Patriot League Pick 'Em - Week 5

[DFW HOYA]

Week 5: Lafayette is on a bye week.
(Note: Per the ACC web site, the HC-Syracuse game is not available through ESPN+.)


Holy Cross (1-3) at Syracuse (2-1), 12:00 pm, ACCNX
Columbia (1-0) at Georgetown (2-2), 12:30 pm, ESPN+
Fordham (0-4) at Monmouth (2-2), 1:00 pm, FloSports
Bucknell (2-2) at Lehigh (3-1), 1:00 pm, ESPN+
Colgate(1-3) at Pennsylvania (0-1), 1:00 pm, ESPN+

[bonarae]

'Cuse
Columbia
Monmouth - will Mack Brown and Joe Conlin both be canned after their respective games this Saturday?
Lehigh
'gate

[DFW HOYA]

'
Monmouth - will Mack Brown and Joe Conlin both be canned after their respective games this Saturday?


No to both.

Mack Brown, 73, was signed to a five year extension after last season through 2028 - while he makes $5 million a year, his buyout would be only $3.6 million ($900K base x four years). It's more likely there would be some sort of "retirement" announcement with buyout were UNC to move that way.

Joe Conlin's contract is through the 2026 season and without an athletic director I'm not sure Fordham would move in that direction without a new AD. This reminds me of when Kevin Kelly was 0-11 at Georgetown and 4-38 in four years, the previous athletic director had quit and the position was vacant for a year. The decision was deferred for the next AD and by then Kelly had his best run at Georgetown before leaving for a short term role at Ball State. He's now starting up a D-III program at New England College (NH) for 2025.

[The Cats]

Holy Cross (1-3) at Syracuse (2-1)
Columbia (1-0) at Georgetown (2-2)
Fordham (0-4) at Monmouth (2-2), 1:00 pm,
Colgate(1-3) at Pennsylvania (0-1)
Bucknell (2-2) at Lehigh (3-1)

[caribbeanhen]

'Cuse
Columbia
Monmouth - will Mack Brown and Joe Conlin both be canned after their respective games this Saturday?
Lehigh
'gate

Penn is going to handle The Gate

[NY Crusader 2010]

Penn is going to handle The Gate

I think it will be a reasonably competitive game (7-13 points) but I like Penn at Franklin to beat 'Gate. And I still would consider a 1-4 Colgate a contender in the Patriot League. A Colgate W in Philly would be one of the three signature OOC wins for the PL this year with the others being Lehigh over Princeton and Lafayette over Monmouth.

- - - Updated - - -

Syracuse
Columbia
Monmouth
Lehigh
Penn

[MUHAWKS]

For any NYC area Fordham people that still care about the season the game will be live on SNY as well-or in the Philly area- NBC Sports Philly.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I really don't know what to make of Columbia. To me that game seemed like Merrimack beating Holy Cross all those years ago in a fluky way. If Georgetown is healthy, they have an offense, but Columbia's D line was stellar vs. Lafayette.

[UNHWildcat18]

Holy Cross (1-3) at Syracuse (2-1)
Columbia (1-0) at Georgetown (2-2)
Fordham (0-4) at Monmouth (2-2), 1:00 pm,
Colgate(1-3) at Pennsylvania (0-1)
Bucknell (2-2) at Lehigh (3-1)

Lehigh is about to be 4-1 with everyone else in the rearview mirror!

[IslandPard]

Syracuse
Columbia
Monmouth
Pennsylvania
Lehigh

[caribbeanhen]

I think it will be a reasonably competitive game (7-13 points) but I like Penn at Franklin to beat 'Gate. And I still would consider a 1-4 Colgate a contender in the Patriot League. A Colgate W in Philly would be one of the three signature OOC wins for the PL this year with the others being Lehigh over Princeton and Lafayette over Monmouth.

