FB: Conference of New England

[Yanks 99]

That's the point...ECFC teams are playing E8 teams...but the NEFC isn't.  The NEFC just plays the ECFC (with a rare exception like Salve).

Again...you only have a stronger SOS because you are one of the top teams in a terrible league who only plays against each other and an even weaker league (the ECFC).  It is likely that Endicott will finish 9-1 (which puts them as one of top 3 teams in the NEFC)...but doing so against terrible competition in the NEFC and playing a god awful non-league schedule.  Utica will finish 5-5 or 6-4 and could finish 6th or 7th in their league (E8)...but their strength of schedule is a far, far superior schedule then Endicott.  Even Pat Coleman will tell you this. 

[lewdogg11]

With the loss Endicott obviously drops out of the NEFC lead and has a small (if any) chance at a bid to NCAAs. However, do they still have a shot at an ECAC bid, or did they schedule too many games?

As long as they put in for a bid, the Gulls will host an ECAC bowl.  Without the NEFC cross-over game, they'll only have played 10 games and have that 11th postseason game available (had they lost the championship they would be done barring a Pool C bid).

Solely based on record, I don't think they are completely out of contention for a Pool C.  Do I think they should get it?  No, but I wouldn't be totally surprised.

Endicott could finish the season 9-1. Nationally they have the #6 defense and the #13 offense. They lost a close game in a blinding snow storm late to another 1 loss team on the road. Missed the first down with a measurement deep in WNEC territory. It was a very tough loss. They could have the top defensive player in the country as well as the top kicker. One could argue that they are the best team in New England. It is certainly possible that they get an at large bid.

I am sure you will think I am crushing Endicott simply because I am not a fan of the NEFC...but here is the reality:

1) Endicott could finish 9-1...but the reality is that they had one "tough" game to win in the NEFC, with all of their non-league games against ECFC opponents...and they didn't get it done.

2) No one will care that you have the #13 offense in the country coming from the NEFC.  They will now care less about your #6 ranked defense considering you just gave up 40 points...again...to the one "tough" team on their schedule.

3) WNEC played in the same snow storm and beat Endicott.

4) From Endicott's end, you just missed a measurement deep in WNEC's territory.  From WNEC's standpoint, they found a way to stop you.

5) No one will care that you have the top kicker in the country.

6) You might have one of the better defensive players in the country (assuming you are talking about the DE, Eagen).  That is arguable at best...he might be...but it wasn't like he was dominate enough to even garner 1st Team All-Region last year.

7) Not sure how you can argue that they are the best team in New England...as they just lost to a team who now has the same record as Endicott last week...who also happens to be from New England.


Is it "possible" that Endicott will get a Pool C bid?  I guess...but I wouldn't go as far as to say "certainly possible".  Stanger things have happened...and the committee did have that major brain cramp in 2008 and let two NEFC teams in.  I mean...who is Endicott's signature win against?  Honestly...what tough team did they beat this year?

+K for this post.  My only half-gripe with it is about 2008.  The NEFC got 2 teams in, but the second team in was Curry who earned their spot for several years before it and they proved being worthy when they won in the playoffs.  I do not think Endicott has earned that right.  But it could happen.

And SOS means doo doo in the NEFC.  Every single team should have close to the same SOS.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I understand that the E8 on paper could be tougher but Endicott would surely show up to play and not go 0-5 in conference. Givining up 202 points in 5 games? Looks like a team that quit a few weeks ago.

Let me assure you, son, that if any NEFC team played in the Empire 8, they would be lucky to give up less than 200 points in five games.

I'd also point out that the Hartwick team that you're disparaging easily dispatched ECFC champ Norwich (37-14, led 37-7 before calling off the dogs), much more easily than Western New England (28-24, needed a TD with 1 min to go to win the game) did.

[fulbakdad]

After going to watch 5 NEFC games last year on recruiting trips and 3 Empire 8's and 1 LL, I will tell you there is a differance on talent and performance in those leagues.  And watching the schedules for 2 years it does appear that the NEFC teams tend to "hide out" within thier league.  Chesney at Salve told us he is attempting to break out of that and was going to play tougher teams when he could.  And he did that this year.  I see it as the best way to break the NEFC mold. 

[NjAllDay]

Normally that is pretty accurate except the fact that Salve had the 6th hardest schedule in the country.  Endicott was the next closest team at 53.  Seems like someones got the right idea.  http://d3football.com/seasons/2011/schedule?tmpl=sos-template

[Pat Coleman]

Just like the Massey ratings, though, this is skewed because you only play among yourselves. Salve gets a boost because it actually DID go out and seek tough competition, though, and deserves some recognition for that.

