FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

I just checked the Wes schedule, and they are showing the October 14th Bates game as "Salute to Service" day.  Will be interesting to see what they do with regards to the Anthem that day.

amh63, I think NSN's SOP is to use local talent.  The basic requirement seems to be the ability to fog a mirror.  The worst broadcast I ever heard, anywhere was a Bates WLAX game a couple years back.  I think the 2 female announcers were Bates coeds who were friends with one of the players.  They knew zero about LAX, and kept asking "What's happening?  What's happening?"  Not a good look for the College, nor for NSN.   At least none of the football broadcasts I've seen have been that bad.

[JEFFFAN]

PolarCat....your knowledge is truely broad! Plus K
In the case of the present broadcaster of Amherst Football home games, he is more at home at the Hockey Rink and maybe at the soccer games.  He was the primary broadcaster for UMass-Amherst.  Did the Amherst hockey games pro bono...local area resident.  Guess he works for NSN now.  In any case, NSN do not provide much assistant "color" announcers...like the Whale at Wes games.  Still they are better than some student announcers at basketball games, imho.  When there are three or more Nescac games being covered.....soccer, field hockey...and the games overlapping wrt time...NSN can be taxed at particular locations.

Was not sure who the announcer was but he is terrific.  Am I correct, AMH63, that he also does basketball games?

[amh63]

JEFFFAN....to me the particular announcer has a bit of "British" accent....and yes he is good.  The student broadcasters several years ago, knew B.B...but chattered to much to fill in dead time on topics that lost online listeners.   Jogging my memory a bit...believe the present football announcer...professional broadcaster...has covered WBB games at Amherst last year.  Would fill in coverage with comments about particular players being local area players from schools just down the road a bit...or the father who was the headmaster at a school had just retired, etc., etc.  Guest his preference..if he has a choice...would be hockey games.  I do not watch many hockey games....to fast for me.

[Nescacman]

2017 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings-Week #3

Some thoughts on week 2....

1.   We think ColbyFootball owes us some money as MID won by 31....
2.   Not sure if Hartford State was looking ahead to Hamilton or what...We think HS is not as good as they think they are and the Ephs are better than we thought they were... think of the Ephs as the 2016 Yankees...on the cusp but 2 years away...
3.   We now think HS will lose at least once...
4.   All 4 of the others faves won by margins of 17-31 points....
5.   We went 5-0 for our picks for the first time in 2017, as predicted...
6.   Finally a good game in week 4....the Pants v. the Former LJ's in Amherst....only the 3rd good game of the year...unless you are a parent or a very devoted alum of one of the second division clubs...
7.   Speaking of the Mules, we think their problems go way beyond the coaching....MID had 28 first downs and 559 of total offense against the Colby D, including actually running the ball for 141 yards...wow!!! Colby did score their 2nd TD (in 3 games)...
8.   Bates actually threw the ball 41 times...they only completed 18 of those, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day...
9.   Congrats to our friend Coach Bagnoli as the Columbia Lions beat last year's co-IVY Champ Princeton on Saturday to go 3-0 for the first time since 1996...

1. Hartford State (3-0; Last Week-1): Barely clinging to #1, HS squeaked by the Ephs in the Coop. They should cruise this week before their first real test in week 5.
This week:  Hamilton in Hartford

2. Amhurst (3-0; LW-2): Amhurst continues to display a balanced attack. Match-up of the two highest scoring offenses in the league this week. We think Amhurst's slightly stronger defense will be the difference at home in this battle of the unbeatens.
This week: Middlebury in Amhurst

3. Middlebury (3-0; LW-3): Big game this week for the Pants as they travel to Amhurst. Cruised over the Mules last week. Lebowitz will need to have a big day on the road to carry the Pants to victory.
This week: at Amhurst

4. Wesleyan (2-1; LW-4): Rebounded from a messy first half to cruise to a win in week 3 at HAM. Got the running game going. Should do better this week at home against the Mules who have a tough time against the pass and have trouble pressuring the QB. Smells like a big day for Piccirillo and Breuler. QB Pic completing 70% of his passes for the Cards.
This week: Colby in Middletown

5. Tufts (2-1; LW-5): Another stellar performance for QB McDonald. This week should be a beat down at home as McDonald continues to pad his stats.
This week: Bowdoin in Medford

6. Williams (2-1; LW-6): Ephs almost caught HS napping. This week should be a test to see if they are the best of the second division. For those following former HCOF Kelton, 0-5 and counting for Shorter U. as they lost to West Alabama 62-0.
This week: University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) in Billville

7 (tie). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) (0-3; LW-7): QB change contiunues. We think UB has regressed. Time will tell how far.
This week: at Williams

7 (tie). Hamilton (0-3; LW 7): Hamilton had numerous opportunities in the first half against Wes and still trailed 17-9 at the half. Wes dominated the outmanned Conts in the second half. Should be interesting this week to see which HAM Team shows up to play which HS Team.
This week: at Hartford State

