Patriot League Pick 'em - Week 2

[carney2]

LEHIGH @ James Madison
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware
Marist @ GEORGETOWN
New Hampshire @ COLGATE
Villanova @ FORDHAM

Bye: HOLY CROSS

Game of the Week: Villanova @ FORDHAM – The Rams made their statement. Do they have enough left for an exclamation point?

OOC Record

Total: 4-3
vs. AAC: 0-1
vs. Big South: 1-0
vs. CAA: 0-1
vs. FBS Independent: 1-0
vs. NEC: 1-1
vs. Pioneer: 1-0

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Three big games against the CAA.

Lafayette needs to step-up next week and beat a bumbling Delaware team. W&M is legitimately good and would have beaten LU, HC, BU and CU all by 2+ TD's this weekend. But the Hens in the dumps on your home turf? Win!

Hopefully either Colgate and/or Lehigh step up and at least make a good run of it. I think there's some potential for competitive games. UNH is not last year's version or the end of 2013 version. I think they'll be two weary teams in Hamilton on Saturday. A 4 quarter blowout loss would be a disappointment...

JMU is good but I still don't think they're that top level team. Lehigh needs to work on the game plan on offense to have a chance. I don't expect this to be like the UNH game last year....

Bucknell actually has a very dangerous game. I had Duquesne in my Top 25 to start the year. The Dukes are legit.

Then there's Villanova-Fordham...

Awesome slate of games!!

[ngineer]

My initial read based upon yesterday's and today's games:

Lehigh will give JMU a game like last year, but environment and 'just not enough' will determine. JMU 34-20.

Duquesne is a competitive team an expect this either way. Bison in a close one, 20-17.

Have no idea on this one after the Blue Hens egg laying. Should give Leopards hope after a bad second half against Tribe. Lafayette expected to lose this game, especially if injuries have taken toll; however, Delaware MUST win this game or the big swirling sound will be quite loud. UD in a shoot out, 45-42.

Redd Fox's no laughing matter, I guess. Hoyas still wandering. Marist 24-17.

Colgate got squeezed bad at Navy. UNH not the kind of team you want to see right now. Wildcats 35-17.

FU/VU could be a barn burner. VU seems broader in skill/experience, but Rams can make it interesting. VU 31-24.

[DFW HOYA]

James Madison over Lehigh: Dukes have too many weapons right now.
Bucknell over Duquesne: Always a close series, but give the edge to the Bison.
Delaware over Lafayette: Make or break game for the Hens. They'll take care of business at home.
UNH over Colgate: Two teams going in different directions.
Georgetown vs. Marist, toss up: If the Hoyas can't get past Marist at home, an 0-11 finish enters the realm of discussion.
Villanova over Fordham: Great win for the Rams on Friday, but Villanova may be better than Army right now.

[bonarae]

JMU
Bucknell
Delaware
UNH
Marist?
Villanova

[jimbo65]

James Madison over Lehigh
Bucknell over Duquense
Delaware over LaFayette
UNH over Colgate
Fordham over Nova based on home advantage
GTown over Marist It's now or likely never. Horrible injury to GTown player.

Hope I am wrong about Lehigh, Colgate & LaFayette

[carney2]

James Madison over Lehigh
Bucknell over Duquense
Delaware over LaFayette
UNH over Colgate
Fordham over Nova based on home advantage
GTown over Marist It's now or likely never. Horrible injury to GTown player.

Hope I am wrong about Lehigh, Colgate & LaFayette

The Marquis may have spelled it your way, but it's been Americanized.

[carney2]

LEHIGH @ James Madison – The Dukes may be overrated in the Top 25, but it’s unlikely that the Squawks have the manpower to prove it.

Duquesne @ BUCKNELL – Trading the traditional Buffalo cupcake for a crème puff. Probably Bucky’s toughest OOC opponent outside of Army. Might even be a game.

LAFAYETTE @ Delaware – Going way out on a limb here. The Pards did not lay an egg vs. W&M despite the score. Now they have to contend with a long list of injuries and the latest of the never ending Sauruspensions. In regard to the latter, something is definitely rotten in Pardville.

Marist @ GEORGETOWN – No confidence that the Hoyas can even tie their shoes correctly after that embarrassment by a bad St, Francis team.

New Hampshire @ COLGATE – The gaters step way down in class after last week – but not nearly far enough.

Villanova @ FORDHAM – Liked what I saw at Michie, but not picking this one with real conviction

[RichH2]

JMU. Lehigh will make it a game but still have a way to go yet
Bucknell. Bison showed little last week.
Delaware Pards have new issues,injuries and suspensions
Marist played Bison tough.Hoyas showed zip.
UNH over Gate. Or vice versa. Neither looked good vs FBS sauads
Fordham Nova probably better than Army but I dont like Talley :)

[Gangtackle11]

LEHIGH @ James Madison - I know a kid on Lehigh, but this is too tall of hill to climb even for Mountain Hawks. The Dukes roll 45-14.

Duquesne @ BUCKNELL - Bison roam the plains of Central Pa. to find a test from the Dukes of Duquesne. Bucknell finds a way 20-17.

LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - Can't believe how far the once mighty Hens have fallen. Gut check time in New-ark. Delaware 10 Lafayette 9.

