Holy Cross is no pushover....

[PrideandDream]

So looking at some rough stats it seems 6-3 Holy Cross is ranked #22 in FCS.

More interestingly is that they lost to Boston College 31-28 and they held them to 202 rushing yards.

On top of this they have two running backs in the top 10 for FCS. #7 and #10. One has just over 1000 yards and the other has 900+.

They are pretty good in 3rd Down Conversion and 4th Down Conversion.

The good news is their total defense is 90th and they aren't great against the run.

Bottom line. We need to show up and not self destruct (like Air Force did).

PD

[wpgrad]

We arent losing to holy cross

In 1992 or whatever, there was not much different in talent or athleticism compared to a holy cross or citadel, both of whom we lost to around that time

In 2023, we just have better talent. Better athletes. I dont think we’ll kill them but we arent losing. I see a score similar to when we played highly ranked colgate a few years ago. Close enough to get nervous but we pull away 28-14

[PrideandDream]

Well I hope you are right. Two weeks ago we lost to UMASS. A downright awful FBS team

[Armyfaninpa]

Quite a different motivational challenge this time around for JM. A week ago he was rallying the team to believe in themselves as a huge underdog. Now his job is to make sure they aren't overconfident. It'll be interesting to see how the team responds to their new role.

[USMAPAFAN]

If we tackle their ball carriers like we went after AF, we may see some more turnovers this weekend.

[Tacoff]

Well, again replying to P and D, I can tell you (note my username) that there is a kind of G-2 system within the Corps of Cadets, to include the FB team, that could have sensed a tiny motivational shift, prior to the UMASS game, within the AD’s office, to include the 35 person football staff. And I am saying that may have, emphasis on MAY HAVE, affected the energy, for lack of a better word, in the play of the game.

[PrideandDream]

So are you telling me something happened and the team and staff weren't excited to play UMASS?? Not sure how to take this comment.

[Tacoff]

RTP. I didn’t say excited. I said that there may have, MAY HAVE, been some looking forward to playing Air Force and Navy and perhaps snatching away the CIC Trophy from a cocky, almost arrogant Air Force team. It’s not unusual for people to say and people to write that “Team A may be looking beyond Team B because of the big game or big series with Team C”

[giant16]

We arent losing to holy cross

In 1992 or whatever, there was not much different in talent or athleticism compared to a holy cross or citadel, both of whom we lost to around that time

In 2023, we just have better talent. Better athletes. I dont think we’ll kill them but we arent losing. I see a score similar to when we played highly ranked colgate a few years ago. Close enough to get nervous but we pull away 28-14

We may very well get beat by HC. I truly hope not as I bleed black & gold, but HC is a very good team. Have you looked at their stats of scoring 40 points/game, their Sr, QB w 168 rating over 9 games, 17tds & 4 ints?
I saw them beat down Yale earlier this season as they threw into a soft zone at 8 - 12 yards a clip (sound familiar?). They almost shocked BC and Army is their last remaining FBS to play against and fans travel well, so i think they will be motivated.

We all know that A has not showed up throughout the season, so everyone should stop talking about playing for the CIC in a month and worry about preparing for HC.
If the team returns to playing like last week, we should dictate the game. If we turn the ball over, commit penalties and beat ourselves, HC has more than enough to score and get ahead us.
Anyway - OBOAT, Beat Holy Cross!

https://goholycross.com/sports/football/stats

[RABBLE]

Quite a different motivational challenge this time around for JM. A week ago he was rallying the team to believe in themselves as a huge underdog. Now his job is to make sure they aren't overconfident. It'll be interesting to see how the team responds to their new role.

With a 3-6 record, I don't think the team CAN be overconfident. They cannot believe that just beating your two top rivals can be a successful season although much emphasis at the academy is placed on that.
It is STILL a 12- game schedule. All games DO count.