Phil Steele's 2008 College Football Preview/Patriot League rankings

[Andy]

According to today's release by Holy Cross, Steele sees it this way:

1)Colgate
2)Lafayette
3)Holy Cross
4)Fordham
5)Lehigh
6)Bucknell
7)Georgetown

which many will find surprising.

Steele also has HC QB Randolph as POY and lists pre-season All-PL teams. Could anyone be so kind as to post the all-league teams? Thanks.

http://goholycross.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071608aaa.html

[DFW HOYA]

7)Georgetown


Not surprising. They've been picked last eight straight years.

[Andy]

xlolx at least you can find some humor in the situation.

A list of PL schools by football expenditures ('06-'07)would match the predicted order of finish of many fans:

1) FU-$3.90 mil
2) CU-$3.62 mil
3) LC-$3.22 mil
4) HC-$3.02 mil
5) LU-$2.96 mil
6) BU-$2.77 mil
7) GT-$1.52 mil

It's all (at least mostly all) about the money. Hang in there DFW.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

The defending champs are now 4th? That's just stupid.

[Andy]

The defending champs are now 4th? That's just stupid.

Very surprising, I'd like to find the publication to ck out his reasoning. Sure, they lose a few D-studs, but 4th....?

Colgate also has a release on the publication, citing 8 on the predicted all-PL teams.

[carney2]

Fordham too low. Holy Cross too high. No real objections to the other five.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

If Lehigh does indeed finish 5th, Coen needs to get on the next bus outta Bethlehem. There's no reason they should finish that low.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I picked it up yesterday and here they are.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Shaun Adair, Lafayette, Sr.
WR Brett McDermott, Holy Cross, Sr.
TE Ryan McGuire, Holy Cross, Sr.
OT Steve Jonas, Colgate, Sr.
OT Nick Hennessey, Colgate, Sr.
OG Chris Poole, Holy Cross, Sr.
OG Mike Nardone, Fordham, Sr.
C Michael Wojcik, Lafayette, Jr.
QB Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross, Sr.
RB Jordan Scott, Colgate, Sr.
RB Xavier Martin, Fordham, Soph.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Brian Jackson, Lehigh, Sr.
DL Ryan Mehra, Fordham, Sr.
DL Andrew Poulson, Lafayette, Jr.
DL Bryan Walwyn, Holy Cross, Sr.
LB Tim Diamond, Lehigh, Sr.
LB Andy Romans, Lafayette, Sr.
LB James Crockett, Fordham, Jr.
DB Marvin Clecidor, Lafayette, Sr.
DB Wayne Moten, Colgate, Jr.
DB Kyle Mushaweh, Holy Cross, Sr.
DB Matt Loucks, Fordham, Sr.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Matt Partain, Holy Cross, Sr.
P Jason Leo, Lehigh, Sr.
RS A.J. Kizekai, Bucknell, Jr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Pat Simonds, Colgate, Jr.
WR Jon Brock, Holy Cross, Sr.
TE Mike Conte, Lafayette, Sr.
OT Kevin Bayani, Lehigh, Sr.
OT Ian Fulmer, Bucknell, Jr.
OG Chris Tiefenthal, Lehigh, Sr.
OG Rich Rosabella, Colgate, Sr.
C Dan Matheny, Georgetown, Jr.
QB John Skelton, Fordham, Jr.
RB Terrance Gass, Holy Cross, Sr.
RB Maurice White, Lafayette, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Paul Mancuso, Colgate, Jr.
DL Darzell Wright, Fordham, Jr.
DL Luke Schade, Lafayette, Sr.
DL Greg DeMarco, Fordham, Sr.
LB Matt Cohen, Lehigh, Jr.
LB Mark Leggiero, Lafayette, Jr.
LB Marcus Rodriguez, Holy Cross, Jr.
DB Brigham Farrand, Bucknell, Jr.
DB Mike Barry, Colgate, Soph.
DB Isiejah Allen, Fordham, Jr.
DB Travis Mack, Georgetown, Jr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Jason Leo, Lehigh, Sr.
P Phil Azarik, Bucknell, Sr.
RS John Kennedy, Lehigh, Soph.

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
OFFENSE: QB Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross, Sr.
DEFENSE: LB Andy Romans, Lafayette, Sr.