8. Conn College (0-0; LW-NR): Despite not having a Team, they are still better than the 9th and 10th ranked squads. The Camels could send their women's volleyball teams and give the Mules and the Polar Bears a game.
This week: at Smith

9. Colby (0-3; LW-9): Colby is now at the top of the new third division. Colby is last in total offense averaging just over 200 ypg and third to last in total defense. Won't gets any easier this week in Middletown.
This week: at Wesleyan

10. Bowdoin (0-3; LW-10): Worst team in the NESCAC. Period. Last in defense, third to last in offense. Misery doesn't end in Week 4. C-C-B games will offer their only chances for W's in 2017.
This week: at Tufts

[ColbyFootball]

Nescacman, I agree with your pick of Amherst over Middlebury. I watched the Panthers up close last week and they're not that good. Your dim view of Colby is off. I was there and Colby had Middlebury on the run. The color was draining from the faces of the Panther fans. The Colby D was solid as usual but they get worn down with lack of support. And it is about coaching. One small example that had the Midd faithful shaking their heads. Colby gained 7 yards on 1st down and Midd was off sides. Rather than take the penalty and have 1st and 5, Micharls declined it to have 2nd and 3. The drive ended on that series.

[lumbercat]

Coby Football quote:     "Colby just lost to Middlebury 34-6, and Middlebury's roster us no stronger than Colby's."



Colby Football

I know you are frustrated with Michaels and the Colby football program and as I've said I feel your pain. I won't get into Michaels and how he runs the program on a day to day basis because I am not there and you are much closer to the program than me.

However, If you are operating on the premise that the Colby roster is equal to Middlebury's that exposes a significant  flaw in your reasoning that is causing much of your frustration. You are vastly overrating the talent on the Colby roster. There are maybe 3 or 4 on the Colby roster who would start at Middlebury and certainly less at Trinity.

Further, as bad as you say Michaels is, if we switched things and gave Michaels the Middlebury personnel and gave Ritter the Colby team Michaels and staff would win easily.

Not sure how many times you have been around the Nescac circuit but there is a very significant difference in talent and recruiting from top to bottom.

Again I don't know much about Michaels specifically but I can tell you he has assembled a damn good staff up there.

[ColbyFootball]

Lumbercat - When writing these posts points are not always articulated as they way intended. The point I should have been making and really do believe is that while  Middlebury's roster may be deeper with better overall, Colby has enough talent to match 11 players against Midd's 11. In other words they can hang with them and beat them on any given day. And as for Michaeles I'd much rather be singing his praises. But he makes it impossible, and if you saw him operate week in and week out you'd understand. He would take that Middlebury offense and turn it into a ground it out 3 yards in a cloud of dust offense. I wish it were otherwise, but the facts tell the story. And his new coaches have nice resumes, but resumes don't win games. But the DC is a great coach that always has the D ready. You're a knowledgeable and reasonable guy, so I know you would agree if you saw Colby every week.

[middpantherpride]

I think that is quite the presumption that Middlebury is not that good. Simply stated, it is hard for Middlebury to get up for a game against Colby as it has been many years since Colby has been able to compete with Middlebury (7 years and counting). Also, Middlebury outgained Colby 559-179. Not sure how you come away with the idea that Colby had Midd on the run??? Seems like a foolish statement. Middlebury had the game with Amherst looming over them going into the game against Colby and I'm sure they started slowly for that reason. I don't think the issue is just coaching. Middlebury has some legit ball players on both sides of the ball. I'd say you might want to be more cautious in your assessment of their roster when they have legit DPOY candidates in Jackson and Becton and OPOY candidates in Lebo and Banky.

[ColbyFootball]

I think that is quite the presumption that Middlebury is not that good. Simply stated, it is hard for Middlebury to get up for a game against Colby as it has been many years since Colby has been able to compete with Middlebury (7 years and counting). Also, Middlebury outgained Colby 559-179. Not sure how you come away with the idea that Colby had Midd on the run??? Seems like a foolish statement. Middlebury had the game with Amherst looming over them going into the game against Colby and I'm sure they started slowly for that reason. I don't think the issue is just coaching. Middlebury has some legit ball players on both sides of the ball. I'd say you might want to be more cautious in your assessment of their roster when they have legit DPOY candidates in Jackson and Becton and OPOY candidates in Lebo and Banky.

Were you at thus past week's game? And how many Colby games have you seem the past few years?

