East Region Fan Poll

[AUPepBand]

Traffic Light Trophy?  I thought it was a four way stop sign?

Oh, no.  It's most definitely a traffic light.

...and Pep is proud of that traffic light. When that was installed back in 1974 (the year of Pep's high school graduation), Pep knew that little Alfred had arrived. 

On Saxon Warriors....to the next traffic light and beyond!

[pg04]

My Stab at predicting the NCAA playoff games involving those teams in "Eastern" conferences. 

Western New England 17
Salisbury 52

With the offense of Salisbury I don't see this being close. 

Norwich 3
Delaware Valley 49

I just don't think Norwich has a chance in hell in this one...

St. John Fisher 24
Johns Hopkins 28

I wanted to give Fisher the win here, but think Hopkins will pull it out in the end. 

And my Upset Special :

Christopher Newport 35
Kean 31

I still have trouble being convinced of Kean now that they've lost to Brockport

And my REAL upset Special:

Wesley 21
Hobart 24

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I think they'll be fired up for this game. Hobart blasted Fisher during the season, and I think that team could show up again.  Wesley is kind of an enigma to me.  I'm not sure if they are actually the team they have been in the past.  They beat Salisbury, but lost to Kean.  I think either way this could come down to the end... ( I hope so!)

Anyway, good luck to all teams this weekend!

[Upstate]

I'll give it a shot as well.

Salisbury 62 - Western New England 10

Salisbury's option is lethal when they get the passing game involved, I don't see WNE stopping either aspect of their option.

Delaware Valley 41 - Norwich 0

DVC is far to athletic for Norwich, I don't think the Cadets sniff the end zone.

Kean 27 - Christopher Newport 20

I see this as a great game that comes down to the final minute and Kean pulling it out in the end.

Wesley 37 - Hobart 20

Wesley has a team speed that Hobart hasn't seen in years.

Johns Hopkins 31 - St. John Fisher 28

Hopkins kicks a FG late to win it.

[pg04]

I'm usually pretty bad at upset picks so going the straight favorites on each is probably the best way to go 

[pg04]

Two of the three gurus on the main page picked Fisher:

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2011/11/18/triple-take-chomping-into-round-1/

[lewdogg11]

I'll give this a whirl...

Wesley 42
Hobart 24
I think Hobart hangs for a half.  I just don't think they have the guns.

Salisbury 70
WNEC 10
WNEC is VERY pumped up in the first half and falls to a large 49-0 halftime deficit.  Once calm, they put up 10 points in the 4th.

Delaware Valley 56
Norwich 0
This could be the most lopsided matchup of them all.  This is still Norwich who lost to St. Lawrence, Hartwick and WNEC this year, and won 4 E8 games in 5 years.

Kean 24
Christopher Newport 21
I think this should be a pretty evenly matched game.  CNU almost beat Salisbury.  Kean seems to beat teams any way they can.  I like Kean's chances but probably the the biggest 50/50 game out there.

St. John Fisher 35
Johnnie Hopkins 31
I guess this is another 50/50 game.  I think Hopkins is probably better than i'm giving them credit for, but I don't think they have faced a team as tough as Fisher and Fisher has nothing to lose, so I think they come out ready to smash faces.

[SJFF82]

My Stab at predicting the NCAA playoff games involving those teams in "Eastern" conferences. 

Western New England 17
Salisbury 52

With the offense of Salisbury I don't see this being close. 

Norwich 3
Delaware Valley 49

I just don't think Norwich has a chance in hell in this one...

St. John Fisher 24
Johns Hopkins 28

I wanted to give Fisher the win here, but think Hopkins will pull it out in the end. 

And my Upset Special :

Christopher Newport 35
Kean 31

I still have trouble being convinced of Kean now that they've lost to Brockport

And my REAL upset Special:

Wesley 21
Hobart 24

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I think they'll be fired up for this game. Hobart blasted Fisher during the season, and I think that team could show up again.  Wesley is kind of an enigma to me.  I'm not sure if they are actually the team they have been in the past.  They beat Salisbury, but lost to Kean.  I think either way this could come down to the end... ( I hope so!)

Anyway, good luck to all teams this weekend!

good picks....i like 'em, except for the obvious, though I cannot disagree...even though I do   

[SJFF82]

SJF 27  Hopkins 26

Hobart 25 Wesley 24

Kean 31 Newport 30

DVC 99 Norwich 2

Salisbury 81  WNEC 4

....AND YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK....

[fisheralum91]

I am not usually this optimistic about Fisher this year, but I have a good feeling about this game.
Their size and physicality should be a key factor in winning this game.

[thewaterboy]

Wesley 21
Hobart 24

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I think they'll be fired up for this game. Hobart blasted Fisher during the season, and I think that team could show up again.  Wesley is kind of an enigma to me.  I'm not sure if they are actually the team they have been in the past.  They beat Salisbury, but lost to Kean.  I think either way this could come down to the end... ( I hope so!)

The Wesley that lost to Kean and the Wesley that rolled at the end of the season are completely different teams. They have come together since then and are really playing the best ball i have seen them play all season. Wesley will be plenty fired up for this game as well. They have been since the Walsh game. They want to keep winning for Ben Knapp. Pumped up for Saturday though. Best of luck.