- - - Updated - - -

Syracuse
Columbia
Monmouth
Lehigh
Penn

I was just very impressed with the Penn RB, a stud to say the least

also a good QB and a good WR

when the chips are down late, these talented players will win the game for Penn

getting ahead of myself now but a big part of me thinks they will challenge for the Ivy title, they will need some breaks though

[Kramden]

Penn is going to handle The Gate

3 touchdowns

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Syracuse 41 Holy Cross 24: It would not shock me if the Crusaders hung around for a while. I have not been overly impressed with Syracuse. McCord? Meh....
Columbia 31 Georgetown 21: Just how good are the Lions? What has happened to the Hoyas the last 2-3 weeks?
Monmouth 55 Fordham 24: The Beach Hawks will roll over the hapless Rams. I simply can't fathom (I know there's injuries but this goes beyond that) the dysfunction in the Bronx right now. Fordham should never be this bad. Kinda like Lehigh recently...
Penn 30 Colgate 17: Penn nearly knocked off the Hens at the Tub. If the Quakers bring a similar effort tomorrow they should be able to handle the Raiders at Franklin Field by 2 scores...
Lehigh 34 Bucknell 27: Everyone picking Lehigh makes me nervous. The Bison's passing attack has me concerned. I'll be at Goodman tomorrow.....

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Syracuse 48, Holy Cross 14 - "Matthew Sluka ain't walking through that tunnel! It will take at least $175k!"
Columbia 33, Georgetown 15 - I'm real hesitant to pick this, which is more a concern with Hoya offensive injuries than any thoughts of Columbia being a contender.
Monmouth 48, Fordham 7 - Will Conlin honestly rest his starters for league play?
Colgate 35, Pennsylvania 21 - In November we'll look back at this game and think how foolish people were to think that Colgate was somehow not a good team that couldn't beat Penn.
Lehigh 30, Bucknell 21 (https://www.college-sports-journal.com/bucknell-at-lehigh-9-28-2024-fixated-on-the-only-revenge-game-on-lehighs-schedule/) - Starting to believe, which frightens me.

[Go...gate]

Syracuse 37, Holy Cross 21

Columbia 24, Georgetown 17

Monmouth 31, Fordham 20

Lehigh 26, Bucknell 24

Pennsylvania 35, Colgate 28

Bonus Pick: Howard 27, Princeton 23

[caribbeanhen]

Syracuse 37, Holy Cross 21

Columbia 24, Georgetown 17

Monmouth 31, Fordham 20

Lehigh 26, Bucknell 24

Pennsylvania 35, Colgate 28

Bonus Pick: Howard 27, Princeton 23

I like it when people make predictions like this but my money would be on Princeton

[MUHAWKS]

Not sure if "game notes" mean anything, some SID's and the like are lazy and some teams do not want info given out, but according to Fordham game notes all of the "big 3" QB, RB, WR are starting. If that is the case this could be a very good game.. What does Vegas know? MU -13.5 -- if those guys were all out it should be more like 24- with those guys all in it is 100% a trap and tough game for MU.. Interesting to say the least.

[Pards Rule]

Not sure if "game notes" mean anything, some SID's and the like are lazy and some teams do not want info given out, but according to Fordham game notes all of the "big 3" QB, RB, WR are starting. If that is the case this could be a very good game.. What does Vegas know? MU -13.5 -- if those guys were all out it should be more like 24- with those guys all in it is 100% a trap and tough game for MU.. Interesting to say the least.

Interesting...does Vegas have info on whos in or out and we dont? How do they get that and we dont? I mean it would be part of the pick discussions, no?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Syracuse 37, Holy Cross 21

Columbia 24, Georgetown 17

Monmouth 31, Fordham 20

Lehigh 26, Bucknell 24

Pennsylvania 35, Colgate 28

Bonus Pick: Howard 27, Princeton 23

Bold! I like it. Definitely will be paying attention.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

TD Lehigh! Converts on a 4th and 9 from about the 25....

Lehigh 7 Bucknell 0 2:52 1Q

I was going to drive down but between the rain/showers, I78 being shut down this morning due to a crash, and symptoms of a head cold emerging I opted to watch this and the K-State/OK State game...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

TD Lehigh! This time it was Johnson leading the charge...

