities matter"

As far as your glaciers point, if the college had a national title in the ice age, you could argue that. 

sure seems it was that long ago...

Nah, it only feels that way because most Fisher fans ignore the fact that there was college football played before 2004 

[dewcrew88]

For Full Disclosure, I'm the 10th voter... and I guess I Pushed Utica up 2 spots from the one with 9 posters lol.  I have them in 6th.  As people have said prior, there could be a lot of switching around to be done in the next few weeks. 

I think Utica is too high (I do not have them ranked).  Time will tell though...hey, look how having Union #1 to start the year turned out.  If they beat Fisher this weekend...which in my opinion would be a miracle of EPIC proportions...you can bank on them being ranked #5 next week in my EFRP.

They could definitely be too high, and it was hard for me to figure where to place them, but I do definitely think they have a chance to win this weekend. 

It's all good...this was a tough week...lot of one loss teams who have happened to lost to each other.  I tried to keep some parity with the mix.  Top 5 was pretty easy, and is pretty much universal.  I have the following ranked from 6 - 10:

- #6 Rowan (only loss to my #2 Montclair State, and a 7 point win over my #7 Lycoming)
- #7 Lycoming (with a win over my #8 Ithaca)
- #8 Ithaca (with a win over my #9 Union)
- #9 Union (only loss to my #8 Ithaca)
- #10 Springfield (only loss to my #4 Alfred)

I just cannot get on the Utica bangwagon...yet.  I watched the whole Wilkes game...and I wasn't impressed at all.  I don't think they would beat a single team in my Top 10 right now, not playing the way they did against Wilkes.  Their signature win is over an RPI team who will probably finish 3-6.  I would be floored if they stay with Fisher (my #1 team).  Fisher just looks ridiculously strong this year, and I just get the feeling they are going to throttle teams until they get deep in the playoffs.  Now...if Utica pulls of a stunning upset...then things get interesting...

They need to be perfect on offense. No mistakes. No penalties.

[dewcrew88]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

[Yanks 99]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

[AUPepBand]

and I actually thought that we would stop hearing this someday...I mean, respectfully, can we chalk IC's success in 798891 to the glaciers that formed the beautiful panoramic views in Ithaca....of course the facilities matter....but what is your point?

I know nobody wants to hear this from me, but Fisher was a decent program at one time before they were a doormat in the late '90's and early '00's.  In 1995, with a **** hole field, barely stands and barely a scoreboard (not to mention the so-called training facilities), we started the season 6-0 and were ranked 4th in the East region and in line for a play-off bid...back when a coaches poll determined the top 4 from each region and 16 total went to the NCAA.  We finished 7-3, losing to then powerhouses RPI and Buff State in very competitive games.  In fact we were just slightly better than .500 in my four years from 92-95.  

Vosburgh was the coach and was building the groundwork for what we have today.

So its not just the Bills....Vosburgh kinda knows what he's doing.

How many of those 1995 wins had to be forfeited because of an ineligible player?

[SJFF82]

and I actually thought that we would stop hearing this someday...I mean, respectfully, can we chalk IC's success in 798891 to the glaciers that formed the beautiful panoramic views in Ithaca....of course the facilities matter....but what is your point?

I know nobody wants to hear this from me, but Fisher was a decent program at one time before they were a doormat in the late '90's and early '00's.  In 1995, with a **** hole field, barely stands and barely a scoreboard (not to mention the so-called training facilities), we started the season 6-0 and were ranked 4th in the East region and in line for a play-off bid...back when a coaches poll determined the top 4 from each region and 16 total went to the NCAA.  We finished 7-3, losing to then powerhouses RPI and Buff State in very competitive games.  In fact we were just slightly better than .500 in my four years from 92-95.  

Vosburgh was the coach and was building the groundwork for what we have today.

So its not just the Bills....Vosburgh kinda knows what he's doing.

How many of those 1995 wins had to be forfeited because of an ineligible player?

just the one we beat AU 52-35...