[SJFF82]

I am not usually this optimistic about Fisher this year, but I have a good feeling about this game.
Their size and physicality should be a key factor in winning this game.

the last time SJF played a team from this conference in the play-offs was MUHLENBERG IN 2004...they came in with like the #1 statistical rushing defense in the nation and we squashed them physically....now we face a great statistical offense from this conference....hope for the same outcome....

[SU Backer]

 Ok-been lurking the E8 boards all year, 1st post this season. I have been following Salisbury football for almost all of Coach Wood's tenure (the last 9 years or so at least, my son played for them '04-'07, was a 4 year starter as a D-lineman), so I know them very well. I saw every home and away game in that time and many games before and since, both home and away. First, SU- I beleive this is the best team since the '04 team that went 10-0 in the regular season (including the last time they beat Wesley). However, I hope that this team isn't reading what you all are posting, or starting to believe their own press. In '04 they did just that, and lost in the 1st round to a lesser (IMHO) opponent in Christopher Newport. I have seen SU in person 3 times this year and have watched tape on WNEC and I don't think SU is 70 points better than they are. Yes, they are better and they should win convincingly, but they must stay focused and avoid turnovers-always their undoing in the playoffs. I think SU wins 42-17 and hope that you all are right in predicting a larger margin of victory. I will be there with my son cheering them on for sure!
Lastly do NOT underestimate Wesley-I've seen them and they are the real deal and (IMHO) will whip Hobart handily. Go GULLS!

[lewdogg11]

Ok-been lurking the E8 boards all year, 1st post this season. I have been following Salisbury football for almost all of Coach Wood's tenure (the last 9 years or so at least, my son played for them '04-'07, was a 4 year starter as a D-lineman), so I know them very well. I saw every home and away game in that time and many games before and since, both home and away. First, SU- I beleive this is the best team since the '04 team that went 10-0 in the regular season (including the last time they beat Wesley). However, I hope that this team isn't reading what you all are posting, or starting to believe their own press. In '04 they did just that, and lost in the 1st round to a lesser (IMHO) opponent in Christopher Newport. I have seen SU in person 3 times this year and have watched tape on WNEC and I don't think SU is 70 points better than they are. Yes, they are better and they should win convincingly, but they must stay focused and avoid turnovers-always their undoing in the playoffs. I think SU wins 42-17 and hope that you all are right in predicting a larger margin of victory. I will be there with my son cheering them on for sure!
Lastly do NOT underestimate Wesley-I've seen them and they are the real deal and (IMHO) will whip Hobart handily. Go GULLS!

I don't think anyone underestimates Wesley.  Just some positive thinkers for Hobart's cause.


Regarding WNEC, they probably look half decent on film.  As a typical NEFC team, they will have some athletic kids.  They have a lot of ability and mostly execute pretty well.  They look that much better on film because the teams they play are not as good. 

When they match up against Salisbury, or pretty much any playoff teams outside of Norwich, they will be smaller and slower and over their head.  Athletically, these NEFC teams can usually compete.  They just can't run, hit, or withstand 4 full quarters with the more rounded/battle-tested teams.  If Salisbury plays well, i think they will win by 7-10 TDs.

[SUADC]

Ok-been lurking the E8 boards all year, 1st post this season. I have been following Salisbury football for almost all of Coach Wood's tenure (the last 9 years or so at least, my son played for them '04-'07, was a 4 year starter as a D-lineman), so I know them very well. I saw every home and away game in that time and many games before and since, both home and away. First, SU- I beleive this is the best team since the '04 team that went 10-0 in the regular season (including the last time they beat Wesley). However, I hope that this team isn't reading what you all are posting, or starting to believe their own press. In '04 they did just that, and lost in the 1st round to a lesser (IMHO) opponent in Christopher Newport. I have seen SU in person 3 times this year and have watched tape on WNEC and I don't think SU is 70 points better than they are. Yes, they are better and they should win convincingly, but they must stay focused and avoid turnovers-always their undoing in the playoffs. I think SU wins 42-17 and hope that you all are right in predicting a larger margin of victory. I will be there with my son cheering them on for sure!
Lastly do NOT underestimate Wesley-I've seen them and they are the real deal and (IMHO) will whip Hobart handily. Go GULLS!

Agree 100% with your post. I also played for Salisbury University (06-09) and was a four year starter. Your son wouldn't be Joe? If so, he was an amazing talent that Salisbury was fortunate to have (Have not seen anyone in comparison since). If not, it is good to see another Salisbury University follower on here. They are playing great this year and I know from experience that we have loss or gave up to many points to so called (IMHO) lesser competition. I hope the best for both teams this upcoming weekend. However, to be a realist, Salisbury can and should beat them by 30+ points.

[SU Backer]

  Thanks for the kind words....(yes Joe G is my son. he is now a Firefighter in the US Air Force stationed at Andrews AFB)...If (just don't like to say when!) SU gets to the 2nd round I then think it will then be "game on" for the guys and they will go all the way to Whitewater, where unfortunately their ride will end.  But this has been a great year! Go GULLS!