FB: Conference of New England

[Jonny Utah]

Plymouth was in the NEFC in the 1980s at least......I think they went into the freedom conference for more prestige...after the joe dudek years.

[SullyMustGo]

While we're on the topic of what the NEFC will look like next year. Does anyone have an opinion on the number of teams and if the conference is getting too big. I know way back in previous posts I think someone mentioned they should split into 2 different conferences. Say they were to split, who would go where. You could have all the private schools in one and the state school in the other. Downfall to this is that teams like Framingham will get spanked everygame. THey need the MITs and Mass Maritime's to beat. Another scenario could be to put the weaker teams in their own conference. Probably is unlikely though.

[footballfan2005]

It would be a mistake to divide the conference into 2 separate conferences... and I believe you can't divide the teams by strength b/c that will change every few years... what you could do is take the top 4 teams now and put 2 in each conference and then randomly select the other teams...

If they split into 2 separate conference i don't believe they would each have an automatic bid... considering the NEFC hasn't done much in the NCAA's in the past.

[SullyMustGo]

I don't think they should split either, I was just throwing some things out there. The more teams the merrier.

[63Center]

The problem you get into with 2 more teams joining the NEFC is that each division will have 8 teams.  If you have to play all of the teams in your division that takes care of 7 games.  If the conference requires two cross-over games, you now tie up 9 scheduling spots which is all some teams play anyway.  Those that play 10 games will only get 1 non-conference game which means that the NEFC will remain weak because they don't get the opportunity to play some outside competition like RPI, Merrimack, Hartwick.  If the conference doesn't require cross-over games, then there would be 2-3 scheduling spots for non-conference games.  Of course, I am not sure what the conference would do about tie-breakers if there were no cross-over games.  Also if there are no cross-over games why have two divisions. 

[truth617]

Why does it seem like the only thing people ever talk about on here is Framingham? I would like to know who's everyone favoring to be nefc champs now that we're halfway through the season.

[SullyMustGo]

I'd have to say Bridgewater State Vs. Endicott with BSC winning it all. I am very impressed with Maine Maine Maritime this year though.

[footballfan2005]

Worcester @ Curry... with Worcester State taking the title...

Reasoning... Curry: they are finally playing well and i feel Endicott won over Fitchburg b/c of the weather.

Worcester: is improving every game.. their running game is taking off and they'll have one more tune-up game against Mass Maritime to get the passing attack on track before they play Maine, BSC, and Fitchburg... if they get by Maine i feel they will roll.

[SullyMustGo]

That's where I think Worcestor is going to stumble. They're going to lose to Maine.

[footballfan2005]

I don't agree with you... BSC was able to throw against Maine.. but didn't run well... I feel that Worcester will be able to throw and run against Maine... it will be a good game but I give the edge to Worcester

[D3FAN05]

footballfan2005,

How can you say that Endicott won the game vs Fitchburg because of the weather? They both had to play in the rain and the game was played on FieldTurf so it was not muddy.

I was at the game and Endicott played great defense forcing 6 interceptions and rushed and passed the ball well. They also punted great pinning Fitchburg deep several times.

I would say it was anything BUT the weather that got EC that win.

[Bomber Backer]

Congrats to Endicott on their big win over Fitchburg. It's pretty clear that they are the team to beat and their two losses to New York private school only helped this young team. I don't buy into the weather being a factor whatsoever. Fitchburg is an unclassy team who I'm sure thought they would walk all over the gulls. I would look Endicott to secure the NEFC crown and hopefully keep a playoff game close for once. It's also pretty clear that Framingham State has absolutely no offense, as has been the case the past few years. At least in the past they kept points off the board with some talented defensive players like the captains they started out with in '03. Too bad the coaching staff didn't take advantage all their talent. A perfect example is the starting DE and captain of that year, one of the most talented players on the team.

[63Center]

I agree that the weather had nothing to do with the EC win over FSC.  The EC defense is realy coming aorund and EC has the ability for their defense to carry the team until the offense gets it going and then the offense can take care of the game.  I think that it will be EC against Me Maritime in the NEFC championship and EC will win in a close game.  I think the EC defense can handle Maine's offense.

[SullyMustGo]

I'd love to see Maine win the conference. Don't really see it happening though. I still have to go with Bridgewater.

[63Center]

The problem with FSC is that they have a limited offense.  EC's defense was able to stop the run (53 rushing yards) and that effectively stopped FSC.  If it hadn't been for stupid mistakes EC would have scored 3 more TDs against FSC.  FSCs only score came on a blocked punt, so the FSC offense didn't score at all.  The blocked punt came after EC had put in the second string with about 4 minutes left in the game.

I don't understand what it takes for EC to get some respect in the NEFC.  I understand that they are a new team (in their 3rd year varsity), but they had a winning record last year and tied Curry for 1st in the Boyd.  This year they beat an undefeated FSC team that was at the time ranked 2nd in New England.  Yet people seem to thnik it was a fluke. They have one of the top defenses in the NEFC and the 2nd best rushing team in the NEFC.  What does it take to get some respect?  If they run the table through the rest of the Boyd and go to the NEFC Championship, I suppose everyone will still think it is a fluke.