FB: Conference of New England

[Boxer7806]

WNEC is solid, but still from an overall perspective of New England football, I don't think we have a team that will win a playoff game from either league. The only hope is that Husson wins the ECFC again and causes a massive logjam because of travel restrictions, where either Framingham or WNEC gets a favorable matchup. Personally I hate seeing it work out that way, it doesn't make the New England schools any better and it makes a second round game potentially a second round bye. No offense to MIT, but that was what they were to Wesley last year. But there is A LOT of football left to be played.

Theyre good enough to beat Multiple NCAA teams, unfortunately they'll probably get a top 10 team that would give them little chance of keeping it close. If they could get a Hobart or Cortland then they'd have a shot at an upset,  but I don't think there's many conferences below the NEFC which means the champ will be going to Rowan or John  Hopkins.

I'm curious, out of the top ten in the east, which teams are you confident WNEC could beat in the playoffs?

As in be the favorite?  None. But I could see them giving Alfred,  Salisbury, Brockport all fits and keeping it within a one score game.

WNEC has been to the NCAA in recent memory, and this has been their best start historically against perceived tougher competition than what they face in the NEFC. WNEC can't be thinking about keeping within a score of those teams, as I think all the teams you mentioned are ECAC teams, they should be confident in beating those teams.

I'm just high on WNEC because I think they are the best overall New England team after taking a better look at them. They are more balanced than Framingham, and boast a much better defense and special teams play to this point. Framingham has come really close to knocking off the E8 and NJAC champs in the playoffs, but really were one dimensional team offensively with Van Alstyne at back. WNEC has the look of a team that can run the ball and pass the ball. If they can develop some consistent QB play (It looks like 3 different kids have had meaningful snaps), this team could be very dangerous for anyone not named Wesley.

Does anyone know what is going on with their QB situation. It looks like all three are dual threat kids, but it seems like presumed starter Ward is hurt? Does anyone have any idea?

[dlippiel]

For dlip, I wish that WNE made a contract with RPI instead of union a few years back instead of doing the scrimmages with them. While the first game was great the last two hasn't done anything for WNE. The rise of RPI and WNE are synchronized so a match up of them would be a good to watch these last few years.

dlip hears you jackson and in one way this shows how things have changed and continue to change in the East. dlip thinks it was a good move by WNEU to schedule the Dutch (considering it was probably agreed upon 4-5 years ago. Even then Union still had a sliver of their previous reputation and it certainly looked like when WNEU agreed to play Union they were scheduling up. With that said it certainly has not worked out for WNEU as Union has...well we all know  . The past two seasons especially have been like ****ing warm up games for the Golden Bears. dlip is happy for them and like he said before wishes them the best and likes them a lot.

[jackson5]

WNEC is solid, but still from an overall perspective of New England football, I don't think we have a team that will win a playoff game from either league. The only hope is that Husson wins the ECFC again and causes a massive logjam because of travel restrictions, where either Framingham or WNEC gets a favorable matchup. Personally I hate seeing it work out that way, it doesn't make the New England schools any better and it makes a second round game potentially a second round bye. No offense to MIT, but that was what they were to Wesley last year. But there is A LOT of football left to be played.

Theyre good enough to beat Multiple NCAA teams, unfortunately they'll probably get a top 10 team that would give them little chance of keeping it close. If they could get a Hobart or Cortland then they'd have a shot at an upset,  but I don't think there's many conferences below the NEFC which means the champ will be going to Rowan or John  Hopkins.

I'm curious, out of the top ten in the east, which teams are you confident WNEC could beat in the playoffs?

As in be the favorite?  None. But I could see them giving Alfred,  Salisbury, Brockport all fits and keeping it within a one score game.

WNEC has been to the NCAA in recent memory, and this has been their best start historically against perceived tougher competition than what they face in the NEFC. WNEC can't be thinking about keeping within a score of those teams, as I think all the teams you mentioned are ECAC teams, they should be confident in beating those teams.

I'm just high on WNEC because I think they are the best overall New England team after taking a better look at them. They are more balanced than Framingham, and boast a much better defense and special teams play to this point. Framingham has come really close to knocking off the E8 and NJAC champs in the playoffs, but really were one dimensional team offensively with Van Alstyne at back. WNEC has the look of a team that can run the ball and pass the ball. If they can develop some consistent QB play (It looks like 3 different kids have had meaningful snaps), this team could be very dangerous for anyone not named Wesley.

Does anyone know what is going on with their QB situation. It looks like all three are dual threat kids, but it seems like presumed starter Ward is hurt? Does anyone have any idea?

I was just responding to the question about east region top 10 going off the fan poll. Basically I think they would finish top 3 in leagues like the liberty and E8. While they aren't at the point where they could knock off the number 6 team in the nation which is the matchup they faced last time they were in the tournament,  they are way above the stereotypical level of an NEFC team where they are just  a first round bye for whatever their opponent is because the only other leagues they'd be able to compete in are the MASCAC and ECFC. But without looking at the standings to see which team would be in right now, they'd give the NCAA teams who are ranked in the high teens and twenties issues in a  game. Which is a lot better than what the NEFC used to be.

