FB: Conference of New England

[Jonny Utah]

Lew Dog, My post said nobody from either league, not nobody from other leagues.  Either league would be Bogan or Boyd.

Me LewDogg don't read good.

Dumbass.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Because people respect Salve's program, Montclair is down, and WPI sucks.  Translation - I don't think these results shocked anyone.

I think you're right, LewDogg.  Those results are not particularly shocking - especially given Salve's record last year.  With that said, I still think it's nice to see the NEFC and ECFC post a few wins against other conferences. 

Salve's wins over Union and Montclair State are obviously the "headliners" because those are traditionally decent programs.  Worcester State beating WPI, while WPI sucks, is still noteworthy because it's not like Worcester State has dominated the NEFC recently; even playing in the weak NEFC, last year was their first winning season since 2004.  Also, Bridgewater State beat Springfield, which has generally been a competitive-to-good program in the Empire 8.  Norwich beating St. Lawrence is a nice win for the ECFC, too; last year Norwich LOST to St. Lawrence and then swept the ECFC.

Yes, all of the aforementioned teams are in the lower rungs of the better East conferences (E8, LL, NJAC).  But over the last few years we'd seen a disturbing trend that the top NEFC and/or ECFC teams couldn't beat ANYONE in those conferences (i.e. last year Norwich lost to St. Lawrence and then swept the ECFC).  Are the E8, LL, and NJAC still better top to bottom?  Of course.  But at least now there's hope that perhaps the NEFC/ECFC champion wouldn't finish dead-last in each of those respective "power" conferences.

[Yanks 99]

I will say this...if Salve runs the table in the NEFC (and I really hope that they do), I will absolutely be the first to say that they would be a completely worthy recipient of an automatic bid this year.  Who knows where Union and Montclair State end up finishing...but I give kudos to Salve for not being the "normal" NEFC team (looking at you Curry, Endicott, and WNEC) and scheduling only NEFC and ECFC opponents.  If they (Salve) are 10-0 at the end of the year, with non-conference wins over two "good" opponents from much stronger leagues (LL and NJAC), than good for them...and they absolutely deserve their bid.

I said it last year when the Endicott folks were pissed about being left out on Selection Sunday.  You want a blue print for future success...look no further than what Salve is looking to accomplish with their out of conference scheduling.

[lewdogg11]

Because people respect Salve's program, Montclair is down, and WPI sucks.  Translation - I don't think these results shocked anyone.

I think you're right, LewDogg.  Those results are not particularly shocking - especially given Salve's record last year.  With that said, I still think it's nice to see the NEFC and ECFC post a few wins against other conferences. 

Salve's wins over Union and Montclair State are obviously the "headliners" because those are traditionally decent programs.  Worcester State beating WPI, while WPI sucks, is still noteworthy because it's not like Worcester State has dominated the NEFC recently; even playing in the weak NEFC, last year was their first winning season since 2004.  Also, Bridgewater State beat Springfield, which has generally been a competitive-to-good program in the Empire 8.  Norwich beating St. Lawrence is a nice win for the ECFC, too; last year Norwich LOST to St. Lawrence and then swept the ECFC.

Yes, all of the aforementioned teams are in the lower rungs of the better East conferences (E8, LL, NJAC).  But over the last few years we'd seen a disturbing trend that the top NEFC and/or ECFC teams couldn't beat ANYONE in those conferences (i.e. last year Norwich lost to St. Lawrence and then swept the ECFC).  Are the E8, LL, and NJAC still better top to bottom?  Of course.  But at least now there's hope that perhaps the NEFC/ECFC champion wouldn't finish dead-last in each of those respective "power" conferences.

Yeah totally agreed.  Although you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who sees a big difference between lower tier LL/NJAC/E8 teams, and mid-upper level NEFC/ECFC teams, at least traditionally.  Salve and Endicott appear to be on the rise, taking the reigns from Curry.  Right now, Salve has the edge because of their scheduling.  But we'll see when they play each other if there's a difference.

It's tough to really take St. Lawrence seriously ever(or WPI or MMA) not because they don't have good athletes, but because they are so inconsistent and all over the place.  They all almost always win a head-scratcher each season, but can't beat anyone else. 

Bridgewater over Springfield was a big surprise to me.  But I may have over-estimated how good Springfield would be this year.  Even a 36-2 win over Husson actually feels like they really aren't very good this year.

I have to agree with Yanks that I might be pulling a little for Salve because of their scheduling.  The season is young, and we don't know much yet.

