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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 11, 2023 5:22:02 GMT -5
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Post by lou on Oct 11, 2023 6:57:41 GMT -5
Excellent Power Rankings...we're #7
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Oct 11, 2023 8:31:08 GMT -5
Here's a look at Holy Cross versus Lafayette and Fordham in some key stats regarding moving the ball and preventing the opponent from moving the ball. Caveat: we acknowledge that there are many other factors to consider such as special teams play, field position, penalties, etc, etc. Perhaps we can add data in those areas if anyone is interested. Second caveat: the following data do not allow for any differences in the schedules the three teams have played.
Stat-----Holy Cross -----Lafayette------Fordham
Rushing Offense and Defense
Yards Per Attempt-----6.8-----4.8-----4.0 Holy Cross really stands out here with a very successfuk rushing attack
Opps Yards Per Attempt-----4.2----2.4----4.5 Lafeyette really stands out with a defense that has stopped the opponent's running
Passing Offense and Defense
Comp %----65.5%----64.4%----63.7% pretty much parity here
Opp Comp %----57.3%----64.9%----59.2% Lafayette's opponents have had success passing the ball
Yards Per Attempt-----9.6-----6.8----8.1 Outstanding numbers for Holy Cross
Opps Yards Per Attempt----6.4----7.3----6.8
Total Offense
Yards Per Play----7.8----5.5----6.0 Outsanding running and passing add up to great over all number for HC
Opp Yards Per Play----5.1----4.7----5.8 Slight advantage to Lafayette due to great success against the run
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 11, 2023 13:06:55 GMT -5
Those numbers look very good for the Crusaders. Now, let's not have another 5-0 turnover game!
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Post by Ignutz on Oct 11, 2023 13:38:21 GMT -5
For what it's worth, here's my take on where we are today, and what we're facing for the second half of the seasons:
- We're 4-2 on the year with an FBS loss that we REALLY could have / should have won. Our other loss, in my mind, was mostly self-inflicted. While we're not going to hit on all cylinders every game, no team that had six turnovers in thirteen games last year should have five in a single game this year. Harvard is a good team, and may be the class of the IL this year, but if you take away the pick-six late in the first half, I think we win that game. It is what it is.
- In every other game that we've played this year, we've essentially dominated the opposition from both sides of the ball - after our trademark slow starts. Our four wins have been by an average of more than four touchdowns/game. The opposition has scored a total of twenty-three second half points in those games - including the TD by Yale with 0:27 on the clock. (Thirteen of the twenty-three second half points were scored last week by Bucknell. I think their quarterback is very talented, and he's also got some speedy and sure-handed receivers.)
- Lafayette, Fordham, Lehigh and Georgetown have each had noteworthy wins, but I don't think any of these teams would be 4-2 if they played our season-to-date schedule, and I'd argue that, absent Lafayette, we would have a better record than each of these teams if we'd played their schedule. As for Lafayette's schedule, we'd likely be 5-1, but I think we'd be a more dominant 5-1.
- Regarding the Black Knights of the Hudson, I think this is a winnable game for us. They'll hit us hard - if they can catch us, and we'll return the favor. The end result at Michie on 11/11 should be a "W" for us - mid-thirties for us and low- to mid-twenties for them.
Bottom line: I think we're fine. Lafayette will be rested and fired up when they come to Fitton. We'll be rested, fired up, and at home in front of a Family Weekend crowd. BC and his staff will have our lads prepared, and our younger players will continue to gain valuable experience. At season's end, the one for the thumb will be ours if we play to our strengths, take advantage of our foes' weaknesses, and don't beat ourselves.
Discuss.
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 11, 2023 13:45:12 GMT -5
Will we still be missing our walking wounded? Any returning?
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Oct 11, 2023 13:52:44 GMT -5
Nice post, Ignutz.
Because this is a message board, we are allowed to look ahead. Even though some might say we need to focus on Bye and then focus on Lafayette, what we do doesn't mean anything. Crazy thought.
I see the rest of the regular season playing out in one of three ways. For the purposes of this exercise, I'm assuming Lehigh and Georgetown are both wins.
