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carney2

Liberty Prediction Thread

Well, what do we have here?  

How about a Top 25 team coming to Easton?  (Depends on which poll you use, because the Flames are right on that 25 bubble.)  

How about some revenge on the menu?  The Flames have got to think that their dreams of an at large playoff bid went into the dumpster last year after that convincing thumping by the Pards down in Lynchburg.  

How about playing a school with some serious football fever and some lofty football aspirations?

How about a decent crowd?  The early bird weather forecast is great and Liberty usually travels well.

I expect that the Vegas crowd will establish the Flames as the favorite.  Don't expect anything on this until late Wednesday or Thursday.

I am playing a hunch here and picking our home team by 21-14.  I don't have any reasons, but if you insist:  (1) the "D" just may be up to the task, and (2) Liberty did not look like world beaters as they struggled early in beating a not-ready-for-prime-time North Carolina Central 35-10 on Saturday evening.  All bets are off if this is Lafayette's week to visit with swine flu
Kiltedpard

Had this one on the calendar since last year, but, will have to listen to Dick Hammer on the radio. Gotta go to my kid's HS football game Sat. night. Darn it all!
Was pleasantly surprised by the Hoya smack down. Could have had 3 more scores. Thought the D looked extremely fast and tough up front! So I think we can hold our own at home, barring a bunch of turnovers. Another surprise for Gerry's kids?
Go Pards!
Franks Tanks

I think we contol the ball and play some hard nosed D top squeak out a 21-17 win.  They lost their very good QB and RB from last year and appear to be having some QB issues.  We handled them upfornt last year and will need to do that again to win.

Hopefully the game wont come down to a FG cause we may be in trouble.
pards48

[quote="Franks Tanks"]I think we contol the ball and play some hard nosed D top squeak out a 21-17 win.  They lost their very good QB and RB from last year and appear to be having some QB issues.  We handled them upfornt last year and will need to do that again to win.

Hopefully the game wont come down to a FG cause we may be in trouble.[/quote]

Pretty harsh words Franks Tanks, I still believe in our young kicker, it's a little early to give up on him. Unfortunately it was a pretty rough first game for Rodriguez, but I'm sure he'll bounce back. He was 13-15 last year for a reason. Funny how people are so quick to give up on kickers, if worse comes to worse we have a couple others on the roster. I predict a close game with the good ol' home team coming away with it by a late field goal Franks Tanks.. 24-21 LETS GO PARDS!
Franks Tanks

pards48 wrote:
Franks Tanks wrote:
I think we contol the ball and play some hard nosed D top squeak out a 21-17 win.  They lost their very good QB and RB from last year and appear to be having some QB issues.  We handled them upfornt last year and will need to do that again to win.

Hopefully the game wont come down to a FG cause we may be in trouble.


Pretty harsh words Franks Tanks, I still believe in our young kicker, it's a little early to give up on him. Unfortunately it was a pretty rough first game for Rodriguez, but I'm sure he'll bounce back. He was 13-15 last year for a reason. Funny how people are so quick to give up on kickers, if worse comes to worse we have a couple others on the roster. I predict a close game with the good ol' home team coming away with it by a late field goal Franks Tanks.. 24-21 LETS GO PARDS!


I just said "may" be in trouble.  The performance on saturday was out of the ordinary for Rodriquez, but it doesnt really inspire confidence. Also kickers are rare birds, sometimes if they get in a funk its hard for them to get out (even pro's)

Davis is also a Junior and started since his freshman year, so he may be young for this earth but really not young from a college football standpoint.  Lets hope he can work out whatever kinks he was experiencing.
Pard94

I won't be surprised if we drop this game. I also won't think it's the end of the world. Just for fun I'll say 17-14 Pards. Total "homer" pick...I admit it.
Kiltedpard

Pard94 wrote:
I won't be surprised if we drop this game. I also won't think it's the end of the world. Just for fun I'll say 17-14 Pards. Total "homer" pick...I admit it.


I like that, with Rod kicking the late FG to win it!

Go Pards
Newleopardfan

Well, I sure wouldn't want it to come down to a last second field goal. But I agree we need to give Davis a chance to come back from 0-3 and he probably will. He's a senior with another year of eligibility (he red-shirted) so he's got experience and can turn it around. But the other way we could get "de-feeted" is by averaging 34 yards per punt like we did vs. Georgetown. That's not even varsity high school distance, let alone varsity D1. Didn't we learn that last year? I don't think our O will get 28 easy points off Liberty like they did off G'town, so field position could be really important here. Giving up 10 yards per punt is like giving up 5-8 first downs over a game, or worse. Why do that?
carney2

Newleopardfan wrote:
Well, I sure wouldn't want it to come down to a last second field goal.


