East Region Fan Poll

[unionpalooza]

OK, so you all are way better at this then me, but trying to begin to think through what the NCAA's East field looks like.  I'm assuming the ECFC hangs on to its autobid in this transitional year, and the East autobids look like (in rough but by no means precise ranking based on what we know now):

1. Salisbury (NJAC)
2. Union (LL)
3. Brockport (E8)
4. WNE (CCC)
5. MIT/WPI (latter takes title if Springfield beats MIT)
6. Framingham/Bridgewater St. Winner (MASCAC)
7. Dean (ECFC)

The two realistic Pool C contenders are a one-loss Wesley team and a one-loss winner of Ithaca-Cortland.  Assuming a crowded Pool C field as always, and only one makes the cut, who takes it?  Wesley has the benefit a win over RR and playoff team Del Val; the Cortaca winner will (by necessity) only have a win over a maybe-still-RR but out of the playoffs team.  I'd think Wesley would get the nod there.

Of course, always possible that the Cortaca winner matches favorably with a 1-loss Pool C contender in the South like Wilkes or Susq.  (I don't know enough to take a guess at the number/strength of North and West Pool C contenders, though assume there are plenty.  North Central, JCU or BW on the North, MIAC/ARC/SCIAC/WIAC runner-ups in West, etc. And of course, some other potential contenders out of the South.)

[Jonny Utah]

OK, so you all are way better at this then me, but trying to begin to think through what the NCAA's East field looks like.  I'm assuming the ECFC hangs on to its autobid in this transitional year, and the East autobids look like (in rough but by no means precise ranking based on what we know now):

1. Salisbury (NJAC)
2. Union (LL)
3. Brockport (E8)
4. WNE (CCC)
5. MIT/WPI (latter takes title if Springfield beats MIT)
6. Framingham/Bridgewater St. Winner (MASCAC)
7. Dean (ECFC)

The two realistic Pool C contenders are a one-loss Wesley team and a one-loss winner of Ithaca-Cortland.  Assuming a crowded Pool C field as always, and only one makes the cut, who takes it?  Wesley has the benefit a win over RR and playoff team Del Val; the Cortaca winner will (by necessity) only have a win over a maybe-still-RR but out of the playoffs team.  I'd think Wesley would get the nod there.

Of course, always possible that the Cortaca winner matches favorably with a 1-loss Pool C contender in the South like Wilkes or Susq.  (I don't know enough to take a guess at the number/strength of North and West Pool C contenders, though assume there are plenty.  North Central, JCU or BW on the North, MIAC/ARC/SCIAC/WIAC runner-ups in West, etc. And of course, some other potential contenders out of the South.)

I don't think Dean can get the auto bid but the other teams in that league can.

[ITH radio]

SUNY M got the Pool A yesterday. Dean can play in a NE bowl as the ECFC champs but is ineligible for the Ncaas. Privateers likely go to Alliance.

[Bartman]

I have the first nine teams set for my vote, but the tenth is a tough one this week, so I am putting in Middlebury at 8-0.As far as the order, I find it easy to rank the LL and E8 teams because of some of the common games. Although I am ranking Brockport and Cortland above Hobart because they are 1 loss teams and Hobart is a 2 loss team,  even though Hobart did beat BPort 33-7 and Brockport beat Cortland, so I am not sure this traditional logic should apply. The MAC, specifically DelVal and the NJAC with Salisbury and Wesley are hard for me because I saw Hobart beat MSU 17-3 and Salisbury and Wesley barely escaped with 3 point wins against MSU, although Salisbury beating a 5-2 WIAC team is a very credible out of region win. Bottom line is , I am moving Union up to #1, keeping Salisbury at #2 and  moving Ithaca to #3.....after that I am pretty much sticking with 1 loss over 2 loss although  I am ranking Hobart at 8 and entering WNE as No.9.

[Ice Bear]

I have the first nine teams set for my vote, but the tenth is a tough one this week, so I am putting in Middlebury at 8-0.As far as the order, I find it easy to rank the LL and E8 teams because of some of the common games. Although I am ranking Brockport and Cortland above Hobart because they are 1 loss teams and Hobart is a 2 loss team,  even though Hobart did beat BPort 33-7 and Brockport beat Cortland, so I am not sure this traditional logic should apply. The MAC, specifically DelVal and the NJAC with Salisbury and Wesley are hard for me because I saw Hobart beat MSU 17-3 and Salisbury and Wesley barely escaped with 3 point wins against MSU, although Salisbury beating a 5-2 WIAC team is a very credible out of region win. Bottom line is , I am moving Union up to #1, keeping Salisbury at #2 and  moving Ithaca to #3.....after that I am pretty much sticking with 1 loss over 2 loss although  I am ranking Hobart at 8 and entering WNE as No.9.

