FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

Wrt NothingButNescac, I too enjoy the writing of the contributors.  Has tried to introduce soccer teams this year.   
Just read the write up on Wes.   To date based on my count, there are three teams projected to have an 8-1 season....Wes, Amherst and Trinity.  Tufts is projected to be 9-0.   Seems the writers except a crowded  upper tier.  Going to be a most interesting season with lots of teams depending on youth.

[PolarCat]

Bates season preview has been posted: http://athletics.bates.edu/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/20170913j3vzgn

[nescac1]

Ummm, it is mathematically impossible for there to be one 9-0 team and three 8-1 teams in NESCAC.  If Tufts goes 9-0, and say Trinity is 8-1, then Amherst and Wesleyan would have no fewer than five losses between them. 

[nescac1]

Here is a shot at what I think standings might actually look like.  And sadly, as a Williams fan, this represents a fairly optimistic outlook on the Ephs' record this year -- I'd be FAR more surprised by anything more than two wins than I would be by a 1-8 or 0-9 season.  I think next year is the earliest to really expect the Williams turnaround to commence.   Unfortunately for the Ephs, the games they have the best chance to win are bunched early in the season, which isn't really ideal for a young team likely to take a number of weeks to really come together. 

Trinity 9-0
Wesleyan 8-1
Tufts 6-3
Amherst 6-3
Middlebury 6-3
Bates 4-5
Hamilton 2-7
Williams 2-7
Colby 1-8
Bowdoin 1-8

[polbear73]

I came out with essentially the same prediction although believe that, on any given Saturday, any team in the top 5 can beat any other team in that top tier and the same with the bottom five. I don't see any bottom tier members upsetting the upper echelon.

[nescac1]

I could see Bates pulling an upset over anyone save for Trinity, but yeah, polarbear73, I think it's pretty clearly a two tier league (or maybe 2.5 with Bates as sort of a middle tier) right now.  It's possible that with another undefeated season Trinity moves up into a tier by itself.  Agreed that anyone in the bottom group could beat anyone else on any given day. 

I think this is going to change over time.  Bowdoin and Williams are not going to be the doormats they have been for very much longer.  Colby's program has been stronger in the past and could improve with the right leadership.  Hamilton seems to be improving as well.  On the other side of the divide, Midd's success is wholly dependent on having an elite QB -- if ever that pipeline runs dry unexpectedly, suddenly, Midd could drop fairly quickly.  Amherst has benefited the most from the Kelton years, but now all those recruits who Amherst was able to snag are gonna be split between Amherst and Williams, as they were historically, going forward.   Wesleyan seems pretty loaded for the next few years at least, but I see the Cards as the program most in danger of backlash from alums / students / administration -- an elite football team is a strange fit with Wesleyan's culture, really.  I don't see Trinity's fortunes changing much.  But otherwise, I think we could have a lot more unpredictability and parity in NESCAC 3-5 years from now than we see today -- which would be a very good thing for the league!

[amh63]

For what it is worth....NBN has a write up for Colby. 
As a Twitter on the Amherst football site states....yes, there seems a bit of info appearing...  3 More Days!.  Referring to the Sat. Game with Bates.

PolarCat....your ref to " Natty Lites" is hopefully a sort of Back to the Future comment.  I thought the beer referenced was LONG gone...before light beer appeared.  I'm associating Natty to a  Rhode Island bay.  Am not a beer expert but that beer was BAD!   Never saw any at the Frats in my days.....unless it was brought in by those Dartmouth "Indians" seeking lodging after a trip over the Gap/"Notch" or from Hamp.  Yes, shades of " Animal House".
Oops, hope your Bowdoin twin does not read this board .

[lumbercat]

Nescac 1

Can't disagree very much with your picks but I'd make 2 adjustments.

I would reverse your records for Tufts and Wesleyan.

And I would elevate Bowdon in the pecking order.

it's all about Defense for Tufts and they are very deep. They didn't have to throw it much for the past couple of years as their ground game was so strong. They will throw it more and be more balanced overall.

Bowdon has potential to be a good offensive unit. They have some size and talent at WR and a real weapon in their big tight end.
They should be able to throw the ball effectively if Nelson lives up to expectations and their inexperienced line can give him some time.

[PBPOP20]

Bowdon has potential to be a good offensive unit. They have some size and talent at WR and a real weapon in their big tight end.
They should be able to throw the ball effectively if Nelson lives up to expectations and their inexperienced line can give him some time.

Lumbercat,

I agree Bowdoin has pretty good potential (of course I do).  The OL is not as inexperienced as they may look at first glance.

