Patriot League Pick 'Em - Week 1

[DFW HOYA]

The 2023 season, otherwise known as "Another Holy Cross Championship Run", begins in earnest this weekend. Seven games of varying competitiveness, with two guaranteed PL wins.

Villanova at Lehigh, 12:00 noon
Marist at Georgetown, 12:30
Merrimack at Holy Cross, 2:00
Colgate at Syracuse, 4:00
Bucknell at James Madison, 6:00
Wagner at Fordham, 6:00
Lafayette at Sacred Heart, 6:00

[gravalico]

The 2023 season, otherwise known as "Another Holy Cross Championship Run", begins in earnest this weekend. Seven games of varying competitiveness, with two guaranteed PL wins.

Villanova at Lehigh, 12:00 noon
Marist at Georgetown, 12:30
Merrimack at Holy Cross, 2:00
Colgate at Syracuse, 4:00
Bucknell at James Madison, 6:00
Wagner at Fordham, 6:00
Lafayette at Sacred Heart, 6:00Nova
Marist
HC
Cuse
JMU
Fordham
Lafayette

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[RichH2]

And here we go.
Holy Cross over Merrimack. Not a cupcake but solid W.
Cuse over Gate. Gate will compete for a while. Cuse wins big
Hoyas over Marist. Hoyas have a lot to replace. Close W.
Nova over Lehigh. Nova w 19 5th years has too much for Lehigh.
JMU over Bucknell. Won't be close.

.assey picks

Cross 36-10
Cuse. 44'-3
Hoyas 31'21
Nova. 34'13
JMU. 47-3

[gravalico]

And here we go.
Holy Cross over Merrimack. Not a cupcake but solid W.
Cuse over Gate. Gate will compete for a while. Cuse wins big
Hoyas over Marist. Hoyas have a lot to replace. Close W.
Nova over Lehigh. Nova w 19 5th years has too much for Lehigh.
JMU over Bucknell. Won't be close.

.assey picks

Cross 36-10
Cuse. 44'-3
Hoyas 31'21
Nova. 34'13
JMU. 47-3And Lafayette?

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[Go Green]

Other than Lafayette-SHU, are any of these games expected to be even close?

[crusader11]

Other than Lafayette-SHU, are any of these games expected to be even close?


Marist - Georgetown could be close.

Fordham - Wagner didn't have the looks of being competitive a week ago, but after the Rams' not-so-great showing against Albany, I could see Wagner making it a game.

Don't sleep on Lehigh. Gilmore, despite doing a poor job, did bring in some decent talent. I could see Lehigh getting things back up and running in short order.

[Wolffan]

Villanova at Lehigh (Last year Nova beat Lehigh 45-17 looking like more of the same for Lehigh post Gilmore)
Marist at Georgetown
Merrimack at Holy Cross (A sneaking suspicion Holy Cross will want to widen their margins of victory this year. Last year 31-17.)
Colgate at Syracuse, 4:00
Bucknell at James Madison
Wagner at Fordham (by 3+ touchdowns)
Lafayette at Sacred Heart

[KPSUL]

Villanova at Lehigh (Last year Nova beat Lehigh 45-17 looking like more of the same for Lehigh post Gilmore)
Marist at Georgetown
Merrimack at Holy Cross (A sneaking suspicion Holy Cross will want to widen their margins of victory this year. Last year 31-17.)
Colgate at Syracuse, 4:00
Bucknell at James Madison
Wagner at Fordham (by 3+ touchdowns)
Lafayette at Sacred Heart

Looks about right, except I'll take the Pards!

[RichH2]

And Lafayette?

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🤣🤣 Couldn't resist.
Pards get the upset.

Massey
SHU 24-21

[bonarae]

Villanova
Georgetown
Holy Cross
Syracuse
JMU
Fordham
Sacred Heart

[NY Crusader 2010]

Villanova 30 Lehigh 13
Georgetown 34 Marist 24
Holy Cross 41 Merrimack 27
Syracuse 45 Colgate 14
James Madison 65 Bucknell 0
Fordham 35 Wagner 24
Lafayette 17 Sacred Heart 13

[Go...gate]

Villanova 33, Lehigh 20

Georgetown 22, Marist 17

Holy Cross 54, Merrimack 14

Syracuse 41, Colgate 15

James Madison 48, Bucknell 20

Fordham 31, Wagner 21

Lafayette 21, Sacred Heart 19

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Villanova 38 Lehigh 20: Lehigh hangs in there for 2.5-3 quarters before 'Nova solidifies their supremacy...
Georgetown 27 Marist 24: Coin flip?
Holy Cross 34 Merrimack 17: Merrimack is pretty good! Crusaders start the season off with a quality win in fairly impressive fashion
Syracuse 51 Colgate 14: Colgate generally fails to compete against FBS opponents. Army 2018, Buffalo 2003, maybe another game being the exception...
JMU 73 Bucknell 21: This is going to be a bloodbath if Cignetti doesn't call off the dogs early...
Fordham 30 Wagner 13: Rams bounce back against a downtrodden Wagner team
Lafayette 17 Sacred Heart 10: I expect a similar game to last year when the Leopards won a low-scoring slugfest....

[NY Crusader 2010]

A lot of love for Lafayette here. Get that dub Leps!

On the Holy Cross board pick'em, seemed like I was the only one who didn't pick SHU. Lafayette definitely the underdog on the road. Is Sacred Heart still supposed to be pretty solid this year?

[NY Crusader 2010]

Villanova 38 Lehigh 20: Lehigh hangs in there for 2.5-3 quarters before 'Nova solidifies their supremacy...
Georgetown 27 Marist 24: Coin flip?
Holy Cross 34 Merrimack 17: Merrimack is pretty good! Crusaders start the season off with a quality win in fairly impressive fashion
Syracuse 51 Colgate 14: Colgate generally fails to compete against FBS opponents. Army 2018, Buffalo 2003, maybe another game being the exception...
JMU 73 Bucknell 21: This is going to be a bloodbath if Cignetti doesn't call off the dogs early...
Fordham 30 Wagner 13: Rams bounce back against a downtrodden Wagner team
Lafayette 17 Sacred Heart 10: I expect a similar game to last year when the Leopards won a low-scoring slugfest....

I think Colgate beat Buffalo twice in the early 2000's, including the '03 win. The vaunted 2018 Colgate team hung very tough at West Point against an Army team that was probably top 40 in FBS. They may have been in Top 25 at some point that season, or at least had votes. Speaking of Buffalo, they may be the only FBS team to have a losing record against the Patriot League, having lost to Lehigh, Colgate (twice I THINK) and Holy Cross.

[gravalico]

A lot of love for Lafayette here. Get that dub Leps!

On the Holy Cross board pick'em, seemed like I was the only one who didn't pick SHU. Lafayette definitely the underdog on the road. Is Sacred Heart still supposed to be pretty solid this year?Looks like SHU is predicted to finish third. A Lafayette win wouldn't be as big an upset as last year's win. But that game was in Easton. All will be revealed soon enough.

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[Go...gate]

I think Colgate beat Buffalo twice in the early 2000's, including the '03 win. The vaunted 2018 Colgate team hung very tough at West Point against an Army team that was probably top 40 in FBS. They may have been in Top 25 at some point that season, or at least had votes. Speaking of Buffalo, they may be the only FBS team to have a losing record against the Patriot League, having lost to Lehigh, Colgate (twice I THINK) and Holy Cross.


That was a very good Army club, Colgate won the Lambert Cup in 2018.

[Son of Eli]

Villanova
Georgetown ( because it doesn’t get any easier for them all season making it a must win)
Holy Cross
Syracuse
JMU (probably by a bigger margin than Syracuse beats Colgate)
Fordham
Sacred Heart

[NY Crusader 2010]

That was a very good Army club, Colgate won the Lambert Cup in 2018.

