2015 Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy Standings

[dtwalrus]

Just because I need something to do while waiting to start my day today.

A reminder, the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy is awarded to the northeast's top FBS team each year. To be eligible, a team must be from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New England or be a team from one of the immediately surrounding states -- Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, etc. -- that plays at least 6 games against other northeast teams. (Though with the death of the Big East this provision is unlikely to come into play again in the near future.) Currently BC stands in 5th place on the all-time Lambert-Meadowland's list with 5 trophies, behind Syracuse (6), Pittsburgh (6), Army (7), and Penn State (29). Other currently eligible teams with trophies to their names include UConn (1 in 2010) and Rutgers (won their first last year).

With that preface out of the way, here's the Week 1 Standings for the 2015 trophy:

1-0 - Temple : W (27-10) over Penn St.
1-0 - Boston College: W (24-3) over Maine
1-0 - Buffalo: W (51-14) over Albany
1-0 - UConn: W (20-15) over Villanova
1-0 - Pittsburg: W (45-37) over Youngstown St.
1-0 - Rutgers: W (63-13) over Norfolk St.
1-0 - Syracuse: W (47-0) over URI
0-0 - UMass: BYE
0-1 - Army: L (37-35) to Fordham
0-1 - Penn State: L (10-27) to Temple

I actually think Temple has a very good chance to win their first trophy this year. With the Penn State under their belt they should go 3-0 against the other L-M eligible teams (UMass and UConn left) and their AAC schedule is very manageable. And 3 out of the last 5 years the trophy has been won by a team with 8 or fewer wins. If Temple can get to 9, I think maybe only Pittsburgh can stop them...or, of course, BC can!!!

[mod6A]

CONTENT!

[BC923]

James Conner is out for the season, which is a big issue for Pitt

[HJS]

James Conner is out for the season, which is a big issue for Pitt

Cuse QB, Terrell Hunt, is also done for the season with a torn Achilles. He was pretty much the only thing you had to gameplan for when facing Cuse. Strangely, Wake is still favored for next week game. Don't see how the fighting Clawsons lose next week.

[dtwalrus]

Army-UConn and Penn State-Buffalo headline the Lambert-Meadowlands matchups this week. By the way, was driving in NYC today when I came across UConn on the radio. Thought to myself, "Jesus, UConn is NY's team!" Then the station announced itself as the official radio station of Army Football. Two notches up the dial I found Syracuse's NYC radio station.

Anyway...Week #2! Parentheses records are the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

2-0 (1-0) - Temple: W (34-26) over Cincinnati
2-0 (1-0) - UConn: W (22-17) over Army
2-0 (0-0) - Boston College: W (76-0) over Howard
2-0 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: W (24-7) over Akron
2-0 (0-0) - Syracuse: W (30-17) over Wake Forest
1-1 (1-1) - Penn State: W (27-14) over Buffalo
1-1 (0-0) - Rutgers: L (34-37) to Washington St.
1-1 (0-1) - Buffalo: L (14-27) to Penn St
0-1 (0-0) - UMass: L (14-48) to Colorado
0-2 (0-1) - Army: L (17-22) to UConn

[mod6A]

so it's true. uconn HAS passed us.

[dtwalrus]

Temple just running away with this. Also, just noticed that Penn State's scheduled 3 of 4 OOC games against other Northeastern teams, with Army still to come. In fact, looking at their future schedule, they clearly prioritize scheduling surrounding states. Wish we did too...

Week #3! Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

3-0 (2-0) - Temple: W (25-23) over UMass...I saw the end of this one; it was enjoyable.
3-0 (0-0) - Syracuse: W (30-27) over Central Michigan
2-1 (2-1) - Penn State: W (28-3) over Rutgers
2-1 (1-0) - UConn: L (9-6) to Mizzou
2-1 (0-0) - Boston College: L (14-0) to FSU
2-1 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: L (27-24) to Iowa
2-1 (0-1) - Buffalo: W (33-15) over Florida Atlantic
1-2 (0-1) - Rutgers: L (28-3) to Penn St.
0-2 (0-1) - UMass: L (25-23) to Temple
0-3 (0-1) - Army: L (14-17) to Wake

[dtwalrus]

Week #4! Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

3-0 (2-0) - Temple: BYE
3-1 (2-1) - Penn State: W (37-21) over San Diego State
3-1 (0-0) - Syracuse: L (34-24) to LSU
3-1 (0-0) - Boston College: W (17-14) over Northern Illinois
2-1 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: BYE
2-2 (1-0) - UConn: L (28-18) to Navy
2-2 (0-1) - Buffalo: L (24-21) to Nevada
2-2 (0-1) - Rutgers: W (27-14) over Kansas
1-3 (0-1) - Army: W (58-36) over Eastern Michigan
0-3 (0-1) - UMass: L (62-27) to Notre Dame

Any one else thinking this is just going to be yet another Penn State year? C'mon Temple!

