fenix
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Monmouth
Oct 19, 2023 18:27:17 GMT -5
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Post by fenix on Oct 19, 2023 18:27:17 GMT -5
What's the outlook for homecoming this weekend?
Monmouth averaging 38pts/game on offense, 24 on defense.
Injury concerns on offense and defense, will the phoenix get back in the win column or continue to add pressure on Coach T to make changes?
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eu96
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Monmouth
Oct 19, 2023 18:59:22 GMT -5
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Post by eu96 on Oct 19, 2023 18:59:22 GMT -5
We cannot win without Downing. It’s not that Downing is so good, it’s that Allen and Lankford are so, so, soooooo bad. What is frustrating is that at this level of football, injury info is non-existent. Downing could have tweaked an ankle or had double knee replacement surgery. Who knows?
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fenix
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Monmouth
Oct 20, 2023 7:44:32 GMT -5
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Post by fenix on Oct 20, 2023 7:44:32 GMT -5
We cannot win without Downing. It’s not that Downing is so good, it’s that Allen and Lankford are so, so, soooooo bad. What is frustrating is that at this level of football, injury info is non-existent. Downing could have tweaked an ankle or had double knee replacement surgery. Who knows? True, almost seems like there is no development happening in the program. That tied with having to replace 2-3 coordinators every year can't be easy for the players. This is Downing's last year of eligibility so they've got to figure something out quick.
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phawkes
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Post by phawkes on Oct 20, 2023 8:03:15 GMT -5
I agree with eu96's assessment. I guess we'll find out tomorrow if Downing is back.
Monmouth has the best running back in the CAA, possibly in all of FCS. Our Hampton could be in that conversation if Phoenix play had been consistent game-to-game and if play-calling (and personnel usage) had any discernible strategy at all.
After Downing's emergence as an effective leader, I had picked the Monmouth game as a very likely W for the Phoenix. Now, that W is doubtful. There are too many big "ifs": If Downing is healthy, if O-line plays to potential, if defense can contain Shirden, if Miller is available at TE, if play-calling is drastically revised . . . we could win. Defense has to turn in a W&M caliber performance for us to have any shot. And, speaking of Miller, why aren't we targeting our TEs at least 5 times per game? This has long been a puzzler to me. Also, why have we abandoned the fake punt? 67% success rate is pretty good. What about this--Romenick in a wildcat formation? The guy is 6'3" 220+ lbs. (Sorry, I've gone over the side. Desperation has driven me there.)
By the way, it's nice to see Patierno getting some recognition, Jerry Rice award watch list.
Go, Phoenix!
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phawkes
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Fan Of: Elon Phoenix
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Post by phawkes on Oct 20, 2023 17:27:28 GMT -5
Phoenix website Game Notes' depth chart shows Lankford starting QB and Allen 2nd. Chart is dated as of October 16, so maybe there's still hope for Downing to take the field.
Flo Football predicts Monmouth 34, Elon 28, but does not address our QB issue. CAA's Rob Washburn says it all comes down to who runs the ball more effectively. Guess we'll see.
Go, Phoenix!
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phawkes
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Post by phawkes on Oct 21, 2023 13:09:13 GMT -5
Downing gets the start!
Go, Phoenix!
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bjiyf
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Monmouth
Oct 21, 2023 15:26:22 GMT -5
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Post by bjiyf on Oct 21, 2023 15:26:22 GMT -5
Offensive play calling is just bad. Ok during the first quarter, abysmal 2nd & 3rd quarters. Folmar thinks too much. Just win the effin game. The Monmouth D isn’t that good.
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eu96
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Post by eu96 on Oct 21, 2023 18:30:26 GMT -5
Great win..way to hang on! We are different team with Downing. Place him in shrink wrap until next game.
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Post by fearthephoenix on Oct 21, 2023 19:36:03 GMT -5
Good win after the last two weeks and a perfectly timed bye in preparation for Delaware. Obviously a must win for playoff hopes and the additional week will help guys get back. If the aerial attack has finally arrived and that will force teams to unload the box, things can get really interesting in the CAA over the next month.
Great win, weak homecoming crowd, but a great opportunity awaits.