[RichH2]

FU down to 4th preseason is off the wall. That said the parity this year will lead to surprises. HC will eat up everyone on O but wont win the PL. FU will be in it til the end. Wont take anyone by surprise this year. LU , who knows with new qb. Coen's leash getting shorter. I dont expect a championship this year but a 7-4 record is a must. His 4th year will tell the tale. BU and GU will beat some and lose some but more competitive. LC and Gate are my personal picks for the top spot but either or both could disappoint. S/b an interesting year.

[TheValleyRaider]

On the one hand, I see no reason not to take Fordham as Preseason #1 (and I've been saying so all offseason xnodx)

On the other, Preseason #1 has been pretty much a black mark the last couple of years, and it's not like I'd be out of my mind to take Colgate to win the League (a homer, yes, but not crazy :D)

That said, welcome aboard Phil xnodx xhurrayx
xbandwagonx
Seats filling up fast xrulesx

[Andy]

Thanks, SCFBFAN!! Some interesting picks--the teams with the all-PL QBs also have the most players listed (HC 10, FU tied with LC w/ 9) yet are picked to finish 3rd and 4th. Some interesting DB selections--I would add a watch out for LC's Nick Oliver. The first team selection of LC's Mike Wojcik, a player who was beaten out at C by a player who returns after a brief injury induced retirement, is also a curious pick, but I like it!

[DFW HOYA]

Six schools get a first team pick, even Bucknell.

One school gets none.

Par for the course as PL "experts" go.

[Andy]

If Lehigh does indeed finish 5th, Coen needs to get on the next bus outta Bethlehem. There's no reason they should finish that low.

Coen is in a tough spot. (ya think?!) Having underachieved last year with the league's returning 1st team all-PL QB at the helm, the pressure is on to win in what should've been a rebuilding year or development year, if you will, with perhaps a freshman QB. Couple that with the heat from alumni already PO'd over the rivalry losing streak and he's in quite a pressure cooker. Very, very tough situation that adds even more to what should be an interesting PL this year.

[Hoyadestroya85]

i don't see how fordham doesn't win

[ngineer]

If Lehigh does indeed finish 5th, Coen needs to get on the next bus outta Bethlehem. There's no reason they should finish that low.


Doubtful this will happen...first, with the amazing parity in the League, I see some multiple ties for various places. In fact, a three-way tie for first, which has always been a fear for playoff considerations, is a real possibility this year. The line between a number of schools is very thin. The key for Lehigh and Coen will be his overall record, with a tough OOC schedule. If we struggle this year, it will likely be due to inexperience at QB. Should that happen, I still don't think Coen will be out, but the pressure will be on for 2009, since incoming frosh Lum is highly touted. If neither Clark or Cisneros get the job done this year, then Lum becomes the hoped for savior. If the season appears 'lost' by end of October, then Lum could see action in November. OTOH, should our Soph. QB's come through, then I see us in the hunt through November 22.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Doubtful this will happen...first, with the amazing parity in the League, I see some multiple ties for various places. In fact, a three-way tie for first, which has always been a fear for playoff considerations, is a real possibility this year. The line between a number of schools is very thin. The key for Lehigh and Coen will be his overall record, with a tough OOC schedule. If we struggle this year, it will likely be due to inexperience at QB. Should that happen, I still don't think Coen will be out, but the pressure will be on for 2009, since incoming frosh Lum is highly touted. If neither Clark or Cisneros get the job done this year, then Lum becomes the hoped for savior. If the season appears 'lost' by end of October, then Lum could see action in November. OTOH, should our Soph. QB's come through, then I see us in the hunt through November 22.

At the end of the day Coen needs to show improvement. The talent level on this team is as good as anyone in league minus the inexperience at QB, although based on recruiting there's talent. A good coach has the ability to get that little extra out of their players and can get them to overachieve some. So far the first two years under Coen his teams have underachieved which is not a good sign. Look at Gilmore, Tavani, Biddle, etc. All 3 by their 3rd year had their teams exceeding expectations. It's time for Coen to get Lehigh to do the same. I'm not looking for a 9-2, 10-1 season but a 7-4 8-3 '08 campaign with a team positioned to return to national contention in '09 should be expected. This is a proud program that has has the most success of any PL team the last 20 years. If Coen produces another losing season he should not be allowed to see '09 on South Mountain.

