It's back!
Thought I'd through this out here early in case anyone wants to chime in with comments or suggestions for the new season.
Given all the conferences moving to Flo, it's going to be a challenge to catch many of the games; but that won't stop me from putting together weekly matchups that I'll pretend to know something about when in reality I will know nothing about :-)
Cheers all!
My suggestion is to have one game each week that is off the beaten path. There's over 400 teams in D3 and it gets a bit boring when the slate consists of the same handful of teams every single week.
I think EJay did an excellent job at finding those games.
Maybe also take 1 game from Kuiper, our west coast expert.
First weekend and maybe second, going to have to have 20 plus games each! So many good matchups that many will not be able watch.
Quote from: FCGrizzliesGrad on July 29, 2025, 03:50:50 AMMy suggestion is to have one game each week that is off the beaten path. There's over 400 teams in D3 and it gets a bit boring when the slate consists of the same handful of teams every single week.
Definitely think there was a very good effort. Remember that he took a game where Mississippi Univ for Women playing someone one week. We feasted on that game for awhile. I think MSW doesn't even play in the NCAA??
Quote from: SierraFD3soccer on July 29, 2025, 12:42:12 PMQuote from: FCGrizzliesGrad on July 29, 2025, 03:50:50 AMMy suggestion is to have one game each week that is off the beaten path. There's over 400 teams in D3 and it gets a bit boring when the slate consists of the same handful of teams every single week.
Definitely think there was a very good effort. Remember that he took a game where Mississippi Univ for Women playing someone one week. We feasted on that game for awhile. I think MSW doesn't even play in the NCAA??
MUW is indeed an NCAA D3 team playing in the SLIAC. 0-17 last season
Hey now, I had Mt Union in the pool one week ;D In all seriousness, I leaned heavily toward top 30 match-ups or games that could impact important league standings. But I can certainly look to add games like Rivier @ Dean on 9/20.
I like the idea of keeping it the way you had it adding one crazy game to it each week
If you're looking for a crazy, off-the-beaten path, borderline sadistic, preseason game to warm-up with for EJay's pool, check out this one on on Monday night:
Lewis & Clark (DIII) at University of Portland (DI)
Monday, August 25th at 7 pm (Pacific)
I have no idea why University of Portland, which finished 7-4-7 last season, including wins against University of Washington, Oregon State, Cal, LMU, and San Diego, decided it needed to schedule a game against Lewis & Clark, which finished 0-20 last season, and has a record of 0-46-1 over the last three seasons.
To make matters more lopsided, this is a countable game for Portland, but a preseason game for Lewis & Clark. So, Portland's stats will count and its players will get credit for any goals/assists the same as if they scored them against UCLA or Duke, while Lewis & Clark should be rotating its players and still working on getting its team into shape for the season. On the other hand, Lewis & Clark traveled to Iceland this preseason and played three games there against local teams. Maybe they learned a thing or two from the Icelanders about being giant killers. At the least, their bench might be able to unsettle the Portland players by expertly performing the Icelandic "Viking Clap" or "Thunderclap" from the sidelines.
There should be no credit for predicting who wins, so it's got to be based on score or goal differential. One issue with predicting the score in this game, though, is that I don't know for sure how high the scoreboard goes at Portland's Clive Charles Soccer Complex. Does it reach triple digits? We may find out. Last season, Portland scored 32 goals and gave up 23. Lewis & Clark, by contrast, scored 7 goals and gave up 70.
One additional note: If there is an inquest after this game, there will be plenty of witnesses because the game is going to be nationally televised on ESPN+ :o . I don't think this will help anyone make the argument that DIII teams can be competitive with DI teams. We need to get Pacific Lutheran players to sneak onto Lewis & Clark's roster for one game just for the purposes of defending the Division's honor!
Quote from: Kuiper on August 22, 2025, 01:33:13 AMIf you're looking for a crazy, off-the-beaten path, borderline sadistic, preseason game to warm-up with for EJay's pool, check out this one on on Monday night:
Lewis & Clark (DIII) at University of Portland (DI)
Monday, August 25th at 7 pm (Pacific)
I have no idea why University of Portland, which finished 7-4-7 last season, including wins against University of Washington, Oregon State, Cal, LMU, and San Diego, decided it needed to schedule a game against Lewis & Clark, which finished 0-20 last season, and has a record of 0-46-1 over the last three seasons.