And apparently the Lambert Cup isn't a thing anymore.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I think Colgate beat Buffalo twice in the early 2000's, including the '03 win. The vaunted 2018 Colgate team hung very tough at West Point against an Army team that was probably top 40 in FBS. They may have been in Top 25 at some point that season, or at least had votes. Speaking of Buffalo, they may be the only FBS team to have a losing record against the Patriot League, having lost to Lehigh, Colgate (twice I THINK) and Holy Cross.

Colgate only beat Buffalo once, 2003. I was intrigued so I looked up Colgate's FBS performances in 2000...
2003 Colgate 38 Buffalo 15
2010 Syracuse 42 Colgate 7
2013 Air Force 38 Colgate 13
2014 Ball State 30 Colgate 10
2015 Navy 48 Colgate 10
2016 Syracuse 33 Colgate 7
2017 Buffalo 33 Colgate 10
2018 Army 28 Colgate 14 (surprised it was a 2 possession final score)
2019 Air Force 48 Colgate 7
2021 Boston College 51 Colgate 0
2022 Stanford 41 Colgate 10 and Army 42 Colgate 17

[Go...gate]

And apparently the Lambert Cup isn't a thing anymore.

According to who or what?

[ngineer]

Holy Cross should have some competition for awhile, but will end up "Merri", 37-21

Fordham shakes off some rust and handles "the Wagner Group" (without help from Putin) 28-17

Colgate will find the "orange crush" not to its liking, 'cuse 42-17

Holy Hoyas go rocking' for a win in their opener over Redd Foxes, 21-19

Bucky looks more like a beaver and JMU goes wild, 59-6

Leotards stretch their new offense without tearing their seams and beat SHU, 23-14

Lehigh will be facing an 'old' Villanova team whose experience should control Mountain Hawks' exuberance under new HC Cahill. Lehigh' O shows it can score, but not enough to counterbalance an inexperienced secondary. 'nova 38-27.

[DFW HOYA]

According to who or what?

It hasn't been awarded since 2019.

[Pards Rule]

A lot of love for Lafayette here. Get that dub Leps!

On the Holy Cross board pick'em, seemed like I was the only one who didn't pick SHU. Lafayette definitely the underdog on the road. Is Sacred Heart still supposed to be pretty solid this year?

Pards riding euphoria over Malik Hamm (Pards 2023 grad) making the 53 man roster for Ravens!!

[Pards Rule]

That was a very good Army club, Colgate won the Lambert Cup in 2018.

And a Pard loss too

[Pards Rule]

I think Colgate beat Buffalo twice in the early 2000's, including the '03 win. The vaunted 2018 Colgate team hung very tough at West Point against an Army team that was probably top 40 in FBS. They may have been in Top 25 at some point that season, or at least had votes. Speaking of Buffalo, they may be the only FBS team to have a losing record against the Patriot League, having lost to Lehigh, Colgate (twice I THINK) and Holy Cross.

And a loss to Pards too early 2000s. I quite certain

[The Boogie Down]

It hasn't been awarded since 2019.


The Lambert Cup is gone but I believe the Lambert Trophy (for FBS schools) is still around. I also think the ECAC gives out an award for best FCS team in the Northeast. I remember Fordham winning the ECAC award (but not the Lambert) back it in 2015.

[Wolffan]

Lehigh will be facing an 'old' Villanova team whose experience should control Mountain Hawks' exuberance under new HC Cahill. Lehigh' O shows it can score, but not enough to counterbalance an inexperienced secondary. 'nova 38-27.
Nova won last year 45-17, and have good experience returning (and some nice transfers), and are predicted to finish CAA mid pack. An 11 point loss by Lehigh would be pretty impressive (and bode quite well for PL competition).

[ngineer]

Nova won last year 45-17, and have good experience returning (and some nice transfers), and are predicted to finish CAA mid pack. An 11 point loss by Lehigh would be pretty impressive (and bode quite well for PL competition).

I agree. My basis was our performance at 'nova last year. 21 of those 'nova points came on blown coverages. We battled quite well, physically. So if we can reduce the mental errors, I think we can hang in the game. I don't believe in 'moral victories' , but you can learn from defeat better than from a victory and we have some 'learning' to do'.

[Go...gate]

The Lambert Cup is gone but I believe the Lambert Trophy (for FBS schools) is still around. I also think the ECAC gives out an award for best FCS team in the Northeast. I remember Fordham winning the ECAC award (but not the Lambert) back it in 2015.


ECAC FCS Team Of The Year.

[Go...gate]

It hasn't been awarded since 2019.

Actually, it was last awarded in 2020 (James Madison). Has been on hiatus due to COVID. No indication whatsoever that it has been discontinued.

[The Cats]

Villanova at Lehigh, 12:00 noon
Marist at Georgetown, 12:30
Merrimack at Holy Cross, 2:00
Colgate at Syracuse, 4:00
Bucknell at James Madison, 6:00
Wagner at Fordham, 6:00
Lafayette at Sacred Heart, 6:00

[crusader11]

0-1 last week with Fordham looking to pick up the pieces post DeMorat and Decker.

Villanova at Lehigh - But I think Lehigh can be competitive for most of the game. Cupboard isn't totally bare in Bethlehem. Cahill and Hunt should be able to put a competent offense together. 31-21.

Marist at Georgetown - Better win this one because there aren't many other wins on the schedule for Georgetown. If there is such thing as a hot seat for Hoya football, Sgarlata should be on it. 27-24.

Merrimack at Holy Cross - Merrimack took it to the 'Saders in Worcester two years ago. Last year, in Andover, they largely held their own. I think this has the makings of being a fairly competitive game. Merrimack probably in the 45-65 range in FCS. I do think that HC comes out firing though and their offense ends up running away from Merrimack. 42-24.

Colgate at Syracuse - I've said before that Colgate seems rudderless under Stand D. I thought it was a mistake not to conduct a national search following Hunt's exit from Hamilton. They could have attracted some solid candidates. Anyways, this isn't close. 'Cuse let's up in the second half a bit to make the score closer than the game. 45-17.

Bucknell at James Madison - JMU could name the score. 59-13.

Wagner at Fordham - Wagner couldn't come at a better time for Fordham. Seahawks look to have brough in a bunch of transfers and Masella will have his guys up as he tries to beat his former employer. That said, Wagner has won two games since 2019 for a reason. It's a program on life support. Even with the Rams offensive troubles, they find a way. 31-20.

Lafayette at Sacred Heart - The most intriguing game of the PL weekend for me. SHU has established themselves as a solid New England FCS club. Big year for Troxell, IMO. Their defense was top notch last year, but have they found a QB who can win some games for them? I'll be a PL homer and take Lafayette in what feels like a pick 'em game. 20-17.

[DFW HOYA]

Marist at Georgetown - Better win this one because there aren't many other wins on the schedule for Georgetown. If there is such thing as a hot seat for Hoya football, Sgarlata should be on it. 27-24.


You can't have a hot seat if there is no heat. And realistically, there is this paradox: can anyone else do any better?

First, Georgetown brought in the young, hungry, future Ivy League coordinator, Bob Benson. He won five PL games in five seasons.
Next, the veteran FBS coach, the "outsider": the experienced coach with stops at Syracuse, Tulane, Marshall, and Navy: Kevin Kelly. He won 11 PL games in eight seasons, four of these in one season.
Now you've got the "insider", who's played or coached for the Hoyas in 33 of the last 34 seasons, knows GU inside and out. He's won nine PL games in eight seasons, four of these in one season.

