East Region Fan Poll

[AUPepBand]

Here's Pep's Pre-Season East Region Fan Poll Ballot....(and you need not worry, Pep is NOT one of the pollsters).

1) Hobart - stellar defense
2) Widener - new coach...will high scoring continue?
3) Salisbury - defending two straight E8 titles
4) St. John Fisher - always in the mix
5) Cortland State - comfortable in the NJAC
6) Springfield - Pride rising on back of another outstanding QB
7) Union - will challenge Hobart in LL
8) Trinity (CT) - even though you won't see them in the NCAA playoffs
9) Ithaca - Bombers grounded the Seagulls, were in every game in '12
10) Alfred - couldn't leave out Pep's Saxons!

Okay, now, who is Pep missing and where did he err? Discuss.

[D3MAFAN]

1) Hobart
2) Widener
3) Salisbury
4) Delaware Valley
5) Cortland State
6) Ithaca
7) Rowan
8) Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Albright
9) Alfred
10) Framington State

Other receiving votes.
SJF & Salve Regina

[rams1102]

1.   Hobart - Should only get better.
2.   Salisbury - Well coached team.
3.   Cortland - Well coached, need to replace Pitcher.
4.   Rowan - Should do well and an extremely tough OCS.
5.   Widner - New QB, new coach, the MAAC will be tough.
6.   Fisher - Always a good program.
7.   Del-Val - Should be in the MAAC hunt.
8.   Lycoming - Have been getting better every year.
9.   Framingham - Played well last year, should do as well.
10. Springfield - Agree with Pep.

Others Receiving Votes : Union, Albright, Alfred, B-Port and Ithaca.

I think the East will be really tough this year. The MAAC, E-8, Liberty, and NJAC should be real dog fights and 4-5 good teams should go to the dance. You can't rule out the Brogan and Boyd either. My boys from Montclair are not to be found. As they say, Fairy Tales Can Come True. Boy you gotta hope. 

[mattvsmith]

Nope, Salve shouldn't be ranked this year.

Welcome back, fulbakdad!
I hope you know it's not personal. At this point, it's stock joke along with being HUGE, blazing speed, and it's science.

[fisheralum91]

d3mafan,
Fisher isn't even in your top ten and you have a team Framington? at ten.
Any thoughts?

[D3MAFAN]

d3mafan,
Fisher isn't even in your top ten and you have a team Framington? at ten.
Any thoughts?

Well, the east is very competitive and I think that from what I have as my top 10, it is obviously going to change after week two. However, in my opinion SJF has a lot of question marks that I just can't just solve just yet, maybe its the coaching changes and quarterback questions. I know they have been a dominate force since the early '00s, so not putting them in my top 10 seems a bit unrealistic. However, I like how Framington State has improved over the last couple years and if they can find a way to beat Endicott, there would be no question they should be top 10.

[Bombers798891]

1) Hobart
2) Widener
3) Salisbury
4) Delaware Valley
5) Cortland State
6) Ithaca
7) Rowan
8) Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Albright
9) Alfred
10) Framington State

Ithaca's a bit high for me. I like the QB situation, and I hear they're improved on the lines, but I just don't see how this team scores points. They're losing 97% of the rushing yards and their only reliable wide receiver. And that to me seems like another 6-4ish type season

[D3MAFAN]

1) Hobart
2) Widener
3) Salisbury
4) Delaware Valley
5) Cortland State
6) Ithaca
7) Rowan
8) Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Albright
9) Alfred
10) Framington State

and I hear they're improved on the lines

They do say that's where championships are won.

[AUPepBand]

Finally, some jovial jibber jabber....+K all around for talking East Region pre-season rankings before Summer Solstice!

And, oh yeah, get the fight song ready!

[fisheralum91]

d3mafan,
Fisher isn't even in your top ten and you have a team Framington? at ten.
Any thoughts?

Well, the east is very competitive and I think that from what I have as my top 10, it is obviously going to change after week two. However, in my opinion SJF has a lot of question marks that I just can't just solve just yet, maybe its the coaching changes and quarterback questions. I know they have been a dominate force since the early '00s, so not putting them in my top 10 seems a bit unrealistic. However, I like how Framington State has improved over the last couple years and if they can find a way to beat Endicott, there would be no question they should be top 10.

I know that Fisher has a couple of holes to fill, but are strong in the key positions.  The age old debate on how Kramer should be used is still there, but remember, he was granted the additional year and is back for his final year of eligibility!  Secondary will need to step up, but as a whole I expect big things from this Fisher team!

[D3MAFAN]

d3mafan,
Fisher isn't even in your top ten and you have a team Framington? at ten.
Any thoughts?

Well, the east is very competitive and I think that from what I have as my top 10, it is obviously going to change after week two. However, in my opinion SJF has a lot of question marks that I just can't just solve just yet, maybe its the coaching changes and quarterback questions. I know they have been a dominate force since the early '00s, so not putting them in my top 10 seems a bit unrealistic. However, I like how Framington State has improved over the last couple years and if they can find a way to beat Endicott, there would be no question they should be top 10.

I know that Fisher has a couple of holes to fill, but are strong in the key positions.  The age old debate on how Kramer should be used is still there, but remember, he was granted the additional year and is back for his final year of eligibility!  Secondary will need to step up, but as a whole I expect big things from this Fisher team!

Funny you mentioned Kramer, I was thinking he reminds me Tim Tebow. Kramer is a winner, but as you aforementioned, how to use him? Personally, I think as a coach you should adjust to what talent you have and not force a player(s) into a system that doesn't help the player(s) improve as a whole. If you look at some of the other top programs (i.e. Mount Union & Wesley) they appear to adjust to the skill set of players they currently have.

[fisheralum91]

My personal opinion is unless someone transfers in or comes in as a freshman with Boltus like skills, Kramer gets the ball.
Pure and simple Kramer is a winner. 
Winners want the ball.

[AUPepBand]

Kramer is a winner in Pep's book.

[Bombers798891]

My personal opinion is unless someone transfers in or comes in as a freshman with Boltus Felicetti like skills, Kramer gets the ball.

Fixed that for you 

[AUPepBand]

My personal opinion is unless someone transfers in or comes in as a freshman with Boltus Felicetti Keeley like skills, Kramer gets the ball.

Fixed that for you 

ditto.....oh wait, Keeley DID come into Fisher as a freshman with Keeley-like skills.