ECACs

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Looks like the declared list has changed again, with Castleton added to the list again... With head to head losses to two other declared teams from their conference (Becker and Husson) it's probably irrelevant anyways.

The list looks incorrect, as we know WPI filed Monday -- why would they have withdrawn?  Why would Stevenson reappear when they'll be in the MAC/CC Bowls?  Something again went wrong in terms of a clerical error here.

Is there even an option for a MAC/CC team to choose between the MAC/CC Challenge and the ECAC bowl?

I'm pretty sure that if the MAC and CC decided to team up to play bowl games... it was because the ECAC was no longer a viable option, so thus... it's these games and no ECAC games. If anyone didn't want to participate in the MAC/CC bowl games, then the deal would have fallen through. Furthermore, I doubt we have seen the third (fourth)-remaining team in either conference ever play in an ECAC bowl game - or have good enough criteria to even qualify.

[pg04]

The games for the ECAC bowls are listed here:

http://www.ecacsports.com/ECACD3FBFEST/ECAC_Announces_Participants_for_ECACD3FBFEST

RPI vs. Buffalo State looks interesting. Other than that, meh.

[jknezek]

Be interesting to see how CMU does sitting on a bus for 10 hours (including stops and traffic). 462 miles across that section of the country can take a long time...

[pg04]

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing just doesn't make some of these teams arrange other post season alliances like the MAC and NJAC.

[jknezek]

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing just doesn't make some of these teams arrange other post season alliances like the MAC and NJAC.

MAC and CC. And yes, I'm surprised a bunch of conferences don't pair up for that kind of thing. I can only assume budgets get in the way. But I'd love it if the ODAC and USASAC or ODAC and SAA did it (though some of those trips could be long). We always get plenty of early season ODAC/USASAC games, but they rarely match teams that finish in like positions in the conference.

[pg04]

Oh yeah, the NJAC and MAC had a regular season slate of games, I mixed them up. I'd love for the E8 and NJAC form something post-season.

[ExTartanPlayer]

The games for the ECAC bowls are listed here:

http://www.ecacsports.com/ECACD3FBFEST/ECAC_Announces_Participants_for_ECACD3FBFEST

RPI vs. Buffalo State looks interesting. Other than that, meh.

Ha, understandable if that's your reaction.  I've always been a bit more enthused about the chance for teams to play an extra game.  Plus, it gives a chance for some teams to play a school that they've never played!  Have some fun with it!

Husson-Salve: well, Salve has been in bowl games the last few years, Husson in the playoffs last year.  Sure, these teams are from some of the nation's least powerful conferences, but I'm sure they'll have some fun putting on the pads once more for the seniors.

WPI-Kean: WPI has not played a postseason game since the inception of this website, and is coming off their first winning season since 2008.  Kean finished this year on a roll after a couple down years in 2014 and 2013.  Plus, there aren't many games played between the Liberty League and NJAC.  I can dig it.

SJF-Westminster: nice game here for Westminster to test themselves against a pretty good team from a different region of the D3 universe on the heels of their best season in a long, long time.  SJF rallied nicely from a rough early patch and has the chance to put an exclamation point on it, get some extra traction for next year.

Buffalo State-RPI: Buffalo State has the chance to post consecutive 8-win seasons, something they've not done since the inception of this site.  RPI closed the season on a four-game winning streak and gets the chance to make it five!

Carnegie Mellon-Bridgewater State: my alma mater gets the first postseason nod since 2012, and a very very long bus ride to play a New England opponent.  I think this is fun!  Why not enjoy the chance to knock heads with someone you'll probably never play again?

Alfred-Fitchburg State: well, Alfred will have the chance to erase the bad taste from that closing loss to SJF with one more game.  Fitchburg State gets to play their first postseason game ever, and probably the first time anyone on the team has played a game outside the MASCAC/NEFC/ECFC.  Good for them!

[ExTartanPlayer]

Be interesting to see how CMU does sitting on a bus for 10 hours (including stops and traffic). 462 miles across that section of the country can take a long time...

I drove this a week ago for a family wedding (Pittsburgh to West Hartford).  Looooooooooooong drive.  I do not envy the boys this bus ride.

[pg04]

I bet it is pretty cool for some of the players. And the matchups can be interesting. The one I mentioned, Buffalo State vs. RPI, would never happen for academic reasons.