Lehigh 14 Bucknell 0 4:05 2Q

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

...and Bucknell returns the ensuing kickoff! wow! Princeton had some big returns last week against Lehigh. Lehigh's kicker had a reasonable chance to slow the returner down but didn't seem too enthused about the contact....

Lehigh 14 Bucknell 7 3:51 2Q

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh fumble results in another Bucknell TD. This game changed in a blink of an eye...

Lehigh 14 Bucknell 14 2:53 2Q

[Sader87]

Syracuse 21 HC 14 2nd

[Southsider]

D is falling apart. they look shellshocked.

[Southsider]

O now equally as bad! Giving the ball back to Bucknell with just under 2 min

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

O now equally as bad! Giving the ball back to Bucknell with just under 2 min

The last 3 minutes of the half have been a disaster for Lehigh. Looks like 2023...

[Southsider]

Bucknell O more dynamic/creative

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Surprised Cecchini was content to take it to the half 14-14. Given how bad Bucknell has been over the years I would have been more aggressive, willing to go for it around midfield...

Lehigh 14 Bucknell 14 Half

[Sader87]

Syracuse 28 HC 14 H

HC has actually played pretty well after spotting the Orange 21.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh dominated the first half stats but those last 4 minutes or so were rough. They have to avoid mistakes and clean up their special teams....

[LUHawker]

Surprised Cecchini was content to take it to the half 14-14. Given how bad Bucknell has been over the years I would have been more aggressive, willing to go for it around midfield...

Lehigh 14 Bucknell 14 Half

Lehigh tackling has been poor.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh tackling has been poor.

I agree, even to start the 3Q there was a screen pass and 2 Lehigh defenders whiffed on pretty easy tackles before the 3rd guy stepped up. Granted, they came up big and ultimately forced a punt. Lehigh's attention to detail is just off a bit today. Not nearly as crisp as last week. Bucknell has some talent but overall I think LIU was "better"...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Wow, that Johnson to #9 completion was awesome! That's big time! That was NFL quality. Then Lehigh scores on the next play on a Yoder run...

Lehigh 21 Bucknell 14 7:12 3Q

[Southsider]

Great drive. Johnson is the real deal! Yoder for a 19 yd run and a TD!

[Southsider]

The D is just awful. Can't tackle, receivers getting wide open!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Monmouth 35 Fordham 7 9:48 2Q

Yikes!

Bucknell goes right down the field and answers...

Lehigh 21 Bucknell 21 2:11 3Q

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The D is just awful. Can't tackle, receivers getting wide open!

That was a bad drive but the defense has given up 2 TDs through 3 quarters which is pretty good. See how they respond in crunch time......

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh 21 Bucknell 21 End 3Q

Lehigh driving. Which defense can come up with a key stop? Who will make the pivotal mistake? Both teams have been burned by turnovers....

[Southsider]

The D is just awful. Can't tackle, receivers getting wide open!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh TD gets called back for holding on 4th and 2..Buckell gets the stop on 4th down after the penalty...ugh..

[Southsider]

LU run game has really struggled in the 2nd half. Bucky wraps up well!

[Southsider]

Embarrassing!!!!!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Bucknell with an 80 yard pick 6....first major mistake by Johnson...wow, Lehigh has gone up and down the field but mistakes.....

Bucknell 28 Lehigh 21 6:13 4Q

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

And Lehigh is back in Bison territory...no mistakes!!

[Southsider]

This is not the same Bucky team I saw against Merrimack. They always step up for Lehigh.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Looks like Yoder scored...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

This is not the same Bucky team I saw against Merrimack. They always step up for Lehigh.

I expected a close game. The mistakes Lehigh has made are nonetheless maddening. They've gone up and down the field basically all game and have 21, hopefully 28 points to show for it...

[Southsider]

Sure does. Ball landed on goal line. REPLAY SUCKS!!!!! He was obviously over.

