Lehigh Sports Forum

LU picked 4th.

Bush at ST specialist only player on All Pl squad. Odd the lech not names as he is retruning 1st team.

This prediction has us last! Haley seems like a very intelligent guy. Injuries and how the kids mesh will tell...

https://theanalyst.com/na/2021/08/fcs-c ... e-preview/

LUopa wrote: ↑Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:48 am This prediction has us last! Haley seems like a very intelligent guy. Injuries and how the kids mesh will tell...

https://theanalyst.com/na/2021/08/fcs-c ... e-preview/

I believe a last place finish is plausible given the questions surrounding the offense and coaching staff. A last place finish in the PL likely means you're one of the worst 5-10 team in all of FCS. Lehigh must find a way to beat Colgate on September 25th. A loss there and it could be a 1-10/0-11 type season.

Villanova next week! Great measuring stick out of the gate!

Villanova next week! Great measuring stick out of the gate!
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Can you give a good barometer as to how to judge success/failure in the Villanova game?

TMH wrote: ↑Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:52 pm Villanova next week! Great measuring stick out of the gate!

Can you give a good barometer as to how to judge success/failure in the Villanova game?
[/quote]

If Lehigh competes for 60 minutes and keeps the final margin in the 10-17 point window I would consider it a positive sign moving forward imo. Villanova is a Top 20ish FCS team so while quite good, not at a level Lehigh should be blown off the field by imo. I would expect Holy Cross and Fordham to give 'Nova a "real good game". With that said, 'Nova has dominated the PL dating back to the late 80's. 1987 (iirc) Holy Cross, 2006 Lehigh and 2013 Fordham are the Wildcats only losses to PL competition since they restarted the program.

I know a 'Nova fan picked it 'Cats 51-10 in the AGS board. That would be a bad, bad sign....but one that wouldn't surprise me.

I have it 34-13ish?....

Thank you.

I'm looking at this game a little differently. Although score is the ultimate objective, the ultimate goal IMO at this stage is Patriot League success. I'm approaching this season that Lehigh should be competitive with any team in the PL so now I'm looking for development.

I think that our defense has the ability to be one of the best if not the best in the PL as early as this year. This may be theirbest test in several years given the circumstances. I think their only loss was Buckrham in the starting lineup so despite their youth, they are experienced. If they could hold Villanova in the 20s, I'll be really optimistic especially considering that we couldn't hold anyone under 35 for quite a few years.

I'll really be looking at the offense. I'm not expecting our O-Line to dominate but if they could show real signs of opening holes for our running backs, I'll be optimistic. I'll be really interested to see how much time our Q-Back is given and then how he reacts to that scenario. This will be the first Lehigh has had a Q-Back with any real experience since Gilmore got here. Now he has 3. This will be the first time that the Q-Backs have had time to develop a synergy with the rest of the offense in 2 years. Development is key. I want to see how the RB situation plays out. This may be the deepest, most talented group Lehigh has ever had if given a semblance of space to run in.
If we can move the ball to the tune of 300-350 yds. I'll have reason to be optimistic.

I'll be watching our special teams. I'd love to see Hartman run back kicks but have no idea if he will. We have some really good punters on this team. I'll watch to see how they progress. There is a lot of competition for kicking duties. Is it a strength or weakness?

Finally, I want to see if we play hard. Toughness can make up for some mistakes. The mistakes we can fix, toughness not so much.

I'm really just happy for the opportunity to watch football live again.

From the Holy Cross Board...

"Here is the Massey combined rank of PL teams for the start of Week 1:
#29 HOLY CROSS
#65 Fordham
#88 Lafayette
#98 Colgate
#99 Bucknell
#106 Georgetown
#114 Lehigh

... out of 128 ranked team"

YIKES! No where to go but up!

Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 10:57 am From the Holy Cross Board...

"Here is the Massey combined rank of PL teams for the start of Week 1:
#29 HOLY CROSS
#65 Fordham
#88 Lafayette
#98 Colgate
#99 Bucknell
#106 Georgetown
#114 Lehigh

... out of 128 ranked team"

Good news is there are low expectations. We should be excited with "little victories" in games.

Barring some unusual COVID issue this year, the expectations won't be so low in 2022 or 2023. It will be time to put up or shut up.

Sad the best team in the PL is ranked #29. Woeful. The median team #98. Prima facie case for going DIII. We collectively don't have the attendance, facilities, investment, more to compete in FCS. #FACEREALITY