1) We win the next three games and, perhaps, have the PL wrapped up heading into Army. At 7-2, there are murmurings we could still get a seed, assuming we beat Army. The good thing is that we are in the dance, it's just a matter of whether we get a bye. If not, it's a question then of whether we are hosting or traveling in the opening weekend.
I think at 9-2 with an FBS win and close FBS loss, along with a strong track record over the past couple of seasons, we would get a seed. At 8-3 with loss to Army, we are playing the first weekend.
2) Lose to Lafayette and then we need to run the table just to get into the playoffs (assuming Lafayette wins the league; they'd need to drop two games as they'd have the tiebreaker against us). The game at Army becomes a must-win if we are going to get an at-large.
3) Beat Lafayette and lose to Fordham and all of a sudden things get very complicated. Fordham would be in the driver's seat and control their own destiny. A one-loss in the PL Fordham team who has beaten HC and Lafayette will almost assuredly win the league. This would, again, mean that Army becomes a de facto play-in game for the playoffs. Even with a win over Army, I think an 8-3 HC team would be firmly on the bubble.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 11, 2023 14:29:32 GMT -5
Nice post, Ignutz. Because this is a message board, we are allowed to look ahead. Even though some might say we need to focus on Bye and then focus on Lafayette, what we do doesn't mean anything. Crazy thought. I see the rest of the regular season playing out in one of three ways. For the purposes of this exercise, I'm assuming Lehigh and Georgetown are both wins. 1) We win the next three games and, perhaps, have the PL wrapped up heading into Army. At 7-2, there are murmurings we could still get a seed, assuming we beat Army. The good thing is that we are in the dance, it's just a matter of whether we get a bye. If not, it's a question then of whether we are hosting or traveling in the opening weekend. I think at 9-2 with an FBS win and close FBS loss, along with a strong track record over the past couple of seasons, we would get a seed. At 8-3 with loss to Army, we are playing the first weekend. 2) Lose to Lafayette and then we need to run the table just to get into the playoffs (assuming Lafayette wins the league; they'd need to drop two games as they'd have the tiebreaker against us). The game at Army becomes a must-win if we are going to get an at-large. 3) Beat Lafayette and lose to Fordham and all of a sudden things get very complicated. Fordham would be in the driver's seat and control their own destiny. A one-loss in the PL Fordham team who has beaten HC and Lafayette will almost assuredly win the league. This would, again, mean that Army becomes a de facto play-in game for the playoffs. Even with a win over Army, I think an 8-3 HC team would be firmly on the bubble. How can one "focus on a bye"? Maybe there is something that's done differently in terms of how practices are approached (or skipped) this week, but that's not something us posters typically know or care about.
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Post by dharry13 on Oct 11, 2023 14:49:13 GMT -5
Nice post, Ignutz. Because this is a message board, we are allowed to look ahead. Even though some might say we need to focus on Bye and then focus on Lafayette, what we do doesn't mean anything. Crazy thought. I see the rest of the regular season playing out in one of three ways. For the purposes of this exercise, I'm assuming Lehigh and Georgetown are both wins. 1) We win the next three games and, perhaps, have the PL wrapped up heading into Army. At 7-2, there are murmurings we could still get a seed, assuming we beat Army. The good thing is that we are in the dance, it's just a matter of whether we get a bye. If not, it's a question then of whether we are hosting or traveling in the opening weekend. I think at 9-2 with an FBS win and close FBS loss, along with a strong track record over the past couple of seasons, we would get a seed. At 8-3 with loss to Army, we are playing the first weekend. 2) Lose to Lafayette and then we need to run the table just to get into the playoffs (assuming Lafayette wins the league; they'd need to drop two games as they'd have the tiebreaker against us). The game at Army becomes a must-win if we are going to get an at-large. 3) Beat Lafayette and lose to Fordham and all of a sudden things get very complicated. Fordham would be in the driver's seat and control their own destiny. A one-loss in the PL Fordham team who has beaten HC and Lafayette will almost assuredly win the league. This would, again, mean that Army becomes a de facto play-in game for the playoffs. Even with a win over Army, I think an 8-3 HC team would be firmly on the bubble. I think this is all correct. If HC were to go 8-3 but not win the league with an FBS win I think they get in the tournament. Because of the showing last year, the amount of points currently being scored. Just my opinion, but I think 8-3 with an FBS win, an FBS loss by 3, and losses to the eventual PL champ and IL champ (for the sake of my argument) would get a bid.
