GameDay live from the 'Biggest Little Game in America' is outstanding from the perspective of any NESCAC fan.  I think Coach Dick Farley used to say, when asked whether he thought his teams should be playing in the NCAA playoffs, that after playing in the Amherst / Williams game, that any playoff game would be a let down.  That speaks to the magnitude of the game for the two teams and its great to see ESPN recognize that.

The biggest NESCAC game of the weekend, however, is not in beautiful Williamstown, but all the way at the other end of Route 2 in not so beautiful Medford, MA.  Someone earlier said that this was the biggest Middlebury game since 1972 (the last undefeated season) but I'd argue that this is the biggest game for the program since 1991 - the last year of the Norwich rivalry.  Its pretty clear that by not being able to participate in the Norwich game, the Panthers are the team most hurt by the limited 8 game Nescac schedule - but I guess that's a totally different issue.

Who do you guys like in this one? Middlebury has been playing pretty well over the last couple of weeks, but they are playing on the road with the pressure squarely on them since Tufts already lost last week.  I'd pick the Panthers but not by any more than a touchdown. 

Last note: Middlebury's kicker from last year is having as good an NCAA DI season as any kicker in the nation playing for NC State. Last week, he kicked 4 field goals including a 42 yarder in OT to beat Miami and got carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates.  Pretty cool stuff.

http://www.charlotte.com/colleges/story/347755.html

Nice to see the Panthers beat the Bants for the first time since 2001.  A potential Nescac Championship Game in Medford in two weeks would be an ideal way to end the NESCAC season, but I'm hoping the Panthers come ready to play next week against Ham-tech and can avoid what would could be a disastrous let down game.  A win versus Hamlton would set up what would be, without question, the biggest Middlebury football game since they did away with the Norwich rivalry in 1991.

Its also worth noting that in a league of so many great tradition and rivalries, Middlebury and Hamilton probably participate in the worst / most-artificial of those traditions.  The annual game is known as the "Rocking Chair Classic" and the winner takes home an old rocking chair donated by a Hamilton Alumni in the late 1970's.  It would be great if there was a real tradition or rivalry between the two schools, but at least from a Middlebury perspective, its just another game on the schedule. 

Panthers beat the Bants four years in a row from 1998-2001, including two games on NESN as the New England game of the week.  They've dropped 5 straight since then. 

Middlebury usually falls in the top half of the league.  Rarely the cream of the league but never a bottom dweller either.  There are a lot of 4-4 and 5-3 seasons in the record book. They lose out on a lot of recruiting battles to Amherst and Williams, but Middlebury does benefit from being able to recruit nationally based on the reputation of the school.

The real question for a Panter fan (there are not too many out there) is when will the Nescac allow Middlebury to schedule Norwich again.  The rivalry was one of the oldest in the country and featured the only two college football teams in Vermont.  It was Middlebury's equivalent to Amherst / Williams and the CBB but was done away with when the league went to the all Nescac schedule.  A shame.

Then it has been at least 20 years since Middlebury has won at home vs. the Ephs.  Hopefully they can buck the trend this weekend. 

Only other Panther victory since '87 was in 2000 - on a 'lonely end' play for a long TD that gave Middlebury a 7-0 victory.  Williams Coach Dick Farley thought the play was illegal and refused to shake Middlebury Coach Mickey Heinecken's hand after the game.

Great to see Middlebury at 3-0 to start the season, especially considering the anti-panther bias that seems to plague this forum from time to time. 

The Panthers always have problems with the Ephs, however, so Saturday will definitely be a challenge for Coach Ritter and Company.   I am pretty sure that the last Panther win over Williams at home was in 1987, long before the new Alumni Stadium was even built.  Naturally, Trinity will be tough as well in a few weeks.

Fells, Enjoyed listening to your call of the game this weekend from Amherst.  Great work.