I have to say I considered the Trinity game at Colby a trap game and man it was to an extent. Not only did Trinity come out flat RB not hitting holes , OL not being aggressive , the Coaching staff was terrible in their in game adjustments and play calling. Okay I get the fact injuries occur and you have a back QB. I understand he may have a great deal of talent but to get an offense down in three weeks is a stretch. Trinity could have easily won this game with a short quick throw attack. Instead they had these longpass plays against a Colby blitzing all day and created 7 sacks and I beleive 4 INT. Please understand Colby did play a great game defensively. They also made great in game adjustments to stop Trinity's offense. I stated before that Colby always played Trinity tough and it showed.The fact that Trinity was so arrogant in there play calling as if Fetter was at QB is mind boggling. A great deal for Trinity to work on.

Defensively Trinity was stout. However they loose one of there best DL Joe Toyias to injury dont know how long he will be out or season ending. He was carted off late in 4th. This was the strength of the defensive unit. So that is another area of Trinity concern.Needless to say potential problems in Hartford State.

Quote from: Trin9-0 on September 10, 2025, 11:48:14 AM

Quote from: Charlie on September 09, 2025, 06:37:28 PMInteresting to see who you have Trinity losing to some more explanation on the three losses by Wesleyan and Middlebury would be nice ?

I actually have Trin losing at Williams in Week 3. Aside from their most recent trip there in '23 the Bants have struggled in Williamstown more than almost anywhere. Maybe I'm overestimating Williams or perhaps I still have scar tissue from the 42-3 thrashing by the Ephs in '21 but I think that game could trip up Trinity especially since it's still early in the season and they may not yet be firing on all cylinders.

As for Wes, history tells us they'll drop a surprise game and my money is on the road against the Mules in Week 5. I also think the Ephs finally get over the hump and take down the Cardinals this year for the first time since '21. Wesleyan hasn't won back-to-back games against Trinity since 1997-'98, so I'm betting those three games as the losses for the reigning champs.

As I mentioned, I think Middlebury drops the opener to Wes while Trinity finally gets their revenge over the Panthers. Their third loss is the season finale against the Jumbos.

I agree with a great deal of what you are saying but this year I think Trinity will handle Williams. Especially since there QB situation in Williamstown is suspect. Williams is gong to try and pound it at Trinity and I think that Trinity's front three of Luke Ventura , Matt Hickey and Joe Toyias are as stout as they are in the NESCAC and much more athletic then Trinity DL of the past. These three will make plays and worse case allow LB's to scrape free and make plays. Trinity had this problem last year. The team that scares me out of the entire schedule is Middlebury.

Middlebury plays historically the cover two let them throw and run underneath in front of you and no big plays. This bend but don't break game plan has bode well for them. I also think with the new QB Trinity whoever it will be I heard injury bug has hit Trinity at that position in Training Camp will have to be patient. Trinity historically has tried to push the ball down the field instead of taking what the defense is giving them. Defensively I think that Trinity has not been able to solve there defensive secondary issues against Middlebury. Middlebury constantly seems to come up with big plays that Trinity has not had the answer for. But I like the thoughts hopefully I am wrong.

Quote from: Trin9-0 on September 09, 2025, 04:08:34 PMHere are my 2025 predictions:

1. Trinity 8-1 - They won't be better than either of the last two Bantam squads, but with the loss of returning talent across the league (especially from the other contenders) the Trinity machine will have enough firepower led by Nolan O'Brien and Tyler DiNapoli to nearly run the table and capture their 20th NESCAC Championship.

2. Middlebury 6-3 - The Panthers are one of the only teams with a proven returning signal caller in Brian Moran and they have weapons on offense. However, they lose a ton in the trenches on offense and defense. I don't see them beating Trinity three years in a row and they'll split with the other contenders.

2. Wesleyan 6-3 - The Cards lost the most talent in the league. The cupboard isn't exactly bare but following their storybook season last year I see Wes reverting to their usual six wins (with their annual head-scratching loss thrown in).
 
