|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 11, 2023 12:39:07 GMT -5
Playing backyard football with Sluka is great when it works. Not great when it doesn’t.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 11, 2023 12:11:01 GMT -5
Special teams continue to be a total DISASTER.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 11, 2023 10:51:32 GMT -5
Looking for some creative play calling today-have not seen a lot of it this year It’s about time we win the special teams battle too.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 11, 2023 8:46:33 GMT -5
Bite your tongue( or finger) A poster on the Fordham board says that Lafayette's Jamar Curtis, who torched HC, is out today. Interesting. He was also out against Colgate. There will be some serious scoreboard watching and dual-screens happening for the noon games.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 11, 2023 7:15:36 GMT -5
Any good chance of Matt Sluka and J. Dobbs having recovered from their injuries and being available to play as normal vs. Army? Anyone here have any inside info? Last week J Dobbs was held out of our must-win game versus Lehigh. He was out most of last year due to shoulder injury. Will he every down on defense versus non-league Army today? Good question. Sluka played just one (running) play last week in our must-win game versus Lehigh. That was one play less than he played the previous week in the must-win versus Fordham. Will he play every down versus non-league Army today? Another very good question. It goes without saying that Army is not a must-win as we chase the league championship and auto-bid. Colgate, our next game, is. We are chasing a playoff berth by any means (auto or at large).
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 10, 2023 11:19:21 GMT -5
Interesting discussion on the CAA. Nova, Delaware, Albany, but it seems like they aren't even sure on 3 bids. Valley will be interesting these next 2 weeks. I think 4 is safe, not sure about 5. Agree that there's a slim chance the CAA only gets two bids if things break right (for us). Still, they're probably a three bid league with Albany, UD, and then take your pick between Elon, Richmond, and Villanova. Interestingly enough, I could see the Valley getting six. The bubble looks to be weak this year. If a team finishes with seven wins in the best FCS conference, I think that's going to go a long ways. SDSU is a lock. South Dakota is a lock, so long as they win one game over their next two weeks. Then you have five teams currently sitting at 6-3. UND (at USD and vs. Illinois St and NDSU (vs. SIU and at UNI) have the toughest remaining schedules. My gut tells me we will see for sure five out of the Valley, and perhaps a sixth.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 10, 2023 11:09:57 GMT -5
"Join Rich DeMarco and Head Coach Jeff Monken as they discuss the Black Knights' upcoming matchup vs Holy Cross. They will discuss relevant topics regarding the team and answer your questions in the chat" fb.watch/oe3ROc_KOu/
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 10, 2023 11:09:15 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 9, 2023 19:49:03 GMT -5
1-0 Jackets after one.
Thoroughly outplayed for 20 minutes. Fortunate to be down by only a goal. We took four penalties that period. Felt like we were on the PK for the entire period.
Let’s get our heads on straight for these next 20.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 9, 2023 19:08:35 GMT -5
I think Colgate would factor in though. Colgate can't get by Holy Cross. HC can end with no more than two losses, 'Gate already has two losses and HC holds the head to head win. Actually, Fordham can't get by HC either since the Rams have two losses and HC holds the head to head win. That would leave Laffy, HC and GU still mathematically alive for the auto-bid. If you’ve got a bunch of teams that finish 4-2, head to head losses aren’t a disqualifier. While HC beat Colgate, Colgate beat Lafayette and we didn’t. So where does that leave us then? Two results need to happen and all hell breaks loose. Lafayette loses to Fordham. HC loses to Georgetown. If that happens, we could have HC, Lafayette and Georgetown all 4-2. Then either Fordham or Colgate at 4-2 (they play each other in the season finale, so one will have three losses guaranteed).
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 9, 2023 12:03:48 GMT -5
What year was the original Crossports founded? I know its changed interfaces a couple times. Happy reading -- www.voy.com/61698/10/
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 8, 2023 9:57:16 GMT -5
Take a close look at Delaware. I think most assume they're safely in given their high ranking throughout the season, but it's a pretty soft schedule. OOC they feasted on NEC teams (SFPA and Duquesne). In the CAA, they missed out on having to play Albany and Richmond. Their final two games won't be easy -- on the road at Campbell and then their end-of-year rivalry game against Nova. They are probably in at 8-3 (should they drop one more game), but I think it's a sweat on selection Sunday. SoV, do we think it is better for Delaware to win out and maybe get a seed or is it better for Nova to win and Delaware to be thrown into the at large fray? Whatever gets the CAA the fewest at-large teams! Here's the dreamy scenario for the CAA's 5-1 teams in conference -- Albany loses to either SBU or Monmouth -- 8-4 record Richmond beats Elon, loses to W&M -- 7-4 record. Elon is no better than 6-5 (OUT) Delaware loses to Campbell and Nova -- 7-4 record. Nova, for all we care, wins out -- 9-2 record. CAA becomes, very possibly, a two-bid league.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 8, 2023 9:47:47 GMT -5
Take a close look at Delaware.