Ice also added the Golden Bears to his ERFP this week. Ice has'um at #10. Ice just can't bring himself to rank any NESCAC teams. Not because he doesn't believe they "could" be in the top 10 but because there is not one iota of evidence to support it. He gets it though Manbart and is coo wit it.

[MRMIKESMITH]

SUNY M got the Pool A yesterday. Dean can play in a NE bowl as the ECFC champs but is ineligible for the Ncaas. Privateers likely go to Alliance.

I wish they'd send a North team to Alliance until round 3, so people can't complain about Mount Union route in the playoffs. Also, it some really good football teams in the East this year.

[MRMIKESMITH]

I have the first nine teams set for my vote, but the tenth is a tough one this week, so I am putting in Middlebury at 8-0.As far as the order, I find it easy to rank the LL and E8 teams because of some of the common games. Although I am ranking Brockport and Cortland above Hobart because they are 1 loss teams and Hobart is a 2 loss team,  even though Hobart did beat BPort 33-7 and Brockport beat Cortland, so I am not sure this traditional logic should apply. The MAC, specifically DelVal and the NJAC with Salisbury and Wesley are hard for me because I saw Hobart beat MSU 17-3 and Salisbury and Wesley barely escaped with 3 point wins against MSU, although Salisbury beating a 5-2 WIAC team is a very credible out of region win. Bottom line is , I am moving Union up to #1, keeping Salisbury at #2 and  moving Ithaca to #3.....after that I am pretty much sticking with 1 loss over 2 loss although  I am ranking Hobart at 8 and entering WNE as No.9.

Ice also added the Golden Bears to his ERFP this week. Ice has'um at #10. Ice just can't bring himself to rank any NESCAC teams. Not because he doesn't believe they "could" be in the top 10 but because there is not one iota of evidence to support it. He gets it though Manbart and is coo wit it.

I have a few colleagues that played NESCAC football and they indicated that they would have loved to play outside of the league even if it was one game, but understood when going to their respective schools, they knew what they were getting into. Without actually watching a game live, I can't add a NESCAC team. Regarding my Top 10, I can't argue with anyone having Union #1 and jumping Salisbury, especially when comparing the Hobart game against Montclair and Salisbury game vs. Montclair. I actually watch both games and felt that although the score differential was is in favor of Hobart in comparison to both Salisbury and Wesley, I think Montclair played very well against Hobart with the exception of those Red Zone woes, again kudos to Hobart. Nevertheless, I think familiarity played apart in Salisbury vs. Montclair game. Moreover, what about the Rowan game, Salisbury dominated Rowan much more than Hobart did. Again, I wouldn't have any problem with Union and Ithaca being ahead of them. I just know there is some good football being played in the East. May not be Top 4 ish football, but some good football.

[MRMIKESMITH]

My projected East Region Rankings:
1. Salisbury (#7) (7-0) (1-0) (.509)
2. Union (#14) (8-0)(2-0) (.487)
3. Brockport (ORV) (7-1)(1-1) (.539)
4. Western New England (NR) (7-0)(0-0) (.532)
5. Wesley  (#12) (7-1)(1-1) (.577)
6. Delaware Valley (#13) (8-1)(0-1) (.536)
7. Ithaca (#17) (7-1)(0-1) (.520)
8. Cortland (ORV) (7-1)(0-1) (.504)
9. Hobart (NR) (6-2)(0-2) (.623)
10. Framingham State (6-2)(0-1)(.586)

[Ithaca798891]

My projected East Region Rankings:
1. Salisbury (#7)
2. Union (#14)
3. Ithaca (#17)
4. Wesley  (#12)
5. Brockport (ORV)
6. Cortland (ORV)
7. Delaware Valley (#13)
8. Western New England (NR)
9. Hobart (NR)
10. Stevenson (NR)

Can't see IC ahead of a Wesley with a Del Valley win. Or Cortland ahead of Del Valley. This would be a fantastic situation for IC. Would stay ahead of Wesley and could have 2-1 RR. Hobart's win over Port looking huge for IC.

[MRMIKESMITH]

My projected East Region Rankings:
1. Salisbury (#7)
2. Union (#14)
3. Ithaca (#17)
4. Wesley  (#12)
5. Brockport (ORV)
6. Cortland (ORV)
7. Delaware Valley (#13)
8. Western New England (NR)
9. Hobart (NR)
10. Stevenson (NR)

Can't see IC ahead of a Wesley with a Del Valley win. Or Cortland ahead of Del Valley. This would be a fantastic situation for IC. Would stay ahead of Wesley and could have 2-1 RR. Hobart's win over Port looking huge for IC.

