East Region Fan Poll

[wally_wabash]

Prior to game 1, Earlham had 38 players on their roster.  Without parsing their boxscores too much, I just think it's possible/probable that Earlham might not be getting everybody's full attention.  I mean, how hard to you have to play on defense when you know you're getting 50 points?

Imagine if Earlham's offense could just magically play with Wabash's defense;

You monster.

[gordonmann]

To be sure, Del Val at the bottom with Earlham at the top is surreal. The Del Valley one is tricky to explain—some of it is fluky, like running into the red zone on the last play of the half, or losing a bunch of yards just inside the red zone vs. just outside to kill a drive. But overall, that's just strange

Del Val's season has so far been one big statistical anomaly.

In addition to being dreadful inside the red zone, they are allowing opponents to convert third downs 41% of the time and their passing offense is basically non-existent. Any guesses on how many passing touchdowns they have this year? I'll give you a hint -- whatever you think it is, it's lower.

With all that said, they are 5-1. They have six guys averaging over 6 yards per carry and they all touch the ball throughout the game. They've had eight rushing touchdowns over 40 yards.

Some of this is the byproduct of player turnover. Last year they had an All-Region Quarterback who was invited to CFL tryouts and an All-American receiver who led the Philadelphia Eagles in receiving yards during the preseason. This year they have 11 new starters on offense. That's not a misprint. Every starter from last year is gone.

Some is a byproduct of the coaching staff adapting to the talent on the roster. They haven't had good quarterback play. They have great depth at running back. So, while the Aggies traditionally love to run five-wide, empty backfield, they have to do something else to succeed.

But some of it is just weirdness. They are a really young team who will win some games they shouldn't and lose some games they shouldn't.

They should probably just change their mascot from a ram to "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

[Jonny Utah]

To be sure, Del Val at the bottom with Earlham at the top is surreal. The Del Valley one is tricky to explain—some of it is fluky, like running into the red zone on the last play of the half, or losing a bunch of yards just inside the red zone vs. just outside to kill a drive. But overall, that's just strange

Del Val's season has so far been one big statistical anomaly.

In addition to being dreadful inside the red zone, they are allowing opponents to convert third downs 41% of the time and their passing offense is basically non-existent. Any guesses on how many passing touchdowns they have this year? I'll give you a hint -- whatever you think it is, it's lower.

With all that said, they are 5-1. They have six guys averaging over 6 yards per carry and they all touch the ball throughout the game. They've had eight rushing touchdowns over 40 yards.

Some of this is the byproduct of player turnover. Last year they had an All-Region Quarterback who was invited to CFL tryouts and an All-American receiver who led the Philadelphia Eagles in receiving yards during the preseason. This year they have 11 new starters on offense. That's not a misprint. Every starter from last year is gone.

Some is a byproduct of the coaching staff adapting to the talent on the roster. They haven't had good quarterback play. They have great depth at running back. So, while the Aggies traditionally love to run five-wide, empty backfield, they have to do something else to succeed.

But some of it is just weirdness. They are a really young team who will win some games they shouldn't and lose some games they shouldn't.

They should probably just change their mascot from a ram to "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

Yea Del Val might be a problem with a system offense (with new players running it).  Teams that run spread (and especially 5 wide), often have trouble in the red zone when there is tight man to man coverage and more pressure from the edges.  If you can't have some sort of power game, you might be in trouble in the redzone.  Like Ithaca (who has a lot of trouble when they try to run out of the pistol with a fullback), maybe Del Val is simply better with a one back offense stretching the field than they are running where it is tight.  Then again, they are 5-1 so they must be doing something right.

As for trying out different things, I agree that does happen, but probably a lot less so on defense than on offense, especially in the endzone where defenses and defensive coaches take pride in shutouts.  You can play hard on defense the whole game and never runup the score (unless the blitz is completely killing an opponents oline), while doing the same on offense will usually look like you are running up the score.

And speaking of Earlham football, check out this football video from their opening game, shot by a drone.  Very weird but I actually kind of like it.  (And it also looks like they run all spread).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RJa3fZnclA

[ExTartanPlayer]

In light of our recent discussion, here's another take on how weird statistical anomalies can emerge sometimes:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/taking-the-nfls-statistical-temperature/

[Jonny Utah]

In light of our recent discussion, here's another take on how weird statistical anomalies can emerge sometimes:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/taking-the-nfls-statistical-temperature/

Good stuff.  Interesting that they looked at points scored per redzone trip rather than %.  Seeing that Earlham scored 12 TDs out of 14 their numbers would still be pretty good I would assume.

[Jonny Utah]

Anomalies aside, I'm going to guess Union doesn't want anything to do with the Steve if they ever met.

[wesleydad]

This is a mess.  Trying to find a second team from the E8 is hard to do.  Round robin wins/losses make each of the 2 loss teams look average.  Ended up with Brockport but did not put them in top 10.  They get a chance to change that this week with Cortland.  Wesley v Rowan and Del Val v Albright and Widener v Stevenson plus several others will likely make it even more messy next week.  or it will solify the top of the list and leave the rest as an afterthought.