[Yanks 99]

Normally that is pretty accurate except the fact that Salve had the 6th hardest schedule in the country.  Endicott was the next closest team at 53.  Seems like someones got the right idea.  http://d3football.com/seasons/2011/schedule?tmpl=sos-template

Clearly, it's flawed logic though.  No one really believes that Salve has the 6th toughest schedule in the country.  I am not railing on Salve here...because I think that is the one horse that the NEFC has that dares to venture out and away from the NEFC and ECFC schedule. 

Honestly though...does anyone besides guys in the NEFC really believe that playing 8 games in the NEFC and then venturing out to play a good Montclair team (from the NJAC) and an average Union team (from the Liberty League) is the 6th toughest schedule in the country?

As an example...Kean (from the website quoted above) has the #117th toughest schedule in the country.  Really?  The #117 toughest schedule in the country...while Salve sits there with supposedly the #6th toughest schedule?  Kean has only played...or still has to play...Wesley, Cortland, Montclair State, Rowan, and New Jersey.  Seriously...let's call Montclair a wash in this case.  But there is not a team on Salve's schedule that is tougher then Wesley, Cortland, Rowan, or New Jersey.

I know the NEFC is looking for respect here...but using the "SOS" table is a bad example.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Normally that is pretty accurate except the fact that Salve had the 6th hardest schedule in the country.  Endicott was the next closest team at 53.  Seems like someones got the right idea.  http://d3football.com/seasons/2011/schedule?tmpl=sos-template

One has to realize that those SOS rankings are naive to how strong teams ACTUALLY are - it's merely a calculation of opponents' winning percentage.  You get about the same SOS credit for playing 6-3 Norwich that you get for playing 5-3 UW-Oshkosh (since the WIAC has to beat up on each other, the OOWP is actually pretty equal between the two).

UW-Oshkosh has the 52nd-ranked schedule in the country.  They played Mount Union in a nonconference game, plus a murderer's row of tough WIAC opponents, including the other Purple Power in UW-Whitewater.  Oshkosh is probably one of the 20-25 best teams in the Division but is 5-3 against their supposedly 52nd-ranked schedule.

Endicott has the 53rd-ranked schedule in the country and hasn't played a SINGLE GAME outside the NEFC. 

Something tells me that if Oshkosh and Endicott exchanged their supposedly equivalent schedules, Oshkosh would be undefeated and Endicott would be about 2-6, if that.

See my reasons for doubt?

+k, Yanks, you beat me to it.  I like my Oshkosh-Endicott example better though!

[Yanks 99]

Normally that is pretty accurate except the fact that Salve had the 6th hardest schedule in the country.  Endicott was the next closest team at 53.  Seems like someones got the right idea.  http://d3football.com/seasons/2011/schedule?tmpl=sos-template

One has to realize that those SOS rankings are naive to how strong teams ACTUALLY are - it's merely a calculation of opponents' winning percentage.  You get about the same SOS credit for playing 6-3 Norwich that you get for playing 5-3 UW-Oshkosh (since the WIAC has to beat up on each other, the OOWP is actually pretty equal between the two).

UW-Oshkosh has the 52nd-ranked schedule in the country.  They played Mount Union in a nonconference game, plus a murderer's row of tough WIAC opponents, including the other Purple Power in UW-Whitewater.  Oshkosh is probably one of the 20-25 best teams in the Division but is 5-3 against their supposedly 52nd-ranked schedule.

Endicott has the 53rd-ranked schedule in the country and hasn't played a SINGLE GAME outside the NEFC. 

Something tells me that if Oshkosh and Endicott exchanged their supposedly equivalent schedules, Oshkosh would be undefeated and Endicott would be about 2-6, if that.

See my reasons for doubt?

+k, Yanks, you beat me to it.  I like my Oshkosh-Endicott example better though!

+k back...I like your example better as well...

EDIT...looks like I will have to hit you up later...I must have got you yesterday...

[zach]

Any Ideas on who WNE/Framingham state would face in the NCAA tournament?

[lewdogg11]

Any Ideas on who WNE/Framingham state would face in the NCAA tournament?

My guess would be Mt Union, Delaware Valley, or Hobart.

[Upstate]

Any Ideas on who WNE/Framingham state would face in the NCAA tournament?

My guess would be Mt Union, Delaware Valley, or Hobart.

UMU is over the 500 mile limit for both WNE & Framingham.

Could definitely see Bart/DVC though!

[Timz81]

Congratulations to Coach Skip Bandini and the Curry Staff on being named the 2011 D3 Senior Classic North team coaches!

[softballrz]

Been off the grid this past week.  WNEC has a large D line and speed, which caused Endicott issues all day.  All season Endicott has had kick off and punt cover issues and it showed Saturday.  Good luck to both the rest of the way.  Can't see Framingham St. putting up much of a fight in the NEFC final.  WNEC does need to look at Umass Dart. tomorrow.  They can match the speed and has some size at tackle.  It is a game to watch.

[Findtheball]

Good luck to all... this (for most) being the last football game in their adult life..... have fun ... Good luck!!!!!!!