Marist @ Georgetown - Prays go out to Gtown LB who broke 5 bones in his neck this weekend. GTown comes to play for him. GTown 24 Marist 16

New Hampshire @ COLGATE - Wildcats went 2500 miles to get a whooping. Not their best team, but good enough here. UNH 27 Colgate 21

Villanova @ FORDHAM - Fordham looked good on the Hudson. (Rich2 -you would like Talley if you met him) Villanova 21 Fordham 10

Bye: HOLY CROSS

Last Week: 5-2 Season's Record: 5-2

[kdinva]

Lehigh 17 @ James Madison 39
Duquesne 20 @ BUCKNELL 27
Lafayette 20 @ Delaware 24
Marist 17 @ Georgetown 14
New Hampshire 27 @ Colgate 25
Villanova 30 @ Fordham 26

[van]

LEHIGH @ James Madison, engineers will be better this year but underdogs in Harrisonburg

Duquesne @ BUCKNELL, home team gets nod here

LAFAYETTE @ Delaware, pards better be better than wet hens

Marist @ GEORGETOWN, red foxes put up a good fight against buffs but hoyas have something extra to play for

New Hampshire @ COLGATE, gate tuff at home and should be close

Villanova @ FORDHAM, Rams had many questions answered last week

last week 5-2

[ColgateTD]

Lehigh
Duquesne
Lafayette
G'town
Colgate
Nova

[caribbeanhen]

My initial read based upon yesterday's and today's games:





Have no idea on this one after the Blue Hens egg laying. Should give Leopards hope after a bad second half against Tribe. Lafayette expected to lose this game, especially if injuries have taken toll; however, Delaware MUST win this game or the big swirling sound will be quite loud. UD in a shoot out, 45-42.


You mean total yards right? The only shootout Delaware will be in is passng through Wilmington xnodx

Delaware 7
Leopards 3

ugly game coming up here

[Ivytalk]

JMU
Bucknell
Lafayette
Georgetown
UNH
Fordham

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I'm thinking the absolute worst scenario for Lafayette going into this week was to have Delaware lose the way they did. Lafayette needed Delaware to go in overconfident, perhaps a bit unfocused. Instead they'll be getting a Blue Hen squad playing as if the season depends on it, for if they go 0-2 it would for all practical purposes be over.

[ngineer]

You mean total yards right? The only shootout Delaware will be in is passng through Wilmington xnodx

Delaware 7
Leopards 3

ugly game coming up here

I hear you, but I just have a feeling that both teams may pull all sorts of stuff. While early in the season, UD cannot suffer losses, back to back to a Pioneer and Patriot League school. Though the 'regular season' is still weeks away, from a psychological impact it would be "UUUUGE" (think Donald Trump). LC has it's own issues and quite possible the Frankasaurus could pull all sorts of stuff to refocus his troops. I would think a very entertaining game.

[Sitting Bull]

I'm thinking the absolute worst scenario for Lafayette going into this week was to have Delaware lose the way they did. Lafayette needed Delaware to go in overconfident, perhaps a bit unfocused. Instead they'll be getting a Blue Hen squad playing as if the season depends on it, for if they go 0-2 it would for all practical purposes be over.

Unless Delaware just isn't that good this year.

[carney2]

Not yet impressed by what scholarships have wrought in the Patriot League, but this week's schedule of games shows a willingness to join The Big Kids Club. Kudos to at least some of the schedule makers.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

This weekend could be marketed as the "Patriot League/CAA Challenge". For four of the schools, anyway.

[carney2]

A heads up to all -

Jacksonville, which beat Delaware this past weekend, should not be confused with Jacksonville State which is currently running number one in the AGS weekly poll.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

All I know is my JMU ticket better show up tomorrow. Otherwise the JMU ticket office is getting a phone call.

[eiu1999]

JMU
Bucknell
Lafayette
Marist
Colgate
Fordham

[KillaBee]

LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS OVER DELAWARE!!!

The pards will win! Delaware will lose@!!!!

[Bill]

5-2 last week...but in the world of the Patriot League, that's a lackluster performance! On to week #2:

LEHIGH @ James Madison - would love to pick Lehigh, but I can't. Dukes, 36-17.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL - Confident in the Bison (I think :) Bucknell, 24-16.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - I would love to see Lafayette win...but I also can't see me picking them to win at Delaware in my lifetime. Hens, 21-12.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN - Can I pick Georgetown two weeks in a row? Like Roger Daltrey said, "We won't get fooled again". Marist, 17-14.
New Hampshire @ COLGATE - Oh boy. Another challenge for the Red Raiders of the Chenango Valley. UNH, 32-20.
Villanova @ FORDHAM -Where is Corso & Herbstreit this week? They should be in the boogie down. Going with some Rose Hill bias, and picking the Rams, 42-40.

[BucBisonAtLarge]

JMU- I like Shaf, but not to beat the Dukes(1)
Bucknell- not at all convinced. I think the D will keep them in the game and the O has to get better. Dukes(2) lose a squeaker.
Lafayette- cuz it is fun to pick against the Hens
Georgetown- Marist gave Bucknell plenty of game, but the Hoyas recruit nationally, right?
UNH- Go Raiders. Make me wrong.
Fordham- "So what?"(Joe Moorhead) Antihero motivational poster series candidate

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Three of the four PL/CAA matchups this week are against ranked teams (Laf@Delaware the exception). Including Laf's game last weekend vs. Bill & Mary, four schools will have played CAA teams that have spent time in the Top 25.

Will the PL get a win in any of these games?

[carney2]

Three of the four PL/CAA matchups this week are against ranked teams (Laf@Delaware the exception). Including Laf's game last weekend vs. Bill & Mary, four schools will have played CAA teams that have spent time in the Top 25.

Will the PL get a win in any of these games?

No.

