FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Not sure anyone has seen this yet, but here you go...2019 and 2020 NESCAC football schedules...As we said, traditional rivalry weeks preserved...looks like Tufts and Bates have the toughest start to the 2019 and 2020 seasons but time will tell...enjoy!

[lumbercat]

Bowdoin has 3 QBs playing WR -- Griff Stalcup, Mike Cloppse and Noah Nelson . .

In preseason I said the transfer of the D1 QB may be disruptive in Brunswick but when you can transition the QB he unseated (Stalcup) to WR and he catches 11 balls vs Amherst it seems to be working pretty well for JBW.

The odd man out is Nelson who showed a lot of promise with the Black and White on a bad team- but sad to see him in this position in his senior year.

Cloppse was a high school QB but don't think he was ever seriously projected as a QB at Bowdoin.

Don't forget Kollmer who I thought had some great potential coming to Bowdoin as a QB.....I think he's playing an H back/ fullback role???

[lumbercat]

JBW had the best personnel in the CBB last year....he's fortified that this year. He has by far and away the best athletes in the CBB--  I think there is some pressure on him to win now. Knowing the sentiment on that campus they will bail out big time if JBW doesn't win soon.

[polbear73]

Kollmer has been used quite a bit in the H back/fullback role and as a receiver as well. For the most part, Nelson has lined up at wide receiver.

[JEFFFAN]

Any thoughts on where NESCAC would reside in these rankings if they did playoffs like the other leagues?

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2018/re-ranking-the-conferences-for-2018

[ColbyFootball]

Bowdoin has 3 QBs playing WR -- Griff Stalcup, Mike Cloppse and Noah Nelson . .

In preseason I said the transfer of the D1 QB may be disruptive in Brunswick but when you can transition the QB he unseated (Stalcup) to WR and he catches 11 balls vs Amherst it seems to be working pretty well for JBW.

The odd man out is Nelson who showed a lot of promise with the Black and White on a bad team- but sad to see him in this position in his senior year.

Cloppse was a high school QB but don't think he was ever seriously projected as a QB at Bowdoin.

Don't forget Kollmer who I thought had some great potential coming to Bowdoin as a QB.....I think he's playing an H back/ fullback role???

My heart goes out to Nelson. I haven't followed him very much but will take your word that he showed a lot of promise. I'll leave it at that.

[The Mole]

GREAT question. Hard to gauge without any out of conference games. The bottom teams (Hamilton, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby) have been pretty bad for a long time, it really pulls down the conference. That would bring overall ranking near the bottom--probably no higher than 24th. Perhaps the bottom. Still pretty good football week in and week out though. It would be very interesting to get one out of conference game to get a better feel or at least a scrimmage. 

On another note, good to see Hamilton beat Wesleyan. That raised a few eyebrows. Saw the 2019 and 2020 composite schedule. Some BRUTAL lineups: Bates got no favors. Tufts gets Trinity, Williams & Amherst to start. Yeesh. The Little 3 all get each other in the last 3 weeks. Love the tradition and rivalries in this league. As good as it gets.

Any thoughts on where NESCAC would reside in these rankings if they did playoffs like the other leagues?

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2018/re-ranking-the-conferences-for-2018

[Pat Coleman]

It would be really hard to gauge, because so much of it is how you perform historically in the postseason and the rest is how you perform in non-conference games!

I would be guessing somewhere in the 16-17 range, especially once you get to the point where all four classes have played the nine-game season. The NESCAC and MWC have similar restrictions and have schools with generally similar profiles, but we would expect the NESCAC to pull a better class of student-athlete.

[Nescacman]

Bowdoin has 3 QBs playing WR -- Griff Stalcup, Mike Cloppse and Noah Nelson . .

In preseason I said the transfer of the D1 QB may be disruptive in Brunswick but when you can transition the QB he unseated (Stalcup) to WR and he catches 11 balls vs Amherst it seems to be working pretty well for JBW.

The odd man out is Nelson who showed a lot of promise with the Black and White on a bad team- but sad to see him in this position in his senior year.

Cloppse was a high school QB but don't think he was ever seriously projected as a QB at Bowdoin.

Don't forget Kollmer who I thought had some great potential coming to Bowdoin as a QB.....I think he's playing an H back/ fullback role???

Maybe its just us (and we are sorry to be a bit cynical here), but with all of those QBs on the roster, its surprising that HCOF JB can't find one that is in the upper echelon of signal callers in the NESCAC...

[Nescacman]

It would be really hard to gauge, because so much of it is how you perform historically in the postseason and the rest is how you perform in non-conference games!