[eagle9903]

Week #4! Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

3-0 (2-0) - Temple: BYE
3-1 (2-1) - Penn State: W (37-21) over San Diego State
3-1 (0-0) - Syracuse: L (34-24) to LSU
3-1 (0-0) - Boston College: W (17-14) over Northern Illinois
2-1 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: BYE
2-2 (1-0) - UConn: L (28-18) to Navy
2-2 (0-1) - Buffalo: L (24-21) to Nevada
2-2 (0-1) - Rutgers: W (27-14) over Kansas
1-3 (0-1) - Army: W (58-36) over Eastern Michigan
0-3 (0-1) - UMass: L (62-27) to Notre Dame

Any one else thinking this is just going to be yet another Penn State year? C'mon Temple!

I think Penn state's absolute ceiling is 6 wins regular season.

[dtwalrus]

Week #4! Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

3-0 (2-0) - Temple: BYE
3-1 (2-1) - Penn State: W (37-21) over San Diego State
3-1 (0-0) - Syracuse: L (34-24) to LSU
3-1 (0-0) - Boston College: W (17-14) over Northern Illinois
2-1 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: BYE
2-2 (1-0) - UConn: L (28-18) to Navy
2-2 (0-1) - Buffalo: L (24-21) to Nevada
2-2 (0-1) - Rutgers: W (27-14) over Kansas
1-3 (0-1) - Army: W (58-36) over Eastern Michigan
0-3 (0-1) - UMass: L (62-27) to Notre Dame

Any one else thinking this is just going to be yet another Penn State year? C'mon Temple!

I think Penn state's absolute ceiling is 6 wins regular season.

I don't know. Army, Maryland, Illinois and Indiana should get them to 6 alone, maybe even sweeping to get to 7. I wouldn't be surprised if they can pick off one out of @Ohio State (looking decidedly un-champion-like), @ Northwestern (not buying it), @ MSU (Utah beat on Oregon so much worse) and home against Michigan (also not buying). I see 8, maybe even 9.

10 wins by some one else safely ensures Penn State's L-M Championship lead doesn't grow further this year. Thankfully Temple really can beat everyone left on their schedule with the exception of Notre Dame. Daz recruits!

[twballgame9]

I wouldn't count on the pedophiles beating the Illini

[dtwalrus]

Week #5! Things starting to shape up. Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

4-0 (3-0) - Temple: W (37-3) over Charlotte. Next up: Tulane
4-1 (3-1) - Penn State: W (20-14) over Army. Next up: Indiana
3-1 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: W (17-13) over VT. Next up: UVa
3-1 (0-0) - Syracuse: BYE. Next up: @USF
3-2 (0-0) - Boston College: L (9-7) to Duke. Next up: Wake
2-2 (0-1) - Rutgers: BYE. Next up: Michigan State.
2-3 (1-0) - UConn: L (30-3) to BYU. Next up: @UCF (RIVALRY GAME!)
2-3 (0-1) - Buffalo: L (28-24) to Bowling Green. Next up: BYE
1-3 (0-1) - UMass: W (24-14) over FIU. Next up: Bowling Green
1-4 (0-2) - Army: L (20-14) to Penn State. Next up: Duke.

Temple cruising! Pitt with a big win.

[dtwalrus]

Week #6: Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

5-0 (3-0) - Temple: W (49-10) over Tulane. Next up: UCF
5-1 (3-1) - Penn State: W (29-7) over Indiana. Next up: @Ohio State
4-1 (0-0) - Pittsburgh: W (26-19) over UVa. Next up: GT
3-2 (0-0) - Syracuse: L (45-24) to USF. Next up: @UVa
3-3 (1-0) - UConn: W (40-13) over UCF. Next up: USF
3-3 (0-0) - Boston College: L (3-0) to Wake. Next up: @Clemson
2-3 (0-1) - Buffalo: BYE. Next up: @ Central Michigan
2-3 (0-1) - Rutgers: L (31-24) to Michigan State. Next up: @Indiana
1-4 (0-1) - UMass: W (62-38) L to Bowling Green. Next up: Kent St
1-5 (0-2) - Army: L (44-3) to Duke. Next up: Bucknell

Fuck the world.