[Andy]

LEHIGH @ James Madison - I'm sure the CCSU fr QB will be tremendous next year when my team plays him. Last week, not so much. JMU
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL - yup, home team, Bison
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - *%#&!$^ QB *$^#@(! SUSPENDED $#@*&!@# Seriously!? Delaware
Marist @ GEORGETOWN - IDK
New Hampshire @ COLGATE - Raiders in an upset
Villanova @ FORDHAM - what an awesome game vs Army! Fun to watch. Villanova

[RedFlash]

James Madison
BUCKNELL
Delaware
GEORGETOWN (SFU is better than Carney2 thinks)
New Hampshire
FORDHAM

[bison137]

Duquesne @ BUCKNELL – Trading the traditional Buffalo cupcake for a crème puff. Probably Bucky’s toughest OOC opponent outside of Army. Might even be a game.




Very doubtful that this is an easy game. Duquesne this year is as good as Sacred Heart last year, maybe better. In addition to having a ton of Western PA players, Duquesne has transfers from Arizona, Pitt, Penn State, Virginia, Purdue, Temple, UMass, Towson, JMU, and a few jucos. Unlike Delaware, many of the Duquesne transfers are starters.

[Bill]

Marist @ GEORGETOWN - IDK


I don't know? Andy, I believe this violates the spirit and principle of a "Pick 'em" board. I suggest self-imposed exile for at least 20 minutes and think about what you've done wrong....:D

[Andy]

I don't know? Andy, I believe this violates the spirit and principle of a "Pick 'em" board. I suggest self-imposed exile for at least 20 minutes and think about what you've done wrong....:D

Bill, I wallow in self pity. They've suspended my freaking QB. Kick me while I'm down, Bill, and pass the Dewars. xbawlingx

[Go...gate]

Three of the four PL/CAA matchups this week are against ranked teams (Laf@Delaware the exception). Including Laf's game last weekend vs. Bill & Mary, four schools will have played CAA teams that have spent time in the Top 25.

Will the PL get a win in any of these games?

I don't think so, but hope springs eternal.

[carney2]

LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - *%#&!$^ QB *$^#@(! SUSPENDED $#@*&!@# Seriously!? Delaware

On Tuesday Tavani stated that he will not talk about the suspensions anymore. The obvious rejoinder is "When did you ever talk about them, Frank?" (3 of the 4 suspended players remain unnamed.) In any event, we will know that the suspensions have been lifted when he tells us they've been lifted. Not this week.

[carney2]

[/B][/COLOR]Very doubtful that this is an easy game. Duquesne this year is as good as Sacred Heart last year, maybe better. In addition to having a ton of Western PA players, Duquesne has transfers from Arizona, Pitt, Penn State, Virginia, Purdue, Temple, UMass, Towson, JMU, and a few jucos. Unlike Delaware, many of the Duquesne transfers are starters.

What do you want me to say, 137. To quote me: "Probably Bucky's toughest OOC opponent outside of Army." Get a real football schedule like most of the rest of the Patriot League and we wouldn't be having these "conversations" with you on the indefensible defensive.

[crusader11]

5-2 on the season...

LEHIGH @ James Madison -- I don't think this will be too close.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL -- In a minor upset, I'm taking the Dukes.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware -- No feel on this one. I'll take the home team.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN -- The Hoyas play inspired football.
New Hampshire @ COLGATE -- Both got trounced by FBS opponents last week...not sold on Hunt and 'Gate.
Villanova @ FORDHAM -- Chase Edmonds is one bad dude.

[Doc QB]

I dont feel good about this week at all. If we want to display some evidence of growth as a conference, this is a slate to do so, but I just dont feel we're there yet. Here's to hoping I am dead ass wrong.

LEHIGH @ James Madison...nationally ranked Dukes have too much speed and depth. And speed. Our O too vanilla.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL...Bison fall short to under appreciated NEC team.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware...ghosts of Keeler and Tubby prevent the Hens from losing to "lesser" league at home (unlike last week)
New Hampshire @ COLGATE...new faces or not in Durham, its still UNH.
Villanova @ FORDHAM...I'd like to pick Rams here, but history says CAA better pick. A "W" here for Fordham could change those echos.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN...a Hoya loss keeps the PL o'fer this week.

[Fordham]

wow, Doc the Optimist!

I'll go with JMU, Bucknell, UNH, Gtown and Fordham

[Sandlapper Spike]

LEHIGH @ James Madison
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware
Marist @ GEORGETOWN
New Hampshire @ COLGATE
Villanova @ FORDHAM

[CFBfan]

I dont feel good about this week at all. If we want to display some evidence of growth as a conference, this is a slate to do so, but I just dont feel we're there yet. Here's to hoping I am dead ass wrong.

LEHIGH @ James Madison...nationally ranked Dukes have too much speed and depth. And speed. Our O too vanilla.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL...Bison fall short to under appreciated NEC team.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware...ghosts of Keeler and Tubby prevent the Hens from losing to "lesser" league at home (unlike last week)
New Hampshire @ COLGATE...new faces or not in Durham, its still UNH.
Villanova @ FORDHAM...I'd like to pick Rams here, but history says CAA better pick. A "W" here for Fordham could change those echos.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN...a Hoya loss keeps the PL o'fer this week.


a bleak but very likely scenario doc

[Ken_Z]

this weeks picks brought to you by KenZ the anti-Doc QB:

JMU > Lehigh : won't fight Doc on this one, after all he's the Lehigh guy
Bucknell > Duquesne : a toss-up in reality, but i gotta go with my Bison. will need better offensive production to pull it out, counting on greater utilization of frosh Butler and Owers will make it happen.
Lafayette > Delaware : hey, even Carney picked em.
Georgetown > Marist : who the hell knows, but Georgetown has been completely unpredictable in recent years so i figure they follow up last weeks beat down with a win.
Colgate > New Hampshire : Bernie's socialist wave may overtaking New Hampshire, but not ready to topple the liberal New Yorkers. no idea what this has to do with football, but could find no other rationale to select Colgate.
Fordham > Villanova : cats surge to early lead, get overconfident and lose to second half ram comeback

[Fordham]

a bleak but very likely scenario doc

I agree btw. My picks were with my heart more than my head.