[middpantherpride]

Were you at thus past week's game? And how many Colby games have you seem the past few years?
[/quote]

I was not at the game, but I streamed the game. My question is how do you come away from a Middlebury win in which they absolutely dominated Colby in all 3 phases of the game, and say that Colby's top 11 could beat Midd's top 11 on any day?? And that Middlebury is not that good. I played Colby from 4 times in the past few years. I have respect for their players and they always play their hearts out. That said, its bonkers to say that Colby's top 11 could hang with Middlebury's top 11. Not even close. They have maybe 3-4 players that could start at any NESCAC. Beyond that, there is a huge drop off. And simply insulting to the Middlebury players to say they are not that good. They have returning All-NESCAC players on both sides of the ball. Don't take your frustration with the Colby coaching staff out on the Midd players. They have earned respect and they deserve your respect. So don't take shots at the Midd roster and make sweeping statements that they are not that good. Coach Ritter and co. have worked their balls off to build something special at Midd and their record the past 5 years and counting is pretty remarkable. Give them the respect they deserve. They ended the 21 game win streak of Amherst last year and ended Trinity's home win streak convincingly 27-7 in 2014. But keep hating on them. They feed off being the underdog.

[amh63]

It is "hump" day for the week and the next game.  Yet it is only week 4 and NOT the "hump" part of a nine game season.  What should we talk about. I would like to talk more about unique announcers that cover Nescac sports.  I have posted elsewhere that there is one that PolorBear men's basketball games.  When the ball goes through the net for Bowdoin, there is a shout out "bang"!  A unique signature expression.  Though partisan, I have gotten to like it.  Does this announcer cover the football games on NSN for Bowdoin?
In spite of the scandal news wrt D1 sports, how about the topic of uniforms.  I mentioned previously the UA contract at Amherst.  Unlike in D1, the schools in D3 appear to pay for the uniforms/attire. The minor and smaller rosters teams at Amherst have UA attire...exception is the X-Country men's team.  Yet, the Football team are still wearing their older uniforms...not the coaches .  Is it like at Bates, a money issue?  Any posters on this board know what is holding up the new uniforms at Amherst?  Did bump into UA salesmen last year at Amherst.  Have my plans arranged for Homecoming made...wine and dessert for the class dinner after the game which follows gathering at the class tent at the football game and the school sponsored food gathering for alums, parents and students..  Too much food around.  Maybe get to shake the Whale's hand again after the game.  Hopefully after a win this time.
Yes it is hump day.

[Grabowski]

If we are talking uniforms, was happy to see Williams upgrade from those awful clown suits they had been saddled with.  Mid probably the best in the league, IMO, but there are other good ones.

[ColbyFootball]

Were you at thus past week's game? And how many Colby games have you seem the past few years?

I was not at the game, but I streamed the game. My question is how do you come away from a Middlebury win in which they absolutely dominated Colby in all 3 phases of the game, and say that Colby's top 11 could beat Midd's top 11 on any day?? And that Middlebury is not that good. I played Colby from 4 times in the past few years. I have respect for their players and they always play their hearts out. That said, its bonkers to say that Colby's top 11 could hang with Middlebury's top 11. Not even close. They have maybe 3-4 players that could start at any NESCAC. Beyond that, there is a huge drop off. And simply insulting to the Middlebury players to say they are not that good. They have returning All-NESCAC players on both sides of the ball. Don't take your frustration with the Colby coaching staff out on the Midd players. They have earned respect and they deserve your respect. So don't take shots at the Midd roster and make sweeping statements that they are not that good. Coach Ritter and co. have worked their balls off to build something special at Midd and their record the past 5 years and counting is pretty remarkable. Give them the respect they deserve. They ended the 21 game win streak of Amherst last year and ended Trinity's home win streak convincingly 27-7 in 2014. But keep hating on them. They feed off being the underdog.
[/quote]
I gave my opinion based on being there, which is a whole different feeling than streaming it. I shared the stands with Midd fans. They were nervous. Midd was down 6-3 at the end of the 1st quarter, didn't go up until about half was through the 2nd quarter on a short 57 yard drive. Then score again with 3:03 left in the half to stretch it to 17-6 at the half. As with every other week the offense does nothing, and because of that we lose the field position game over and over. I admit to be biased in favor of our D, but the offense is the problem. This game was far closer than the final score.

And I take offense with you saying I was hating on the Midd players. If anything, you are hating on the Colby roster.

So let's avoid this personal stuff. I outlines the facts supporting my opinion.

[PolarCat]

Did I take a wrong turn somewhere and wind up in a Middle School playground at recess?  Sheesh.

CF, you might want to wait till the Mules actually get one in the Win column before you start say the opposing teams and their fans are trembling in fear.  Just sayin'

[ColbyFootball]

Did I take a wrong turn somewhere and wind up in a Middle School playground at recess?  Sheesh.

CF, you might want to wait till the Mules actually get one in the Win column before you start say the opposing teams and their fans are trembling in fear.  Just sayin'

I never said anyone was "trembling in fear".

More importantly, why don't you weigh in on something you have first hand knowledge of. You're great at being an authority on things you know jack s--t about. Just sayin'