[twballgame9]

Don't let a good gimmick go to your head jhiggins

[hansen]

Don't let a good gimmick go to your head jhiggins

Jhiggi is a fucking retard.

* I respect your retarded posting.

[dtwalrus]

Week #8: Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

7-0 (3-0) - Temple: W over ECU. Next up: Notre Dame
6-1 (1-0) - Pittsburgh: W over Syracuse. Next up: UNC
6-2 (3-1) - Penn State: W over Maryland. Next up: Illinois
3-4 (0-0) - Syracuse: L to Pitt. Next up: FSU
3-4 (0-1) - Rutgers: L to Ohio State (almost certainly). Next up: Wisconsin
3-4 (0-1) - Buffalo: W over Ohio. Next up: Miami (Oh)
3-5 (1-0) - UConn: L to Cinci. Next up: ECU
3-5 (0-0) - Boston College: L to Louisville. Next up: VT
2-6 (0-2) - Army: L to Rice. Next up: BYE
1-6 (0-1) - UMass: L to Toledo. Next up: Ball St

Only Pennsylvania teams are over .500 thus far.

[dtwalrus]

Week #9: Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

7-1 (3-0) - Temple: L over Notre Dame. Next up: SMU
7-2 (3-1) - Penn State: W over Illinois. Next up: Northwestern
6-2 (1-0) - Pittsburgh: L to UNC. Next up: Notre Dame
4-4 (0-1) - Buffalo: W over Miami (Oh). Next up: Kent St
4-5 (1-0) - UConn: W over ECU. Next up: Tulane
3-5 (0-0) - Syracuse: L to FSU. Next up: Louisville
3-5 (0-1) - Rutgers: L to Wisconsin. Next up: Michigan
3-6 (0-0) - Boston College: L to VT. Next up: NCST
2-6 (0-2) - Army: Bye. Next up: Air Force
1-7 (0-1) - UMass: L to Ball State. Next up: Akron

Just about 100% guaranteed to end up in a Pennsylvania team. Really feels like it's up to Temple to keep another trophy away from Penn State.

[claver2010]

jesus christ does north east football suck

obviously our sucktitude
uconn is 6-5 but their wins are: army, nova, ucf, ecu, tulane, & houston (combined records 20-35, without the houston win: 10-34)
cuse fired their coach
rutgres should fire their coach
if you want to throw in maryland, an impressive 2-9 - miss that auto acc win

kudos to temple i guess

[dtwalrus]

Week #12: Again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.

9-2 (3-0) - Temple: W over Memphis. Next up: UConn
8-3 (1-0) - Pittsburgh: W over Louisville. Next up: Miami
7-4 (3-1) - Penn State: L to Michigan. Next up: Michigan State
6-5 (1-0) - UConn: W over Houston. Next up: Temple
5-6 (0-1) - Buffalo: L to Akron. Next up: UMass
4-7 (1-1) - Rutgers: W over Army. Next up: Maryland
3-8 (0-0) - Boston College: L to ND. Next up: Syracuse
3-8 (0-0) - Syracuse: L to NCST. Next up: BC
2-9 (0-1) - UMass: L to Miami (OH). Next up: Buffalo
2-9 (0-3) - Army: L to Rutgers. Next up: Navy

Barring Penn State pulling the Michigan State upset and a big bowl win, along with a total collapse by Temple, this looks like it's between Temple and Pittsburgh and likely won't be decided until after the bowl games.

Otherwise, big week for the Lambert-Meadowlands teams with lots of matchups and tons of drama. Army and UMass facing off for last place, both facing other northeastern teams. BC, Rutgers and Syracuse all battling not to be the worst of the P5's. UConn rising surprisingly high and with the chance to dethrone the favorite, Temple.

Who says northeastern football isn't exciting...

[dtwalrus]

The Metropolitan New York Football Writers typically vote and release the results in the middle of January, so an official winner should be announced any day now. In the meantime, here were the final standings (again, with the parentheses records being the records against other Northeastern L-M eligible teams.)