[RichH2]

I dont feel good about this week at all. If we want to display some evidence of growth as a conference, this is a slate to do so, but I just dont feel we're there yet. Here's to hoping I am dead ass wrong.

LEHIGH @ James Madison...nationally ranked Dukes have too much speed and depth. And speed. Our O too vanilla.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL...Bison fall short to under appreciated NEC team.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware...ghosts of Keeler and Tubby prevent the Hens from losing to "lesser" league at home (unlike last week)
New Hampshire @ COLGATE...new faces or not in Durham, its still UNH.
Villanova @ FORDHAM...I'd like to pick Rams here, but history says CAA better pick. A "W" here for Fordham could change those echos.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN...a Hoya loss keeps the PL o'fer this week.
Wish I could point to something to dispute your outlook. Not yet this season. Anyway,a sanguine ,not pessimistic,outlook. Think PL has a shot to won 3 of these games. Sad to say but more important that we compete in these games. Dont want to see butt kicking Ls.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

JMU 34 Lehigh 20 - How close this game is will come down to Shaf and the play calling. I'll be disappointed with a true 40 minute butt kicking. Lehigh needs to be progressing back towards national legitimacy. I'm just looking forward to attending the game on Saturday!

Duquesne 24 Bucknell 16 - I've been pretty high on the Dukes all summer. I think they go into Lewisburg and get the W....

Lafayette 17 Delaware 14 - Time for Tavani to step up and get things headed in the right direction....

Marist 27 Georgetown 17 - The Red Foxes looked more respectable in their loss last week relative to Georgetown. That's all I got...

UNH 30 Colgate 17 - I think UNH has fallen back a bit. Colgate needs to show something here assuming they're not too beat up. I think this game is similar to the LU game but a little lower scoring...

Villanova 40 Fordham 31 - This game will be much, MUCH better than last years tilt. If Underwood can't play that's a huge blow to Villanova. Still, I can't see my preseason national champ starting 0-2.....

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

JMU
Bucknell
Lafayette
Marist
Colgate
Fordham

Hold up...on the CAA pick thread you picked UNH

[Gater]

Somewhat troubling that last year UNH lost to Toledo by 34 to open the season (albeit in a much closer game than the one against SJS) and then won 12 straight.

[Lehigh'98]

JMU
Bucknell
Lafayette
Georgetown
UNH
Nova

At some point, the PL needs to start winning some of these CAA matchups.

[RichH2]

Gee, a PL thread that has stayed on topic :).Disconcerting in some ways.

[LeopardBall10]

Gee, a PL thread that has stayed on topic :).Disconcerting in some ways.

And somewhat boring xcoffeex Where is all of the in-fighting and intrigue?! and by that I mean complaints about administration and redshirts.

[Leopard Loyalist]

LEHIGH @ James Madison
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware
Marist @ GEORGETOWN
New Hampshire @ COLGATE
Villanova @ FORDHAM

[BucBisonAtLarge]

And somewhat boring xcoffeex Where is all of the in-fighting and intrigue?! and by that I mean complaints about administration and redshirts.

Schedule William and Mary more often.

PL will start winning its share of these CAA games, but this is a tough week. No Elon or Rhode Island...

[RichH2]

FWIW
Massey
JMU. 38-20
BU. 24-20
Nova 35-33
GU. 14-7
UD. 25-20
UNH. 31-13

[Sader87]

Cranking up the HAL-9000...HAL is mystified that he is trailing so many lower life forms already.

JMU 45 Lehigh 17 The Dukes are no joke...ranked 11th...HAL sees them cruising at home.

Bucknell 20 Duquense 17 Bison escape in a close one according to HAL.

Delaware 23 Lafayette 17 HAL just can't see the Fightin' Blue Hens losing back to back weeks at home in OOC games.

GTown 14 Marist 9 Hoyas rally around their wounded warrior.

UNH 27 Colgate 21 This would be a nice PL scalp, but HAL feels the Wildcats have just enough to get out of Hamilton with a W.

Villanova 35 Fordham 30 The Main-Liner's eek out a victory in Da Bronx in one of the better games in all of FCS this week.

[PAllen]

A little late to the party, but here goes:

LEHIGH @ James Madison - Lehigh gets hit hard early, but a lightning delay gives them an early break to regroup. The Dukes come out of the lengthy delay flat and never really regain their stride. Lehigh in a close one.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL - Bucknell needs to win this, but the Dukes are a familiar opponent that are better than most think. Bucknell by a hair.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - I'd love to see Lafayette pick up the win here, but they couldn't have a worse set of circumstances. Hens by a ton.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN - If the Hoyas can't win this one, will they mail in the season? Have they already? Marist by a few.
New Hampshire @ COLGATE - This would be a better game in November, but Colgate pulls the upset.
Villanova @ FORDHAM - They may roll the scoreboard doing it, but Fordham wins a shootout.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

LEHIGH @ James Madison - Lehigh gets hit hard early, but a lightning delay gives them an early break to regroup. The Dukes come out of the lengthy delay flat and never really regain their stride. Lehigh in a close one.