[Frank Rossi]

and I actually thought that we would stop hearing this someday...I mean, respectfully, can we chalk IC's success in 798891 to the glaciers that formed the beautiful panoramic views in Ithaca....of course the facilities matter....but what is your point?

I know nobody wants to hear this from me, but Fisher was a decent program at one time before they were a doormat in the late '90's and early '00's.  In 1995, with a **** hole field, barely stands and barely a scoreboard (not to mention the so-called training facilities), we started the season 6-0 and were ranked 4th in the East region and in line for a play-off bid...back when a coaches poll determined the top 4 from each region and 16 total went to the NCAA.  We finished 7-3, losing to then powerhouses RPI and Buff State in very competitive games.  In fact we were just slightly better than .500 in my four years from 92-95.  

Vosburgh was the coach and was building the groundwork for what we have today.

So its not just the Bills....Vosburgh kinda knows what he's doing.

How many of those 1995 wins had to be forfeited because of an ineligible player?

What, to me, distinguishes Vosburgh and the SJF program as being a good/great program, has little to do with the mid-'90s.  What I look at is the 2000-2010 goings on.  This is a team that has never been really afraid to face tougher opponents in its non-conference schedule, even when Pool A/C issues may have changed many schools' approaches to such scheduling.  I really think the belief is (as Coach Vos said on "In the HuddLLe" a couple weekends back) you have to play the tough teams to become better.

The facilities have helped the program, sure.  However, it is still necessary to recruit the top-level players, get those players to play up to their potential and create an impetus for the local and alumni crowd to support the team.  I've seen no other program in the East nearly perfect those three things as well as SJF has in the past decade -- and this is coming from what you guys tend to refer as "a Liberty League guy."

Sure, every team has the capability to shock the conference in any given year.  On the other end, any good team has the capability to be upset in a couple games and, thus, not finish with a 9-1/8-1 record every year.  Yet, it's consistency that matters -- and in the 2000s, SJF consistently got better and has maintained that better level of play since the semifinals appearance.  I don't see how anyone can try to tear apart the job Vosburgh has done turning his team into a national-caliber contender on an annual basis.

When we interviewed Union tailback Chris Coney last weekend, he brought up how Coach John Audino convinced him to pick Union based on Audino's dedication to "the win."  That still trumps facilities in a lot of players' minds as they get recruited.  The facilities are indeed prime at SJF, but I think it's a chicken-and-egg question about whether the dedication to bring the program to the consistency led to the facilities or vice-versa.  I think the dedication on the part of Vos, his staff and, in turn, his school's administration has led to the program's success before the facilities.

I've watched Fisher for a while, and I've never NOT been impressed with the entire program.

[AUPepBand]

and I actually thought that we would stop hearing this someday...I mean, respectfully, can we chalk IC's success in 798891 to the glaciers that formed the beautiful panoramic views in Ithaca....of course the facilities matter....but what is your point?

I know nobody wants to hear this from me, but Fisher was a decent program at one time before they were a doormat in the late '90's and early '00's.  In 1995, with a **** hole field, barely stands and barely a scoreboard (not to mention the so-called training facilities), we started the season 6-0 and were ranked 4th in the East region and in line for a play-off bid...back when a coaches poll determined the top 4 from each region and 16 total went to the NCAA.  We finished 7-3, losing to then powerhouses RPI and Buff State in very competitive games.  In fact we were just slightly better than .500 in my four years from 92-95.  

Vosburgh was the coach and was building the groundwork for what we have today.

So its not just the Bills....Vosburgh kinda knows what he's doing.

How many of those 1995 wins had to be forfeited because of an ineligible player?

just the one we beat AU 52-35...

Pep was there...and even the visitor bleachers at Growney were a step up from that field...

[dewcrew88]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

absolutely. I just think that they will catch up to Fisher sooner rather than later.

[Jonny Utah]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

absolutely. I just think that they will catch up to Fisher sooner rather than later.