Coaches win on the margin (tactics, strategy) but they cannot win without players. Nick Saban without players is unemployed. You fix that either with demand (players attracted to scholarships) or supply (recruit lower academically); but the school won't allow the former and the league won't allow the latter. And thus is the paradox that a Top 25 university with a $3.2 billion endowment can seemingly not beat any school in football other than Marist College and, on occasion, Lafayette. Try selling that to a recruit and his parents. (Or, try selling that to a prospective coach to put that on his resume.)

[crusader11]

You can't have a hot seat if there is no heat. And realistically, there is this paradox: can anyone else do any better?


Maybe not, but at some point you have to give someone that chance.

[IslandPard]

A lot of love for Lafayette here. Get that dub Leps!

On the Holy Cross board pick'em, seemed like I was the only one who didn't pick SHU. Lafayette definitely the underdog on the road. Is Sacred Heart still supposed to be pretty solid this year?

Maybe a little too much love for the 'Pards. The O should be better. But this is not the defense from last year. The entire Dline is gone (LBs back) except for one sub who had some playing time. The word is he's injured. Schuster over Davis at QB is a head scratcher. But, in Troxell we trust!

[Colgate TD]

Maybe not, but at some point you have to give someone that chance.

Looking forward to seeing what Stan D. has bought to the table this year. Transfer portal? You never know how some kids are going to mature and add to the overall compete level going forward. Kinasewich from Florida looks like the real deal at DB. Think we could hang with 'Cuse for the first 3 quarters, then the Orange might close the door on us. Nothing to be ashamed of tho.......

[gravalico]

Maybe a little too much love for the 'Pards. The O should be better. But this is not the defense from last year. The entire Dline is gone (LBs back) except for one sub who had some playing time. The word is he's injured. Schuster over Davis at QB is a head scratcher. But, in Troxell we trust!If you recall, Schuster was the starter last year until he became one of the many who fell victim to injury. John's rationale last year was the two were very comparable from a talent perspective but Schuster was younger. Hence a building block for the future. I suspect the same holds true this year.

As for the Defense there is no replacing Hamm that's for sure. That being said, Marco Olivo anchors what might just be an elite LB group in a league chock full of elite LBs. Billy Schaffer was another walking wounded from last year that they expect huge things from. And Saiku White in the defensive back field is another big plus.

I swapped texts with John this morning to wish him luck. I asked him how he's feeling about the upcoming season. He said he's eager to get it going and very excited about it. He did say they have 10 freshman starting on both sides of the ball so there might be some teachable moments in the early going.

He had a team that was as young or younger last year though and they played some really impressive football agianst stout teams (SHU, Temple, HC). And there is every reason to believe, barring another injury plagued season, they will be better on Offense. And even if they picked 11 random people off the quad to play special teams, they are bound to better on that unit as well.

No surprise, I'm fully decked out in leopard skin to start the season. Go Pards!!

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[Wolffan]

You can't have a hot seat if there is no heat. And realistically, there is this paradox: can anyone else do any better?

fix that either with demand (players attracted to scholarships) or supply (recruit lower academically); but the school won't allow the former and the league won't allow the latter.)...

Agree. Bob Chesney couldn’t win at Georgetown the way things are set up now.

The PL would certainly show flexibility on the AI if push came to shove (one serious phone call from the GU prez would get it done...PL HIGHLY values GU and the prestige it brings). Might eventually help a small bit in terms of overall roster quality and requires almost zero effort and zero expense.

[Pards Rule]

If you recall, Schuster was the starter last year until he became one of the many who fell victim to injury. John's rationale last year was the two were very comparable from a talent perspective but Schuster was younger. Hence a building block for the future. I suspect the same holds true this year.

As for the Defense there is no replacing Hamm that's for sure. That being said, Marco Olivo anchors what might just be an elite LB group in a league chock full of elite LBs. Billy Schaffer was another walking wounded from last year that they expect huge things from. And Saiku White in the defensive back field is another big plus.

I swapped texts with John this morning to wish him luck. I asked him how he's feeling about the upcoming season. He said he's eager to get it going and very excited about it. He did say they have 10 freshman starting on both sides of the ball so there might be some teachable moments in the early going.

He had a team that was as young or younger last year though and they played some really impressive football agianst stout teams (SHU, Temple, HC). And there is every reason to believe, barring another injury plagued season, they will be better on Offense. And even if they picked 11 random people off the quad to play special teams, they are bound to better on that unit as well.

No surprise, I'm fully decked out in leopard skin to start the season. Go Pards!!

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Hey Grav, Im a big Troxell fan. I will be down at Duke to continue my effort at incredible away games (went to NDSU, Air Force and now Duke). You can tell John that I live here on Long Beach Island NJ and I was driving down Beach Ave and saw a guy with a Leopards football shirt. Of course I had to double back and talk to him and it was C.J. Roberts. I remember him. When he said his name I replied great DB you were. He seemed stunned I recalled him. CJ and John overlapped two years. John was 1994, CJ 1992. Lets beat Duke!! Can Malik come down now hes on IR and give pep talk in Durham? Thoughts! Im good friends with Marcos dad (met him first time at Air Force game) and Eli Stewards dad (hometown guy from my Medford NJ it turns out). I have a video of a leopard dragging a gator out of a river and up the bank that would be a good clip to show if you want to send to him. Lets take care of biz today in Fairfield and get ready for Duke.

[gravalico]

Hey Grav, Im a big Troxell fan. I will be down at Duke to continue my effort at incredible away games (went to NDSU, Air Force and now Duke). You can tell John that I live here on Long Beach Island NJ and I was driving down Beach Ave and saw a guy with a Leopards football shirt. Of course I had to double back and talk to him and it was C.J. Roberts. I remember him. When he said his name I replied great DB you were. He seemed stunned I recalled him. CJ and John overlapped two years. John was 1994, CJ 1992. Lets beat Duke!! Can Malik come down now hes on IR and give pep talk in Durham? Thoughts! Im good friends with Marcos dad (met him first time at Air Force game) and Eli Stewards dad (hometown guy from my Medford NJ it turns out). I have a video of a leopard dragging a gator out of a river and up the bank that would be a good clip to show if you want to send to him. Lets take care of biz today in Fairfield and get ready for Duke.Ha! My Dad has a house on LBI. I was down there a couple of weeks ago. I too was wearing a Leopards shirt and got a few comments from two current students. I played with John (and CJ). Class of 94. I wish I could make the trip to Duke but I have to travel to CA for work that week. I look at Duke as I viewed Temple last year. Just keep it respectable. Anything else would be gravy as they say. I will be planted in front of the TV tonight for sure. Go Pards!

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[crusader11]

Grav, you must have played alongside Jarrett Shine then. Tremendous individual. Coached me in football and baseball in high school.

[Pards Rule]

Ha! My Dad has a house on LBI. I was down there a couple of weeks ago. I too was wearing a Leopards shirt and got a few comments from two current students. I played with John (and CJ). Class of 94. I wish I could make the trip to Duke but I have to travel to CA for work that week. I look at Duke as I viewed Temple last year. Just keep it respectable. Anything else would be gravy as they say. I will be planted in front of the TV tonight for sure. Go Pards!

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Excellent! Im in Beach Haven Terrace area right near second Wawa as I call it. Yes goal vs Duke for sure! I was at that Temple game. Damn THREE blocked punts by SAME GUY! Led to 16 points for them - two short fields and a safety.