To make matters more lopsided, this is a countable game for Portland, but a preseason game for Lewis & Clark. So, Portland's stats will count and its players will get credit for any goals/assists the same as if they scored them against UCLA or Duke, while Lewis & Clark should be rotating its players and still working on getting its team into shape for the season. On the other hand, Lewis & Clark traveled to Iceland this preseason and played three games there against local teams. Maybe they learned a thing or two from the Icelanders about being giant killers. At the least, their bench might be able to unsettle the Portland players by expertly performing the Icelandic "Viking Clap" or "Thunderclap" from the sidelines.
There should be no credit for predicting who wins, so it's got to be based on score or goal differential. One issue with predicting the score in this game, though, is that I don't know for sure how high the scoreboard goes at Portland's Clive Charles Soccer Complex. Does it reach triple digits? We may find out. Last season, Portland scored 32 goals and gave up 23. Lewis & Clark, by contrast, scored 7 goals and gave up 70.
One additional note: If there is an inquest after this game, there will be plenty of witnesses because the game is going to be nationally televised on ESPN+ :o . I don't think this will help anyone make the argument that DIII teams can be competitive with DI teams. We need to get Pacific Lutheran players to sneak onto Lewis & Clark's roster for one game just for the purposes of defending the Division's honor!
Relegation Battle???
Great call out, but alas the timing is just not right. But with that said, I'm excited to announce the first pool of the season will officially be released Monday! "So grab your jock...if you need one; It's go-time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgNOfo0-oUs)".
And so it begins. Week 1 Pool closes Thursday night.
- 5 points for each game outcome
- 10 points for each correct score
- after dropping your lowest weekly score, season winner is participant with most points
- this season's prize is once again nothing :-)
- Pod with Simplecoach forthcoming
https://forms.gle/HQNDjyo5U3FhuD1j9
Quote from: Ejay on August 25, 2025, 07:36:04 AMAnd so it begins. Week 1 Pool closes Thursday night.
- 5 points for each game outcome
- 10 points for each correct score
- after dropping your lowest weekly score, season winner is participant with most points
- this season's prize is once again nothing :-)
- Pod with Simplecoach forthcoming
https://forms.gle/HQNDjyo5U3FhuD1j9
Is it fair for beavers to fight it out? Blackburn v. Buena Vista?? Great weekly pick!
It is fair as long as the next beaver vs beaver game is selected too! 10/11
Simplecoach and I discuss the weekly pool, including the now popular Beaver vs Beaver matchup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiqqX-sspKQ
Quote from: Kuiper on August 22, 2025, 01:33:13 AMIf you're looking for a crazy, off-the-beaten path, borderline sadistic, preseason game to warm-up with for EJay's pool, check out this one on on Monday night:
Lewis & Clark (DIII) at University of Portland (DI)
Monday, August 25th at 7 pm (Pacific)
I have no idea why University of Portland, which finished 7-4-7 last season, including wins against University of Washington, Oregon State, Cal, LMU, and San Diego, decided it needed to schedule a game against Lewis & Clark, which finished 0-20 last season, and has a record of 0-46-1 over the last three seasons.
To make matters more lopsided, this is a countable game for Portland, but a preseason game for Lewis & Clark. So, Portland's stats will count and its players will get credit for any goals/assists the same as if they scored them against UCLA or Duke, while Lewis & Clark should be rotating its players and still working on getting its team into shape for the season. On the other hand, Lewis & Clark traveled to Iceland this preseason and played three games there against local teams. Maybe they learned a thing or two from the Icelanders about being giant killers. At the least, their bench might be able to unsettle the Portland players by expertly performing the Icelandic "Viking Clap" or "Thunderclap" from the sidelines.