I would be guessing somewhere in the 16-17 range, especially once you get to the point where all four classes have played the nine-game season. The NESCAC and MWC have similar restrictions and have schools with generally similar profiles, but we would expect the NESCAC to pull a better class of student-athlete.

We respectfully disagree...

1. Given our geographic location, we have watched a lot of NJ and PA D3 football...wer would say that the NESCAC is at least comparable (overall) to the Centenial and NJAC. Hopkins is always very good but rest of the league...meh. I would say Hopkins more often than not beats the best team in the NESCAC but the rest of the league on average is better pound for pound.
2. Based on how the NESCAC does in other sports in interleague and how they do in the Directors Cup year in and year out, its tough not to imagine football being as competitive as other NEsCAC sports. Why would the football players be any worse than the lax or b-ball players? I tend to believe that football would do just as well out of league if given the chance based on how well the NESCAC does in other sports....IOO.

[Pat Coleman]

It would be really hard to gauge, because so much of it is how you perform historically in the postseason and the rest is how you perform in non-conference games!

I would be guessing somewhere in the 16-17 range, especially once you get to the point where all four classes have played the nine-game season. The NESCAC and MWC have similar restrictions and have schools with generally similar profiles, but we would expect the NESCAC to pull a better class of student-athlete.

We respectfully disagree...

1. Given our geographic location, we have watched a lot of NJ and PA D3 football...wer would say that the NESCAC is at least comparable (overall) to the Centenial and NJAC. Hopkins is always very good but rest of the league...meh. I would say Hopkins more often than not beats the best team in the NESCAC but the rest of the league on average is better pound for pound.
2. Based on how the NESCAC does in other sports in interleague and how they do in the Directors Cup year in and year out, its tough not to imagine football being as competitive as other NEsCAC sports. Why would the football players be any worse than the lax or b-ball players? I tend to believe that football would do just one out of league if given the chance based on how well the NESCAC does in other sports....IOO.

I understand those arguments and hear them regularly. However, it takes a lot more student-athletes to compete in football than it does in other sports. (Hockey is somewhat comparable in size and the NESCAC does well in hockey but then again, the NESCAC is in a hockey hotbed, and it's decidedly not in a football hotbed. See also lacrosse.)

I wouldn't suggest that success in anything translates automagically to success in football.

In no way is the NESCAC comparable to the NJAC. The Centennial, perhaps, but the top half of the Centennial is definitely more competitive -- and remember, they report two weeks earlier, they play 10 games, they play non-conference opponents, their top teams play 11 or 12 games and they have spring practice. Their seniors have had practically a full season more of participation than a NESCAC senior.

I'm sure that given a decade or so of playing in the rest of Division III, some NESCAC programs could lift themselves up higher than this, but anyone who reads this specific message board knows that it would not happen top to bottom in the league.

[Hamiltonian]

Looks to me like lots of apples and oranges as far as comparing these leagues is concerned. Hopkins is a full-fledged top rank university with over 6000 undergrads. Why is that a D3 program?   Wabash's acceptance rate is over 60 percent and its average sat scores are two hundred points lower than Hamilton's.  The two most NESCAC-like schools in that league, Oberlin and Kenyon, regularly get whipped. I think it's near impossible to make these comparisons. 

[Nescacman]

It would be really hard to gauge, because so much of it is how you perform historically in the postseason and the rest is how you perform in non-conference games!

I would be guessing somewhere in the 16-17 range, especially once you get to the point where all four classes have played the nine-game season. The NESCAC and MWC have similar restrictions and have schools with generally similar profiles, but we would expect the NESCAC to pull a better class of student-athlete.

We respectfully disagree...

1. Given our geographic location, we have watched a lot of NJ and PA D3 football...wer would say that the NESCAC is at least comparable (overall) to the Centenial and NJAC. Hopkins is always very good but rest of the league...meh. I would say Hopkins more often than not beats the best team in the NESCAC but the rest of the league on average is better pound for pound.
2. Based on how the NESCAC does in other sports in interleague and how they do in the Directors Cup year in and year out, its tough not to imagine football being as competitive as other NEsCAC sports. Why would the football players be any worse than the lax or b-ball players? I tend to believe that football would do just one out of league if given the chance based on how well the NESCAC does in other sports....IOO.

I understand those arguments and hear them regularly. However, it takes a lot more student-athletes to compete in football than it does in other sports. (Hockey is somewhat comparable in size and the NESCAC does well in hockey but then again, the NESCAC is in a hockey hotbed, and it's decidedly not in a football hotbed. See also lacrosse.)