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Post by efg72 on Oct 11, 2023 14:51:09 GMT -5
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Oct 11, 2023 14:55:04 GMT -5
Nice post, Ignutz. Because this is a message board, we are allowed to look ahead. Even though some might say we need to focus on Bye and then focus on Lafayette, what we do doesn't mean anything. Crazy thought. I see the rest of the regular season playing out in one of three ways. For the purposes of this exercise, I'm assuming Lehigh and Georgetown are both wins. 1) We win the next three games and, perhaps, have the PL wrapped up heading into Army. At 7-2, there are murmurings we could still get a seed, assuming we beat Army. The good thing is that we are in the dance, it's just a matter of whether we get a bye. If not, it's a question then of whether we are hosting or traveling in the opening weekend. I think at 9-2 with an FBS win and close FBS loss, along with a strong track record over the past couple of seasons, we would get a seed. At 8-3 with loss to Army, we are playing the first weekend. 2) Lose to Lafayette and then we need to run the table just to get into the playoffs (assuming Lafayette wins the league; they'd need to drop two games as they'd have the tiebreaker against us). The game at Army becomes a must-win if we are going to get an at-large. 3) Beat Lafayette and lose to Fordham and all of a sudden things get very complicated. Fordham would be in the driver's seat and control their own destiny. A one-loss in the PL Fordham team who has beaten HC and Lafayette will almost assuredly win the league. This would, again, mean that Army becomes a de facto play-in game for the playoffs. Even with a win over Army, I think an 8-3 HC team would be firmly on the bubble. I think this is all correct. If HC were to go 8-3 but not win the league with an FBS win I think they get in the tournament. Because of the showing last year, the amount of points currently being scored. Just my opinion, but I think 8-3 with an FBS win, an FBS loss by 3, and losses to the eventual PL champ and IL champ (for the sake of my argument) would get a bid. Correct. I actually think we'd be a lock at 8-3 (7-2 FCS) with an FBS win and 3pt P5 loss. We wouldn't get a seed, or even a home game in Round of 24 perhaps, but we'd be in.
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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 11, 2023 15:37:09 GMT -5
Glad to hear! To me 8-3 (7-2 FCS) with an FBS win and 3pt P5 loss is not the worse case scenario but would be ok. 9-2 (8-1 FCS) would be ideal! Win out by going 1-0 each week. I've watched all but one Army game and it is completely winnable if we can even somewhat stop the run.
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 11, 2023 17:36:22 GMT -5
All of this is nice for the folks in the discussion, but our next game is Lafayette. Right now that game is the only one that matters. The results in the games HC plays will determine our seed and that will not be done until the end of the season.
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hcdad22
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 92
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Post by hcdad22 on Oct 11, 2023 17:51:50 GMT -5
The Lafayette game , I feel will be our toughest league game left.
They are 5-1 and average over 200 yards per game rushing. We barely escaped out of Easton, PA last year.
This game worries me, but if we play our best , we win.
I watched Fordham play Georgetown and Lehigh, it’s clearly not the Fordham of the last 5 years, I don’t think we have a problem with Fordham this year.
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Post by joutsHC77 on Oct 11, 2023 18:24:09 GMT -5
How about going to 5 D linemen to stall their rushing attack?
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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 11, 2023 18:37:47 GMT -5
How about going to 5 D linemen to stall their rushing attack? Would you pull a DB or a LB? Probably would take too much adjusting of our packages/formations but we do have 2 weeks of practice. I believe the D can have a max of 6 lineman on the line of scrimmage (so with 4 down linemen you could have two LBs line up on the edge). Has a 5-2-4 been employed before? Perhaps a 4-4 with one of our DB's/nickleback playing as the 4th LB but it does leave our young DB's to handle a lot themselves.