10-4 (3-0) - Temple: Wins over Penn State, UMass, and UConn. AAC East Division Winners. Bowl loss to Toledo at the Boca Raton Bowl
8-5 (1-0) - Pittsburgh: A lone win over Syracuse. Almost won the ACC Coastal, before collapsing at the end of the year. Bowl loss to Navy in the Military Bowl.
7-6 (3-1) - Penn State: Wins over Rutgers, Army and Buffalo. Middle of the BIG at 4-4. Bowl loss to Georgia at the TaxSlayer Bowl.
6-7 (1-1) - UConn: A win over Army and a loss to Temple. Bowl loss to Marshall at the St. Petersburg Bowl.
5-7 (0-2) - Buffalo: They did beat Albany, that might count for something.
4-8 (1-0) - Syracuse: A win over lowly BC the sole claim to fame, unless you count the win over Rhode Island.
4-8 (1-1) - Rutgers: A win over Army.
3-9 (1-1) - UMass: But they beat Buffalo.
3-9 (0-1) - Boston College: We very nearly earned last place.
2-10 (0-3) - Army: As bad as we may feel about BC in 2015, Army clearly wins last place. Losses not just to UConn, Penn State and Rutgers, but also a loss to Fordham. At least the uni's looked cool in the Army-Navy Game.

Overall, it was a terrible, terrible year for Northeastern college football. Overall the teams went 52-73, with only Temple even competing for a conference championship, and that in the lowly AAC. Went 0-4 in (mediocre) bowl games against (generally) mediocre teams. Zero Northeastern teams finished in the AP Top 25, with only Temple appearing in the "Others Receiving Votes" category (2 votes, likely from Notre Dame homers trying to make the hard-fought win look better.) Terrible.

With all of that said, I'd fully expect Temple to win the 2015 Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy, and despite how terrible a year it was overall in the northeast, good for Temple. This will be their first win. And despite the general suckitude all around, Temple took a big step forward this year and that is welcome news for Northeastern college football in general.

[dtwalrus]

Controversy! A few weeks ago the official Navy Midshipmen website listed Navy as the favorites to win the L-M Trophy this year, citing that it would be their first championship since 1963. In the article it lists L-M Eligible teams as "those from New England, New York, NJ, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware," as well as surrounding states if they play half their games against other L-M eligible teams. A panicked quick Wikipedia search showed that Wikipedia also includes Maryland and Delaware in the eligible category. I wasn't including these states because my original research showed they Maryland and Delaware were included in the surrounding states category, not the core states category.

If we were to update the standings, we would have to include a new likely champion (and another dud):
11-2 (3-0) - Navy: Wins over Pitt, UConn and Army. Military Bowl win.
3-9 (1-1) - Maryland: Win over Rutgers.

The official ECAC Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy Eligible Teams website is down, so that couldn't help clear up the confusion.

Thankfully, I found last year's press release announcing Penn State's win, and in the body of the article it confirms my original understanding of the criteria for eligibility:

To be eligible for the Lambert Meadowlands Award, a school must be located in the East or play at least half of its schedule against eligible Lambert teams. The territory includes New York, New Jersey, New England and Pennsylvania, while teams in the bordering states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and the District of Columbia qualify if at least half of their schedule features eligible teams or are Eastern College Athletic Conference member institutions.

http://www.ecacsports.com/sports/fball/ ... nal_1-5-15

This year Navy only played Pitt, UConn, and Army among the geographically eligible teams, and only Colgate additionally from the ECAC. That's 4 out of 13 games. So despite the Navy media department's optimism, I'd still expect Temple to win...or I'd expect some major controversy!

But wait, this is shaping up like the 2nd amendment where a comma is really needed to avoid confusion. Is a team from a surrounding state eligible if half of their schedule is against an eligible or ECAC team? OR is a team from a surround state eligible if half their schedule is against an eligible team, or that team from a surrounding state is itself a ECAC member institution??? Because Navy is an ECAC team!

Could a first L-M trophy be slipping away from Temple...

[TobaccoRoadEagle]

this topic is only a half-step less gay than the eo coaching staff.

that is all

[dtwalrus]

this topic is only a half-step less gay than the eo coaching staff.

that is all

[angrychicken]

this topic is only a half-step less gay than the eo coaching staff.

that is all

If you flip that trophy upside down, it kinda looks like a dickwash bowl.

[TobaccoRoadEagle]

this topic is only a half-step less gay than the eo coaching staff.

that is all

If you flip that trophy upside down, it kinda looks like a dickwash bowl.

Not for hepstein