|
Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2023 12:38:38 GMT -5
No - I’ve been advised by some parents of players that this new “rule” is being implemented with respect to the “team dinner” on campus the night before home games. The justification they are trying to sell to the players is that they have “too many players” on the team. LOL. As dharry correctly pointed out in an earlier post, the team has 6 more players on the roster than last season. What a “team” concept… The only thing I can think of is Coach Chesney's time management and organization where he structures different coaching guidance at each dinner, one for current starters/backups and another for future starters/backups. Got to cut money to pay Chesney's new contract extension...
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Aug 31, 2023 12:41:02 GMT -5
The suggestion that could happen is both bizarre and insulting.
|
|
|
Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2023 12:42:04 GMT -5
One point of clarification. The active roster last year was 96. It’s 107 this year. Add staff and that’s 124 bodies. That downstairs area in Kimball is not big. This might simply be a capacity issue. Secondly, I might be mistaken but do believe the 2-deep stayed at a hotel in Worcester the night before the UNH game. That seemed to be a nice ROI. A legitimate cost saving measure but no complaints back then. The culture at HC under this staff is as inclusive as any D1 program around the country. My father played FBS ball, my senior class in HS had 5 that played D1 ball, I grew up in and around college locker rooms. The militaristic nature of the have’s vs have nots is so much more exacerbated elsewhere if you know and talk to enough people that played at enough programs. If you want one of the most extreme examples, watch Swamp Kings on Netflix. I believe the NCAA reimburses that since the UNH game was a tournament game. BTW, your father played D-1 ball at least 30 years ago...much different today
|
|
|
Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2023 12:42:33 GMT -5
The suggestion that could happen is both bizarre and insulting. Well, there has been no good reason for it yet...
|
|
|
Post by sluka4heisman on Aug 31, 2023 15:09:39 GMT -5
Don’t know a lot about Merrimack. Is this the firfst year that Merrimack is eligible for the FCS playoffs? Weren’t they a D2 program as recently as 2019. If so, it’s pretty impressive that they have come this far since joining FCS only a few years ago. Yes they had a four year transition period and are officially a full D1 member. They have recruited well over the past 4 years and have built up the program well, culminating in their season last year. They pull a lot from the DMV area, a region notorious for its high school football talent. It will either be them or St. Francis at the top of the NEC this year, so they are definitely a team not to underestimate.
|
|
|
Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 31, 2023 15:46:16 GMT -5
St Francis only +14 tonight at Western Michigan currently (line has been moving b/t 12.5 an 14.5) URI +17.5 at Georgia State (opened at +16.5) Elon +31.5 at Wake Forest
|
|
|
Post by cruskater31 on Aug 31, 2023 16:07:47 GMT -5
Massey rating has Holy Cross (#29) favored over Merrimack (#101) by 23 (37-14) with a 92% chance for the win. I must confess I am a bit surprised by the relative low rating he gives the HC this preseason. The composite has us higher at 12. I think because Massey is a computer ranking with SoS, conference, and metrics like that, our rank tends to be lower than the polls. Once games (=data) begin in full this weekend, the ranking from Massey should improve. I think the opposite occurs when a perennial power, say Montana this year, is ranked 7 by Massey but only 14 in the Stats poll.
|
|
|
Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 31, 2023 17:44:29 GMT -5
St Francis only +14 tonight at Western Michigan currently (line has been moving b/t 12.5 an 14.5) URI +17.5 at Georgia State (opened at +16.5) Elon +31.5 at Wake Forest Lots of FCS Top 25 in action tonight looking to make opening statements #1 SDSU v D2 Western Oregon #4 William and Mary -15.5 @ Campbell #6 Furman -26.5 v Tenn Tech #8 Idaho -24.5 @ Lamar #9 Samford v D2 Shorter #10 Sac State -22.5 @ Nicholls State #13 Weber State v D2 Central Washington #16 UC Davis -22.5 @ Texas A&M Commerce #21 URI above #22 Delaware -15.5 @ Stony Brook
|
|
|
Post by cmo on Aug 31, 2023 20:05:08 GMT -5