[Bartman]

Good luck to the voters in the next few weeks

[Bengalsrule]

This is a mess.  Trying to find a second team from the E8 is hard to do.  Round robin wins/losses make each of the 2 loss teams look average.  Ended up with Brockport but did not put them in top 10.  They get a chance to change that this week with Cortland.  Wesley v Rowan and Del Val v Albright and Widener v Stevenson plus several others will likely make it even more messy next week.  or it will solify the top of the list and leave the rest as an afterthought.

While they may look average vs each other, a 14-2 non conference record (and a #3 conference ranking) means that the E8's better than average teams are beating up on each other. The #3 D1 conference (according to Massey) is Big 12! I doubt anyone would call Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor or  TCU average and yet 2 of the 4 are bound to have at least 2/3 losses and the others at least 1. Good conferences help prepare their teams for the playoffs/bowls. E8 is better than good as far as D3 conferences go and their post bseason berths will hopefully indicate that (IMHO)

This week 6 E8 teams, with 500% or better conference record, face each other. Alfred 2-2 vs Fisher 3-2, Brockport 2-2 vs Cortland 4-1 and Utica 3-2 host my beloved BENGALS 2-2. There undoubtly will be some good teams with 2 possibly 3 losses in conference. I'm hoping for 1 team in particular, but I do appreciate the level of competiton that the E8 affords all of its members. maybe 3 bids for the E8??

Go BENGALS

[Bengalsrule]

Union has thrown 15 interceptions, most in the country

mother****er!

CLASSIC!!! 

[AUPepBand]

This is a mess.  Trying to find a second team from the E8 is hard to do.  Round robin wins/losses make each of the 2 loss teams look average.  Ended up with Brockport but did not put them in top 10.  They get a chance to change that this week with Cortland.  Wesley v Rowan and Del Val v Albright and Widener v Stevenson plus several others will likely make it even more messy next week.  or it will solify the top of the list and leave the rest as an afterthought.

While they may look average vs each other, a 14-2 non conference record (and a #3 conference ranking) means that the E8's better than average teams are beating up on each other. The #3 D1 conference (according to Massey) is Big 12! I doubt anyone would call Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor or  TCU average and yet 2 of the 4 are bound to have at least 2/3 losses and the others at least 1. Good conferences help prepare their teams for the playoffs/bowls. E8 is better than good as far as D3 conferences go and their post bseason berths will hopefully indicate that (IMHO)
                                                                                                                        Alfred State (0-6) at Fisher (3-3)
This week 6 E8 teams, with 500% or better conference record, face each other. Alfred 2-2 vs Fisher 3-2, Brockport 2-2 vs Cortland 4-1 and Utica 3-2 host my beloved BENGALS 2-2. There undoubtly will be some good teams with 2 possibly 3 losses in conference. I'm hoping for 1 team in particular, but I do appreciate the level of competiton that the E8 affords all of its members. maybe 3 bids for the E8??

Go BENGALS

Alfred hosts Hartwick this week.  That's Alfred State that's playing Fisher this week. Which brings me to a pet peeve. Attended the Alfred University football game at SUNY Cortland yesterday (Brrrrrrr!) where I met up with my son and his wife along with my daughter. And, took my grandson and a member of the pep band with me.

Bought my ticket ($6) and entered the gates. Looked at my ticket, stopped, and returned to the gate where I asked for my money back. The ticket read, "Red Dragons vs. Alfred State". Told them that I had traveled two hours to see Alfred University's football team play. The clever individual took my ticket and carefully ripped the "State" off the bottom of the ticket so that it read "Red Dragons vs. Alfred."

Told him, "Gee, thanks, that makes me feel a whole lot better."

But Bengalsrule? Surely you know better.

BTW, was amazed the Saxons turned it over six times at Cortland yesterday (to the Red Dragons one fumble) and were still in a position to win the game. A case of shoulda woulda coulda as one pass was dropped in the end zone in the last minute, while Saxons failed to score when given a 1st-and-goal inside the 5-yard-line with less than 6 minutes remaining. Was a good game, but Pep is thinking with the other results yesterday, the Saxons could have found themselves in first place in this Empire 8 mess!

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bengalsrule]

This is a mess.  Trying to find a second team from the E8 is hard to do.  Round robin wins/losses make each of the 2 loss teams look average.  Ended up with Brockport but did not put them in top 10.  They get a chance to change that this week with Cortland.  Wesley v Rowan and Del Val v Albright and Widener v Stevenson plus several others will likely make it even more messy next week.  or it will solify the top of the list and leave the rest as an afterthought.

While they may look average vs each other, a 14-2 non conference record (and a #3 conference ranking) means that the E8's better than average teams are beating up on each other. The #3 D1 conference (according to Massey) is Big 12! I doubt anyone would call Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor or  TCU average and yet 2 of the 4 are bound to have at least 2/3 losses and the others at least 1. Good conferences help prepare their teams for the playoffs/bowls. E8 is better than good as far as D3 conferences go and their post bseason berths will hopefully indicate that (IMHO)
                                                                                                                        Alfred State (0-6) at Fisher (3-3)
This week 6 E8 teams, with 500% or better conference record, face each other. Alfred 2-2 vs Fisher 3-2, Brockport 2-2 vs Cortland 4-1 and Utica 3-2 host my beloved BENGALS 2-2. There undoubtly will be some good teams with 2 possibly 3 losses in conference. I'm hoping for 1 team in particular, but I do appreciate the level of competiton that the E8 affords all of its members. maybe 3 bids for the E8??