2. Williams 6-3 - Williams could have had 7 wins last season and I think the Ephs improve on their win total from a year ago. The loss of Owen McHugh to injury will hurt but they've got enough on both sides of the ball to contend this year.

5. Colby 5-4 - The Mules are my surprise team. With a solid QB returning along with most of the pieces from a defense that finished second in the league last year I'm going out on a limb and predicting Colby to finish with their first winning season since 2005!

5. Tufts 5-4 - Another usual contender with huge graduation losses, especially at QB and in the secondary. The Jumbos will lose to the top teams and, similarly to Wes, will drop a stunner to a bottom tier program along the way.

7. Bates 4-5 - Another team on the rise; I think the Bobcats can ride Lynskey to their highest win total since 2014 but that's probably the top of the ceiling for them as a program.

8. Bowdoin 3-6 - Hammer has done a good job of recruiting so they should be able to replenish some of their graduation losses but I don't see them as any better than they were last year.

9. Amherst 1-8 - I'm not sold on Marek Hill. He was only a freshman last year, but 5 TDs with 8 INTs doesn't instill a lot of confidence, especially without much returning talent on that roster. Maybe they surprise a team or two but I think it's another year in, or near, the basement for the Mammoths.

9. Hamilton 1-8 - The Continentals were only competitive in 3 of their 8 losses last year. They also graduated all but three starters on defense... on the bright side, they had the worst defense in the league last year so maybe the new guys will be better!? Let's throw them an upset win.

Interesting to see who you have Trinity losing to some more explanation on the three losses by Wesleyan and Middlebury would be nice ?

Predictions for Week One

                         Winner

Bates v Amherst          Bates
Trinity v Colby          Trinity
Middlebury v Wesleyan    Middlebury
Williams v Hamilton      Hamilton
Bowdoin v Tufts          Bowdoin

Quote from: nescac1 on September 08, 2025, 11:49:09 AMCharlie I've been banging the drum of bigger class sizes at NESCAC schools for awhile. An extra 100 kids per class won't change the institutional feel and there is effectively limitless demand. I noted that Williams enrolled 583 this year and class sizes had been gradually creeping up to the 550-560 range over time.  That may be an unexpected outlier or maybe a sign of bigger classes in the future. With a few new dorms I think Williams with so many massive new facilities (but alas no new permanent indoor athletic complex yet) could easily handle 600 or even a bit more per class.   

Somewhat baffling because these schools despite the academics are there to make money. I know many of these schools have the capability to expand there student population. Again I am not saying for football purposes but no reason they could not all be at the size of Wesleyan , Tufts etc. I feel that the endowment and financial windfall from increasing there numbers while maintaining there academic integrity and prowess would be easy and a win/win for everyone.

Well this situation is never going to fix itself at least for 2025.

Lets hear the predictions for this weeks games !!

This is last I will say about roster limits. I have looked at endowments at these schools and schools for example like Amherst , Williams , Colby and Middlebury to name a few have such large campus. Why would they not keep the same admissions standards as they currently have and add more housing for students and increase there enrollment. They could easily increase the student population make more money while keeping the integrity of their academics. There certainly seems to be a surplus of land and money at all of these schools. I am not saying doing this for football but the overall student body , sports and academics. Why has NESCAC not wanted to increase to a size or smaller to that of a Wesleyan or Tufts ?

This week is going to be a very interesting week in the NESCAC for opening games.

While I agree with much of what you are posting lets also consider the fact that NESCAC has been behind the times for awhile. So lets not applaud them for things that should have been done awhile ago. From this stand point only if you are going to adjust roster limits next year for the playoffs it seems very simplistic not to touch the rosters at all for this year.

