Fordham-Bucknell Predictions

[bahramewe]

Why Masella likes running it up the middle where it was stopped dead by Bucknell each and every time I don't know.

We are predictable, predictable, predictable.  Too often we rely on Skelton to bail us out of a 3rd and long, because of our commitment to running the ball on 1st down regardless of the circumstances.   

[fordhamramfan08]

We are predictable, predictable, predictable.  Too often we rely on Skelton to bail us out of a 3rd and long, because of our commitment to running the ball on 1st down regardless of the circumstances.   

I agree, a lot of Skelton's completions come on 3rd and long situations. We should put the ball in his hands on first down situations and live with the results, he will pass for a completion 65-70% of the time. I like those odds and he averages like 8 yards a completion on top of that. We should look to get the passing game going first and then catch the defense off guard with the run game. Not the other way around.

[An Old Coach]

.....I saw some lack-luster playing last Saturday............... The game didn't come alive until the 4th quarter.  It almost appeard to me like the team more or less have given up with only a handful of the best palyers giving their all. This was enforced by my nephew who went to a Marist game last month and felt the kids from the "lessor program" played better. 

I've been seeing this for two years now.  Is it the players we're recruiting or the coaches, or a combination?  I see a lot of guys on that defense that don't seem to be going full speed all game.  It may be almost time to start unloading a few guys.  Let them go someplac else and loaf.

[bahramewe]

  I'm not sure what some guy's nephew saw at a Marist game last month has anything to do with this Fordham team.  We have not played Marist since Fall 2008 (and beat them handily).  Perhaps the reference is to the Old Dominion game where we let a good lead become a nailbiting last minute offensive drive to victory.   

[fordhamramfan08]

I'm not sure what some guy's nephew saw at a Marist game last month has anything to do with this Fordham team.  We have not played Marist since Fall 2008. 

Yea. And as bad as people have made Fordham out to be this year (and rightfully so), we came a split second short of taking the game into OT v/s Colgate (questionable decision by ref to let the game end), 10 yards short of beating Lafayette during the closing seconds (which we could have gotten if it were not for that penalty on Crocket), and we put on a battle with Holy Cross. I do not think it's even close between Marist and Fordham, so don't understand the comparisons.

[JohnG92]

I'm asking because I don't know, but when was the last time we beat a team with a winning record?

[fordhamramfan08]

I'm asking because I don't know, but when was the last time we beat a team with a winning record?

Well, Old Dominion (8-2) technically has a winning record, if you want to count them. But against a PL team with a winning record, been a while.

[An Old Coach]

Yea. And as bad as people have made Fordham out to be this year (and rightfully so), we came a split second short of taking the game into OT v/s Colgate (questionable decision by ref to let the game end), 10 yards short of beating Lafayette during the closing seconds (which we could have gotten if it were not for that penalty on Crocket), and we put on a battle with Holy Cross. I do not think it's even close between Marist and Fordham, so don't understand the comparisons.

I think the comparison is that while Marist is not on our level, they are winning on the level they play at.  Hustle is hustle, hitting is hitting.  I don't think we can say that about Fordham.  We were fortunate to beat ODU because we let them back in the game.  It has been a long time since we beat a team that was considered better than we are.  Losing close games is meaningless.  There isn't a third column in the standings for "coulda, woulda, shoulda".  The fact is if it weren't for Skelton's continuing Drew Brees impression, Cornell could easily be our only win.

[ramrayII]

Old Coach understood exactly what I was saying: my nephew plays HS football but is not good enough for a A-AA/FCS program.  As such he has a good, critical eye for the game.  He watched a game visiting Marist and when he compared it to the FU-Bucknell game.  He observed what many here have noted since we lost to Columbia; that is there seems to be a lack of drive, of desire by many of the the players. That Marist is playing up to their full potential at their level is borne out by their winning record (6-3) in a new league, a league (Pioneer) that had Dayton beating us twice when we played them.  My nephew saw drive, a full team effort rather than a handful of stars who can't (and shouldn't) carry the whole team.  I think that is a fair comparison.

I like to think these last two years are adjustments for Masella and he will bring the team back up to the upper tier of PL play.  I really can't credit him too much for his 1st PL league win as I believe he still had a bunch of players recruited under Clausen.  What he does in then next two years will clearly define him as a coach and leader...if it will be like these last two, well I just don't know....

[RC74]

 When I've seen the team, I've seen drive and effort. But it was often inefficient, wasted by poor technique and lack of tactical awareness --  e.g DB's running hard with receivers but not knowing when to turn for the ball or failing to be prepared for  change in direction; stupid late-hit penalties, etc. To me, this is a result of poor coaching. They say teams take on their coaches' personality, and my observation of Masella is that he is very driven, but emotional; and the team plays like that often.

[jimbo65]

When I've seen the team, I've seen drive and effort. But it was often inefficient, wasted by poor technique and lack of tactical awareness --  e.g DB's running hard with receivers but not knowing when to turn for the ball or failing to be prepared for  change in direction;

I saw exactly that last Saturday when our DB covered a receiver all the way to the southern end of the Southern Boulevard end zone and never looked back.  The receiver went out of bounds and didn't catch the ball but our guy most definitely should have turned around when/if he saw the receiver was almost out of bounds.  I also noted that our DBs are somewhat verticall challenged, so to speak.

[Ram 91]

The Holy Cross game was rife with such plays.  Most egregious was one in the end zone, where the receiver had turned so his back was square to the end line, waiting to receive the ball, and the db actually jumped out of the way of the pass, simply because he never bothered to play the ball.  If he had done nothing but stand in front of the receiver the ball would have bounced right between his shoulder blades.  If he had turned to play the ball it would have been an easy INT for a touchback (assuming he didn't run it out of the end zone).  Instead it was an easy TD for Randolph.

[An Old Coach]

That's making exuses.  We are last in total defense for a reason.  We did play well against Bucknell but let's not overlook that Bucknell is sixth in total offense and last in passing offense.  So much of defense is position and running to the football.  We've been outplayed on defense all year. This is the same defense that gave up 315 yards in passing the week before.  I've seen some drive and effort as well.  Just not a whole lot of it.  Hopefully last week marked a new attitude on defense.

[fordhamramfan08]

That's making exuses.  We are last in total defense for a reason.  We did play well against Bucknell but let's not overlook that Bucknell is sixth in total offense and last in passing offense.  So much of defense is position and running to the football.  We've been outplayed on defense all year. This is the same defense that gave up 315 yards in passing the week before.  I've seen some drive and effort as well.  Just not a whole lot of it.  Hopefully last week marked a new attitude on defense.

We also kept both Lafayette and Colgate under 30 points. The defense made some key stops against Lafayette, like forcing a fumble in the closing minutes, so you can't say that the effort hasn't been there. I think the defense, as bad as it has been, had put the offense in a position to win against both Lafayette and Colgate (but all those missed field goals and extra point conversions ruined it). If there is anything to blame this year, it's special teams. But I agree, they've played hard in spurts and other times they've had huge lapses.

[shortshot]

We also kept both Lafayette and Colgate under 30 points. The defense made some key stops against Lafayette, like forcing a fumble in the closing minutes, so you can't say that the effort hasn't been there. I think the defense, as bad as it has been, had put the offense in a position to win against both Lafayette and Colgate (but all those missed field goals and extra point conversions ruined it). If there is anything to blame this year, it's special teams. But I agree, they've played hard in spurts and other times they've had huge lapses.

I think the key is special teams. When we won the Patriot League twice, we arguably had the best Special Teams unit in the Conference. This year they may be one of the worst. That, and turnovers at the wrong time, have killed us.