I picked us to win, but in my heart of hearts, if we are still within field goal range at the end, I will be very happy.  Don't know if its legit, but this is a top 25 team.
Pard94

In addition to Andy Romans having the game of his life against Liberty I think we had the benefit of a solid Liberty team overlooking us a bit last year. No chance of that this weekend. They have way more to lose than we do. They aspire to be a fixture within the top 25 every year. If they lose to us this year it's really going to put a huge wet blanket over their entire season. This will be interesting to say the least.
Franks Tanks

Pard94 wrote:
In addition to Andy Romans having the game of his life against Liberty I think we had the benefit of a solid Liberty team overlooking us a bit last year. No chance of that this weekend. They have way more to lose than we do. They aspire to be a fixture within the top 25 every year. If they lose to us this year it's really going to put a huge wet blanket over their entire season. This will be interesting to say the least.


It will.. I wasnt impressed with the Liberty O and D lines last year, and we will need to control them once again.  They did lose as NFL caliber RB and a pretty good QB so they wont have quite the offensive firepower.  They do have more overall talent, but if we come ready to play and play nasty we can pull this out
carney2

Paul Reinhard gives some indication as to just how high the mountain is that we must climb on Saturday:

http://www.mcall.com/sports/colle...ette.7023352sep16,0,1317730.story

Liberty doesn't recruit.  They "hire" to fill vacancies.

More on this same subject from Reinhard's blog:

http://blogs.mcall.com/sports/
Franks Tanks

carney2 wrote:
Paul Reinhard gives some indication as to just how high the mountain is that we must climb on Saturday:

http://www.mcall.com/sports/colle...ette.7023352sep16,0,1317730.story

Liberty doesn't recruit.  They "hire" to fill vacancies.

More on this same subject from Reinhard's blog:

http://blogs.mcall.com/sports/


Nice program they have running there at Liberty.  Taking mercenary transfers without regard, it is like the freakin Oklahoma Sonners of the 70's  Laughing
Newleopardfan

Well, if we have to climb a mountain Saturday, at least it will be nice weather. Prediction is for 68 high and sunny, 48 low. As for predicting the score, I'll leave that to the experts.
carney2

The "experts" have spoken.  The guys out in the desert who supposedly know have installed Liberty as a 2 1/2 point favorite.  Frankly, that's a lot less than I expected.  All right!  Let's sock it to Jerry's Kids.
The Maroon

This is one we can certainly afford to drop, and frankly I'll be satisfied if we hang with them.

We have a Patriot League title mindset, they have a National Title mindset.

I think we learn quickly how special last years game was:

Liberty 31-10.
Franks Tanks

The Maroon wrote:
This is one we can certainly afford to drop, and frankly I'll be satisfied if we hang with them.

We have a Patriot League title mindset, they have a National Title mindset.

I think we learn quickly how special last years game was:

Liberty 31-10.


But they have failed to make the FCS playoffs even once.  Yes they are a talented team , but not among the FCS elite at this point.  They are an opponent that deserves respect, but not reverence.  Can can more than play with them, we can beat them.
carney2

The Maroon wrote:
This is one we can certainly afford to drop...


Franks Tanks wrote:
But they have failed to make the FCS playoffs even once.


These two comments may sum up a piece of our dilemma.

1.  Unless Frank does one of his master psych jobs (like last year) this is just another game to most Leopards.

2.  Not making the playoffs is really sticking in the craws of Jerry's Kids.  They need to win at least one of their next two games to stand a chance.  And next week is James Madison, which is a longer shot than Lafayette.  They really need to win.

In other words, with a day+ to go ya gotta think they want it more.

But, that's why they play the game, isn't it?
Pard94

carney2 wrote:
The Maroon wrote:
This is one we can certainly afford to drop...


Franks Tanks wrote:
But they have failed to make the FCS playoffs even once.


These two comments may sum up a piece of our dilemma.

1.  Unless Frank does one of his master psych jobs (like last year) this is just another game to most Leopards.

2.  Not making the playoffs is really sticking in the craws of Jerry's Kids.  They need to win at least one of their next two games to stand a chance.  And next week is James Madison, which is a longer shot than Lafayette.  They really need to win.

In other words, with a day+ to go ya gotta think they want it more.