There should be no credit for predicting who wins, so it's got to be based on score or goal differential. One issue with predicting the score in this game, though, is that I don't know for sure how high the scoreboard goes at Portland's Clive Charles Soccer Complex. Does it reach triple digits? We may find out. Last season, Portland scored 32 goals and gave up 23. Lewis & Clark, by contrast, scored 7 goals and gave up 70.
One additional note: If there is an inquest after this game, there will be plenty of witnesses because the game is going to be nationally televised on ESPN+ :o . I don't think this will help anyone make the argument that DIII teams can be competitive with DI teams. We need to get Pacific Lutheran players to sneak onto Lewis & Clark's roster for one game just for the purposes of defending the Division's honor!
FINAL: Portland 9 - Lewis & Clark 0
Portland outshot Lewis & Clark 30-0, but Portland was only up 3-0 at halftime and it was 6-0 until Portland got three goals in the last 10 minutes when their coach unleashed them. I guess it was good practice for Lewis & Clark in parking the bus!
Hopefully L&C got a nice check for showing up for target practice.
Quote from: Ron Boerger on August 26, 2025, 10:37:47 AMHopefully L&C got a nice check for showing up for target practice.
According to its Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DNzN-eGYpRg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTMzMGhxb3drZXdj), it looks like Portland was effectively honoring former Portland coaches/alums Bill Irwin and Jim Tursi - now at Lewis & Clark - by inviting them back (and I guess by not scoring double digits on them)
Wouldn't that be great just like FCS.
Almost 30 participants, with another day left to enter.
https://forms.gle/HQNDjyo5U3FhuD1j9
35 participants. Pool closing in a few hours.
Pool Closed. 37 Participants.
Oglethorpe 11%
W&L 70%
Draw 19%
OWU 35%
Calvin 30%
Draw 35%
RU-C 60%
Haverford 19%
Draw 21%
Dickinson 49%
CNU 32%
Draw 19%
Transylvania 57%
Heidelberg 19%
Draw 24%
Chicago 19%
St. Olaf 57%
Draw 24%
F&M 16%
Rowan 47%
Draw 35%
Cortland 62%
SLU 24%
Draw 14%
NYU 19%
Vassar 65%
Draw 16%
Blackburn 14%
Buena Vista 43%
Draw 43%
I believe if you had picked every game as a scoreless draw, you'd have earned 50 points this week.
And we also have the first 0 pt week of the season! That's impressive.
Some things never change. Standings after week 1. New pool to be posted tomorrow.
Week 1
jball 55
fromNCwithluv 50
NJay 50
Recon 50
Rcjh2345 45
SKUD 45
FCGrizzliesGrad 40
Local 40
paclassic89 40
Cookie 35
EJay 35
Mr November 35
PitchPerfect 35
TheRealSimpleCoach 35
Hopkins Walk-On 30
Birdie 25
cruyff18 25
Kansas Hokie 25
nefutbol90 25
NEPA 25
NJACguy 25
Nutmeg43 25
Urbana#17 25
BigSoccerFan 20
BlueJay95 20
d3ma 20
JerseyFran 20
Chasjo62 15
Jfreddys 15
pithed2 15
slt1369 15
TJF 15
CharmCity 10
oacalum 10
SimpleCoach 10
ExiledInTexas 5
SierraFD3soccer 0
Week 2 pool is open:
https://forms.gle/1333QyUDe5GSfJ4z8
Note: Email is now a mandatory field so you can receive a copy of your selections if you choose. I believe you can enter a bogus email if you want. Let me know if you run into issues.
And here is the Games of the Week - Week Two show (https://youtu.be/KN7iVbBXMsw).
SC.
Quote from: Ejay on August 31, 2025, 10:10:33 PMSome things never change. Standings after week 1. New pool to be posted tomorrow.
Week 1
SierraFD3soccer 0
Shot the moon!! So do I get 100 pts??? Just checking!
I cannot believe I missed week 1 of the pool this year....
We're up to 30 participants, though I suspect 5 or 6 are from SC trying to play all the options.
45 Participants thus far. Pool closes tonight.
Just need a few more SimpleCoach entries and we'll reach 50...