Go BENGALS

Alfred hosts Hartwick this week.  That's Alfred State that's playing Fisher this week. Which brings me to a pet peeve. Attended the Alfred University football game at SUNY Cortland yesterday (Brrrrrrr!) where I met up with my son and his wife along with my daughter. And, took my grandson and a member of the pep band with me.

Bought my ticket ($6) and entered the gates. Looked at my ticket, stopped, and returned to the gate where I asked for my money back. The ticket read, "Red Dragons vs. Alfred State". Told them that I had traveled two hours to see Alfred University's football team play. The clever individual took my ticket and carefully ripped the "State" off the bottom of the ticket so that it read "Red Dragons vs. Alfred."

Told him, "Gee, thanks, that makes me feel a whole lot better."

But Bengalsrule? Surely you know better.

BTW, was amazed the Saxons turned it over six times at Cortland yesterday (to the Red Dragons one fumble) and were still in a position to win the game. A case of shoulda woulda coulda as one pass was dropped in the end zone in the last minute, while Saxons failed to score when given a 1st-and-goal inside the 5-yard-line with less than 6 minutes remaining. Was a good game, but Pep is thinking with the other results yesterday, the Saxons could have found themselves in first place in this Empire 8 mess!

On Saxon Warriors!

oops!!!   Wish I could "tear off" that part of my post. Sorry about that my friend. The Bills game had me sort of down. Thought I'd troll the boards for a minute, and watch the Bills "try" to come back. 

[FranElia]

Alfred hosts Hartwick this week.  That's Alfred State that's playing Fisher this week. Which brings me to a pet peeve. Attended the Alfred University football game at SUNY Cortland yesterday (Brrrrrrr!) where I met up with my son and his wife along with my daughter. And, took my grandson and a member of the pep band with me.

Bought my ticket ($6) and entered the gates. Looked at my ticket, stopped, and returned to the gate where I asked for my money back. The ticket read, "Red Dragons vs. Alfred State". Told them that I had traveled two hours to see Alfred University's football team play. The clever individual took my ticket and carefully ripped the "State" off the bottom of the ticket so that it read "Red Dragons vs. Alfred."

Told him, "Gee, thanks, that makes me feel a whole lot better."

Pep, although I have nothing to do with the printing of tickets, I apologize for the Alfred vs. Alfred State mix-up this weekend. You have to understand, Cortland and Cortland State are the same school here! 

Good luck to the Saxons the rest of the way. You're right, even with six turnovers by Alfred it was anyone's game. This has been a recurring theme in the E8 this year, which has made things fun, but crazy and nerve-wracking. Cortland's last five home games (going back to last year) have resulted in five Red Dragon wins - two on the final play of regulation (TD pass on bad FG snap, Hail Mary pass), two in OT, and then a "boring" game which was decided with an entire 18 seconds left in regulation!

Fran

[lewdogg11]

WNEC finally cracked my top 10 this week.  Oddly enough, before placing the ranking, their win this week was the least impressive of the season for me.  Giving up 35 to Maine Maritime(Even if 21 was in the 4th quarter) is not overly impressive, but Ithaca gave me no choice but to drop them out completely.  Now feeling down on Hobart, Ithaca's W's are getting less and less impressive.  This definitely doesn't mean they will stay there, even with a win.  Wins by RPI, Buff St., or even Ithaca next week could make me put them back into the top 10, but who knows what happens to the top 10 teams this week.  I still think Cortland loses 2-3 more games. 

That said, this is going to get really fun the next few weeks.

[D3MAFAN]

WNEC finally cracked my top 10 this week.  Oddly enough, before placing the ranking, their win this week was the least impressive of the season for me.  Giving up 35 to Maine Maritime(Even if 21 was in the 4th quarter) is not overly impressive, but Ithaca gave me no choice but to drop them out completely.  Now feeling down on Hobart, Ithaca's W's are getting less and less impressive.  This definitely doesn't mean they will stay there, even with a win.  Wins by RPI, Buff St., or even Ithaca next week could make me put them back into the top 10, but who knows what happens to the top 10 teams this week.  I still think Cortland loses 2-3 more games. 

That said, this is going to get really fun the next few weeks.
ove

I agree, I watch a bit of the game and felt that Maine Maritime played at a very high level against WNEC, however WNEC was able to win the game. I think this game will help refocus WNEC going forward. As far as the rest of the East Region, the E 8 is a mess, I can't grasp it, I only have two teams on my ballot, but as you aforementioned, one of those teams can have 2 or 3 more losses by the end of the year. I was impressed with Wesley overall, they continue to dominate. Salisbury continue to score points, however they have to get their defense together, if they want to take that next step, I think the Kean game is going to be interesting for them, potential "upset". Now to the MAC, this is going to be one heck of week with the matchups there.