[fisheralum91]

I think Ive said it earlier in the season.
An ECAC nod is a great outcome to a tumultuous season.
Hell Fisher was an IC score from winning the E8...
Who'd a thunk that?
Not this alum.
Not after the start they had.

[dlippiel]

The games for the ECAC bowls are listed here:

http://www.ecacsports.com/ECACD3FBFEST/ECAC_Announces_Participants_for_ECACD3FBFEST

RPI vs. Buffalo State looks interesting. Other than that, meh.

Ha, understandable if that's your reaction.  I've always been a bit more enthused about the chance for teams to play an extra game.  Plus, it gives a chance for some teams to play a school that they've never played!  Have some fun with it!

Husson-Salve: well, Salve has been in bowl games the last few years, Husson in the playoffs last year.  Sure, these teams are from some of the nation's least powerful conferences, but I'm sure they'll have some fun putting on the pads once more for the seniors.

WPI-Kean: WPI has not played a postseason game since the inception of this website, and is coming off their first winning season since 2008.  Kean finished this year on a roll after a couple down years in 2014 and 2013.  Plus, there aren't many games played between the Liberty League and NJAC.  I can dig it.

SJF-Westminster: nice game here for Westminster to test themselves against a pretty good team from a different region of the D3 universe on the heels of their best season in a long, long time.  SJF rallied nicely from a rough early patch and has the chance to put an exclamation point on it, get some extra traction for next year.

Buffalo State-RPI: Buffalo State has the chance to post consecutive 8-win seasons, something they've not done since the inception of this site.  RPI closed the season on a four-game winning streak and gets the chance to make it five!

Carnegie Mellon-Bridgewater State: my alma mater gets the first postseason nod since 2012, and a very very long bus ride to play a New England opponent.  I think this is fun!  Why not enjoy the chance to knock heads with someone you'll probably never play again?

Alfred-Fitchburg State: well, Alfred will have the chance to erase the bad taste from that closing loss to SJF with one more game.  Fitchburg State gets to play their first postseason game ever, and probably the first time anyone on the team has played a game outside the MASCAC/NEFC/ECFC.  Good for them!

dlip is pretty excited for these games!

[Bengalsrule]

It would be really nice to see the E8 go 4-0 this weekend with Fisher, Cortland, Alfred and Buff State all getting a win!   

I am curious as to how they work out practice/walk through time for each team at Central Conn though!! (Or maybe they don't)

[AUPepBand]

It would be really nice to see the E8 go 4-0 this weekend with Fisher, Cortland, Alfred and Buff State all getting a win!   

I am curious as to how they work out practice/walk through time for each team at Central Conn though!! (Or maybe they don't)

Pep is thinking all four of them have their hands full.

Fisher faces a team from the PAC who, like Fisher, lost to Thomas More, but scored 14 against them. Pep didn't hear a lot about Westminster this season and was surprised to see they were 8-2 and lost only to W&J and TMC. Go Cardinals!

Ironically, it's the Flip Flop Bowl in Cortland with the former NJAC Red Dragons facing the former E8 Seagulls. The Seagulls surprised Pep with the win over Wesley but Pep wasn't shocked by Frostburg nearly beating them. Don't know if they're a whole lot better than last year when Pep's mediocre (5-5) Saxons claimed a win in Salisbury. Should be interesting. Go Red Dragons!

Alfred gets a brand new opponent in Fitchburg State (8-2) and is hoping the Saxons show up to play after the six- or seven-hour ride. Saxons have handled their Massachusetts foes in the past, including a 41-10 win at Bridgewater State in an ECAC Bowl game in which the Saxons, upon arrival of the AU (Alumni) Pep Band, rallied from a 10-0 deficit. Falcons have a mobile QB and could be a challenge. On Saxon Warriors!

The RPI-Buffalo State battle will be interesting as both were Saxon opponents this season with AU winning over the Engineers 32-20 and the Bengals, 29-26. Against RPI, AU built a decent lead despite atrocious special teams play that resulted in AU giving up THREE safeties, while scoring one themselves. The game was closer than the score indicates, while the Buffalo State game had the Saxons rallying from 12 points down to win after Kyle Hoppy went down to a season-ending injury. BengalsRule!

Best of luck to all the E8 teams this weekend!

[dlippiel]

RPI down 13-3 with a minute left in the half. RPI O looks good but continues to shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers and penalties. Let's go Engineers!

[dlippiel]

The video and commentators are fantastic! Class job by the ECAC.