I wouldn't suggest that success in anything translates automagically to success in football.

In no way is the NESCAC comparable to the NJAC. The Centennial, perhaps, but the top half of the Centennial is definitely more competitive -- and remember, they report two weeks earlier, they play 10 games, they play non-conference opponents, their top teams play 11 or 12 games and they have spring practice. Their seniors have had practically a full season more of participation than a NESCAC senior.

I'm sure that given a decade or so of playing in the rest of Division III, some NESCAC programs could lift themselves up higher than this, but anyone who reads this specific message board knows that it would not happen top to bottom in the league.

We are not going to go "tit for tat" with you because you, are of course, the wizard....but two final remarks:

1. The "better" schools/teams (aka the upper echelon) of the NESCAC recognized a long time ago that in order to compete and win, you need to recruit outside of New England. Those rosters are littered with players from football hot beds such as NJ, PA, FLA and the like. That is just one of many reasons that they consistently win.

2. The 75 (76 with the one "IR" spot) man roster is a complete fallacy.The "better" teams in the league actually practice with many more players than are on the active roster. Those players are typically FY or second years who hope to one day be a part of the regular roster. I would say 85-90 is more the norm which is certainly comparable to the Centenial schools rosters.

Unless the NESCACs position with regards to out of league games and the playoff's changes, this is all conjecture but it is fun to think about.

Enjoy the games today..and of course, Let's Go Yankees!!!

[Nescacman]

2018 Week #4 NESCACMAN Preview

Welcome to Week #4 in the NESCAC...in "the league where they pay to play". We were 3-2 in week 3, are 12-3 on the season, and are 171-49 in our 5-year career (.777 winning pct.). Two tough losses last week as Hamilton upset Wesleyan and TTUN beat Hartford State. Another ho-hum slate of games with at least 4 blow-outs...this week, the highlight is Middlebury hosting Amhurst in the NESCAC game of the week...

TTUN at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus): UBates O continues to struggle...UBates played Tufts tight in the first half last week before falling apart in the second half...the 'Cats haven't put an entire game together yet...UBATES is last in the 'CAC in total offense and 9th in total defense...Ephs coming off their biggest program win in years...they need to focus on this week and not look ahead to Middlebury and beyond...4 of TTUN's last 5 games are against "quality" opponents and a HAM team that is obviously capable of an upset...TJ Dozier is 3rd in the 'CAC in rushing and Maimaron leads the 'CAC in scoring...TTUN is 3rd in the league in offense and 3rd in points allowed "How UBates Wins": The 'Cats need to play a full 60 minutes and get the offense going to keep the defense off the field...defense needs to put some pressure on Maimaron and stop Dozier..."How TTUN Wins": TTUN offense continues to pound the rock with Dozier and Maimaron...defense shuts down the hapless UBates offense...We think TTUN has too many weapons, is on a roll and HCOF Raymond keeps them focused as they head in the hard part of their schedule.

TTUN 41 UBates 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Wesleyan University at Colby College: Wes needs a W in the worst way...after a tough game against Tufts that could have gone either way, they did not play well against HAM, at least defensively, even before the blocked punt that cost them the game...they need star LB Morris back in a big way, he's the heart of their defense...Colby comes in 0-3....and are last in the NESCAC in points scored, 9th in yards, 9th in passing, and 9th in points allowed...Jake Schwern is 5th in the NESCAC in rushing and is averaging almost 100 yards per game, too bad is plays for Colby... as we noted last week, FY Matt Hersch is the new QB and threw for 2 TDs last week..."How Wes Wins": Play the same game they played against Mid...mix run and pass...let Piccirillo play his game...defense needs to step it up; record a few sacks and get a few turnovers....need to take one game at a time... "How Colby Wins": Get Schwern going on the ground....control the clock...stop the Wes run...We think Wes gets it going and has a nice ride back to Middletown.

Wesleyan 28 Colby 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Tufts University at Bowdoin College: Tufts defense has been outstanding...lead the NESCAC in points allowed, 2nd in yards allowed, sacks, and 2nd in rushing yards allowed...Despite Nate Richam leading the 'CAC in rushing, Bowdoin is 7th in the 'CAC in rushing...Bowdoin is last in Total D and 8th in points allowed...they are third in passing O..."How Bowdoin Wins": Richam needs to have a big day...QB McCrum is productive and stretches the Tufts D and the Bowdoin defense shows up...BOW O line needs to protect the QB, Tufts leads the NESCAC with 13 sacks... "How Tufts Wins": Defense plays their typical game, shuts down Richam and forces McCrum to win the game using his arm (and gets a bunch of sacks)....The offense led by McDonald runs well and controls the clock. We don't think the Bowdoin O can run on the Tufts D and Tufts controls the clock to keep Richam on the sidelines.