I see what you did there and I hope you're right

[Go...gate]

James Madison 33, Lehigh 24

Bucknell 17 Duquesne 13

Delaware 28 Lafayette 20

Georgetown 21, Marist 7

New Hampshire 35, Colgate 23

Fordham 42, Villanova 35

[Lehigh Football Nation]

JMU 45, Lehigh 34... reasoning here. http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2015/09/game-breakdown-lehigh-at-james-madison.html

Bucknell 27, Duquesne 13 - This will be a less competitive than people think, yet the Bison won't completely run away with it.

Delaware 12, Lafayette 10 - Hens open up the playbook and somehow manage to win this game.

Georgetown 28, Marist 0 - Inspired Hoya squad will get their 1st win, resoundingly.

New Hampshire 38, Colgate 7 - Raider September sleepwalking continues, as usual.

Fordham 38, Villanova 34 - Revenge time.

Two more notes. One, I went a modest 4-3 last week, nailing W&M over Lafayette but overestimating Army. Two, if the Lehigh/JMU game gets delayed it's very possible the entire slate of games, including all the games in the CAA/Patriot League Challenge, start at or around 6PM on Saturday. An odd development, especially for us Lehigh folks that assume games start at 12:30 PM.

[Fordhamanhattan]

Fordham Rams upset Villanova 35-33 with field goal kicking the deciding factor. Last night at the Fordham Football Kickoff Dinner at the Yale Club, the enthusiasm was palpable. While some might downgrade our win over the Black Knights of the Hudson, those of us who remember the Rams rolling around in the mud at Manhattan College's Gaelic Park during club football days don't. Quarterback and Co-Captain, Kevin Anderson spoke for the team. What an impressive young man! He has star quality. The fairer sex can't take their eyes off him and a good football player too.
Like James Madison over the erstwhile Engineers 35-21
Christy's Boys over the Pittsburghers 22-21
The Spotted Ones strike a blow to Governor Christie's Hens and for the Patriot League 23-10
Bill Clinton's boys defend the Capital against Bill O'Reilly's horde 30-10
New Hampshire proves too much for Colgate in their march West 28-17
5-2 last week

[RichH2]

A little late to the party, but here goes:

LEHIGH @ James Madison - Lehigh gets hit hard early, but a lightning delay gives them an early break to regroup. The Dukes come out of the lengthy delay flat and never really regain their stride. Lehigh in a close one.
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL - Bucknell needs to win this, but the Dukes are a familiar opponent that are better than most think. Bucknell by a hair.
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - I'd love to see Lafayette pick up the win here, but they couldn't have a worse set of circumstances. Hens by a ton.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN - If the Hoyas can't win this one, will they mail in the season? Have they already? Marist by a few.
New Hampshire @ COLGATE - This would be a better game in November, but Colgate pulls the upset.
Villanova @ FORDHAM - They may roll the scoreboard doing it, but Fordham wins a shootout.
Turn about is fair play,the rule for Saturday. Good call PAllen :)

[FordhamFan]

LEHIGH @ James Madison- Definitely expect a solid effort from Lehigh, but not enough to win in VA
Duquesne @ BUCKNELL - Bucknell needs to win this game, and if they want me to take them seriously they have to win this game at home. (Not that me taking a team seriously means anything at all)
LAFAYETTE @ Delaware - I want the Leopards to win, I truly, truly do. But I just don't see this Lafayette team going on the road and winning in Delaware, no matter what Delaware product is on the field.
Marist @ GEORGETOWN - Close one, but I have a hard time picking GTown until I see something this season.
New Hampshire @ COLGATE - Colgate hopefully makes this a game at home...but I'm not gonna bet my life on it.
Villanova @ FORDHAM - Said this before, picked with my head last week and I was wrong. So I'm picking with my heart and going with the Rams. Obviously, this means we're doomed

[LC1142]

Jmu
bucknell
LC
Marist
UNH
Villanova

[bison137]

Lehigh @ James Madison- JMU by 13.
Duquesne @ Bucknell - Bucknell by 1.
Lafayette @ Delaware - Delaware by 3.
Marist @ Georgetown - GTown by 1.
New Hampshire @ Colgate - UNH by 7.
Villanova @ Fordham - Villanova by 6.

[Pard4Life]

JMU 42, Lehigh 17
Bucknell 21, Duquesne, 17
Delaware 24, Lafayette 14
Marist 35, Georgetown 28
New Hampshire 52, Colgate 30
Villanova 28, Fordham 24

[carney2]

The League is getting its collective clock cleaned.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

The League is getting its collective clock cleaned. *

* Except Georgetown

[DFW HOYA]

*

* Except Georgetown

Villanova, UNH, JMU, Duquesne, Delaware >>>>>>>>Marist

[Lehigh'98]

Let's face it , the scholarship era has been disappointing so far. I believe a lot of it has to do with having coaches who don't know how to recruit with them or just aren't that good. The one exception is at Fordham. We should not be getting hammered across the board at this point. Hopefully Fordham can pull it out, but we've had MUCH better teams pre schollie.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Let's face it , the scholarship era has been disappointing so far. I believe a lot of it has to do with having coaches who don't know how to recruit with them or just aren't that good. The one exception is at Fordham. We should not be getting hammered across the board at this point. Hopefully Fordham can pull it out, but we've had MUCH better teams pre schollie.

Well said. I think the coaching in the league right now is subpar.