For the QB situation,

Ward is number 1. Got injured in the Springfield game after he was left in for one drive too long. He fought injuries all year last year so team shut him down until conference play, then even now the first sign of a blow out they are pulling him to avoid risking another injury.

Peabody is a senior and was supposed to be the starter last year. Had preseason injuries and missed the first few games. By the time he got healthy ward won the job. He was a dual threat, the injuries throughout his career has hurt his conditioning so he's put on a few  pounds and is more of a pocket guy now.

Service is a sophomore QB. Not quite as good of an arm as Peabody but better scrambling abilities. He and Peabody are about at the same level, so when wards out WNE has been alternating them to see who the hot hand is. In Westfield it was Peabody, vs Union and Curry it was Service.

[jackson5]

For dlip, I wish that WNE made a contract with RPI instead of union a few years back instead of doing the scrimmages with them. While the first game was great the last two hasn't done anything for WNE. The rise of RPI and WNE are synchronized so a match up of them would be a good to watch these last few years.

dlip hears you jackson and in one way this shows how things have changed and continue to change in the East. dlip thinks it was a good move by WNEU to schedule the Dutch (considering it was probably agreed upon 4-5 years ago. Even then Union still had a sliver of their previous reputation and it certainly looked like when WNEU agreed to play Union they were scheduling up. With that said it certainly has not worked out for WNEU as Union has...well we all know  . The past two seasons especially have been like ****ing warm up games for the Golden Bears. dlip is happy for them and like he said before wishes them the best and likes them a lot.

Don't get me wrong, when the contract was announced I loved the move. Having two Liberty league teams on the schedule instead of a ECFC and MASCAC team seemed like a no brainer. Unfortunately for WNE the two liberty league teams have been down.

[jackson5]

For next week, I got it handicapped at.

MIT @ Endicott -4.5
Coast Guard -13.5 @Maine Maritime
Nichols @ WNE -34.5
Curry @ Salve -21.5

4-0, nailed the Endicott spread and wasn't far off on Salve and WNE.

[jackson5]

The CCC (conference for Endicott,  Wne, Salve,  Curry and Nichols) is making an announcement tomorrow. Can only assume it's either about adding hockey or Football.

[Pat Coleman]

The CCC (conference for Endicott,  Wne, Salve,  Curry and Nichols) is making an announcement tomorrow. Can only assume it's either about adding hockey or Football.

They made a hockey announcement on Friday:
http://www.d3hockey.com/releases/men/2014-15/151002-another-ecac-league-goes-down-ccc-hockey-in-house

Expect a football announcement. Biggest question for the CCC is where the seventh team is so they can keep the NEFC AQ.

[NED3Guy]

Becker joining the CCC for hockey is not a good sign for the ECFC.... One could assume they'll be making the move for football as well.

[jackson5]

The CCC (conference for Endicott,  Wne, Salve,  Curry and Nichols) is making an announcement tomorrow. Can only assume it's either about adding hockey or Football.

They made a hockey announcement on Friday:
http://www.d3hockey.com/releases/men/2014-15/151002-another-ecac-league-goes-down-ccc-hockey-in-house

Expect a football announcement. Biggest question for the CCC is where the seventh team is so they can keep the NEFC AQ.

Good catch, I missed the hockey announcement. Interesting that they allowed Becker, Johnson and Wales and Suffolk to stay. I had heard previously that the league did not want associate members. That opens up the field for who the 7th football team is gonna be as now they don't have to be a fit for all sports but instead just football.

[NED3Guy]

http://cccathletics.com/sports/general/2015-16/Releases/CCCFootball

No mention of a 7th team in press release.

[Boxer7806]

http://cccathletics.com/sports/general/2015-16/Releases/CCCFootball

No mention of a 7th team in press release.

Things could get interesting here.

[Pat Coleman]

Yep. They didn't get Catholic U., so the question is whether they can pull just one team from the Liberty League (or perhaps take one from someone else), or if they and the LL come to some sort of arrangement.

[NED3Guy]

How many new d3 programs are on the horizon?

New Programs already in D3-
UNE (already accounted for as a CCC team)

Transition Programs moving from other divisions-
St. A's (moving to d3, hearing NEWMAC rumors, though they fit the LL or Commonwealth Profile)
Dean Jr College (http://www.dean.edu/fanzone.aspx - They're private, so that fits the CCC and ECFC mold)

Any others?

[Boxer7806]

Maybe WPI or Sprinfield. Both private schools. Both would save on travel, even though I don't know if it would be enough to warrant the decision.

[jackson5]

Looking at an associate member from the ECFC would be my guess.

Interesting that they went after Catholic U, teams hate the Maine Maritime trip now, so don't see why they'd want a new school whose trip is just as long.