Tufts 35 Bowdoin 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Hartford State College at Hamilton College: Nightmare scenario for the Conts...they will be facing a very angry Hartford State team coming off a tough loss last week...positive for the Conts is they are coming back from their first win of the year...HS is #1 in total defense and in total offense (by a long way)...HS is only converting 39% on 3rd downs and 65% in the red zone...Ham needs to force more turnovers...HS still looking for their 1st INT of the year..."How Hartford State Wins": On offense, run the ball well with 22 and Vazzano completes a couple of long ones to Girard...Pressure Gray to prevent him from having time to find his talented duo of receivers...Schmidt and Buddington..."How HAM Wins": It will be tough for this Team to run on HS but they need to have some semblance of a running game to allow Gray to use play action to get the ball downfield....if they can protect Gray and if Gray can find his WRs, they can score...On defense, HAM needs to stop the HS running attack, and force short drives so they can get the HS defense back on the field. We think Hartford State will play angry and get back on the winning track.

Hartford State 41 Hamilton 14
Weather: Scattered thunderstorms. High of 73.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Amhurst College at Middlebury College: The Lord Mammoths finally play a meaningful game against a quality opponent after clinching the C-B-B title last week...look for Jernigan to play a lot in this one to capitalize on his mobility vs Meservy...both teams score around the same amount of points...the LMs defense is much stronger...MID leads the NESCAC in INTs...Amhurst only scores a TD half the time they get into the red zone...MID is more balanced than they have been in recent years with about the same amount of yards rushing and passing..."How Amhurst Wins": Run first attack led by Hickey and Eberth off of the RPO and mix in some passes to Berlutti. Control the clock. Keep this a low scoring game. Keep the MID offense off the field. "How MID Wins": Avoid turnovers, especially INTs...use Jernigan and allow him to use his legs to keep the LMs honest...get the ball to Banky and Cosolito...defense stops Hickey running the ball and forces them to try and win through the air. We think this game will be hard fought with MID primed to put a complete game together for the upset at home...

Middlebury 27 Amhurst 24
Weather: Showers. High of 62.

NESCACMAN's Picks
2018 Season: 12-3
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 171-49 (.777 winning percentage)

[NBC93]

NESCACMAN,
Amhurst College at Middlebury College: The Lord Mammoths finally play a meaningful game against a quality opponent after clinching the C-B-B title last week...look for Jernigan to play a lot in this one to capitalize on his mobility vs Meservy...both teams score around the same amount of points...the LMs defense is much stronger...MID leads the NESCAC in INTs...Amhurst only scores a TD half the time they get into the red zone...MID is more balanced than they have been in recent years with about the same amount of yards rushing and passing..."How Amhurst Wins": Run first attack led by Hickey and Eberth off of the RPO and mix in some passes to Berlutti. Control the clock. Keep this a low scoring game. Keep the MID offense off the field. "How MID Wins": Avoid turnovers, especially INTs...use Jernigan and allow him to use his legs to keep the LMs honest...get the ball to Banky and Cosolito...defense stops Hickey running the ball and forces them to try and win through the air. We think this game will be hard fought with MID primed to put a complete game together for the upset at home...

Middlebury 27 Amhurst 24
Weather: Showers. High of 62.

Fair assessment, but from I have seen from MID, they haven't proven that they stop a good running game. This is the team that surrendered 288 yards to Bowdoin's Richam. The MID D Line was gashed repeatedly by the PB Line. The same line that opened zero holes against Amherst which saw Richam gain 30 yards.

I'm not MID can't win, but I don't think they will shut down the run game.

Here is how I see MID:

Pros: Competent pass game. Competent run game. Nothing blew me away but they get the job done in a balanced offense. Definitely the best and most balanced O that Amherst has seen yet.
Cons: Run Defense is suspect. D Line suspect. Averaging close to 200 rushing yards allowed per game. Pass game susceptible to force some bad balls and throw INTs. Turnovers can be a problem. D Line for Amherst should harrass QB and if weather truly is a factor that makes it difficult to pass, then Amherst D is in the driver's seat.

One variable here is Hickey's health. He left the game last week and was using crutches on the sideline. Okoronkwo has played well in short stretches while Hickey takes breathers. He is fast and quick. Jung as the #3 back also runs hard and gets thru the line quickly.

Should be a good game. Looking forward to another good day in the CAC.