The overall perfomance by the PL today was terrible. Bucknell's margin of defeat was shocking. But Duquesne is a Top 25 team.

Fordham is good but they're still not at that next level. Once Moorhead departs they could fall back again.

[aceinthehole]

Well said. I think the coaching in the league right now is subpar.

The overall perfomance by the PL today was terrible. Bucknell's margin of defeat was shocking. But Duquesne is a Top 25 team.

Fordham is good but they're still not at that next level. Once Moorhead departs they could fall back again.

I don't disagree, but why is it only when a PL "favorite" loses by 3 TDs, do the Dukes become a top-25 team?

Harvard keeps getting ranked in the top-25 annually before they play a game, yet they haven't won non-conference game outside of the Patriot/Pioneer in decades!

[DFW HOYA]

Georgetown gets a FG to open the second half and coasts to the win, 34-7.

(Not often I can say that.)

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Apparently Reed's suspension has been "lifted." He's back in at QB for the Pards down 13-3.

[bulldog10jw]

Georgetown gets a FG to open the second half and coasts to the win, 34-7.

(Not often I can say that.)

Congrats to Georgetown. Nice solid win.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I don't disagree, but why is it only when a PL "favorite" loses by 3 TDs, do the Dukes become a top-25 team?

Harvard keeps getting ranked in the top-25 annually before they play a game, yet they haven't won non-conference game outside of the Patriot/Pioneer in decades!

I've had Duquesne ranked in both my polls to start the year.

[aceinthehole]

I've had Duquesne ranked in both my polls to start the year.

I'm glad you are so enlightened on NEC teams.

But you know what, SACRED HEART is probably even more deserving of a top-25 ranking, yet they are (and have generally been) ignored by voters (fans, coaches, and media).

The Pioneers have won back-to-back NEC Championships and made 2 straight NCAA Playoff appearances. In the last 2+ season, SHU has a 21-6 record, including non-conference wins vs. Lafayette (twice), Bucknell, and Delaware. In NEC games over 2 seasons, the Pioneers are 9-3, including wins over Duquesne (twice) and Bryant (twice).

In fact, 4 of Sacred Heart's last 6 losses have come against just 2 teams - Fordham (twice in the playoffs) and the mighty Saint Francis Red Flash!

Yet, no one seriously considers Sacred Heart a top-25 team today, WHY?

[bulldog10jw]

Yet, no one seriously considers Sacred Heart a top-25 team today, WHY?

Because nobody is sure if they are located in Bridgeport or Fairfield.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Because nobody is sure if they are located in Bridgeport or Fairfield.

Having lived around that area I can assure you he is 100% right.

[RetiredRam]

Having lived around that area I can assure you he is 100% right.

If you live in Fairfield you consider that to be Bridgeport. If you live in Bridgeport, you wish it was Bridgeport.

Sacred Heart and the NEC suffer from the historical reputation of the conference. Partial scholarships have helped, but it's a huge uphill battle.

[aceinthehole]

The campus in in Bridgeport, but their letterhead reads Fairfield ;)

Patriot League is already 1-2 vs the NEC this season, with just 2 more games between them (Lafayette at Wagner / Bryant at Holy Cross) and I don't think either PL team will be the favorite in the remaining matchups.

I know the 'barometer' for most PL fans is always the Ivy and the CAA, but what happens if the NEC yet again has winning head-to-head record vs. the Patriot League?

And the NEC is doing this with just 40 scholarships ...

[ngineer]

The campus in in Bridgeport, but their letterhead reads Fairfield ;)

Patriot League is already 1-2 vs the NEC this season, with just 2 more games between them (Lafayette at Wagner / Bryant at Holy Cross) and I don't think either PL team will be the favorite in the remaining matchups.

I know the 'barometer' for most PL fans is always the Ivy and the CAA, but what happens if the NEC yet again has winning head-to-head record vs. the Patriot League?

And the NEC is doing this with just 40 scholarships ...

But are they also using "need based" grants as well. The PL is not allowing their members to use "need based" grants in combination with athletic scholarships. Why? I do not know, but dem's the rules the Presidents have instituted. So the 40 scholarship level may, in reality, be in the 60-63 "equivalency".

[aceinthehole]

But are they also using "need based" grants as well. The PL is not allowing their members to use "need based" grants in combination with athletic scholarships. Why? I do not know, but dem's the rules the Presidents have instituted. So the 40 scholarship level may, in reality, be in the 60-63 "equivalency".
[/B]

Absolutely, some NEC teams can get to 63 by using "need based" aid. So what - the PL is at 60 scholarships today - they no longer need to use "need-based" aid to supplement scholarships.

But NEC schools are still at huge disadvantages in budget, history, academics and scholly limits when compared to the PL, Ivy, and CAA.

Just pointing out that the NEC has proven itself on the field vs. these conferences and yet still aren't respected in the polls.

[dwtime]

Not a good day for the Patriot League today.

[blackbeard]

I'm glad you are so enlightened on NEC teams.

But you know what, SACRED HEART is probably even more deserving of a top-25 ranking, yet they are (and have generally been) ignored by voters (fans, coaches, and media).

The Pioneers have won back-to-back NEC Championships and made 2 straight NCAA Playoff appearances. In the last 2+ season, SHU has a 21-6 record, including non-conference wins vs. Lafayette (twice), Bucknell, and Delaware. In NEC games over 2 seasons, the Pioneers are 9-3, including wins over Duquesne (twice) and Bryant (twice).

In fact, 4 of Sacred Heart's last 6 losses have come against just 2 teams - Fordham (twice in the playoffs) and the mighty Saint Francis Red Flash!