One point of clarification. The active roster last year was 96. It’s 107 this year. Add staff and that’s 124 bodies. That downstairs area in Kimball is not big. This might simply be a capacity issue. Secondly, I might be mistaken but do believe the 2-deep stayed at a hotel in Worcester the night before the UNH game. That seemed to be a nice ROI. A legitimate cost saving measure but no complaints back then. The culture at HC under this staff is as inclusive as any D1 program around the country. My father played FBS ball, my senior class in HS had 5 that played D1 ball, I grew up in and around college locker rooms. The militaristic nature of the have’s vs have nots is so much more exacerbated elsewhere if you know and talk to enough people that played at enough programs. If you want one of the most extreme examples, watch Swamp Kings on Netflix. I believe the NCAA reimburses that since the UNH game was a tournament game. BTW, your father played D-1 ball at least 30 years ago...much different today 30 years ago mask wearing photographers couldn’t chirp D1 athletes from their parents’ basement, yet here we are.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Aug 31, 2023 20:47:14 GMT -5
NC State 17-14 ahead of UConn on CBS Sports Network. Victor Rosa from nearby Bristol, CT. reeled off a 71 yard TD scamper then got flagged 15 yards for forward flipping untouched into the endzone at the end of the run.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Aug 31, 2023 21:01:35 GMT -5
Merrimack at No. 5 Holy Cross A top NEC team goes to a top Patriot League team. Merrimack went 8-3 overall last season and 6-1 in the NEC. It played Holy Cross tough in the season opener, losing 31-17. In 2021, the Warriors beat Holy Cross 35-21 a week after HC defeated FBS UConn. Merrimack has transitioned well into D1. But Holy Cross looks to be a different beast this year. Led by QB Matthew Sluka and LB Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross is a team that can make serious noise in the playoffs. The Crusaders play two FBS opponents and no ranked FCS opponents. Dominating its FCS schedule will be important in earning a better seed than last year (No. 8). Prediction: Holy Cross 38-17 herosports.com/fcs-week-1-predictions-ewu-ndsu-jsu-famu-bzbz/
|
|
|
Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2023 21:05:28 GMT -5
I believe the NCAA reimburses that since the UNH game was a tournament game. BTW, your father played D-1 ball at least 30 years ago...much different today 30 years ago mask wearing photographers couldn’t chirp D1 athletes from their parents’ basement, yet here we are. Only my 24th year working in D-1 athletics...
|
|
|
Post by cmo on Aug 31, 2023 21:25:30 GMT -5
Great! My kid can do that with his iPhone.
|
|
|
Post by drjack on Aug 31, 2023 22:44:50 GMT -5
I'm with Sam. Crush them. HC by 21.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Aug 31, 2023 23:08:06 GMT -5
Merrimack at No. 5 Holy Cross A top NEC team goes to a top Patriot League team. Merrimack went 8-3 overall last season and 6-1 in the NEC. It played Holy Cross tough in the season opener, losing 31-17. In 2021, the Warriors beat Holy Cross 35-21 a week after HC defeated FBS UConn. Merrimack has transitioned well into D1. But Holy Cross looks to be a different beast this year. Led by QB Matthew Sluka and LB Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross is a team that can make serious noise in the playoffs. The Crusaders play two FBS opponents and no ranked FCS opponents. Dominating its FCS schedule will be important in earning a better seed than last year (No. 8). Prediction: Holy Cross 38-17 herosports.com/fcs-week-1-predictions-ewu-ndsu-jsu-famu-bzbz/With any luck, one or more of Merrimack, Harvard and Yale will be ranked at some point in the season. Fordham was ranked 16 in this poll and Yale gets a mention. If other ranked teams stub their toes early, the Eli could sneak into the top 25 before their opener against HC. www.cbssports.com/college-football/rankings/fcs-coaches-poll/
|
|
|
Post by bfoley82 on Sept 1, 2023 0:06:11 GMT -5
Great! My kid can do that with his iPhone. Good for your kid. I like to see them try.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Sept 1, 2023 4:41:13 GMT -5
Merrimack at No. 5 Holy Cross A top NEC team goes to a top Patriot League team. Merrimack went 8-3 overall last season and 6-1 in the NEC. It played Holy Cross tough in the season opener, losing 31-17. In 2021, the Warriors beat Holy Cross 35-21 a week after HC defeated FBS UConn. Merrimack has transitioned well into D1. But Holy Cross looks to be a different beast this year. Led by QB Matthew Sluka and LB Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross is a team that can make serious noise in the playoffs. The Crusaders play two FBS opponents and no ranked FCS opponents. Dominating its FCS schedule will be important in earning a better seed than last year (No. 8). Prediction: Holy Cross 38-17 herosports.com/fcs-week-1-predictions-ewu-ndsu-jsu-famu-bzbz/With any luck, one or more of Merrimack, Harvard and Yale will be ranked at some point in the season. Fordham was ranked 16 in this poll and Yale gets a mention. If other ranked teams stub their toes early, the Eli could sneak into the top 25 before their opener against HC. www.cbssports.com/college-football/rankings/fcs-coaches-poll/Fordham’s 16 rank in that particular poll didn’t survive week “0” and their predictable 3 TD loss to Albany. Sure, it’s possible one of our other FCS opponents can climb into the top 25, but the author’s point is well taken. And it seems a pretty universal one (yes, there are exceptions).