BoringSimpleCoach: every pick is 0-0
MadMaxSimpleCoach: (Road Warrior) always pick the road team to win
RepeatSimpleCoach: pick whatever the score was last time the teams met
49 Participants this week, including multiple SimpleCoach entries.
Amherst 31% Conn 18% Draw 51%
Middlebury 82% Hamilton 10% Draw 8%
Moravian 18% Muhlenberg 61% Draw 20%
Guilford 41% Greensboro 31% Draw 28%
Wheaton (IL) 65% Puget Sound 6% Draw 29%
Johns Hopkins 18% Denison 71% Draw 10%
Swarthmore 18% Stevens 49% Draw 33%
Lynchburg 71% St. Mary's MD 16% Draw 12%
Claremont MS 49% Gettysburg 27% Draw 25%
Kings (PA) 16% Hartwick 35% Draw 49%
Week 2 in the books. Week 3 poll to be posted tomorrow.
| Oscarmyers30 | 60 |
| FCGrizzliesGrad | 55 |
| BlueJay95 | 50 |
| Chasjo62 | 50 |
| SimpleCoach | 50 |
| EJay | 45 |
| Go SCOTS! | 45 |
| nefutbol90 | 45 |
| cruyff18 | 40 |
| Ih8Massey | 40 |
| Jerseyfran | 40 |
| BigSoccerFan | 35 |
| 2Short&2Slow | 30 |
| Birdie | 30 |
| jball | 30 |
| slt1369 | 30 |
| bamaheartdoc | 25 |
| CrossIt4Fun | 25 |
| fromagesuisse | 25 |
| Local | 25 |
| Mr November | 25 |
| oacalum | 25 |
| Rcjh2345 | 25 |
| Recon | 25 |
| SKUD | 25 |
| The Simplest Coach | 25 |
| TigerGoal | 25 |
| Urbana#17 | 25 |
| CharmCity | 20 |
| d3ma | 20 |
| Hopkins Walk-On | 20 |
| jfreddys | 20 |
| Kansas Hokie | 20 |
| MuleKicker | 20 |
| OPMCH | 20 |
| paclassic89 | 20 |
| PitchPerfect | 20 |
| SierraFD3Soccer | 20 |
| NEPAFAN | 15 |
| NJACguy | 15 |
| NJay | 15 |
| pithed2 | 15 |
| TheRealSimpleCoach | 15 |
| tjf | 15 |
| Cookie | 10 |
| fromNCwithluv | 10 |
| ShoreSoccerDad | 10 |
| Thanna7 | 10 |
| Bizarro SimpleCoach | 5 |
Week 3. Have at it.
https://forms.gle/anoxAmcugVXffaQ57
Here's the discussion... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFtkOsfDKKI
Get your week 3 picks in by Thursday night. Currently sitting on 26 participants.
Final Hours. 40 Participants.
Week 3
https://forms.gle/anoxAmcugVXffaQ57
As a hive, we were 4-6 in both weeks 1 and 2. Let's see what week 3 brings...
| MSOE | 52% | Wartburg | 14% | Draw | 34% |
| Conn | 32% | Bowdoin | 25% | Draw | 43% |
| Etown | 14% | F&M | 68% | Draw | 18% |
| Adrian | 18% | Manchester | 32% | Draw | 50% |
| JCU | 50% | CMU | 34% | Draw | 16% |
| Suffolk | 32% | Hartford | 39% | Draw | 29% |
| Hobart | 52% | Rochester | 32% | Draw | 16% |
| Emory | 89% | Berry | 0% | Draw | 11% |
| Messiah | 59% | Salisbury | 14% | Draw | 27% |
| Clarkson | 34% | RIT | 30% | Draw | 36% |
hmm maybe I should do some research ahead of time?
Week Four is a Real Humdinger. (https://youtu.be/o8dg2vUscuY)
SC.
PS. And yes, I am the greatest.
Wishing you all good luck with Week 4...
https://forms.gle/qqqzT1gt7jngqud39
Quote from: Ejay on Today at 03:32:17 PMWishing you all good luck with Week 4...
https://forms.gle/qqqzT1gt7jngqud39
Oh no you didn't! Luv it!