[Fordham]

i don't see how fordham doesn't win

A very much appreciated thought, Hoyadestroya. Particularly given the fact that with all that you have coming back, winning the PL title for us could well mean a trip down to 'Nova for a first round matchup.

That said, here's how I can see a Fordham team that doesn't win it:

*Difference between being the hunter v. the hunted. We played our best last year in big games where no one expected us to win (exception being that by the time we went up against HC we were expected to have a shot to win as opposed to our previous games v. Colgate, Lehigh and Lafayette).

*Special teams - the loss of Dato will be huge. He got us out of many a field position jam and put many an opposing team in the hole.

*Injuries - this one is true of all PL teams obviously.

*Parity - all big PL games last year came down to the wire. A missed play here, some poor execution there and we would have been talking about how pleased we were to have been so competitive last year instead of talking about our title.

So I can pretty easily see a scenario whereby we don't win it (by the way, I believe I can make a much more compelling argument for why we should win it, so I'm not trying to sandbag ;) ). But what baffles the heck out of me is how you can't pick us to win it in the pre-season. We know this league better than a guy who analyzes every single conference in FBS and FCS and there's no way he's seen some glaring weakness here that we've all missed. If we finish fourth, it'll likely be b/c of what I listed above but unless you say that you're just going to guess at this year's results, there's no way you can put us 4th.

[carney2]

i don't see how fordham doesn't win

I don't see how Fordham isn't picked to win.

Frankly, I see many ways that Fordham doesn't win.

[bison137]

Six schools get a first team pick, even Bucknell.




It would have been hard not to pick Kizekai, considering he was first-team last year. Bucknell would have unquestionably had a second first-teamer had DE Josh Eden not chosen to go on a Mormon mission. He was the only soph on first-team last year of the 22 position players.

If Sam Nana-Sinkam is fully recovered from the shoulder injury that caused him to miss all of last season, I would be surprised if he doesn't make one of the teams at the end of the year.

[carney2]

I'm not looking for a 9-2, 10-1 season but a 7-4 8-3 '08 campaign with a team positioned to return to national contention in '09 should be expected.

If Coen coaxes 7 wins out of that offense he's not coach of the year, he's coach of the decade. Prediction: Lehigh will enter THE Game @ 5-5.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

If Coen coaxes 7 wins out of that offense he's not coach of the year, he's coach of the decade.

I'm not sure i follow as to why the offense will be that bad. They return two very good RB's, a potential all league WR, solid TE's and an improved OL, 2 of which i believe made Steele's 1st or 2nd team all league. The only question is at QB.

[LBPop]

Not surprising. They've been picked last eight straight years.

And they have done it the old fashioned way... :( xsmhx xbawlingx

[TheValleyRaider]

I'm not sure i follow as to why the offense will be that bad. They return two very good RB's, a potential all league WR, solid TE's and an improved OL, 2 of which i believe made Steele's 1st or 2nd team all league. The only question is at QB.

That's a mighty big question though, isn't it?

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

That's a mighty big question though, isn't it?

It is but a capable coaching staff should be able to get a kid prepared to play and be effective. All a QB this year needs to do is manage the game. Like i said he has two very good RB's behind him to take the pressure off, an improved OL that will provide better protection than was given last year. Also he'll have a go to guy at WR and a good safety valve at TE. This combined with what could very easily be the best "D" in the league. Coen needs to show he can make the moves to put the kids in position to win. In the first two years i haven't really seen that. Lembo was about to take a guy like Keaton and put him a position to succeed at a high level.

[ngineer]

It is but a capable coaching staff should be able to get a kid prepared to play and be effective. All a QB this year needs to do is manage the game. Like i said he has two very good RB's behind him to take the pressure off, an improved OL that will provide better protection than was given last year. Also he'll have a go to guy at WR and a good safety valve at TE. This combined with what could very easily be the best "D" in the league. Coen needs to show he can make the moves to put the kids in position to win. In the first two years i haven't really seen that. Lembo was about to take a guy like Keaton and put him a position to succeed at a high level.

