The origin is uncertain for the slang term "86ed," but it means to cancel, throw out (replace) or remove.

Usually used in the restaurant business, unfortunatley it fits pretty well for what happend to the RPI football team in their last meaningful game at '86 Field in Troy.

The Engineers dropped their first game of the season on Saturday, on the last play, as Hobart freshman Conor Callahan kicked a 38-yard field goal to give the Statesman a 20-17 victory.

Here is the definition of "86ed" that I found most fitting for the situation.

A coffin is usually eight feet long and is buried six feet under. Once in your coffin you've been 'eight by sixed', which shortens to '86ed'

That's pretty much what I think RPI's season has come to unless something miraculous happens in the final week of the season (i.e. Hobart loses to Rochester).

If Hobart loses and RPI win, then RPI is in the NCAA Tournament, getting the Liberty League's automatic bid.

I'm not saying it can't happen - that's why they play the game.

In fact, RPI beat Hobart last year and the NCAA still took the Statesman, who were 8-2, as the No. 5 seed, while RPI, who finished 8-1 got the No. 4 seed.

There are many different scenarios where RPI could get in, they just have to focus on beating Merchant Marine next week.