FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Vandy74]

We've just been informed the visitors' tailgate area at Trinity will be at 1710 Broad Street, an abandoned gas station located across the street from the gated campus (i.e. in a really bad area).  We've had some pretty lousy tailgate spots when visiting Trinity with our daughter's team, but this is the first time we've been stuck "outside the wire". 

Nothing but NESCAC can say what they want about the fans and the stadium, but Trinity's treatment of visiting fans is pretty poor.

I'm surprised that the school is mandating visitors tailgate in a specific area, especially at an "off campus" location. As I recall most visitor tailgates took place near the Trinity parent tailgates behind the Athletic Center and often spilled over onto the nearby fields. My guess is that the restriction has something to do with the ongoing construction to the athletic fields (baseball in particular) combined with the Family Weekend festivities.

That's a good cover story Trin8-0 but I suspect the operative intent is best expressed as "thinning the herd."

[PolarCat]

The story has changed.  We're now being told we have a 40-car lot reserved for us near the Ferris Center, i.e. inside the perimeter of Fire Base Trinity.  I don't know if Trinity Campus Security gave us bad info before, or if they changed plans after catching wind of the griping.  Hopefully this latest information is correct.  I will update everyone on the status of Tailgate-Gate when I arrive in Hartford tomorrow.

[Lawrence Oliver]

I was told last week the Bates Tailgate will be located at the tennis court lot.  I assume a conspiracy theorist may think the Trinity AD is trying to "thin the herd."  However, based on the previews I'd say the only herd thinning will take place on the football field!

[Trin9-0]

Glad to hear the visiting fans will be "allowed" to tailgate on campus. It sounds like they're reserving you spots in the parking lot by the main entrance of the Athletic Center rather than the larger lot closer to Broad Street (which has traditionally been a visitor tailgate spot). If that is indeed the case then you should have a pretty nice spot to set-up shop.

If you don't want to make the long walk back for halftime you can find me in the north end zone parking lot enjoying a cold one (or two). Another safe bet is to find the Suraci family tailgate. Their sons (who both starred at my high school alma mater North Haven, CT) are playing at Trinity (Ethan, a junior) and Bates (Conner, a freshman). I'm not sure if Conner made the travel squad but either way they will surely be in the heart of the Trinity parent tailgate despite the split allegiance.

Go Bants!

[amh63]

FYI....Amherst has its Preview of the Hamilton game on its website..Athletic/ football.  Also the 2016 roster.  21 freshmen on the roster, three faculty advisers( all women).  Most significant player not on the roster is QB Foy.
Note...changed an earlier post so as to allow this post.....do not want to be noted as not truthful

[hamgrand]

Did I miss the predictions for week 1?  Here goes a try to start the ball rolling:

Trinity 28 - Bates 10:  Trinity is tough at home and will start the season strong

Colby 14 - Williams 10:  Going with Colby for all the issues previously discussed regarding Williams on this board.

Middlebury 21 - Bowdoin 7:  Despite some non-believers, Middlebury will be pretty tough this year.

Hamilton 20 - Amherst 17:  My upset alert.  Hey - What do you expect ... I am still a Hamilton fan after all!

Tufts 21 - Wesleyan 17:  This one could go either way.  Going with Tufts because they are the home team.  But I expect both teams will be pretty tough this year.

Let the games and the fun begin!

[nescac1]

Nothing but Nescac has their predictions up too -- Trinity, Williams, Midd, Amherst, Tufts are their picks.  No Williams preview, unless I missed it.  I guess the Ephs are just that inconsequential / mysterious right now ... for the first time in memory, in Williams' pre-game preview, they didn't even list a starting lineup.  The team really is a total mystery at this point.

[lumbercat]

Colby 31 Williams 14
Middlebury 42 Bowdoin 17
Tufts 27 Wesleyan 24
Amherst 35 Hamilton 13
Trinity 28 Bates 14

[frank uible]

Lumber: You are predicting big scoring. Ordinarily most offenses are not yet polished enough for big scoring on the first game.

[lumbercat]

Frank
I know, your point is well taken but I think some teams will dominate certain defenses----Sometimes blowouts occur when teams are young and not well prepared, but  at the end of the day,  I think my point spreads could be on the mark.
What are your picks Frank?

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

Thoughts on this weekend:

- Bates 07 @ Trinity 35
- Colby 24 @ Williams 07
- Bowdoin 21 @ Middlebury 31
- Hamilton 17 @ Amherst 24
- Wesleyan 17 @ Tufts 14

[WesCardPlayer]

Hi all - Wesleyan fan here. Excited for the start of the season, big game for the Cardinals under the lights in Medford... it'll be interesting to see whether the team can make the leap back up to the top of the heap now that the starters (especially the QB's) have some experience in the league. I'm sure the Jumbos will be a tougher out than the last time these two met (also under the lights... in Middletown)

[DC 53]

Hey, Hamgrand, I love your picks! Thanks for the kind thoughts. Heading to Amherst for the game in a few minutes. Best of luck to the Panthers today!

[Ephpapa20]

Best of luck to all with horses in the games today! About to hit the road for the Williams/Colby game Go Ephs!!!

[Nescacman]

2016 Preseason NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings

1. Amherst (predicted 2016 record: 7-1)
2. Hartford State (6-2)
3. Wesleyan (8-0)
4. Tufts (5-3)
5. Middlebury (5-3)
6. Bates (3-5)
7. Colby (3-5)
8. Hamilton (2-6)
9. Bowdoin (1-7)
10. Williams (0-8): Former HCOF Kelton 0-3 at Shorter (21PF with two shutouts; 134 PA). Mark your calendar....November 19th is the 1st round of the D2 playoffs in case they rebound. Hopefully new Eph HCOF will get off to a better start.

Note: No time for our usual witty comments. We will make up for it next week. just a taste with the HCOF comments.