|
|
|
Post by cmo on Sept 1, 2023 5:03:32 GMT -5
Despite the holiday weekend, the perfect weather should lead to a nice walk up crowd. I’ve already heard from people that were on the fence, but are now going.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Sept 1, 2023 9:39:56 GMT -5
With any luck, one or more of Merrimack, Harvard and Yale will be ranked at some point in the season. Fordham was ranked 16 in this poll and Yale gets a mention. If other ranked teams stub their toes early, the Eli could sneak into the top 25 before their opener against HC. www.cbssports.com/college-football/rankings/fcs-coaches-poll/Fordham’s 16 rank in that particular poll didn’t survive week “0” and their predictable 3 TD loss to Albany. Sure, it’s possible one of our other FCS opponents can climb into the top 25, but the author’s point is well taken. And it seems a pretty universal one (yes, there are exceptions). Amazingly, that #16 ranking for Fordham was after week 0 because they have their next game listed as tomorrow. Obviously the Rams aren't a legit top 25 after losing soundly to Albany. The point that HC has to beat up on it's FCS opponents is well taken but kind of sad that a team has to keep gunslinging to build up the margin of victory instead of managing the game to win and give younger players a good chance to play/switch to a ground game to eat clock, etc.
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Sept 1, 2023 9:58:02 GMT -5
Of course, if the younger players also score and stop the opponent's offense, there can be both development and a high winning score.
|
|
|
Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 1, 2023 10:15:17 GMT -5
Fordham’s 16 rank in that particular poll didn’t survive week “0” and their predictable 3 TD loss to Albany. Sure, it’s possible one of our other FCS opponents can climb into the top 25, but the author’s point is well taken. And it seems a pretty universal one (yes, there are exceptions). Amazingly, that #16 ranking for Fordham was after week 0 because they have their next game listed as tomorrow. Obviously the Rams aren't a legit top 25 after losing soundly to Albany. The point that HC has to beat up on it's FCS opponents is well taken but kind of sad that a team has to keep gunslinging to build up the margin of victory instead of managing the game to win and give younger players a good chance to play/switch to a ground game to eat clock, etc. Do you guys realize you are looking at the final 2022 Coaches poll?? Fordham was not ranked in either pre-season poll this year (Coaches or Stats Media). A few “RVs” which will obviously be gone after Week 1.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Sept 1, 2023 10:49:39 GMT -5
Amazingly, that #16 ranking for Fordham was after week 0 because they have their next game listed as tomorrow. Obviously the Rams aren't a legit top 25 after losing soundly to Albany. The point that HC has to beat up on it's FCS opponents is well taken but kind of sad that a team has to keep gunslinging to build up the margin of victory instead of managing the game to win and give younger players a good chance to play/switch to a ground game to eat clock, etc. Do you guys realize you are looking at the final 2022 Coaches poll?? Fordham was not ranked in either pre-season poll this year (Coaches or Stats Media). A few “RVs” which will obviously be gone after Week 1. No, I thought it was dated August 31, but the Fordham ranking didn't make any sense no matter what the date because they aren't the same team without DeMorat.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Sept 1, 2023 11:03:19 GMT -5
Fordham’s 16 rank in that particular poll didn’t survive week “0” and their predictable 3 TD loss to Albany. Sure, it’s possible one of our other FCS opponents can climb into the top 25, but the author’s point is well taken. And it seems a pretty universal one (yes, there are exceptions). Amazingly, that #16 ranking for Fordham was after week 0 because they have their next game listed as tomorrow. Obviously the Rams aren't a legit top 25 after losing soundly to Albany. The point that HC has to beat up on it's FCS opponents is well taken but kind of sad that a team has to keep gunslinging to build up the margin of victory instead of managing the game to win and give younger players a good chance to play/switch to a ground game to eat clock, etc. As I pointed out to another poster, last season HC had at least 5 FCS games with a margin of at least three TDs. The point of the pollsters is that we ought to win by at least that margin v all of our (relatively weak) scheduled FCS opponents to be at the top of rankings and seeds. Last year Laffy and Bryant come to mind as closer than they should have been. No suggestion of gunslinging and keeping the first string in at all times, etc.
|
|
|
Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 1, 2023 11:25:08 GMT -5
I agree that’s what we are up against (expectations of blowing through the PL/FCS) However, I do think most reasonable FCS experts know Harvard and Yale can compete with us and frankly should given their scholi equivalencies etc. But as I was told by a primary HC source “it’s not easy beating teams year in and year out you should beat by a wide margin every time.” Again, I’ll reference Swamp Kings. Florida’s 2009 season coming off the 2008 natty was a slow moving train wreck. They were still winning every game but not by “enough.” They were playing not to lose and walking on egg shells. The staff was disappointed they would beat someone by 10 and not 30 which bled down to the players. It finally culminated with a humiliating blowout loss to Bama where Bama had the“eye of the tiger” edge, revenge factor etc. UF went 12-1 that season but many coaches and players said it was the most miserable of any of that 5 year run. There was zero joy in the daily grind or Saturday night any longer. 2010 started their downfall.
|
|
|
Post by DiMarz on Sept 1, 2023 11:34:32 GMT -5
-ALERT-
If you are planning on watching the game on ESPN+ tomorrow, and have Charter Spectrum as a cable or internet provider, you can't. Charter Spectrum is in a contract dispute with Disney, which owns ESPN channels, and has blocked the ESPN family of channels.
|
|