[Leopard Loyalist]

Villanova at Lehigh, 12:00 noon
Marist at Georgetown, 12:30
Merrimack at Holy Cross, 2:00
Colgate at Syracuse, 4:00
Bucknell at James Madison, 6:00
Wagner at Fordham, 6:00
Lafayette at Sacred Heart, 6:00

[gravalico]

Excellent! Im in Beach Haven Terrace area right near second Wawa as I call it. Yes goal vs Duke for sure! I was at that Temple game. Damn THREE blocked punts by SAME GUY! Led to 16 points for them - two short fields and a safety.Yeah those special teams last year was special indeed. And not in a good way. We're down on Nelson right before Holgate. Taylor Swift was staying two doors down from us while we were there. It was madness. Never saw so many sidewalk chalk tributes in my life.

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[gravalico]

Grav, you must have played alongside Jarrett Shine then. Tremendous individual. Coached me in football and baseball in high school.Yep. Jarrett was a couple of years younger than me. Great guy. Always had a positive attitude.

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[Pards Rule]

Yeah those special teams last year was special indeed. And not in a good way. We're down on Nelson right before Holgate. Taylor Swift was staying two doors down from us while we were there. It was madness. Never saw so many sidewalk chalk tributes in my life.

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Yep right by Sea Spray Hotel. Good grief it was a zoo with Taylor. How did they know she was on your street. Tinted out SUVs? Lol

- - - Updated - - -


Yep. Jarrett was a couple of years younger than me. Great guy. Always had a positive attitude.

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BTW I DM you

[caribbeanhen]

Looks like they’ve installed new quicksand turf at Goodman…

[gravalico]

Yep right by Sea Spray Hotel. Good grief it was a zoo with Taylor. How did they know she was on your street. Tinted out SUVs? Lol

- - - Updated - - -



BTW I DM youThe pimped out suvs were one thing. Also had some inside information.

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[gravalico]

Yep right by Sea Spray Hotel. Good grief it was a zoo with Taylor. How did they know she was on your street. Tinted out SUVs? Lol

- - - Updated - - -



BTW I DM youI responded.

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[Pards Rule]

The pimped out suvs were one thing. Also had some inside information.

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LOL im sure from neighbor that rented it! :)

[gravalico]

LOL im sure from neighbor that rented it! :)It's kind of funny. I started a new job and I have a colleague who owns the largest LBI-themed Instagram account, #lovelylbi. He is pretty connected with everything going on on the island. He confirmed it for me. He just happens to be a Lehigh grad so we bust each other's chops relentlessly.

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[Pards Rule]

It's kind of funny. I started a new job and I have a colleague who owns the largest LBI-themed Instagram account, #lovelylbi. He is pretty connected with everything going on on the island. He confirmed it for me. He just happens to be a Lehigh grad so we bust each other's chops relentlessly.

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Im founder and admin with 3 others of LBI Six Miles of Separation FB ironically

[Bisonoline]

Whats LBI???????

[gravalico]

Whats LBI???????Long Beach Island, NJ. Jersey shore. Awesome spot.

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[IslandPard]

If you recall, Schuster was the starter last year until he became one of the many who fell victim to injury. John's rationale last year was the two were very comparable from a talent perspective but Schuster was younger. Hence a building block for the future. I suspect the same holds true this year.

As for the Defense there is no replacing Hamm that's for sure. That being said, Marco Olivo anchors what might just be an elite LB group in a league chock full of elite LBs. Billy Schaffer was another walking wounded from last year that they expect huge things from. And Saiku White in the defensive back field is another big plus.

I swapped texts with John this morning to wish him luck. I asked him how he's feeling about the upcoming season. He said he's eager to get it going and very excited about it. He did say they have 10 freshman starting on both sides of the ball so there might be some teachable moments in the early going.

He had a team that was as young or younger last year though and they played some really impressive football agianst stout teams (SHU, Temple, HC). And there is every reason to believe, barring another injury plagued season, they will be better on Offense. And even if they picked 11 random people off the quad to play special teams, they are bound to better on that unit as well.

No surprise, I'm fully decked out in leopard skin to start the season. Go Pards!!

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LFG!!!

BTW, speaking of Shine-time, we all played together. I'll DM you.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Villanova 38 Lehigh 10: I watched the first quarter before I had to make the 4 hour trip from Bethesda, MD home. I thought Lehigh's defense showed some promise but offense (especially OL/QB) remains extremely suspect. Until Garcia can eliminate his fumbling I'm not sure how much he deserves to play. I definitely expected more from the offense only because it has been so bad since Coen left.

Georgetown 49 Marist 7: Marist stayed at the same hotel as I did last night and got a chance to see them up close in person; they looked like a D3 team size wise. This has to be the Hoyas largest margin of victory in 10+ years?

Holy Cross 42 Merrimack 20: Merrimack made the Crusaders earn this one over the course of 4 quarters which is not surprising. Very good opening win for HC against a solid team!

[Colgate TD]

37 - 0 Syracuse over Colgate at the half :/(

[DFW HOYA]

Georgetown 49 Marist 7: Marist stayed at the same hotel as I did last night and got a chance to see them up close in person; they looked like a D3 team size wise. This has to be the Hoyas largest margin of victory in 10+ years?

Marist looked awful, and Georgetown looked a step slow from last season, which is troubling...again.

It is the largest win since 2019, but not a quality one.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Marist looked awful, and Georgetown looked a step slow from last season, which is troubling...again.

It is the largest win since 2019, but not a quality one.

I watched Marist get off the bus and enter the hotel. They looked small! If I didn't know they were a college team I would have guessed they represented a high school...

https://scontent.fagc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/373620186_7013255645373473_3650004125519143413_n.j pg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=tzCCGVCwXuMAX88n6Ft&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDrmxwuz7qahtqq_xRYfJ69c9AoWsfUNk1TWvoPZSZX 5g&oe=64F7CE02

https://scontent.fagc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/373088016_7013255468706824_1089273712312928670_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=zliHz6xrTH0AX_kEPdh&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc1-1.fna&oh=00_AfD05csgEptaDOtDik7bRxN_jmVgCg_EaeM6IQUOi8hx-g&oe=64F971AB

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Syracuse 58 Colgate 0 7:13 3Q

Colgate seriously needs to stop whoring out the football program to subsidize costs.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

TD 'Cuse!! It's a 60 minute game! Hopefully 'Cuse makes sure Colgate gets their money's worth...

65-0 1:34 3Q

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

JMU 3 Bucknell 0 End 1Q

Bucknell has already far exceeded my expectations....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Fordham appears to be back to their enigma selves. They have had several chances to blow this game open early but keep making mental/physical mistakes which is allowing Wagner to hang in. Should be 21-3 or so instead...

Fordham 7-3 12:38 2Q

[crusader11]

Syracuse 58 Colgate 0 7:13 3Q

Colgate seriously needs to stop whoring out the football program to subsidize costs.

A good PL team should be able to be semi-competitive with a bottom half ACC team.

Stan D isn’t the guy for this job.

[Go...gate]

Syracuse 58 Colgate 0 7:13 3Q

Colgate seriously needs to stop whoring out the football program to subsidize costs.

Respectfully, please stick your remark in your ear. Worry about your own program, whatever it is,

[Go...gate]

A good PL team should be able to be semi-competitive with a bottom half ACC team.

Stan D isn’t the guy for this job.

That could certainly be true.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Respectfully, please stick your remark in your ear. Worry about your own program, whatever it is,

This is a message board! I'll call it like I see it! :)

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

A good PL team should be able to be semi-competitive with a bottom half ACC team.

Stan D isn’t the guy for this job.

Not even close! It's a shame. Like Gilmore last year, I think circumstances will naturally play out to the point Stan will be gone after the season. He is in completely over his head....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Fordham still has a boatload of talent. Wagner stinks yes, even so, the Rams are dominating them like a good team should. With that said, this game could be 35-3 or so at this point if they simply play cleaner/smarter football as it is...

