Massey Ranking (9/30)

Well, HC is 1-2 against FCS teams ranked above us, but 0-1 against FCS teams ranked below us. That could mean a good showing against UNH...but I won't hold my breath.

UNH, have you watched the Holy Cross team this year? Colgate, just too slow out of the blocks to make a total comeback (reason for Purple fans to have hope as a good showing on the road against the League favorites). BC, again slow out of the gate but then again, no one should have expected anything much different. (reason for hope: team never gave up, blocked 2 punts for TD. Reason for despair, offense non-existent). Yale, for 3rd consecutive game, offense was absent in the beginning of the game but the defense kept us within striking distance for the eventual win (reason for hope: best game of the season with a storming 4th quarter comeback against Ivy favorites and after playing PL favorite close, helped foster a feeling that the program had turned a corner. Reason for despair: still haven't figured out how to score early and how often can you keep making comebacks?). Dartmouth, the season stinker up to that point (Reason for hope: Almost none as we lost much bigger and one-sided at home than we lost in overtime and blew last year at their place. Sliver of hope is Dartmouth may be very underrated as their line on both sides are all experienced seniors and well-coached. Reason for despair: 4th game in a row the offense was absent. You can't expect your defense to be the side that has to score points). Bucknell, an even bigger stinker than the Dartmouth game because they are obviously not of the same caliber and are an expected bottom feeder in the weak league (Reason for hope: maybe, just maybe, there will be necessary changes made to improve the offense as we've hit rock bottom. Reason for despair: After scoring the first TD and holding the first lead in regulation in the first quarter, we reverted back to a non-functioning offense the rest of the game, save one too little, too late TD. More importantly, there is no indication that there will be any changes in our game plans going forward).

UNH, you are definitely in a down year compared to the lofty heights of past years. However, HC is in a down year and we are starting at a lower place. If HC wins next Saturday, it'll be a major upset. Perhaps not as big as last year's shocker, but still huge.