Looking at some of Hobart's 2019 opponents, they don't seem to be taking quite as difficult a path, but let's break down three of the Statesmen's top foes - Brockport, RPI and Union - and how their 2019 schedules shake out:
Brockport Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles were a mainstay in the Top 5 for pretty much the entire 2018 season but came up short of expectations in a 21-13 loss to RPI in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. My ITH co-host Frank Rossi and I learned after the fact that the loss shook up things between rising SR QB Joe Germinierio and the team, and it appears as though Joe is no longer on the roster. While this definitely impacts the Golden Eagles, this is still a program that has won 24 games in the past two seasons. With four of five OL starters, JR RB Justin Morrison coming be back from injury and national DC of the year Mike Fox also returning, the cupboard is hardly bare. Given HC Mangone's recruiting prowess, you can expect Brockport to end up in the preseason Top 25 - probably in the 11-15 range - going into 2019.
What's interesting about the Brockport schedule is the addition of and a rematch against Framingham State - who earned a NCAA berth via the MASCAC Pool A bid. The Eagles beat the Rams 40-27 in the first round of the playoffs in what may have been a more lopsided game than the final score indicated. Still, FSU is arguably the best NE program as far as overall talent, size and speed goes.
After Week 2, you could say things lighten up considerably for Brockport facing four teams that combined for only seven wins in 2018 (Fisher had the best mark at 3-6), then getting a bye in Week 7. Things get more challenging with games against Utica (2018 ECAC bowl winner), Cortland (the E8 runner up) and Alfred between Weeks 8-10. The Week 11 finale against Morrisville State could be one where they rest up for the playoffs, but that will really be determined how the Cortland and Alfred games go. I could see the Red Dragons as a potential spoiler to Brockport for the E8 crown this season (they almost were in 2018 too).
I'd rate the Brockport schedule as moderately easy, especially compared to 2018. The Statesmen have a big opportunity to avenge last season's opening debacle and put the East on notice, if they beat the Golden Eagles in Week 1.
RPI Engineers
The defending LL champion Engineers will enjoy six home games (which seems to be a common theme for LL teams given shifts in other conferences) this fall and face a pretty easy OOC schedule also. While Allegheny did improve to a 6-4 record in 2018, their HC is now at Bowdoin so the Gators may face an uphill battle in 2019. WPI had a down year in 2018 and while Utica gave RPI a scare last season, the Engineers will once again be the favorite in this game, especially at the ECAV. The Week 6 match up vs. Hobart looms as a huge game for both teams, especially given the fact that the Engineers have had Hobart's number of late, but the Statesmen did best RPI 30-0 in Geneva back in 2017.
What's tough for RPI is two of their LL rival games against the Statesmen and Union Dutchmen are both on the road. The Engineers will have home field against Ithaca in Week 10 - a game many may view as the de facto LL championship game (unless of course Hobart has something to say about it).
The key road games on the back half of the schedule make RPI's 2019 slate more of a moderate one - tougher than Brockport's schedule, but not by much. I'll be interested to see if this group of Engineers - who like the Golden Eagles will come into 2019 ranked in the preseason Top 25 - can keep finding ways to win close games like they did last season?
Union College Dutchmen
Union opens 2019 with three straight opponents from New England, so it's likely the Dutchmen will enter the Week 5 LL opener vs. Hobart (with an extra week to prepare no less), 3-0. The Statesmen will have run a brutal four week gauntlet prior to the game in Schenectady, so a coming up with a win there would be a huge get for Hobart, especially with RPI the following week. Like RPI and Hobart, the Dutchmen also enjoy a six home game slate, their longest road trip being to Buffalo State in Week 8.
The Union schedule is mostly back heavy, with games against Ithaca, Utica and RPI in Weeks 9-11. Fortunately for the Dutchmen, most of their rivalry / tougher games are at home. The one exception is having to go to Ithaca in Week 9. Honestly this looks like a 6-4 or 7-3 season once again for the Dutchmen. That being the case, I'd rate Union's schedule similar to Brockport's, moderately easy.
Speaking of Ithaca, as of this posting, their 2019 schedule has yet to be revealed, but we can glean the following from the above:
They will likely open up with St. Vincent again (in PA, as IC hosted in 2018), but won't face Brockport in Week 2 like they did in 2018. We know they'll play SJFC at home in Week 4 after the Cardinals posted their new schedule earlier this week.
That said, the back end of the Bombers 2019 schedule looks like:
Week 7 vs. Hobart
Week 8 - likely bye (Statesmen also have same bye week)
Week 9 vs. Union
Week 10 @ RPI
Week 11 @ Metlife Stadium vs. Cortland (looking to break the D3FB game attendance record)
which is pretty tough also, but they do have the advantage of hosting Hobart and Union (is this the year the Statesmen finally break the Butterfield curse / streak?). Assuming IC keeps teams like Alfred from the E8 on their 2019 slate, the Bombers will be in a similar boat with Hobart, as far as SOS goes.
I will post any more schedule and recruiting news as it comes in. If you're looking for some more off-season D3FB coverage, please check out Frank and my latest ITH update which was posted a couple of days ago.
Thanks again as always for reading (hard to believe we're creeping towards 250k views) and go 'Bart!
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