Fordham 21-3 4:01 2Q

[Go...gate]

Historians will recall that Syracuse defeated Colgate, 71-0, in 1959, the last time the Orangemen won a national title.

[Go...gate]

Syracuse 65, Colgate 0, final.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

'Cuse showed mercy (and a propensity to fumble in Colgate territory) in the 4th quarter to prevent this game from upstaging Oregon's 81-7 thrashing of Portland State as the ugliest result of the day.

'Cuse 65 'Gate 0 Final

[Franks Tanks]

Pard’s are up 13-7 at the half. The good news, Jamar Curtis has 115 yards rushing at the half. The bad, the Pard’s inept passing game remains, with just 33 yards so far.

[gravalico]

Pard’s are up 13-7 at the half. The good news, Jamar Curtis has 115 yards rushing at the half. The bad, the Pard’s inept passing game remains, with just 33 yards so far.O Line looks much improved. Defense looks formidable again.

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[Southsider]

JMU 3 Bucknell 0 End 1Q

Bucknell has already far exceeded my expectations....

Bucky looks very solid despite score.they look organized!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

JMU 17 Bucknell 3 Half

Really impressive defensive performance by the Bison for 30 minutes. Regardless how the second half plays out Bucknell has shown very well relative to their "known pedigree"....

[Pards Rule]

O Line looks much improved. Defense looks formidable again.

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Held Pirates to 30 yards rushing so far

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Held Pirates to 30 yards rushing so far

They don't want to be Pirates! They're Pioneers....xsmiley_wix

[IslandPard]

Pard’s are up 13-7 at the half. The good news, Jamar Curtis has 115 yards rushing at the half. The bad, the Pard’s inept passing game remains, with just 33 yards so far.

...hence my question mark about Schuster. I just don't see him over Davis.

[Franks Tanks]

Still 13-7 at the start of the 4th. The Pard’s offense was not productive in the 3rd.

[fillfittonfield]

Fordham cruising…up by 17 midway through the 3rd.

Looks like they are a lock again to win “Worst ESPN + production” in the PL.

[Franks Tanks]

...hence my question mark about Schuster. I just don't see him over Davis.
Davis didn’t show much either last year. He struggles greatly with accuracy, even with short ti intermediate routes. I was hoping Schuster would take a major step forward here.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Fordham cruising…up by 17 midway through the 3rd.

Looks like they are a lock again to win “Worst ESPN + production” in the PL.

It really should be quite a bit worse! Fordham is good. The question is can Conlin and the staff reach a higher level of detail to refine the talent so it can reach their potential?

[Franks Tanks]

SHU went up 14-13, and Lafayette put in sophomore QB Dean Dinoble. He lead the Pard’s right down the field for a TD. He basically equals Shuester’s production in one drive!

19-14 Leopards. Do we have a competent QB?

[gravalico]

Davis didn’t show much either last year. He struggles greatly with accuracy, even with short ti intermediate routes. I was hoping Schuster would take a major step forward here.Apparently Davis isn't even the number 2 now.

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[gravalico]

And the special teams are still an issue.

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[Franks Tanks]

Apparently Davis isn't even the number 2 now.

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I don’t have an issue with that! The Pard’s would be cruising here, and up 2-3 scores with average QB play all game. Unfortunately, this will be another nail biter.

[Franks Tanks]

Goal Line Stand by Lafayette! 2nd year in a row.

1:40 left, Pards need to run out the clock.

[gravalico]

More exciting than it needed to be but a gritty win for the Leopards to get out on the right foot. Some things to figure out for sure.

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[Franks Tanks]

That’s it, Pard’s win.

D continues to be solid and held out on a goal line stand late in the 4th.

Jamar Curtis finished with 171 yards, which has to be the most by a Lafayette RB in 7-8 years. He had a 50 yard run to seal the game.

QB play was subpar until Dinoble came in. Hopefully he can give us solid production at QB, and the rest of the team is pretty solid.

[crusader11]

4-3 week for the PL.

Will gladly take it.

[IslandPard]

Ha! I didn't even notice the QB change. Blame it on having a houseful. Either way I still think Davis is the man. He never had great protection in the past but can throw every ball needed so....

But! I hear the Frosh from NC is the best of the bunch. With all the bodies hopefully he'll get a year to marinate before we throw him out there.

Big win! I was sour on the small RBs but they did there thing!

[Franks Tanks]

Ha! I didn't even notice the QB change. Blame it on having a houseful. Either way I still think Davis is the man. He never had great protection in the past but can throw every ball needed so....

But! I hear the Frosh from NC is the best of the bunch. With all the bodies hopefully he'll get a year to marinate before we throw him out there.

Big win! I was sour on the small RBs but they did their thing!

Schuster was hurt per Mike’s post game interview with Trox posted on Twitter. Sorry to learn this, but I have no other info.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

4-3 week for the PL.

Will gladly take it.

Overall, good week! I thought Lehigh could have been about 10 points better but turnovers/offensive struggles to start cost them. Next week will provide a better barometer heading into Cornnell which has to be a winnable game imo.

Fordham is going to be there all year so long as the injury bug does not strike. They have dudes! It comes down to Conlin getting everyone on the same page.

Bucknell was honestly the biggest surprise! I thought JMU could name their score! The Bison came to play!

Holy Cross had one of the tougher non conference FCS openers in the country and showed well! Next week will be fun!

Lafayette starts the year in a similar fashion to last year. The question is, do the have the balance to get them into contention or least a winning record?

[Go...gate]

Nice wins by Lafayette. Fordham, Holy Cross and Georgetown and a great effort by Bucknell.

Colgate travels to Villanova next week. I did not see the Villanova - Lehigh game but it looks like the Wildcats are very solid with nineteen fifth-year seniors.

[Go...gate]

Colgate used sixteen freshmen (surprised there are that many on the traveling squad) and three quarterbacks.

Colgate managed a total of 106 yards and surrendered 677 yards in total offense

Ouch.

[Go...gate]

Note to Colgate Sports Information (for which I was a student volunteer for four years):

Improve your game summaries. You are supposed to know how to write. Don't be afraid to tell the truth.

Also, provide the damn game statistics.

Bob Cornell would have kicked my ass off the staff for the dreck that was posted.

[Bill]

A good PL team should be able to be semi-competitive with a bottom half ACC team.

Crusader,

I think I need to respectfully disagree with this statement. What do you mean by semi-competitive? Just using some of last year's bottom half ACC teams, if a good PL team can make a competitive game with the likes of NC State, U Miami, or Louisville...then those ACC teams need a complete overhaul and their coaching staffs should be fired! I believe those games would be blow outs at least 9 times out of 10.

Just my opinion of course...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Crusader,

I think I need to respectfully disagree with this statement. What do you mean by semi-competitive? Just using some of last year's bottom half ACC teams, if a good PL team can make a competitive game with the likes of NC State, U Miami, or Louisville...then those ACC teams need a complete overhaul and their coaching staffs should be fired! I believe those games would be blow outs at least 9 times out of 10.

Just my opinion of course...

We'll see how Lafayette fairs against Duke this year. While I don't see the 'Pards staying within 2 scores, I also don't see them losing by 40+ either. The Blue Devils have a big time QB and are coming off a 9-4 season....

I think Holy Cross could stay within 21 of Syracuse this year which would be a respectable showing.

[Go...gate]

We'll see how Lafayette fares against Duke this year. While I don't see the 'Pards staying within 2 scores, I also don't see them losing by 40+ either. The Blue Devils have a big time QB and are coming off a 9-4 season....

I think Holy Cross could stay within 21 of Syracuse this year which would be a respectable showing.

Holy Cross used to play Syracuse annually and will be on future Orangemen football schedules.

