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Post by rgs318 on Sept 10, 2017 7:58:55 GMT -5
OK, here we go. Massey has UNH favored by 18 points (35-17) with an 88% chance for the win. Of course, he thought Bucknell would score 16 against HC so he may need to learn that we have a new defense...maybe?
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 10, 2017 8:25:07 GMT -5
Sagarin's ratings would have New Hampshire a 9 point favorite on a neutral field. If you can get Holy Cross getting 18 points you should "go to the window and bet with both hands"...
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 10, 2017 8:30:21 GMT -5
Do you guys think UNH is as good (or better) than UConn? Maybe they don't quite as much talent, but UNH's program is a traditional winner. Could be quite the game next Saturday - I wonder if the attendance can break 10,000?
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Post by hcpride on Sept 10, 2017 9:49:00 GMT -5
UConn is better than UNH.
UNH was picked preseason to be 4 in the CAA although I am not sure they will wind up that high. They did beat CAA preseason 9/12 Maine by 1 in Durham in the opener. I can't see any PL team beating them at this point.
Not to repeat a previous post but CAA seems very strong this year and this is not an up year for PL so I'm going CAA in any remaining matchups.
(Last place CAA preseason pick URI went Triple OT to FBS Central Michigan last week before losing. Central Michigan beat Kansas this week 45-27. Not sure UNH will actually beat URI in two weeks)
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Post by timholycross on Sept 10, 2017 9:53:30 GMT -5
Wouldn't you have to say that as a general rule, the gap between SunBelt, CUSA and MAC football and the better FCS conferfences is pretty small, certainly a lot smaller than between them and the Power 5 (and throw the MWC in there too)?
And the American isn't much better than those 3.
If UNH is not better than UConn, there's at least one other CAA team that is
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Post by unhfan on Sept 10, 2017 9:54:40 GMT -5
We'll never know whose better as UCONN will not play UNH. That being said Uconn has more scholarships players than UNH hence you could say they have more talent. Now I would argue the top FCS leagues such as the CAA match up and would be successful against a lot of G5 schools.
All of that doesn't matter come Saturday the Nationally Ranked Cats have to come to Worcester and be ready to play. The one thing Coach Mac does a great job of is respecting our opponents every week and being ready to go.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 10, 2017 9:58:29 GMT -5
My personal opinion is that UNH is better than UConn and we will really have a hard time with them. I saw some of the UNH game vs. Georgia Southern, now a D-IA team. I have no idea how they are compared to UConn as we would have gotten a better read on the Huskies had they played USF as scheduled yesterday but the game, I see, was cancelled. A number of us noticed freshmen playing, especially the offensive line, which we know is not the usual "normal." I understand there were some injuries but no idea of the extent. While these freshmen came in highly touted, they are still freshmen and perhaps their need to play had something to do with the offensive inconsistency. My hope is that everyone heals so that we are playing our first level players, as we will need them against UNH to make the game close or pull off an upset. Peter needs to play much better than yesterday and turnovers need to be close to non-existent to win. Of course, if I looked back, I probably made this last statement every time we have played UNH. Perhaps the team will be juiced as it is "Ring of Honor" weekend.
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Post by lou on Sept 10, 2017 9:58:44 GMT -5
My $.02 ... UNH is better than UConn who I did not think was that good
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 10, 2017 10:04:03 GMT -5
I would make the distinction that UConn may have more talent, but UNH is a better "team" because of better coaching and a system that has been in place and is known by all the UNH players.
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Post by td128 on Sept 10, 2017 10:36:37 GMT -5
Let's give our Crusaders a REAL home field advantage in the 2017 campaign's first home game. Having seen Fitton Field a few week's back for the Class of 2021 Mass of the Holy Spirit, the field and stadium have never looked so good. Major props to ADNP and everybody involved in dressing her up with the trappings related to the Ring of Honor and beyond that as well. Speaking of the Ring of Honor, we have a Who's Who (Pete Kimener, Tom Lamb, Carlin Lynch, Pat McCarthy, and many other great Crusaders) already registered to attend the reception with remarks next Saturday morning in Hogan (9:15am- 10:30am) and then the subsequent tailgate on the baseball concourse preceding the halftime on field ceremony. For those who may care to join the festivities, register here >> Ring of Honor Registration and join in the celebration of the greatness of Dave Murphy, Coach Eddie Anderson, and stud Denny Golden. #tradition #pride #LetsWin #12thMan #WithItorOnIt
η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ
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Post by hcpride on Sept 10, 2017 10:56:22 GMT -5
Clearly, many CAA teams are competitive with some FBS teams (very close losses this year by Villanova, URI, Stony Brook, etc. and even a win by CAA power James Madison over FBS East Carolina),
We did win the first half against FBS UConn for a variety of reasons but I don't see that having much bearing in a full game against CAA UNH. Generally, I am getting the feeling it'll be all CAA over PL this year.