That will be the key. If the OL is, in fact, improved then we don't need a 'star' at QB, but someone who will protect the ball and make correct decisions. If that happens , we can go 9-2; if not, 4-7 a possibility. Defense can set the table and keep you in each game, but ultimately you have score some points.

[Andy]

That will be the key. If the OL is, in fact, improved then we don't need a 'star' at QB, but someone who will protect the ball and make correct decisions. If that happens , we can go 9-2; if not, 4-7 a possibility. Defense can set the table and keep you in each game, but ultimately you have score some points.

I don't usually find myself disagreeing with the wise and informed engineer, in this case I do. . "Protecting the ball and making correct decisions" doesn't get one to 9-2. I've only been following closely since 2000, but in that time I can't recall any team anywhere near that level w/out, if not a star, at least a "playmaker." If not in the classic mold of a Skelton, Eaton, Borda, then its been an athletic type ie Brown, Maurer, Relph, Threatt. Maybe Lehigh has one, but we don't know yet IMO.

BTW, in the Sporting News PL write up, they mention that Lum was brought in to compete w/ Bokosky, completely ignoring the sophs.

I'm also not sure what my Lafayette colleague, carney, sees in Lehigh to pronounce them "a year away." They'll lose their top defenders in Diamond and the AA lineman, their top two WRs, an all-PL lineman or two, and the transfer RB. Like everyone else IMO, LU is a year away from chasing Fordham who will have a team full of experienced, talented SRs, a stud QB and RB(s). LU will have capable replacements, they always do, but I'm not calling them a year away until I at least get a look at them and have an idea whom their QB will be.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Actually I typed a few names wrong. Here is the complete and accurate list of their All-Patriot League Teams.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Shaun Adair, Lafayette, Sr.
WR Brett McDermott, Holy Cross, Sr.
TE Ryan McGuire, Holy Cross, Sr.
OT Steve Jonas, Colgate, Sr.
OT Nick Hennessey, Colgate, Sr.
OG Chris Poole, Holy Cross, Sr.
OG Chris Tiefenthal, Lehigh, Sr.
C Michael Wojcik, Lafayette, Jr.
QB Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross, Sr.
RB Jordan Scott, Colgate, Sr.
RB Xavier Martin, Fordham, Soph.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Brian Jackson, Lehigh, Sr.
DL Ryan Mehra, Fordham, Sr.
DL Andrew Poulson, Lafayette, Jr.
DL Bryan Walwyn, Holy Cross, Sr.
LB Tim Diamond, Lehigh, Sr.
LB Andy Romans, Lafayette, Sr.
LB James Crockett, Fordham, Jr.
DB Marvin Clecidor, Lafayette, Sr.
DB Wayne Moten, Colgate, Jr.
DB Kyle Mushaweh, Holy Cross, Sr.
DB Matt Loucks, Fordham, Sr.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Matt Partain, Holy Cross, Sr.
P Jason Leo, Lehigh, Sr.
RS A.J. Kizekai, Bucknell, Jr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Pat Simonds, Colgate, Jr.
WR Jon Brock, Holy Cross, Sr.
TE Mike Conte, Lafayette, Sr.
OT Kevin Bayani, Lehigh, Sr.
OT Ian Fulmer, Bucknell, Jr.
OG Robbie Reis, Fordham, Jr.
OG Rich Rosabella, Colgate, Sr.
C Dan Matheny, Georgetown, Jr.
QB John Skelton, Fordham, Jr.
RB Terrance Gass, Holy Cross, Sr.
RB Maurice White, Lafayette, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Paul Mancuso, Colgate, Jr.
DL Darzell Wright, Fordham, Jr.
DL Luke Schade, Lafayette, Sr.
DL Greg DeMarco, Fordham, Sr.
LB Matt Cohen, Lehigh, Jr.
LB Mark Leggiero, Lafayette, Jr.
LB Marcus Rodriguez, Holy Cross, Jr.
DB Brigham Farrand, Bucknell, Jr.
DB Mike Barry, Colgate, Soph.
DB Isiejah Allen, Fordham, Jr.
DB Travis Mack, Georgetown, Jr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Jason Leo, Lehigh, Sr.
P Phil Azarik, Bucknell, Sr.
RS John Kennedy, Lehigh, Soph.