[Sader87]

Holy Cross used to play Syracuse annually and will be on future Orangemen football schedules.

One of the COLDEST games I've evah gone to, a brutal 5-3 loss, yes, 5-3 to the Orangemen at Fitton in Novembah of 1973.

We beat some very good Syracuse football teams before my time in the late 1950s.

[Go...gate]

One of the COLDEST games I've evah gone to, a brutal 5-3 loss, yes, 5-3 to the Orangemen at Fitton in Novembah of 1973.

We beat some very good Syracuse football teams before my time in the late 1950s.

November 10, 1973?

[Wolffan]

Seeing how well Albany played (lost by 4 to FBS Marshall) has got to make the Fordham faithful feel better. Look like 2nd best in PL at this point but it’s hard to say.

[Southsider]

Nice wins by Lafayette. Fordham, Holy Cross and Georgetown and a great effort by Bucknell.

Colgate travels to Villanova next week. I did not see the Villanova - Lehigh game but it looks like the Wildcats are very solid with nineteen fifth-year seniors.

Nova’s O-Line are monsters! Their team speed is phenomenal. Get ready!

[Pards Rule]

That’s it, Pard’s win.

D continues to be solid and held out on a goal line stand late in the 4th.

Jamar Curtis finished with 171 yards, which has to be the most by a Lafayette RB in 7-8 years. He had a 50 yard run to seal the game.

QB play was subpar until Dinoble came in. Hopefully he can give us solid production at QB, and the rest of the team is pretty solid.

I met Dean Denobile (an e at end) and his gf after the Bucknell game in Lewisburg last year. Hoping he can take the reins. Not at all confident in Shuster

[crusader11]

Crusader,

I think I need to respectfully disagree with this statement. What do you mean by semi-competitive? Just using some of last year's bottom half ACC teams, if a good PL team can make a competitive game with the likes of NC State, U Miami, or Louisville...then those ACC teams need a complete overhaul and their coaching staffs should be fired! I believe those games would be blow outs at least 9 times out of 10.

Just my opinion of course...

Keeping a game to 3-4 TDs (inside 28 points) is semi-competitive to me. Colgate looked like they had no business being on the same field yesterday with Syracuse. I suspect next weekend that Holy Cross will look just about equal to Boston College. The really good Andy Coen, Joe Moorhead, and Dan Hunt teams would have comported themselves well against some of those not-so-great Syracuse, Duke, GT, BC, UVA, and UNC teams over the past ten years.

I think a good PL team (over the last decade, that would mean the following: 2022 HC and Fordham, 2021 HC, 2018 Colgate, 2016 Lehigh and Fordham, 2015 Colgate and Fordham, 2014 Fordham) should be able to “hang” around with the bottom third of the ACC for a half and have the final score look respectable.

(I acknowledge I’m moving the goalposts and changing it from the bottom half to bottom third).

[Pards Rule]

We'll see how Lafayette fairs against Duke this year. While I don't see the 'Pards staying within 2 scores, I also don't see them losing by 40+ either. The Blue Devils have a big time QB and are coming off a 9-4 season....

I think Holy Cross could stay within 21 of Syracuse this year which would be a respectable showing.

Ok whats the spread on Pard game?

[Pards Rule]

Keeping a game to 3-4 TDs (inside 28 points) is semi-competitive to me. Colgate looked like they had no business being on the same field yesterday with Colgate. I suspect next weekend that Holy Cross will look just about equal to Boston College. The really good Andy Coen, Joe Moorhead, and Dan Hunt teams would have comported themselves well against some of those not-so-great Syracuse, Duke, GT, BC, UVA, and UNC teams over the past ten years.

I think a good PL team (over the last decade, that would mean the following: 2022 HC and Fordham, 2021 HC, 2018 Colgate, 2016 Lehigh and Fordham, 2015 Colgate and Fordham, 2014 Fordham) should be able to “hang” around with the bottom third of the ACC for a half and have the final score look respectable.

(I acknowledge I’m moving the goalposts and changing it from the bottom half to bottom third).

C11, change second Colgate in 2nd sentence to Syracuse - just a typo note. I agree with you on this.

[crusader11]

C11, change second Colgate in 2nd sentence to Syracuse - just a typo note. I agree with you on this.

Edited — thank you.

[Pards Rule]

Holy Cross used to play Syracuse annually and will be on future Orangemen football schedules.


Uhhhh...for how long?

[Pards Rule]

November 10, 1973?

According to www.timeanddate.com (http://www.timenaddate.com) perpetual calendar that would have been 2nd Sat in Nov 1973

[Pards Rule]

One of the COLDEST games I've evah gone to, a brutal 5-3 loss, yes, 5-3 to the Orangemen at Fitton in Novembah of 1973.

We beat some very good Syracuse football teams before my time in the late 1950s.

Fifty years this November. A November to remember I guess. I was just 11 (born 9/11/62). Just had started to follow Phila Eagles. When I applied Lafayette early decision (quite rare in late 1979!) I thought it would be cool to see how they did as they were always on the Prudential College Scoreboard! Who remembers that. Whoever would think social media and this internet thing would squash that!

[Wolffan]

Nice wins by Lafayette. Fordham, Holy Cross and Georgetown and a great effort by Bucknell.

Colgate travels to Villanova next week. I did not see the Villanova - Lehigh game but it looks like the Wildcats are very solid with nineteen fifth-year seniors.

Look for Villanova to go out to a big lead in the 1st half against Colgate (Lehigh v Nova was 31-3 at halftime ) and then coast in. Hard to tell given the mismatch v Lehigh but Nova MAY have bounced back after a down year.

[caribbeanhen]

Fifty years this November. A November to remember I guess. I was just 11 (born 9/11/62). Just had started to follow Phila Eagles. When I applied Lafayette early decision (quite rare in late 1979!) I thought it would be cool to see how they did as they were always on the Prudential College Scoreboard! Who remembers that. Whoever would think social media and this internet thing would squash that!

what time were you born?

[Pards Rule]

what time were you born?


11:45 PM...

[caribbeanhen]

11:45 PM...

3AM so I’m about 21 hours older than you and I know we spoke of that little coincidence before

Tampa

[ngineer]

Merrimack game for Lehigh should be a better barometer as erstwhile Engineers shot themselves in the foot, ass, and/or knee in the first half with penalties and three turnovers that resulted 21 points. I liked the insides kick the Cahill called to open the game. Once Silbor got his feet wet, he showed me a nice arm, but is not 'fleet afoot'. I think they will (or should) abandon that QB keeper off the fake handoff going forward, unless Perri is in. Villanova showed Top 20 talent to me..especially in the run game. Huge, experienced and punishing OL with backs that have a very quick first step and can shift gears and directions. I felt that Lehigh kept the fight up, and both teams played a lot of reserves in fourth quarter, so, again, difficult to "gauge"...which also was the day Garcia had. The guy is powerful, but needs to hold on to the ball, otherwise, strength is worthless. A couple new traditions unveiled by Cahill--team did pregame warm ups on the Whitehead practice fields and then bussed to Goodman through the tailgate parking lots and past the Rust Pavilion, which is where the football alums tailgate pre/post game, for a rousing sendoff. Then, at 3rd quarter break, they play "Mountain Music" by Alabama on the sound system as it appears that song has been a 'bonding one' the team has embraced during summer camp. The words have come to have a lot of meaning to the team, and Cahill is bent on "changing the culture"...so we shall see how this stuff works. It surely cannot hurt! Opening stanza:

"You see that mountain over there,, Yea one of these days, I'm going to climb that mountain.....[later] Swim across the river. Just to prove that I'm a man... "

South Mountain rises up to the north of Goodman Stadium and Cahill had the team back pack up the mountain during spring ball...carrying boulders in their back packs and helping each other to the summit. Hence, the song had a resonance with a lot of the team.

