FB: Liberty League

[IC798891]

And just to clarify, all those things I listed?

All why the Bombers came into the year as one of the top contenders to win the LL crown, why they're probably the favorite 40% of the way through the season, and why there's no reason they can't upset Cortland in Week 10*

*To be sure, I think Ithcaca is going to be 8-1 and that both teams should be ranked at that point (Cortland might be ranked even if they lose to Utica this week) but I suspect the Red Dragons will be decently higher than the Bombers' regardless. Undefeated float is a thing I believe in.

[Machiavelli]

So apparently I should be picking against RPI each week! I was able to watch the live stream while sitting at a rainy soccer game in the middle of nowhere and Hobart didn't even look competitive to me. Obviously, some similar opponent comparisons make this entire thing more confusing, but I liked what I saw from RPI and I think they finally played to their potential. Hobart just didn't impress me at all and it should've actually been a shutout.

That said, it sets the LL up for a pretty interesting end of year scenario, much like last year. Hobart is in their gauntlet schedule right now with Ithaca and Union up next. I think Ithaca beats them, but I'm not sure on Union yet. Would love to see 'Bart knock off one or both, though.

RPI has what SHOULD be clear sailing with Dilbert, Buff St, Bye, Roch, St. Lawrence, before finishing up with Ithaca and Union. Unless they poop themselves, they should head into the last 2 weeks with LL title in their view. They had the same opportunity last year and lost both games. But needless to say, the LL is wide freaking open right now.

Being that the LL is 'cooked', maybe it doesn't matter at all. But I'd beg to differ. Since the COVID season,(if my research is accurate) the LL is 6-6 in the postseason, with wins over Endicott, Cortland, UMass-Dartmouth, Springfield(twice), and Delaware Valley. Losses were to North Central(twice - Finalist one year, National Champ the other), Hopkins, Randolph-Macon, Susquehanna(Semi-Finalist that year), and Muhlenburg. We have gone 1 and done the last 2 years, but both times against very solid opponents.

No matter how anyone feels during the season, the LL typically competes in the postseason. I don't expect that to be any different this year, even if some random weirdos pop onto this board and say otherwise.

If any one was interested:
RPI - 2-1 (2021 - Beat Endicott and Cortland, lost to Finalist North Central)
Ithaca - 3-2(2022 - Beat UMD, Springfield, lost to National Champ North Central - 2023 - Beat Springfield, Lost to Randolph-Macon)
Union - 1-2 (2023 - Beat Delaware Valley, Lost to Johns Hopkins - 2025 - Lost to Muhlenburg)
Hobart - 0-1 (2024 - Lost to Semifinalist Susquehanna)