[Southsider]

LU needs to get UNDER CENTER and PUSH!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

LU needs to get UNDER CENTER and PUSH!



From the shotgun, Yoder barely got in! whew....

Lehigh 28 Bucknell 28 1:33 4Q

[Southsider]

LU lucky. Bad choice of plays!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Monmouth 49 Fordham 14 Half

- - - Updated - - -

Bucknell will have a short field and only needs a FG...here we go....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

You can't jump there! ugh, another Lehigh mistake!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Bucknell will have a 52 yard FG for the win, they just converted a 4th and 6...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Just missed it! hit the left upright! OT at Goodman....

[Southsider]

This game should not have come down to this. LU made way too many mistakes. OT here we go!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh scores in 2 plays. I have to believe if Bucknell scores they're going for 2, and they'll be going for it on each 4th down. The defense has their work cut out...

Lehigh 35 Bucknell 28, Bison possession....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

How is that targeting!?!?!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Well no targeting but then Lehigh gets called for an awful roughing the passer...

- - - Updated - - -

This refs are completing interjecting themselves into the game...

Bison get called for a 15 yard penalty on the TD so they cant for for 2...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Bison convert the long XP....headed to a second OT, Bison ball to start...

[Southsider]

LU is trying very hard to lose this game.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

LU is trying very hard to lose this game.

How was that roughing the passer? He was hit as he released the ball! It should have been 4th and 10 from the 25...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Bucknell converts a 42 yard FG on their possession....

Bucknell 38 Lehigh 36, Mountain Hawk ball....

- - - Updated - - -

Lehigh fumbled it on first down...Bucknell will win...

- - - Updated - - -

Bucknell 38 Lehigh 35 Final

Lehigh just shot itself in the foot way too many times....

[Southsider]

GAME OVER. Bucknell deserved the win. They never quit.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

LU is trying very hard to lose this game.

And they eventually did. The only way Bucknell was stopping them was with a turnover...

[Southsider]

Hold on to the GOD DAMN BALL!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

GAME OVER. Bucknell deserved the win. They never quit.

That's a devastating loss given its a league loss, how it happened and the three weeks to sit on it. Ball security is everything there! Bucknell's defense was hapless! Just brutal....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh outgained Bucknell nearly 2-1, 500-270. First downs, everything favored the Mountain Hawks but the mistakes were just catastrophic...

[Southsider]

Honestly, I couldn't care less about the PL. While LU is vastly improved, they are not ready for prime time. They proved that today. Too many lapses and mistakes on both sides of the ball. Now they can stew on it for 3 weeks and decide which way they are going to go.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Monmouth 63 Fordham 14 3:33 3Q
Penn 24 Colgate 10 End 3Q

[Sader87]

Cuse 42 HC 14

Final score a little deceiving imo....HC played pretty competitively for most of the game. Offense needs work.

GTown with the surprise W today....congrats Hoyas!

Gate is probably going down to the Quakers.....HC-Gate is a huge game in the PL next week.

[Franks Tanks]

Cuse 42 HC 14

Final score a little deceiving imo....HC played pretty competitively for most of the game. Offense needs work.

GTown with the surprise W today....congrats Hoyas!

Gate is probably going down to the Quakers.....HC-Gate is a huge game in the PL next week.

Anytime two 1-4 teams meet, it’s clearly a huge game.

[Pards Rule]

Monmouth 63 Fordham 14 3:33 3Q
Penn 24 Colgate 10 End 3Q

Damn what was spread on Fordham game

[Go...gate]

Another tough loss for Colgate, which played well but not well enough.

[NY Crusader 2010]

OK...the Patriot League is officially a 6-horse race between everyone except Fordham.

[Go Green]

OK...the Patriot League is officially a 6-horse race between everyone except Fordham.

Well, that depends on whether Fordham's injured star players are out for the season.