Most impressive result of the opening week was Bucknell staying within sniffing distance of JMU. I would have expected the score suffered by Colgate. It's why you have to rebuild with defense in order to at least stay close. Of course, JMU could have been sleeping on Bucky with a bigger fish on the horizon. But, still. A salute to Bison.

Fordham still appears to be the solid #2, after seeing that Albany came close to beating Marshall. Wagner is a strange team...Always a bunch of transfers...like a mercenary unit..hmmm. Good they didn't have to fly to the Bronx.

Holy Cross appears to have been unpleasantly surprised by a game Merrimack squad, but got things under control. Was a good showing by the 'macks' and should certainly have Lehigh's attention.

Lafayette pulled out a close win which I thought they would based on their tough D. They will need to find some air support for the season to be successful.

It was nice to see Hoyas be in a laugher and be on the laughing side. Can certainly help the mindset, and it would appear they have a shot at a winning streak with Stonehill next week, who lost by about 40 points to UNH.

Hard to devine what good comes out of 65 point whitewash, but they will be presented with a formidable opponent in 'nova. Hopefully, Raiders came out of Syracuse relatively healthy.

[Wolffan]

/\ Nova forced multiple turnovers (never a good sign for the opposition) and had no difficulty opening up a large lead before calling off the dogs at Lehigh. Holy Cross, in contrast, didn't cause any turnovers and were actually behind at the end of the 1st half. Assuming Nova and Holy Cross are in the same ballpark (or perhaps HC is a bit stronger) I'd guess Lehigh will be in for a very difficult game Saturday v Merrimack.

[Pards Rule]

3AM so I’m about 21 hours older than you and I know we spoke of that little coincidence before

Tampa

Thats right! I met you for a drink on the beach in St Pete in the year after the Delaware-Lafayette playoff game (our first ever) when I was in town for biz with Maaco as a real estate manager. Good to hear from you, Doug

[caribbeanhen]

Thats right! I met you for a drink on the beach in St Pete in the year after the Delaware-Lafayette playoff game (our first ever) when I was in town for biz with Maaco as a real estate manager. Good to hear from you, Doug

no that wasn’t me, but I remember the playoff game in 2004

I think it was before the 2016 Delaware Lafayette game that we realized we were born on the same day now almost 61 years ago

[Southsider]

/\ Nova forced multiple turnovers (never a good sign for the opposition) and had no difficulty opening up a large lead before calling off the dogs at Lehigh. Holy Cross, in contrast, didn't cause any turnovers and were actually behind at the end of the 1st half. Assuming Nova and Holy Cross are in the same ballpark (or perhaps HC is a bit stronger) I'd guess Lehigh will be in for a very difficult game Saturday v Merrimack.

HC is not in Nova’s league. Cats are very strong!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

HC is not in Nova’s league. Cats are very strong!

Holy Cross is a legit title contender this year. Villanova MIGHT prove to be Top 25 or better as the season progresses.

What is shocking is the Wildcats complete and thorough dominance of Lehigh and the PL! Colgate is in for a world of hurt this weekend.

[gravalico]

I'm not sure why the notion of Villanova completely dominating Lehigh is so confusing. Lehigh has been a bottom half of the PL team for a couple of years now. They have a brand new staff. By all accounts Nova is a Top 25 team this year. The only two teams in the PL they shouldn't dominate are the potential top 25 teams in the PL, namely HC and Fordham. Any other PL team that holds their own against Nova or any other premiere FCS team is a pleasant surprise. Why the confusion? Did we really think Lehigh had the potential to be such a team this year? I sure didn't.

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[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I'm not sure why the notion of Villanova completely dominating Lehigh is so confusing. Lehigh has been a bottom half of the PL team for a couple of years now. They have a brand new staff. By all accounts Nova is a Top 25 team this year. The only two teams in the PL they shouldn't dominate are the potential top 25 teams in the PL, namely HC and Fordham. Any other PL team that holds their own against Nova or any other premiere FCS team is a pleasant surprise. Why the confusion? Did we really think Lehigh had the potential to be such a team this year? I sure didn't.

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There is precedent for rather quick turnarounds, or at the very least observable improvements, in the PL. Chesney's first game at Holy Cross rings a bell. After taking over Holy Cross following its own Gilmore debacle (he got canned midseason) Chesney had the privilege of starting his tenure on the road in Hamilton against a Colgate team that would finish in the Top 10 in the country. Colgate won the game 24-17 in what would prove to be one of their toughest challenges of the regular season. Holy Cross would finish T2 in the PL after going 4-2 and would go on to win the league and advance to the playoffs the in 2019. I will always point to 9/1/18 to the day Chesney immediately displayed he was is a transcended coach.

Couple other turnarounds of note.
Fordham 2011 1-10 (Masella fired,Moorhead hired) 2012 they finish 6-5
Colgate 1995 0-11 (Ed Sweeney Fired, Biddle Hired), 1996 6-5

Lehigh still has some solid pieces but requires the right leadership to squeeze every bit of potential out of it. I'm not going to put a tremendous amount of stock in the 'Nova game other than i thought it would have been a bit better (picked it 38-20) while also knowing it could have been far worse. Especially if Villanova proves to be Top 25, or better, team.

Lehigh has Merrimack, Cornell and Dartmouth up next. It's on the staff to facilitate improvement. Cornell and Dartmouth have to be winnable games, even sure wins. Otherwise an 0-11, 1-10 season is possible imo. And I don't see that happening....

[Wolffan]

Holy Cross is a legit title contender this year. Villanova MIGHT prove to be Top 25 or better as the season progresses.

What is shocking is the Wildcats complete and thorough dominance of Lehigh and the PL! Colgate is in for a world of hurt this weekend.

Shocking? They destroyed Lehigh last year 45-17 and all accounts were that they added legit talent.

As far as Holy Cross is concerned the story this year will be the belated recognition of what they have been doing on the recruiting trail the last few years. We may be in for some lopsided scores v PL opposition.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Shocking? They destroyed Lehigh last year and all accounts were that they added legit talent.

Context my friend. Look at Villanova's record against the PL since 1987. They're like 40-3! They've dominated everyone! Only Holy Cross, Lehigh and Fordham have taken them down since the formation of the PL. In 2013 Fordham beat Villanova 24-17, while the following year in a battle of #10 vs #11 Villanova absolutely embarrassed the Rams 50-6! Fordham finished 11-3, 6-0 in the PL in 2014.....

[Wolffan]

Context my friend. Look at Villanova's record against the PL since 1987. They're like 40-3! They've dominated everyone! Only Holy Cross, Lehigh and Fordham have taken them down since the formation of the PL. In 2013 Fordham beat Villanova 24-17, while the following year in a battle of #10 vs #11 Villanova absolutely embarrassed the Rams 50-6! Fordham finished 11-3, 6-0 in the PL in 2014.....

Context? Your reason for being shocked at Villanova’s domination of Lehigh is that Villanova has a history of dominating PL?

[gravalico]

Ok sure, I grant you better coaching staffs can bring about immediate positive changes if they are the right group of coaches. Russo went 9-1 his first year at Lafayette. Most of the time however the improvement is more gradual. Some of the turnarounds you site prove the point (6-5 records). Great progress from the year before but not world beaters in the first year. Back to my point, it should not be confusing or even disappointing that Lehigh got their ass handed to them by Nova. Completely expected by any one with a pragmatic outlook. Lafayette is in the midst of their own turnaround (my sincere hope) but they will likely have their ass handed to them by Duke on Saturday. Doesn't mean the progress has been derailed or even stalled. These things generally take time and are subject to careful process.