But, that's why they play the game, isn't it?


Carney, this may come as a shock but once again I have to vehemently disagree with you. I concur that the Flames want/need this game badly. They certainly need it much more than the Leopards. That being said I'm not sure they want it more than the Leopards. I can remeber from my playing days that any OOC game was one the players really wanted to win. It was an opportunity to show what you could do outside of our little sand box that is the PL. We were never supposed to beat Army when we played them at it never factored in to the precieved success of a season when we lost (becuase we were supposed to lose). Yet, to a man, it was always the 2nd biggest game of the year to the players. Bigger than Colgate, bigger than Holy Cross (not bigger than Lehigh).

Add in to the mix that this team is ranked and I promise you the Leopards want this game badly. These are the kinds of games the PL needs to win if they ever want to host a playoff game. I'm sure Tavani has them aware of that.
Franks Tanks

Franks Tanks wrote:
The Maroon wrote:
This is one we can certainly afford to drop, and frankly I'll be satisfied if we hang with them.

We have a Patriot League title mindset, they have a National Title mindset.

I think we learn quickly how special last years game was:

Liberty 31-10.


But they have failed to make the FCS playoffs even once.  Yes they are a talented team , but not among the FCS elite at this point.  They are an opponent that deserves respect, but not reverence.  We can more than play with them, we can beat them.
Newleopardfan

glad I didn't say it first

I'm glad I wasn't the one who said it first, but I gotta go with The Maroon and Carney on this one. I'll be there hoping otherwise, but I think we'll end up on the short end of this one.
carney2

Pard94 wrote:
carney2 wrote:
The Maroon wrote:
This is one we can certainly afford to drop...


Franks Tanks wrote:
But they have failed to make the FCS playoffs even once.


These two comments may sum up a piece of our dilemma.

1.  Unless Frank does one of his master psych jobs (like last year) this is just another game to most Leopards.

2.  Not making the playoffs is really sticking in the craws of Jerry's Kids.  They need to win at least one of their next two games to stand a chance.  And next week is James Madison, which is a longer shot than Lafayette.  They really need to win.

In other words, with a day+ to go ya gotta think they want it more.

But, that's why they play the game, isn't it?


Carney, this may come as a shock but once again I have to vehemently disagree with you. I concur that the Flames want/need this game badly. They certainly need it much more than the Leopards. That being said I'm not sure they want it more than the Leopards. I can remeber from my playing days that any OOC game was one the players really wanted to win. It was an opportunity to show what you could do outside of our little sand box that is the PL. We were never supposed to beat Army when we played them at it never factored in to the precieved success of a season when we lost (becuase we were supposed to lose). Yet, to a man, it was always the 2nd biggest game of the year to the players. Bigger than Colgate, bigger than Holy Cross (not bigger than Lehigh).

Add in to the mix that this team is ranked and I promise you the Leopards want this game badly. These are the kinds of games the PL needs to win if they ever want to host a playoff game. I'm sure Tavani has them aware of that.


It's gotten so bad, ol' buddy, that we no longer recognize when we agree.  You are saying, and pardon me if I am wrong, that you expect Frank to do one of his master psych jobs and make this an important game for the lads in the maroon (black?) shirts.  This from my post which caused you to take keyboard in hand:

"Unless Frank does one of his master psych jobs (like last year) this is just another game to most Leopards."

Don't know, but I think we're saying the same thing.  If so, once again I quake with fear.

Anyway, I'm still going with my irrational hunch/dream:  Lafayette 21, Jerry's Kids 14.
Pard94

carney2 wrote:
Pard94 wrote:
carney2 wrote:
The Maroon wrote:
This is one we can certainly afford to drop...


Franks Tanks wrote:
But they have failed to make the FCS playoffs even once.


These two comments may sum up a piece of our dilemma.

1.  Unless Frank does one of his master psych jobs (like last year) this is just another game to most Leopards.

2.  Not making the playoffs is really sticking in the craws of Jerry's Kids.  They need to win at least one of their next two games to stand a chance.  And next week is James Madison, which is a longer shot than Lafayette.  They really need to win.

In other words, with a day+ to go ya gotta think they want it more.

But, that's why they play the game, isn't it?