Updated after looking at it in more depth.

[UfanBill]

ERFP wk.9

1)   Salisbury....still ahead of the rest, should go 10-0 
2)   Union.........2nd best and closing, still have 2 tough games that don't matter much
3)   Ithaca........Joe G is the real deal but they needed more
4)   Del. Val......even though they lost to #6 I thought they were the better team
5)   Brockport..got to give them credit, back in the dance?
6)   Wesley......too many close wins to be higher
7)   Cortland....had it until they didn't, Cortaca tickets anyone?
8)   WNE.........huge win for a very solid program
9)   Hobart......stay in the post season picture
10) Stevenson..proving to be the real MAC #2

[Bartman]

I can see ranking Salisbury No.1 , and  the WIAC win may be the tie breaker over Union. What I don't see is the D3.com poll that ranks Wesley and Delaware Valley over an undefeated Union after ranking Ithaca No.8 the week before.....of course the reason is you never move from no.20 to the top 10. Having watched Wesley and DelVal online, I think they are very good teams, but I don't think they could have done what Union did on Saturday against Ithaca. In any case, we have some great teams in the East this year, I just think the LL is having a special year. If Ithaca wins out, I would think they would be a PoolC , but based on the National poll voters opinions, my judgement may be too LL biased and the spot will go to Wesley. The Regional rankings will be interesting this week.

[Ithaca798891]

ERFP wk.9

1)   Salisbury....still ahead of the rest, should go 10-0 
2)   Union.........2nd best and closing, still have 2 tough games that don't matter much
3)   Ithaca........Joe G is the real deal but they needed more
4)   Del. Val......even though they lost to #6 I thought they were the better team
5)   Brockport..got to give them credit, back in the dance?
6)   Wesley......too many close wins to be higher
7)   Cortland....had it until they didn't, Cortaca tickets anyone?
8)   WNE.........huge win for a very solid program
9)   Hobart......stay in the post season picture
10) Stevenson..proving to be the real MAC #2

As much as I'd love this to be the actual ranking, I just don't see Wesley being behind a Del Valley team they beat on the road. Close calls and all. I also can't see IC at three

Hobart really holds the key to a 2-bid LL. The Statesmen pretty much have to be in the rankings to give IC that second win. (And that's assuming Cortland stays put if they lose to IC. Suddenly, that doesn't look so set in stone either)

[Oline89]

ERFP wk.9

1)   Salisbury....still ahead of the rest, should go 10-0 
2)   Union.........2nd best and closing, still have 2 tough games that don't matter much
3)   Ithaca........Joe G is the real deal but they needed more
4)   Del. Val......even though they lost to #6 I thought they were the better team
5)   Brockport..got to give them credit, back in the dance?
6)   Wesley......too many close wins to be higher
7)   Cortland....had it until they didn't, Cortaca tickets anyone?
8)   WNE.........huge win for a very solid program
9)   Hobart......stay in the post season picture
10) Stevenson..proving to be the real MAC #2

As much as I'd love this to be the actual ranking, I just don't see Wesley being behind a Del Valley team they beat on the road. Close calls and all. I also can't see IC at three

Hobart really holds the key to a 2-bid LL. The Statesmen pretty much have to be in the rankings to give IC that second win. (And that's assuming Cortland stays put if they lose to IC. Suddenly, that doesn't look so set in stone either)

I guess it comes down to how much Hobart's win against Montclair factors into the rankings. Montclair ends the season at 6-4, and Hobart ends at 8-2. 

[Oline89]

I can see ranking Salisbury No.1 , and  the WIAC win may be the tie breaker over Union. What I don't see is the D3.com poll that ranks Wesley and Delaware Valley over an undefeated Union after ranking Ithaca No.8 the week before.....of course the reason is you never move from no.20 to the top 10. Having watched Wesley and DelVal online, I think they are very good teams, but I don't think they could have done what Union did on Saturday against Ithaca. In any case, we have some great teams in the East this year, I just think the LL is having a special year. If Ithaca wins out, I would think they would be a PoolC , but based on the National poll voters opinions, my judgement may be too LL biased and the spot will go to Wesley. The Regional rankings will be interesting this week.

In the National poll, how can Johns Hopkins possibly be still receiving votes?  They have 3 losses and tied with Dickinson in their league!