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Post by hchoops on Sept 10, 2017 11:14:01 GMT -5
Our offense will clearly have to play two halves the way it played the first vs Uconn and the D will have to play as it did yesterday for us to be competitive. And avoid penalties.
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 10, 2017 12:04:40 GMT -5
That last point is not a small task. Avoiding penalties could be a key factor if HC is to win this one.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 10, 2017 12:28:25 GMT -5
Last year in New Hampshire
HC led 21-13 at the half but was outscored 26-7 in second half
HC got 29 first downs to 22 for UNH
HC ran for 71 yards but got 427 in the air, although one of two interceptions PP threw was returned for a TD with 2 minutes to play in the game and UNH leading by 4 points
UNH rolled up 362 yards on the ground (7.0 yards per carry) and 190 yards in the air
HC was helped by penalties: HC penalized 3 times for 32 yards UNH penalized 8 times for 61 yards
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Post by td128 on Sept 10, 2017 12:38:17 GMT -5
Never want to see excessive penalties but I think they will clean themselves up as the team -- and especially younger Crusaders or those with limited prior experience -- progresses.
I want to see the Crusaders continue to win the turnover battle (6-3 after two games). If that happens, then we should be in every game. Recovering 5 fumbles in the first two games is a great sign and indicative of a defense that is packing a wallop.
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Post by cmo on Sept 10, 2017 12:55:56 GMT -5
Great start to the season for Leominster's Neil O'Connor. We'll need to contain him to have a shot.
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Post by cmo on Sept 10, 2017 12:56:51 GMT -5
Not to beat a dead horse, but this would be a perfect night game to get 10,000+
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Post by hc87 on Sept 10, 2017 13:23:25 GMT -5
Great start to the season for Leominster's Neil O'Connor. We'll need to contain him to have a shot. Why can't we get kids like this?
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Post by purple1 on Sept 10, 2017 13:36:53 GMT -5
They have to get thru admissions.....
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Post by lou on Sept 10, 2017 14:04:47 GMT -5
Not to beat a dead horse, but this would be a perfect night game to get 10,000+ Maybe, but it's a pretty good weekend as it is. Basketball golf event Friday followed by dinner. Luth tours Saturday morning, basketball meet & greet, ROH, tailgate, UNH game ... home at a reasonable hour
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Post by cmo on Sept 10, 2017 15:50:54 GMT -5
It's all good. Selfishly, i'd like to come with a crew, but can't on a Saturday afternoon.
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Post by cmo on Sept 10, 2017 15:56:17 GMT -5
Great start to the season for Leominster's Neil O'Connor. We'll need to contain him to have a shot. Why can't we get kids like this? Haha. Not sure he was a candidate for HC, but having coached against him in high school, it was clear he was going to help whatever program he went to.
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Post by td128 on Sept 10, 2017 16:04:20 GMT -5
Looks like Neil O'Connor is a player but then again what was the name of the kid we had last year from Beverly? Oh yes, Brendan Flaherty. He was a pretty good ballplayer as well. Would be nice to have both of them to spread the field.
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Post by HC92 on Sept 10, 2017 16:36:16 GMT -5
That last point is not a small task. Avoiding penalties could be a key factor if HC is to win this one. We are averaging 9.5 penalties per game. Can't have that many against UNH and expect to win. As td128 points out, winning the turnover battle has helped us so hopefully we can keep that up.
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Post by hchoops on Sept 10, 2017 17:01:21 GMT -5
Against UNH, arguably the best of the 3 teams, winning the turnover battle will be a difficult task.
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