I think most assume they're safely in given their high ranking throughout the season, but it's a pretty soft schedule.
OOC they feasted on NEC teams (SFPA and Duquesne).
In the CAA, they missed out on having to play Albany and Richmond.
Their final two games won't be easy -- on the road at Campbell and then their end-of-year rivalry game against Nova.
They are probably in at 8-3 (should they drop one more game), but I think it's a sweat on selection Sunday.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 8, 2023 8:08:52 GMT -5
Playing Dobbs and Sluka against Army and beating Georgetown at home on senior day are not mutually exclusive.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 22:05:24 GMT -5
Nice breakdown, Midwest.
I think the Big Sky and Valley are good for a combined nine teams for certain. It wouldn’t shock me in the least if the Valley gets a sixth. All depends on the last couple of weeks.
I’m actually a bit nervous of the SoCon getting a fourth. Chattanooga is a legitimately good football team, even at 7-4. We know there will be a couple 7-4 Valley teams that make it, and I think Chattanooga is in that discussion alongside them.
The one league I disagree with you on is the CAA. I think this is no more than a three bid league. Even if Richmond wins out to get to 8-3, they have two ugly losses against Morgan St and Hampton. Let’s assume Villanova finishes 8-3 (would need to lose to UD), I’m not even sure their resume is all that impressive (weak OOC wins over Lehigh, Colgate, blown out against Albany). The CAA has been down the last few years. Typically, you get to eight wins in this league and you’re a lock for the playoffs, but I’m not so sure about that anymore.
UT Martin is another big wild card. We want them to win their league. If they don’t but win out, would be hard to leave them out at 9-2. They haven’t exactly played murder’s row this season and still have SEMO and Samford left (two tough games). They haven’t been playing well of late and could very easily see them dropping one. 8-3 HC is better than 8-3 UTM, IMO.
I’d be hesitant to say 23 spots are reserved just yet.
Still a lot to be sorted through and we will learn more this weekend.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 18:41:36 GMT -5
You’ve mentioned this a bunch but I need you to explain further. In one scenario (win our last two and we are in), we control our own destiny.In the other scenario (needing help from Fordham or Lehigh), we don’t control our own destiny. In sports, you always want to be able to control your own destiny. I simply can’t wrap my head around the logic of holding back Sluka or Dobbs if they’re healthy enough to play this weekend, with the hope that Lafayette drops a game. I don't think we are in if we win our last two...and don't think were beating Army in any case (we can agree to disagree).
Starting with that thought, for arguments sake, can you see the logic in doing everything you can to beat Georgetown? (Of course, we know Chesney has his own analysis and he has unlimited discretion in terms of "playing" certain players for a certain number of snaps, etc etc for reasons he may or may not care to share.). Okay, this makes sense and the first time I've seen you mention this. If we are making the assumption that we are for sure out at 8-3, then I can see the rationalization for resting our big guns if they aren't fully healthy this weekend.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 18:40:16 GMT -5
See my post above SOV. Looks like we crossed streams trying to explain it to folks. The only place I differ with some here is I don't think we are a virtual lock for an at large bid at 8-3. I think it's a coin flip when I really do the math team by team. So we don't fully control our own destiny even by winning out IMO. Odds still favor a Laffy loss as our best shot by far at the post season. 14 at large- a number of these will be 7-4 at the end of the season 1. Montana St 2. Idaho 3. Sacramento State 4. Albany 5. Villanova/Elon/Richmond 6. South Dakota 7. UNI 8. North Dakota 9. North Dakota State 10. Youngstown St 11 Southern Illinois 12 Chattanooga/Mercer/Western Carolina 13 Central Arkansas 14 UIW I'm more optimistic than you. Sure, we might not get in at 8-3, but I put our chances at better than 80%. It seems like you have every Big Sky, Valley, and SoCon team that reaches the 7-4 mark in as an at-large. If history tells us anything, that won't be the case. I don't think it's as cut and dry as you make it here. Last year, two 7-4 SoCon teams were left out (Mercer and Chattanooga). Last year, 7-4 Youngstown State out of the Valley was left out. You can all but take away one of Central Arkansas' win at the end of the year (Texas College), so it's almost assuredly win the UAC or bust for them. UIW, on the surface, looks like an at-large candidate, but if you look closer, it's smoke and mirrors. One win against North American University. Another win by forfeit over Northwestern State. The Southland is also very bad this year. Holy Cross, with a win over Army, has a much, much better resume than UIW.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 17:45:34 GMT -5