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
OFFENSE: QB Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross, Sr.
DEFENSE: LB Andy Romans, Lafayette, Sr.

[smallcollegefbfan]

The magazine looks great. 100 pages of FCS content. Everything is in full color. They have a top 25, All America teams, All-Conference teams, playoff results, stats, returning starters, team writeups, and last year's postseason awards. They also have Armanti Edwards on the cover of the magazine. They have 6 pages per team of the Pac-10 in their regional and I heard they want to do the same for the FCS if they have the backing for a full magazine. Would not surprise me to see them do a 225 page FCS preview next year.

For those of you guys who are NFL fans they offer a deal that if you buy a regional magazine they will send a NFL preview to you free. There are details in the magazine about how to get a FREE NFL Preview. All of this stuff is what I found in that mag. You can't beat that! No other preseason magazine offers NFL stuff and other information free like that. Always good to see more FCS coverage!!

[ngineer]

I don't usually find myself disagreeing with the wise and informed engineer, in this case I do. . "Protecting the ball and making correct decisions" doesn't get one to 9-2. I've only been following closely since 2000, but in that time I can't recall any team anywhere near that level w/out, if not a star, at least a "playmaker." If not in the classic mold of a Skelton, Eaton, Borda, then its been an athletic type ie Brown, Maurer, Relph, Threatt. Maybe Lehigh has one, but we don't know yet IMO.

BTW, in the Sporting News PL write up, they mention that Lum was brought in to compete w/ Bokosky, completely ignoring the sophs.

I'm also not sure what my Lafayette colleague, carney, sees in Lehigh to pronounce them "a year away." They'll lose their top defenders in Diamond and the AA lineman, their top two WRs, an all-PL lineman or two, and the transfer RB. Like everyone else IMO, LU is a year away from chasing Fordham who will have a team full of experienced, talented SRs, a stud QB and RB(s). LU will have capable replacements, they always do, but I'm not calling them a year away until I at least get a look at them and have an idea whom their QB will be.

Haven't seen the article, but usually guys from 'national' pubs aren't all that familiar with all the personnel, and Bokosky is 'seen' by many as the current #1 only because of his time spent subbing for Threatt last year. At the Spring game, I saw nothing major to separate the three candidates, other than Bokosky's, then, familiarity with the system. In fact, I viewed Cisneros and Clark to have better physical skills than Bokosky.
As for the 'year away'...we all lose a few stars each year. However, our LB corps is (to borrow a Boston term) wicked deep, and the DL is an excellent unit with some depth as well. Walker is only a soph, and barring injury, we'll still have him for two years after McGowan leaves. WR recruits are supposedly stellar, so I would hope we're "at least" a year away if we cannot surprise some people this year.

[Go...gate]

I don't see how Fordham doesn't win

I think they have to be a strong favorite.

[DFW HOYA]

Not sure who gave Steele the all-league team, but it begs a question.

Nothing against Travis Mack (4th on the Georgetown team in tackles), but how is he on the 2nd team when Nick Parrish isn't even in the conversation? Yes this is a defense which managed all of five sacks in 2007 and gave up 56 touchdowns, but Parrish's play deserves some mention.

And how does Charlie Houghton go from 2006 PL Rookie of the Year to not even getting a mention at RB?

[Andy]

Haven't seen the article, but usually guys from 'national' pubs aren't all that familiar with all the personnel, and Bokosky is 'seen' by many as the current #1 only because of his time spent subbing for Threatt last year. At the Spring game, I saw nothing major to separate the three candidates, other than Bokosky's, then, familiarity with the system. In fact, I viewed Cisneros and Clark to have better physical skills than Bokosky.
As for the 'year away'...we all lose a few stars each year. However, our LB corps is (to borrow a Boston term) wicked deep, and the DL is an excellent unit with some depth as well. Walker is only a soph, and barring injury, we'll still have him for two years after McGowan leaves. WR recruits are supposedly stellar, so I would hope we're "at least" a year away if we cannot surprise some people this year.

Honestly, I caught some of the L-L JV "game" last season that got changed to a 7-on-7 and was impressed with how the LU frosh threw the ball, beating the LC kids deep for scores several times. Rather annoying.