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[gravalico]

Context my friend. Look at Villanova's record against the PL since 1987. They're like 40-3! They've dominated everyone! Only Holy Cross, Lehigh and Fordham have taken them down since the formation of the PL. In 2013 Fordham beat Villanova 24-17, while the following year in a battle of #10 vs #11 Villanova absolutely embarrassed the Rams 50-6! Fordham finished 11-3, 6-0 in the PL in 2014.....Comparing the Yankee Conference teams of the 1980s to the fledgling PL of the same time frame is an apples vs. dump trucks comparison. Full scholarship vs. need based grants, "ivy league lite" academic rigor vs. standards well below that.

As for the more modern era, the PL is closing the gap but only with the schools who remain staunchly committed to athletics as a priority. In the meantime it is fair to say CAA, a league which regularly puts 2-3 teams in the playoffs are still miles ahead of the PL. The cream of the CAA crop, in a very general sense, can absolutely pay most of the PL no mind for now. That may change in the future but for now the best we can hope for is our top teams can hang with their top teams. Hardly a given though.

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[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Context? Your reason for being shocked at Villanova’s domination of Lehigh is that Villanova has a history of dominating PL?

No. Following the return of Villanova football in the late 1980s Villanova has thoroughly dominated the PL on a consistent basis. Even when they weren't particularly strong they have come out on top basically EVERY time against their PL opposition. I theorize their commitment to beating the PL and ensuring this dominance was ingrained in the program by Talley given his open disdain for the conference and any hints (especially those which emanated from the 'Nova admin). To virtually never trip and fall (get upset) over the course of 40 games or so takes tremendous focus. Hell, JMU lost to Colgate twice in the playoffs in a span of 3 years! Why? Lack of opposition focus in large part part, Withers and Houston were on their way out....

BTW, look at 'Nova's record against Delaware the last 20-25 years. They made it a priority to own that rivalry! It's cultural....

I attended the Colgate vs 'Nova game in Hamilton to open the 2019. This was a hyped opener because #13 Colgate (coming off a great 2018) had unranked 'Nova on their home turf to start the year. The game was over at half, 27-0. Hunt and Colgate were completely overwhelmed....

[Wolffan]

No. Following the return of Villanova football in the late 1980s Villanova has thoroughly dominated the PL on a consistent basis. Even when they weren't particularly strong they have come out on top basically EVERY time against their PL opposition. I theorize their commitment to beating the PL and ensuring this dominance was ingrained in the program by Talley given his open disdain for the conference and any hints (especially those which emanated from the 'Nova admin). To virtually never trip and fall (get upset) over the course of 40 games or so takes tremendous focus. Hell, JMU lost to Colgate twice in the playoffs in a span of 3 years! Why? Lack of opposition focus in large part part, Withers and Houston were on their way out....

BTW, look at 'Nova's record against Delaware the last 20-25 years. They made it a priority to own that rivalry! It's cultural....

I attended the Colgate vs 'Nova game in Hamilton to open the 2019. This was a hyped opener because #13 Colgate (coming off a great 2018) had unranked 'Nova on their home turf to start the year. The game was over at half, 27-0. Hunt and Colgate were completely overwhelmed....Aaaaahhhhh. OK, I (and a couple of other posters) thought you were referencing Nova’s easy win over Lehigh on Saturday when you used the term ‘shocking’. LOL. Nothing could be less shocking.

BTW I’m not at all surprised a pretty good CAA team can dominate a PL team (except, perhaps, the ranked PL teams but I’m not sure how often Nova has played ranked PL teams over the last 25 years). On many occasions (including Saturday) they have really resisted the temptation to run it up.

[gravalico]

Here's something to consider that is never brought up when speaking of Villanova and their "culture" of winning. The pressure and/or expectation for Villanova football players to do steroids was very real. It wasn't systematically demanded by the coaching staff but I would suggest it was expected of players to "do what they need to do" to succeed and get an edge. Can't speak to the rest of the league but I can speak to Villanova under Tally.

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[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Here's something to consider that is never brought up when speaking of Villanova and their "culture" of winning. The pressure and/or expectation for Villanova football players to do steroids was very real. It wasn't systematically demanded by the coaching staff but I would suggest it was expected of players to "do what they need to do" to succeed and get an edge. Can't speak to the rest of the league but I can speak to Villanova under Tally.

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Ahh, the Nebraka theory under Osborne as it relates to rampant 'roid use and how that played into how he leveraged the value of his walk-on program. Who will go to the extremes for success?

[Go Green]

Other than Lafayette-SHU, are any of these games expected to be even close?

I'm off to a nice start. :)

[Southsider]

Holy Cross is a legit title contender this year. Villanova MIGHT prove to be Top 25 or better as the season progresses.

What is shocking is the Wildcats complete and thorough dominance of Lehigh and the PL! Colgate is in for a world of hurt this weekend.


I watched most of the Merrimack game. HC good, but I do not believe they are even close to Nova in total. I guess we'll see as things progress.

[Sader87]

Holy Cross is absolutely on the same level as Villanova today.....we nearly won at Nova 2 years ago in the playoffs.

[Wolffan]

I watched most of the Merrimack game. HC good, but I do not believe they are even close to Nova in total. I guess we'll see as things progress. I saw the Lehigh-Nova game and Nova (picked 7 in the CAA pre-season poll) looked absolutely superb in comparison to Lehigh. Especially their defense and running game. I would expect them to look just as strong versus Colgate on Saturday. If they get excellent quarterback play, it’ll be a very good season for an improved Villanova.

[NY Crusader 2010]

Holy Cross is absolutely on the same level as Villanova today.....we nearly won at Nova 2 years ago in the playoffs.

For sure. HC would be slight dogs at Nova and slight favorites at Fitton if we played next week, in my opinion.

2021 Holy Cross took seeded VU to the wire in the playoffs in Philly. We were measurably better in 2022, and totally dismembered the CAA co-champ in the 2nd round of the playoffs FWIW. Of course, 2023 is a brand new season once again.

[NY Crusader 2010]

I saw the Lehigh-Nova game and Nova (picked 7 in the CAA pre-season poll) looked absolutely superb in comparison to Lehigh. Especially their defense and running game. I would expect them to look just as strong versus Colgate on Saturday. If they get excellent quarterback play, it’ll be a very good season for an improved Villanova.

Should be a walkthrough. 42-10 Cats.

[Wolffan]

Should be a walkthrough. 42-10 Cats.

Just like with Lehigh, they'll open up a big lead pretty easily and then call off the dogs. I think they enjoy playing the nearby PLs so they try not to run up the score (Lehigh could have been much much worse.)

[caribbeanhen]

Holy Cross is absolutely on the same level as Villanova today.....we nearly won at Nova 2 years ago in the playoffs.

agree but still not ready for S Dak St … nobody is

[Southsider]

For sure. HC would be slight dogs at Nova and slight favorites at Fitton if we played next week, in my opinion.

2021 Holy Cross took seeded VU to the wire in the playoffs in Philly. We were measurably better in 2022, and totally dismembered the CAA co-champ in the 2nd round of the playoffs FWIW. Of course, 2023 is a brand new season once again.

You Crosser's are starting to sound like LU fans from years past. 9-2 every year. xcoffeex Best of luck. We'll watch the season play out.

[Pards Rule]

Whats the spread on Duke-Pard game?

[gravalico]

Whats the spread on Duke-Pard game?I can't even imagine.

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[Pards Rule]

I can't even imagine.

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Air Force was 44! True!!

[RichH2]

Duke -42. Early line. It will increase

[Pards Rule]

Duke -42. Early line. It will increase

Thanks Rich. Now that Malik Hamm on IR can he come to Durham to charge team up?