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Monmouth
Oct 22, 2023 14:40:03 GMT -5
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Post by retiredphoenix on Oct 22, 2023 14:40:03 GMT -5
Good win after the last two weeks and a perfectly timed bye in preparation for Delaware. Obviously a must win for playoff hopes and the additional week will help guys get back. If the aerial attack has finally arrived and that will force teams to unload the box, things can get really interesting in the CAA over the next month. Great win, weak homecoming crowd, but a great opportunity awaits. Weak homecoming crowd surprises me. Felt like each year I was there homecoming was almost on par with parents weekend, aside from the clown show that was Villanova in the rain and cold a few years back. If they make the playoffs, it’ll definitely be earned not given. Pretty much no shot at an at large bid with the OOC losses, really made it difficult on themselves since they’ll have to win out to win the conference to earn the auto bid. Think they have the ability to pull it out, if they are able to stay healthy.
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eu96
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Monmouth
Oct 22, 2023 15:49:08 GMT -5
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Post by eu96 on Oct 22, 2023 15:49:08 GMT -5
The FCS playoff format puts a heavy premium on conference record. If we can manage just 2 conf losses, we can still get in by beating Richmond and Hampton. Certainly not guaranteed, however the playoffs are now 24 teams, and frankly there is just not that many FCS programs left. Especially since the SWAC, MEAC and IVY don’t accept bids. It’s why I think FCS football is circling the drain, but that is a discussion for another day. That is why the win Sat was so big. There is still a good path to the playoffs even if we lose to Delaware. Of course, the auto bid would always be optimal!
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bjiyf
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Monmouth
Oct 23, 2023 15:45:46 GMT -5
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Post by bjiyf on Oct 23, 2023 15:45:46 GMT -5
With the CAA being so down this year, there is absolutely NO WAY we will make the playoffs unless we win the conference championship. CAA will not get more than 2 teams in this year.
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eu96
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Monmouth
Oct 23, 2023 16:22:16 GMT -5
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Post by eu96 on Oct 23, 2023 16:22:16 GMT -5
I disagree. There are 128 FCS teams. 26 of those teams are from conferences that don’t accept playoff bids. There are 8 auto-bids, which brings the remaining at large pool to 94 teams. The other 11 teams of the Pioneer League (non-scholarship) will not get bid consideration. That leaves 83 teams eligible for 16 bids. Or, another way to look at it, 20% of the remaining pool will make the playoffs. The CAA is the largest FCS conference at 15 teams. If Elon finishes with just two losses in the CAA, then they certainly have a better than average shot to make the playoffs. Absolutely. This isn’t a 16 team playoff anymore.
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Monmouth
Oct 24, 2023 11:33:31 GMT -5
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Post by retiredphoenix on Oct 24, 2023 11:33:31 GMT -5
Ignoring the loss to wake forest since it does not hurt for playoff considerations, if Elon wins out they’ll be 7-3 against the FCS with 3? ranked wins. They’ll get the auto bid with winning out so they’ll be in regardless. If they drop one of the final three games, FCS record goes to 6-4. Some years that’s good enough, some years it’s not. In 2018, we were 6-4 against the FCS due to a cancellation against Bill and Mary, and ended up getting into the playoffs. But, that year had win against top 3 ranked JMU, and a whomping of another ranked team in furman, and losses to ranked Maine and Towson. This year, they’d have a similar resume, with wins against WM, one of UD or UR (assuming they drop one of those and beat Hampton), and losses to the other of UD/UR and Central. It would be extremely tight, and based on the recent performances of CAA teams not named JMU in the playoffs, I think the committee would lean out. Plus, not for nothing, Elon doesn’t exactly have the same name recognition as some other schools, fair or not. Remains to be seen, but either way if they play to their ability offensively, they can and should win out.
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eu96
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Monmouth
Oct 24, 2023 11:44:57 GMT -5
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Post by eu96 on Oct 24, 2023 11:44:57 GMT -5
I think Elon’s past playoff record (abysmal) DOES factor into a possible close decision. Not so much “name recognition”, there are a ton of nobody programs in FCS. I think people are putting too much emphasis on overall record. History consistently shows that conference record is the key factor; lots of 7-4 and even 6-5 teams have received invites. One last point, our non-conf schedule this year was bonkers tough. Too tough. A program such as Elon should not be putting ourselves in a position where it’s even possible to go 0-3. We should be playing at least one tomato can; even if we need to put a D-2 team back on the slate from time to time.
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