Yet, no one seriously considers Sacred Heart a top-25 team today, WHY?

Thanks for the props Ace. The losses to SFU are just baffling, they have really had our number. We haven't gotten the respect we earned until the end of last year when we finally started breaking into all the top 25 polls, even after losing to Fordham to end last season.

I have to admit I haven't been voting SHU in my AGS poll this season, mostly because the wholesale losses in our defensive backfield along with OL and RBs from last season. A stomping of Valpo today on the road is nothing to crow about, but they did what they were supposed to do and ran the ball well.

SHU is a different team and environment than it was 4-5 years ago. This team fundamentally changed the campus environment over the last couple of seasons as evidenced by the home crowd last week for a D2 opponent. It's been fun to witness. Wins at Marist and Dartmouth the next two weeks will set up a great conference race between SHU, Bryant and Duquesne.

[aceinthehole]

Thanks for the props Ace. The losses to SFU are just baffling, they have really had our number. We haven't gotten the respect we earned until the end of last year when we finally started breaking into all the top 25 polls, even after losing to Fordham to end last season.

I have to admit I haven't been voting SHU in my AGS poll this season, mostly because the wholesale losses in our defensive backfield along with OL and RBs from last season. A stomping of Valpo today on the road is nothing to crow about, but they did what they were supposed to do and ran the ball well.

SHU is a different team and environment than it was 4-5 years ago. This team fundamentally changed the campus environment over the last couple of seasons as evidenced by the home crowd last week for a D2 opponent. It's been fun to witness. Wins at Marist and Dartmouth the next two weeks will set up a great conference race between SHU, Bryant and Duquesne.

I fully agree. SHU's resume the past 2 years heading into this season is really what deserves respect from voters. I doubt SHU wins the NEC this year, but they are still a good team - and as you point out - a solid football program. Marist will be another pushover, but notching an Ivy League win vs Dartmouth would be another feather in your cap. Those losses to SFU are not bad. Look at what they just did to Georgetown in week 1 - totally dominated them. The Flash put up a good fight in most of their CAA games and may really be in the hunt for the NEC title this year. Ultimately, I think the Dukes or Bryant are more likely to come out of the NEC this year.

What gets under my skin is that HARVARD will continue to blindly get votes for no reason other than a gaudy Ivy/PL record. They play and beat NO ONE, yet they remain a top-25 staple.

[Pard4Life]

For those who think I know nothing about Lehigh, please see my pick'em score. A 4-7 season for the Hawkineers.

[blackbeard]

I fully agree. SHU's resume the past 2 years heading into this season is really what deserves respect from voters. I doubt SHU wins the NEC this year, but they are still a good team - and as you point out - a solid football program. I think the Dukes or Bryant are more likely to come out of the NEC this year. Those losses to SFU are not bad. Look at what they just did to Georgetown in week 1 - totally dominated them. The Flash put up a good fight in most of their CAA games and may really be in the hunt for the NEC title this year.

What gets under my skin is that HARVARD will continue to blindly get votes for no reason other than a gaudy Ivy/PL record. They play and beat NO ONE, yet they remain a top-25 staple.

Agreed!

And then out of no where tonight Robert Morris loses at Youngstown St in overtime - after leading in the 4th Q.

[Go Green]

Yet, no one seriously considers Sacred Heart a top-25 team today, WHY?

Because they don't have a macho-sounding name like, say, Notre Dame.

[Go Green]

Thanks for the props Ace. .

On the Ivy Board, people are *just* starting to acknowledge "Hey Go Green, maybe you're right that Sacred Heart doesn't suck."

[BucBisonAtLarge]

Nice game, Dukes-- start to finish.

[aceinthehole]

Because they don't have a macho-sounding name like, say, Notre Dame.

True. They could have gone with HOLY NAME instead ;)

FYI - Since 2010, SHU is a very impressive 7-3 vs. Ivy and Patriot League opponents in the regular season.

[Lehigh'98]

Ace, it's not like the Ivy or PL get a ton of respect in the polls either outside of their own voters.

[blackbeard]

On the Ivy Board, people are *just* starting to acknowledge "Hey Go Green, maybe you're right that Sacred Heart doesn't suck."

I guess they forget the last 2 Dartmouth/Sacred Heart games that were both Pioneer wins....xcoffeex

[Gater]

Patriot League is at 45 scholarships. No seniors on scholarship (other than Fordham). NEC is at a disadvantage when it comes to history and budget but has a decided advantage when it comes to academics. PL players have to meet the AI--which means they have to be actual students. I'm not implying anything about any NEC schools, more that all of the PL teams would be sneaking kids in with bad grades in if they could--that's what every other school outside of the Ivy league does.

I don't really think the PL, Ivy, or NEC gets much respect in the FCS. Harvard goes undefeated every year and ends up ranked about 10th by default. Lehigh didn't make it to the playoffs with one loss a few years ago. The best teams in the NEC and PL have met in the first round the past few years (with only Fordham getting an at-large). Not sure how many people consider those to be "real" playoff games. The PL, Ivy, and NEC aren't knocking off CAA champs or at-large teams. They are beating teams in the middle of off years, etc. Don't know what direction the NEC is headed. I feel like the PL is going to get better. Having some growing pains right now. Really, really bad growing pains.

[ngineer]

Patriot League is at 45 scholarships. No seniors on scholarship (other than Fordham). NEC is at a disadvantage when it comes to history and budget but has a decided advantage when it comes to academics. PL players have to meet the AI--which means they have to be actual students. I'm not implying anything about any NEC schools, more that all of the PL teams would be sneaking kids in with bad grades in if they could--that's what every other school outside of the Ivy league does.