The NESCAC presidents voted not to change roster limits so there will be cuts coming on many rosters. I did here not sure on how this works that schools can elect not to abide by the rule and be sanctioned by the NESCAC and receive a penalty. I do not know that penalty will be. I also heard that some schools will allow players to practice but not dress for games. It seems there is a great deal of uncertainty. No matter what the schools have decided the Presidents have voted and what each school does with the roster limits remains to be seen.

Quote from: nescac1 on September 04, 2025, 10:00:40 AMWas there a final decision on this year's roster limit?  I note that Trinity's pre-season roster has right around 100 players on it.  So they will need to make a LOT of cuts if there is a roster limit somewhere in the 80s ...

Wesleyan is showing around 99 players so curious when and if these cuts will come down for either school

Quote from: nescac1 on September 04, 2025, 10:00:40 AMWas there a final decision on this year's roster limit?  I note that Trinity's pre-season roster has right around 100 players on it.  So they will need to make a LOT of cuts if there is a roster limit somewhere in the 80s ...

I still believe the roster limits could possibly be adjusted. I have heard that Wesleyan , Tufts and Trinity all sent letters from the school to the NESCAC board and that the NESCAC has not finalized there stance. However with next week being opeing day does not look promising. I Have heard that possible litigation could also occur but with such a close proximity to start of season do not know what purpose that would serve. My only feeling is that NESCAC could possibly suspend roster moves since they would probably do away with this once playoffs commence next season. I guess time will tell but we should have an answer this week.

Looks like it will come down to wire at Trinity for them to name starting QB between Cam Holland & Jaxon Carroll.

Aronson appeared to have all the accolades but despite a decent football camp word around Hartford State is just not ready for the starting QB spot. There are some bright spots in the under class at Trinity and they should have a solid team once again. I would not expect the high octane offense of years past and look for Trinity to be relying on there running attack with Tyler Denapoli & Jack Tosone. Trinity really high on Josh Woodford at RB as well. I expect this crew to carry Trinity until QB's get there feet wet and some game exposure.

The defense looks strong with a great back end secondary with Charlie Cooper & Bryce Ferrell leading this group. The LB is a work in progress and the injury bug hitting the team at that position. The strong returners are Ethan Krauss & Jose Ruiz.

The DL will be s strong point of defensive unit with Luke Ventura , Matt Hickey and Joe Toyias. This crew will defintely be more athletic with Speed and strength then Trinity has seen in the past.

I think overall Trinity will be slow out of the gates but find there stride early in season.

Exactly games have been close at half and Trinity ends up pulling away. In the past years Trinity has had the talent and wins second half battle. All I am saying could be a trap game. I still think Trinity will win but in this particular year of uncertainty who knows

If you look at my post I stated that Colby always played hard in the first halfand had good defensive game plan. I did say ultimately Trinity's talent prevailed in the end.This toughness coupled with the fact playing away and a young Trinity group could be a trap game.

On another note why does preseason in the NESCAC start so late seems like preseason is short and other leagues have been in camp for a week now. Seems curious why NESCAC would not start earlier does not effect studies since classes dont start til first week September. Just seems like teams maybe better prepared.

I will take Trinity by 9 points but going to be close I think

Week one interesting match up will be Trinity at Colby. Colby has always played Trinity Strong and HC Cosgrove has kept all the games very close in the first half. I know the scores do not show this but just an obvious perspective. Colby as well as Middlebury has had the bend but dont break defense. They play cover 2 and sometimes cover 3 and make Trinity move the ball up the field and take away the deep threat. Trinity eventually gets impatient and pushes the deep ball ,  turns the ball over or settles for field goals. Eventually Trinity's talent laiden teams in the past secure the win. However with this year being the year of tranisition at many positions specifically QB ths could be trap game.

Trinity the last three years does not take what the defense gives them and trys to dictate the game. Howvever without the star studded WR corp of the past could be an intersting twist. The fear I would think is that there are no scrimmages or preseason games , traveling away team chemistry questions could this be a trap game for Trinity. if so would turn this years standings upside down.