[SUADC]

  Salve and Endicott appear to be on the rise, taking the reigns from Curry. 

I had a chance to watch both Salve and Endicott games on my dual screen, before I took my drive to Salisbury. I was very impress with Endicott's dominance, they appear and only appear to have the talent to take on some of the top teams in the other conferences. However, I believe the lack of OOC scheduling leads me to conclude that it will be tough for them if they make it to the playoffs and win because of the lack of showing against other teams outside of the NEFC. It is easy to dominate a game, when you know your more talented, yet it is hard to go toe to toe against teams with similar or better talent than yourself without the experience, it showed in 2010 in their game against Cortland State. As for Salve, as Lew said, they may be on the rise to take the reigns of that of Curry, because of the OOC scheduling and I applaud them for that. I actually picked them to beat Montclair, they controlled the game on both sides of the ball last weekend and proved they have the moxie. Hopefully in a couple weeks, the Salve v. Endicott game could be the game of the week in the East.

Nevertheless, maybe when the conference actually split, these teams will schedule tougher OOC opponents, when they know it will not affect their playoff hopes, but for right now, Salve is taking the appropriate steps to becoming a top-tier East team. 

[Pat Coleman]

I will say this...if Salve runs the table in the NEFC (and I really hope that they do), I will absolutely be the first to say that they would be a completely worthy recipient of an automatic bid this year.  Who knows where Union and Montclair State end up finishing...but I give kudos to Salve for not being the "normal" NEFC team (looking at you Curry, Endicott, and WNEC) and scheduling only NEFC and ECFC opponents.  If they (Salve) are 10-0 at the end of the year, with non-conference wins over two "good" opponents from much stronger leagues (LL and NJAC), than good for them...and they absolutely deserve their bid.

I said it last year when the Endicott folks were pissed about being left out on Selection Sunday.  You want a blue print for future success...look no further than what Salve is looking to accomplish with their out of conference scheduling.

This. All of it. +1

[dlippiel]

dlip was quite impressed with the Seahawks. They are a good football team. They showed resolve against Union and really do have some good football players on that team. dlip agrees with Yanks on two levels. One, he is rooting for the Seahawks this year and will be following their games. Two, if they run the table, with their two impressive OOC wins they will definitely deserve an automatic bid. Good luck Seahawks! Hopefully some other teams from the NEFC will follow in their steps and schedule some better games OOC.

[Bombers798891]

I will say this...if Salve runs the table in the NEFC (and I really hope that they do), I will absolutely be the first to say that they would be a completely worthy recipient of an automatic bid this year.  Who knows where Union and Montclair State end up finishing...but I give kudos to Salve for not being the "normal" NEFC team (looking at you Curry, Endicott, and WNEC) and scheduling only NEFC and ECFC opponents.  If they (Salve) are 10-0 at the end of the year, with non-conference wins over two "good" opponents from much stronger leagues (LL and NJAC), than good for them...and they absolutely deserve their bid.

I said it last year when the Endicott folks were pissed about being left out on Selection Sunday.  You want a blue print for future success...look no further than what Salve is looking to accomplish with their out of conference scheduling.

A 5-5 Montclair or Union would be enough for me to get on board with Salve going to the NCAAs

[fulbakdad]

Early in the season, but with Salve winning today and Endicott losing pushes Salve to the front of the pack.  Watched the first quarter on video since my sons game didn't start until 2pm local and was impressed with the Salve offense.  Qb looks mobile and confident, a couple of good running backs behind what looks to be a good line.

[lewdogg11]

Every year i'm on the brink of jumping on the Endicott bandwagon and they blow it.  Is Bridgewater legit or does that league just plain suck?  (minus Salve?)

[ExTartanPlayer]

Bridgewater State might be OK. They did beat Springfield, so they have something to hang their hat in besides NEFC wins.

[Pat Coleman]

Mount Ida almost beat Springfield. Springfield is going to struggle this year with a quarterback changeover, I've been saying it from the start.

[Upstate]

Mount Ida almost beat Springfield. Springfield is going to struggle this year with a quarterback changeover, I've been saying it from the start.

They almost always do when they switch out QBs...

[fulbakdad]

Plymouth State and WNEC both win today.  Salve beats Endicott by 2 td's to establish a buffer between them and everyone else.....

[fulbakdad]

So Salve ripped into Endicott yesterday.  And the tweets from the powers above were leaning that they still won't be ranked.  That's unbelievable!

Nice Job Coach Chesney and his team.  You deserve better.