Why do you say that Dewcrew though.  Are they getting a better recruiting classes now?  Giving more financial aid?  You just think Coach Fagg is going to do it?  The school has better facilities?

[Yanks 99]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

absolutely. I just think that they will catch up to Fisher sooner rather than later.

Why do you say that Dewcrew though.  Are they getting a better recruiting classes now?  Giving more financial aid?  You just think Coach Fagg is going to do it?  The school has better facilities?

If you put "sooner" as the next 20 years as opposed to "later" as the next 50 years...then yes, sooner fits.  Let's let Utica get a win, just one win, over a quality team within the league before talking about catching up with the best team in the league over the past decade. 

[Bombers798891]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

absolutely. I just think that they will catch up to Fisher sooner rather than later.

Define "catch up"

Beat? Have a better record than? Higher ranking? And are we talking about how the Wick "caught" everyone in 2007 by putting together one good season? How Springfield alternates good with bad? Or how Fisher caught--and passed--IC?

[theoriginalupstate]

My "catch" was referring to UC beating SJF, I don't know if they can get the continued success w/o some sort of eye candy on campus (like SJF's facilities/Bills).  However with the familiarity between coaching staffs and Faggiano's ability to recruit I think they'll beat SJF within a couple years.

I don't think it happens this SatErday because SJF is too strong this year, but next year could be open for debate considering all of the losses in personnel SJF will have.

[AUKaz00]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

absolutely. I just think that they will catch up to Fisher sooner rather than later.

Define "catch up"

Beat? Have a better record than? Higher ranking? And are we talking about how the Wick "caught" everyone in 2007 by putting together one good season? How Springfield alternates good with bad? Or how Fisher caught--and passed--IC?

I think he means running down Fisher players after long plays and tackling them inside the 5 rather than letting them into the end zone untouched.

[Yanks 99]

82, if Ithaca doesn't get their run game on track they're going to drop a couple more.  I wouldn't be surprised if UC took out IC this year.  It's going to happen eventually and with the injuries and inconsistencies on the IC squad this may be the year.

I gotcha....I have posted this year that Utica looks strong, so they are on 'my' radar....I just cant imagine that a school in Utica, NY, virtually unheard of (sorry FA91) may apparently be out-recruiting Ithaca and all its tradition (i mean that seriously and as a compliment to Ithaca). 

If it is true as you predict....and we chalk it up to Faggiano's coaching and recruiting skills....then it is only logical that they will also catch Fisher in the near future.  Utica will be to Fisher what Fisher was to Ithaca, when out of know where Fisher 'Caught' them. 

It's just a matter of time before UC catches SJF.

Not many truer words have been spoken on these boards.

Great ATE piece...though I think Utica has light years to go before they are in SJF category.  Not when your conference record over the past 8 years is 8-35...with 4 of those wins over Norwich, and never having beat Ithaca, Fisher, or Alfred.  I mean...you have to get at least ONE win against one of those 3 teams before there is talk about "turning the corner"...

absolutely. I just think that they will catch up to Fisher sooner rather than later.

Define "catch up"

Beat? Have a better record than? Higher ranking? And are we talking about how the Wick "caught" everyone in 2007 by putting together one good season? How Springfield alternates good with bad? Or how Fisher caught--and passed--IC?

I think he means running down Fisher players after long plays and tackling them inside the 5 rather than letting them into the end zone untouched.

Let's face it...someday, Utica is going to in fact beat Fisher, Ithaca, and Alfred.  I mean...if they play every year for 50 years they would almost have to statistically speaking. 

Like I have said...maybe Utica pulls of a massive, even epic, upset this weekend.  And make no mistake...this would be an incredible upset.  But I just can't get on the "Utica has turned the corner" bandwagon...not yet.  Are they moving in the right direction?  No question.  But when you still haven't beaten 60% of the teams you play in your league even one time...you may want to pull back the reigns a little bit before announcing your arrival...