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Post by efg72 on Oct 11, 2023 18:48:54 GMT -5
The Lafayette game , I feel will be our toughest league game left. They are 5-1 and average over 200 yards per game rushing. We barely escaped out of Easton, PA last year. This game worries me, but if we play our best , we win. I watched Fordham play Georgetown and Lehigh, it’s clearly not the Fordham of the last 5 years, I don’t think we have a problem with Fordham this year. Spot on
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 11, 2023 22:07:00 GMT -5
11-0 was the final seed last year. Many dominos would have to fall for HC to repeat as a seed at 9-2. I agree 8-3 and not the league champ puts us on the bubble, but leaning in.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 12, 2023 8:29:43 GMT -5
How about going to 5 D linemen to stall their rushing attack? Would you pull a DB or a LB? Probably would take too much adjusting of our packages/formations but we do have 2 weeks of practice. I believe the D can have a max of 6 lineman on the line of scrimmage (so with 4 down linemen you could have two LBs line up on the edge). Has a 5-2-4 been employed before? Perhaps a 4-4 with one of our DB's/nickleback playing as the 4th LB but it does leave our young DB's to handle a lot themselves. One thing that may factor in to it is who's ahead in the game. If Lafayette is a cattle drive team versus a quick strike one; it's tough to stick to that plan if they're playing from behind.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 12, 2023 8:46:43 GMT -5
How about going to 5 D linemen to stall their rushing attack? Would you pull a DB or a LB? Probably would take too much adjusting of our packages/formations but we do have 2 weeks of practice. I believe the D can have a max of 6 lineman on the line of scrimmage (so with 4 down linemen you could have two LBs line up on the edge). Has a 5-2-4 been employed before? Perhaps a 4-4 with one of our DB's/nickleback playing as the 4th LB but it does leave our young DB's to handle a lot themselves. By rule, or am I misunderstanding you? The only thing I can find is that the D can't put more than 6 on either side of the center; I assume that's so the D doesn't gain a significant advantage when attempting to block a punt or field goal.
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Post by Crosser on Oct 12, 2023 9:09:26 GMT -5
It seems really strange to me that parking for Lafayette is already sold out more than a week before the game when parking seemed to be available right up until game time at Homecoming. What am I missing here?
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 12, 2023 9:15:34 GMT -5
Lafayette will have many fans attending...at least far more than Harvard did at Polar Park. They know how importat this game is and they want to be there to support their Leopards. Could their numbers be the reason for the sold out parking?
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Post by Crucis#1 on Oct 12, 2023 9:39:03 GMT -5
Lafayette Game is Family Weekend….
In the Bronx, the HC game also is Family Weekend and parking is reportedly sold out.
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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 12, 2023 9:39:39 GMT -5
I suspect Family Weekend has something to do with it. Last year's Fordham game was both Family Weekend and a huge game for us in the league. This year is the same situation.
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Post by dlshc27 on Oct 12, 2023 10:13:35 GMT -5
posting in this thread as well
Here is my take on Lafayette starting with Defense:
They play VERY good team Defense. I have watched several of their games and they play a Base 4-3 with the 3 LB'ers who are a 4th Year Senior Fortney, 5th Year Olivas and a 6th Year Shaeffer. That is a ton of experience in the middle of your defense. They are aggressive in bringing pressure and move their defense pre and post snap. From my eye they want you off balance as an Offense and move their defense in order to create confusion and TFL opportunities. They are stout upfront and experienced on the back end. This is a very good defensive team.
Offensively I see them playing to their Defense. They use 12 personnel regularly and attack on the perimeter with quick throws. The TE Gilbert is a big target especially in the middle of the field. They used him on a wheel for the TD in the Princeton Game. The RB Curtis is a very good back with good vision and speed. Their QB moves quite a bit in the pocket and is a threat to run but not in the mold of DiPalma at Harvard more like The Yale and Merrimack QB's. He has protected the ball well and for the most part has had the luxury of playing with the lead!
They are 5-1 for a reason and that is by playing Good Defense, running the ball and protecting the ball. They have created 7 TO's while only losing 5.
This is a very Good Football Team we will Face next Saturday. They fought toe to toe with us last year. The Game is at Fitton on Family weekend with Parking having already sold out. I imagine this will be a great atmosphere for a big leg up in the conference race. I know our Boys will be ready! We need our fans and supporters to be at their best as well.
Go Saders!
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