[Wolffan]

PL is a very weak league. HC is just a shadow of itself but that might be enough to win the title.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Unless Monmouth somehow wins the CAA, it seems safe to say PL is a 1 bid league.

[Go...gate]

What happened to Fordham???

[MUHAWKS]

Damn what was spread on Fordham game


MU - 13.5

[ngineer]

Well, I was at Goodman but due to family obligations was not able to join the 'discussion' (ahem) last evening. That was certainly a 'kick in the gut' type of loss. We had no reason to lose that game and handed it to Bucknell. The last three minutes of the first half was a disaster, but was pleased to see the team come back out in the second half and fight back for the lead. We had way too many mistakes, both physical and mental. The fumbles were killers, and the 'pick 6' was clear inexperience getting jumped by a savvy DB. Johnson did not throw an INT the entire season last year in high school. I am sure that will be 'teaching moment'. Yoder ran like a bull, must of had about 140 yards...but he fumbled at crucial moments, and the kick off return was a failure of the squad to 'funnel in'. They all just stayed in their lanes and when one got laid out, the gap was there. It was just a damn shame, but at this moment, I think the two game bye is coming at a good time. I would expect the coaches to 'return to camp' for the next week to ten days and focus on many of the fundamentals that were botched on Saturday. I was impressed with Humphrey at WR. I've liked seeing his progress since late last year, and now, I am hoping his going to reach 'the next level'. With his size he was able to out maneuver the BU DBs and made some nice catches. Jameil made some very nice catches as well...and can run. I think our secondary has improved greatly. No picks today, which would have been nice, but the coverage is much improved from last couple years. Open field tackling certainly needs to be focus in coming weeks. Overall, the defense held a talented BU offense in check...only 270 yards, total.

At this point it appears the PL is for the taking by whichever team wants it more. Talent-wise, it seems there is a lot of parity. Of course, staying healthy is always a key. I am pleased that Lehigh has shown marked improvement from last year. Cahill has shown himself, and is staff, capable of recruiting quality athletes, with many frosh and sophs stepping into starting or significant playing time. As Johnson gets more acclimated, I would expect more 'creativity' on the offensive side, with the possibility of using two QBs at once. The next game will be at the Yale Bowl, Cahill's old stomping grounds. I would think it won't take much to get the guys juiced for that one. Then the home stretch in the PL begins. I don't see Bucknell running the table, so the path is open for all...even Fordham, if they get healthy.

[Pards Rule]

MU - 13.5

Damn...

[Southsider]

PL is a very weak league. HC is just a shadow of itself but that might be enough to win the title.

I couldn’t disagree more with this comment. I think the PL is markedly better. Not even going to explain why!

[DFW HOYA]

I couldn’t disagree more with this comment. I think the PL is markedly better. Not even going to explain why!

Agreed with this, BUT.... the PL wins no favors by a parochial scheduling philosophy that still gravitates to Ivy League opponents. The league needs to build consensus on more challenging games going forward (CAA, Southern, and conferences west) that will give deserving PL teams going forward credibility in the playoffs. 2024 should be the last year without an at-large selection.

[NY Crusader 2010]

I don't think the Patriot League is overly weak this year -- we just don't have a Holy Cross ca. 2021-2022, Colgate ca. 2003 or 2018 or Lehigh ca. 2004 or 2010 type of squad amongst us.

This might turn out to be the most exciting conference race we've had in a long time. Only team I see having a chance to go 6-0 is Lafayette since they get both Holy Cross and big, bad Georgetown at home. If Colgate beats HC this weekend, the Lafayette-Colgate game in Hamilton might end up being PL game of the year. I could also hypothetically see this being the first time that a team with a 4-2 league record wins the joint.

Will be interesting to see what kind of playoff draw we get in the Round of 24 -- will it be the NEC (CCSU, St. Francis) or will it be a 2nd or 3rd place CAA team? I think either Villanova or W&M will end as seeds, potentially both. If Villanova drops out of the Top 8, good chance that's who the PL faces.

It's a six-horse race right now between everyone but Fordham.