See my post above SOV. Looks like we crossed streams trying to explain it to folks. The only place I differ with some here is I don't think we are a virtual lock for an at large bid at 8-3. I think it's a coin flip when I really do the math team by team. So we don't fully control our own destiny even by winning out IMO. Odds still favor a Laffy loss as our best shot by far at the post season. Makes sense and I follow you. I just ask myself the question: what gives us the best chance to make the playoffs regardless of what Lafayette does? And I get the same answer every time.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 17:20:29 GMT -5
He references needing Laffy to lose. Sounds more like's he's speaking as if the PL will be a one bid league. He's either assuming the PL will be a one bid league or a potential at large bid didn't cross his mind when writing. "If Chesney wants, he can sit Sluka for another week and have his superstar QB that much healthier for a winner-take-all game in two weeks." Although technically incorrect the notion of sitting the injured/recovering/mostly recovered Sluka and Dobbs is not a crazy one given the stakes. You’ve mentioned this a bunch but I need you to explain further. In one scenario (win our last two and we are in), we control our own destiny. In the other scenario (needing help from Fordham or Lehigh), we don’t control our own destiny. In sports, you always want to be able to control your own destiny. I simply can’t wrap my head around the logic of holding back Sluka or Dobbs if they’re healthy enough to play this weekend, with the hope that Lafayette drops a game.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 16:48:59 GMT -5
Stone is a great reporter and advocate for FCS and HC football, but looks like he didn’t take the time to figure out how the PL auto-bid works.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 15:24:01 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 14:24:08 GMT -5
Not trying to build a resume either. Your post listed teams that needed to win or being eliminated from an at large consideration. My response was that we HAVE to beat Army or WE will be eliminated for an at large spot and can only get in as an auto bid which depends on another team (Lafayette) losing, no matter what we do the last game. Putting semantics aside, I think we are in total agreement, right? We are not in agreement because we are looking at this differently. My post is all about listing teams that are still able to reach seven Division 1 wins and then eliminating them when they are unable to reach this mark. At 7-4 with seven Division 1 wins, we won't be eliminated. Reaching seven Division 1 wins is a baseline. It's the one universal metric that is needed for a team to be considered for an at-large bid. What I am doing here is taking teams off the board one by one who fail to reach seven Division 1 wins. While we almost assuredly have no chance at receiving an at-large with a 7-4 record, we will still be listed as a team under consideration in the eyes of the committee.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 13:52:40 GMT -5
Not difficult to find a quiet spot and ask HCDP a few questions while recording with an iPhone. The Telegram doesn't send reporters to away games anymore. It sounds horrible, but who would be asking the questions? Men's basketball SID.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 13:52:08 GMT -5
Army isn't likely to play in a bowl this year. Should they finish 6-6, they'd have two wins against FCS programs (only one win counts towards bowl eligibility). However, if there aren't enough bowl eligible teams to fill out the myriad of games, I think they might be able to sneak in the back door.
All that said, no player on Army's roster has experienced a losing season. They will need to win out (HC, Coastal Carolina, Navy) in order to finish 6-6.
I expect them to come out extremely motivated. This is going to be a supremely difficult challenge for our guys.
|
|
|
Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 7, 2023 13:34:56 GMT -5
Disappointed no interview with CDP after the game - would like to have heard from him but then again, this is HC and we don't always act like a serious D.1 program If I'm wrong about this maybe someone can direct me to his post-game comments Past practice from ESPN+ is a quick interview on the floor with the home coach, ESPN+ is basically a home broadcast, or so it seems. Visiting coach never gets interviewed. Insufficient interest in PL hoops to have an interview room where both coaches answer questions Not difficult to find a quiet spot and ask HCDP a few questions while recording with an iPhone.
|
|