Carney, this may come as a shock but once again I have to vehemently disagree with you. I concur that the Flames want/need this game badly. They certainly need it much more than the Leopards. That being said I'm not sure they want it more than the Leopards. I can remeber from my playing days that any OOC game was one the players really wanted to win. It was an opportunity to show what you could do outside of our little sand box that is the PL. We were never supposed to beat Army when we played them at it never factored in to the precieved success of a season when we lost (becuase we were supposed to lose). Yet, to a man, it was always the 2nd biggest game of the year to the players. Bigger than Colgate, bigger than Holy Cross (not bigger than Lehigh).

Add in to the mix that this team is ranked and I promise you the Leopards want this game badly. These are the kinds of games the PL needs to win if they ever want to host a playoff game. I'm sure Tavani has them aware of that.


It's gotten so bad, ol' buddy, that we no longer recognize when we agree.  You are saying, and pardon me if I am wrong, that you expect Frank to do one of his master psych jobs and make this an important game for the lads in the maroon (black?) shirts.  This from my post which caused you to take keyboard in hand:

"Unless Frank does one of his master psych jobs (like last year) this is just another game to most Leopards."

Don't know, but I think we're saying the same thing.  If so, once again I quake with fear.

Anyway, I'm still going with my irrational hunch/dream:  Lafayette 21, Jerry's Kids 14.


See I was focused on the part where you said, "you gotta think they want it more". I inferred by that phrase (correctly or incorrectly) that you, "gotta think they want it more". The  Twisted Evil is in the details.

At any rate, for whatever reason, both you and I are predicting a close Lafayette win despite the fact that we both think there is no sound reason to think such a thing. That's got to count for something. I will requalify my pick by stating again, either Lafayette wins in a close one...or we get killed.
Kiltedpard

I suspect that we are not going to be able to throw the ball like we did last week. I'm sure the schollie LU corners are going to be a little bigger, faster, and more talented than GU. Hopefully we run the ball, control the clock, and don't turn it over or it could be ugly.

Go Pards!
Franks Tanks

Kiltedpard wrote:
I suspect that we are not going to be able to throw the ball like we did last week. I'm sure the schollie LU corners are going to be a little bigger, faster, and more talented than GU. Hopefully we run the ball, control the clock, and don't turn it over or it could be ugly.

Go Pards!


People--- dont forget we actually have all of our RB's healthy this year.  White and Marrow didnt even suit up against Liberty last year, and Coon got hurt pretty early as well. (I may be confused with Coon/Morrow there but you get the idea).  We were down to a 4th stringer!.  Yes some bounces went our way but dont forget we won by 2 TD's on the road, and they lost their two best players (The RB Jennings and the QB).

I dont think it will get ugly, but ive been wrong before
carney2

Franks Tanks wrote:
I dont think it will get ugly, but ive been wrong before


I was wrong once - that time I thought I was wrong.
Sly Fox

For the record, we have never been in an auto bid situation like the PL so getting to the playoffs generally requires you be a Top 10 program to get an at large.  In 2010 we'll finally get a realistic shot at the playoffs.  This year we could end the season ranked Top 15 with a 9-2 record and have no realistic shot at the playoffs.  The haves take care of the haves and the have nots learn to take it like men.  It is an inherent flaw int he current playoff system that sends a Maine to the playoffs last year based on "quality losses".  But I digress ...

Suffice it to say that the Liberty team that rolled into Easton this afternoon is hungry for a victory over your boys.  I expect a hardfought games likely won down in the trenches or by a few special teams plays.  No one in Flames gear is taking this one lightly this time around.

Wish I was able to catch the game and I'm hoping channelsurfing.net hooks me up with your regional television package tomorrow.  They are showing the game on the jumbotron at our stadium in Lynchburg since it is not televised in Virginia.
Pards Rule

And I will be departing tomorrow morning for "the Hill"..Sounds like thankfully the weather is turning for the better (anyone remember more overcast days in a row? Constant for two weeks it seems!) with mostly sunny and high near 70. GO PARDS! Sly,wish you could see our fine facility in person!
carney2

Sly Fox wrote:
Suffice it to say that the Liberty team that rolled into Easton this afternoon is hungry for a victory over your boys.


There goes that thought.  I was hoping that the LU AD was penny pinching like Brucie and Dan, and that the Flames' bus would try to fight its way out of VA on game day, get stuck in some construction delays, and pull up on Hamilton street at...oh, let's say 5:25 or so.  I now pin my hopes on the fact that they will be spending 24 pre-game hours in Easton.  Perhaps they'll be asleep at 6:05 PM.
TheRock90

I've heard they are bringing their marching band as well. I hope we don't show them up:)
Sly Fox

For the record, the game is indeed on channelsurfing.net.

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