I don't really think the PL, Ivy, or NEC gets much respect in the FCS. Harvard goes undefeated every year and ends up ranked about 10th by default. Lehigh didn't make it to the playoffs with one loss a few years ago. The best teams in the NEC and PL have met in the first round the past few years (with only Fordham getting an at-large). Not sure how many people consider those to be "real" playoff games. The PL, Ivy, and NEC aren't knocking off CAA champs or at-large teams. They are beating teams in the middle of off years, etc. Don't know what direction the NEC is headed. I feel like the PL is going to get better. Having some growing pains right now. Really, really bad growing pains.

Good points

[Fordham]

The League is getting its collective clock cleaned.

We hung tough with the #2 team in the country today. Save Gtown, I know today was ugly for the PL but I don't feel we were anywhere near getting our clocks cleaned. Had a chance to tie, if not win, with 5 mins left.

[Go...gate]

Congrats to Georgetown. Nice solid win.

Yes. A fine win.

[PAllen]

Patriot League is at 45 scholarships. No seniors on scholarship (other than Fordham). NEC is at a disadvantage when it comes to history and budget but has a decided advantage when it comes to academics. PL players have to meet the AI--which means they have to be actual students. I'm not implying anything about any NEC schools, more that all of the PL teams would be sneaking kids in with bad grades in if they could--that's what every other school outside of the Ivy league does.

I don't really think the PL, Ivy, or NEC gets much respect in the FCS. Harvard goes undefeated every year and ends up ranked about 10th by default. Lehigh didn't make it to the playoffs with one loss a few years ago. The best teams in the NEC and PL have met in the first round the past few years (with only Fordham getting an at-large). Not sure how many people consider those to be "real" playoff games. The PL, Ivy, and NEC aren't knocking off CAA champs or at-large teams. They are beating teams in the middle of off years, etc. Don't know what direction the NEC is headed. I feel like the PL is going to get better. Having some growing pains right now. Really, really bad growing pains.

Except that for years, Lehigh made a habit of knocking off the CAA champ in the playoffs.

[ngineer]

Except that for years, Lehigh made a habit of knocking off the CAA champ in the playoffs.

I don't know about calling it a 'habit' but we did do it to Richmond and Towson. I don't recall if JMU was the CAA champ in 2004 when we lost by 1 point. But the CAA improved while the PL did not. The recent influx of scholarships (now only in year 3) will still take time to filter through. Even so, we will never be on a par with the CAA due to other constraints, but we should be able to get back to a point where a win for the CAA is not taken for granted.

[Gater]

Lehigh is 3-5 against the CAA in the playoffs. One Patriot League team has won more than one game in the playoffs. There is a reason the league went scholarship. They got played by the Ivies (who now offer de facto scholarships to the more players than any teams in the FCS) got passed by the Big South and at least equaled by the NEC. The CAA really pulled away. 2012 league champ Colgate was South Dakota's only win. 2013 league champ Lafayette had a losing record. Fordham is the only team at full scholarship and they are starting to make waves. The rest of the league has no seniors on scholarship. Give it another two years and the league will be fine.

[Lehigh'98]

Lehigh is 3-5 against the CAA in the playoffs. One Patriot League team has won more than one game in the playoffs. There is a reason the league went scholarship. They got played by the Ivies (who now offer de facto scholarships to the more players than any teams in the FCS) got passed by the Big South and at least equaled by the NEC. The CAA really pulled away. 2012 league champ Colgate was South Dakota's only win. 2013 league champ Lafayette had a losing record. Fordham is the only team at full scholarship and they are starting to make waves. The rest of the league has no seniors on scholarship. Give it another two years and the league will be fine.

I actually think the AI and admissions is creating more of an issue than the scholarships are solving. Lehigh simply does not have the talent on the team they used to and admissions is playing a big role in that. Coaching staff just not that good either.

[RichH2]

Lehigh is 3-5 against the CAA in the playoffs. One Patriot League team has won more than one game in the playoffs. There is a reason the league went scholarship. They got played by the Ivies (who now offer de facto scholarships to the more players than any teams in the FCS) got passed by the Big South and at least equaled by the NEC. The CAA really pulled away. 2012 league champ Colgate was South Dakota's only win. 2013 league champ Lafayette had a losing record. Fordham is the only team at full scholarship and they are starting to make waves. The rest of the league has no seniors on scholarship. Give it another two years and the league will be fine.
+1

[RichH2]

I actually think the AI and admissions is creating more of an issue than the scholarships are solving. Lehigh simply does not have the talent on the team they used to and admissions is playing a big role in that. Coaching staff just not that good either.

AI is a limiting factor certainly but not a determinative one. Schollies are not a magic wand. We are getting better more athletic players. We just dont have enough of them and the best we have are mostly fr and so kids. For us these 2 groups are the key to being very good in a couple of years. Both groups have numerous players with multiple low FBS,IL and CAA offers. Most of ghese players would not be at Lehigh pre schollie.
Not confident in staff. Botts does have players in position thus year to make the plays. They just didn't vs JMU. A good part of that was the ability of their backs to break tackles.
O rolled up yards in bits and pieces but could not convert those to points. OC shows little aptitude or willingness to make adjustments .

[CFBfan]

[QUOTE=RichH2;2250589]AI is a limiting factor certainly but not a determinative one. Schollies are not a magic wand.

yes! what scollies has not improved is the at best average coaching in the PL
after Joe Moorehead the coaching talent has a significant drop off