RT - Sr. E Borden (6'7" 257) played significant snaps last season at that spot
RG - So. J Palmer (6'2" 287) started every game, played every snap as a FY, heavily relied on to pull, and put 30lbs on.
C    - Jr. A. Monsolillo (6'0" 256) started most games, and played majority of snaps all season
LG  - Sr. I. Dieli ((6'1" 278) was hurt much of last season, but has experience and is a Sr.
LT  - So.  J. Galusha (6'-6" 282) has the least experience, but is athletic and did the work in the off-season.

A couple of FY are right there as well... J. Winschel and D. Monti  doing great in camp.

Decent size, decent experience all it takes is a little gel-ing... doesn't hurt the HC is also the OL coach.    Needless to say, I'm optimistic.

GO U BEARS!!!!

[quicksilver]

Great story about Colby DT and captain Sam Gomez, who is living the American dream (as the son of Guatemalan immigrants) but also suffered a great loss as a sophomore when his devoted father fell ill and died quickly.

[P'bearfan]

Bowdon has potential to be a good offensive unit. They have some size and talent at WR and a real weapon in their big tight end.
They should be able to throw the ball effectively if Nelson lives up to expectations and their inexperienced line can give him some time.

Lumbercat,

I agree Bowdoin has pretty good potential (of course I do).  The OL is not as inexperienced as they may look at first glance.

RT - Sr. E Borden (6'7" 257) played significant snaps last season at that spot
RG - So. J Palmer (6'2" 287) started every game, played every snap as a FY, heavily relied on to pull, and put 30lbs on.
C    - Jr. A. Monsolillo (6'0" 256) started most games, and played majority of snaps all season
LG  - Sr. I. Dieli ((6'1" 278) was hurt much of last season, but has experience and is a Sr.
LT  - So.  J. Galusha (6'-6" 282) has the least experience, but is athletic and did the work in the off-season.

A couple of FY are right there as well... J. Winschel and D. Monti  doing great in camp.

Decent size, decent experience all it takes is a little gel-ing... doesn't hurt the HC is also the OL coach.    Needless to say, I'm optimistic.

GO U BEARS!!!!

Nice analysis PBPOP20!  +K  Since a team's fortunes often depend on the O-line, hopefully we'll see an upward swing this year.

[polbear73]

Also, an improved offensive line will help Nate Richam, a sophomore running back, much heralded out of Connecticut who showed a lot of potential as a first year in 2016.

[ColbyFootball]

Colby faces off against defending champ Trinity. The Bantams were undefeated in 2016, and have not lost a home opener in 20 years. Despite being banged up on the O line to near depletion, and with a few significant injuries in D, Colby can win this game.

The must play tough defense. (as usual), get great special teams play, protect the ball, give the RBs some room to run a bit, and give the QB a little time to throw (not all day, just a little time).

But the biggest keys are the score being within a TD at half time and entering the 4th quarter.

A lot of if's, but who would have thought the Patriots and Brady would come back in last year's Suoer Bowl. Colby can win.

Go Mules!!!

[PolarCat]

All right, who's got predictions for Week 1?  I'll start.

Bowdoin 17, Williams 14. In a sloppy game, Bowdoin leads 14-7 at the half.  FY QB Bobby Maimaron starts the 2nd half, and brings the Ephs back.  The difference in the game is Bowdoin K Sisti makes all his kicks, while the Eph kicker misses a late 4th quarter FG.

Wesleyan 28, Middlebury 31 (OT).  In a fantastic coaching and aerial duel, Leibowitz's arm carries the day.  The Cardinals sorely feel the loss of Ike Fuchs, as PG Corey Phillips (a former DL who has never kicked in a college game, and did not play last year) misses his first ever FG attempt.

Hamilton 12, Tufts 42.  The post-Brady Jumbos jump out early and never look back. 

Bates 21, Amherst 20.  Yeah, it's a homer line.  But there's some logic involved.  Temps will be in the 80's around New England tomorrow.  The Mammoths are superior to the Bobcats in almost all metrics save one: conditioning.  Mark Harriman's teams always come ready to play the full 4 quarters; the Mammoths in contrast are gassed.  A late 4th quarter 'Cats scoring drive stuns the Mammoth faithful.

Trinity 42, Colby 7.  Sorry Mules fans.  To paraphrase Friends: "This isn't your day, your week, your month, or even your year."  After jumping out to a 35-0 lead at the half, Devanney rests his starters in the 4th quarter. 

[amh63]

The season is about to start!
PolarCat....your predictions appear solid.   I believe the Amherst's defense...being rebuilt....will rise up and come to play.  The rebuilt O-line will allow the running game to show up this season for Amherst. Bates's kicking game will keep the Bobcats close.  In spite of the weather conditions, Amhers will hold on against a tough game Bobcat team in a 21 to 13 win
The glove has been thrown!