FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[JEFFFAN]

I would love to see Bowdoin win it.   The program has been in such disarray that a victor in the CBB series would be a nice going away gift for the seniors.   Question is - which Colby team is going to show up?

[Pat Coleman]

I would love to see Bowdoin win it.   The program has been in such disarray that a victor in the CBB series would be a nice going away gift for the seniors.   Question is - which Colby team is going to show up?

Boy -- I hope it's the football team. Otherwise that would be awkward.

[GameBall14]

Pouring tonight in Connecticut, we will see how historic Andrus Field's grass surface holds up tomorrow and which team will gain the advantage on a sloppy track.

[Nescacman]

2018 Week #9 NESCACMAN Preview

Welcome to Week #9 in the NESCAC...in "the league where they pay to play"....We were 3-2 in week 8, are 31-9 on the season, and are 190-55 in our career (.776 winning pct.)...this week we hope to set a NESCACMAN record with 36 wins...congrats to D1 power Hartford State on their game of the year win over Amhurst in the Coop...

TTUN at Amhurst College: Important game....league title and Little 3 Championship on the line for Amhurst... Amhurst win and Hartford State loss means NESCAC championship for the Lord Mammoths...win also earns them the Little 3...Amhurst had won the last 6 meetings before the Eph upset last year...Amhurst has not lost to the Ephs at home since 2010 and have never lost on the artificial turf at Pratt Field to the Ephs...the LMs will try to avenge last years OT loss against the Ephs...TTUN could be in trouble without dual threat second year QB Bobby Maimaron...if he can't go, FY QB Jackson Bischoping will get to the call...Bischoping looked good in relief of Maimaron last week and provides a bit more of a threat throwing the ball but less of a threat running the ball vs the more mobile Maimaron...lack of mobility by Bischoping could be an issue for the Ephs as Amhurst is tied for the lead league in sacks with 24...Teams are statistically even offensively but Amhurst's defense is superior...Amhurst is 1st in the NESCAC in points allowed and 2nd in yards allowed...Amhurst's defense will be the difference here and they will exploit Bischoping's lack of mobility and inexperience... 

Amhurst 27 TTUN 17
Point Spread: Amhurst giving 8 points.
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 43.

Hamilton College at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus): Bates trying to avoid the winless season and earn HCOF Malik his first win as headman...Bates now possesses the longest losing streak in the NESCAC at 9 games...Bates offense sputtered last week without their leader, QB Brendan Costa...if Costa can't go, this could be another ugly one for the Bobcats...Hamilton gave Middlebury a game last week only trailing by 4 points at the half before giving up two second half TDs that sealed the game for the Panthers...we think QB Gray will have a big day with his receiving weapons and the lack of a Bates pass rush...0-9 for UBATES...

Hamilton 28 UBates 14
Point Spread: Hamilton giving 6 points.
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 41.

Tufts University at Middlebury College: Interesting week #9 game...QB Jernigan coming off his best game as a starter....Cosolito and Banky both had great games last week for Middlebury as their injuries appear to be getting better just in time for the end of the season...meanwhile Tufts QB McDonald, playing with a high ankle sprain had a big game for the Jumbo's...10 different Jumbo's carried the ball in their 48-0 romp...Tufts defense only allowed 9 first downs and 124 yards of offense to the Mules...Tufts has had a very good season with loses only to Hartford State and Amhurst...end of a disappointing season for the Pants...Tufts #3 ranked D and McDonald lead the way over the Pants on the road...

Tufts 31 Middlebury 17
Point Spread: Tufts giving 8 points.
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 40.

Bowdoin College at Colby College: Bowdoin coming off their first win in 24 tries last week...winner is the C-B-B champ...Colby has won 2 of their last 3 games...both teams have been shut-out twice this year...Bowdoin punter Chen won the Special Teams POTW last week....he has had 5 punts blocked on the season...we think the combo of Schwern and Hersch are just better than the combo of Richam and McCrum(my)...Colby wins at home and gains their first outright C-B-B since 2005...

Colby 21 Bowdoin 14
Point Spread: Colby giving 5 points.
Weather: Cloudy. High of 41.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Hartford State at Wesleyan: "Battle of the Birds"....hopefully it's not another version of the Hitchcock movie for the Cardinals...Sugar Bowl bound Hartford State has won the last 3 games against their in state rival...Wes has won 4 of their last 5 games this year and has held their last two opponents to less than 20 yards rushing...HS is coming off their biggest win of the year beating Amhurst in the Coop...the HS offense leads the NESCAC in scoring and total yards (9th in the country)  and has looked very strong since FY GQ Seamus Lambert has taken over...Max Chipouras leads the NESCAC in rushing and went over the 1,000 yard mark last week...WRs Schofer and Girard are 1st and 2nd in the NESCAC in reception TDs and receiving yards per game...both teams feature excellent kickers and have each kicked the 2 longest FGs in the league this year...Hartford State has only punted 30 times all year...HS is +7 in turnovers and Wes is +5...Wes leads the NESCAC in sacks with 24 while HS has 14....Wes has scored 3 defensive TDs vs 0 for the Bants...HS has been a very mediocre 67% in the red zone and is the most penalized team in the league...if Wes can play their best game of the year, can stop the run and get to the passer, they can keep HS from running up the score and keep it close...HS will try to run Chipouras, eat up the clock, mix in a few bombs and try to outlast the very good Wes defense...we think HS wins but the game is closer than people imagined...

Hartford State 24 Wesleyan 20
Point Spread: Hartford State giving 17 points. 
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 46.

NESCACMAN's Picks
2018 Season: 31-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 190-55 (.776 winning percentage)

[GoBlue61]

Nescacman -- Always enjoy the weekly picks. Colby deserves to be favored in the CBB game, but I give Bowdoin a chance. Nothing to lose at this point. Richam did not play last year.  Bowdoin had 200+ yards of offense in the first half last year but was up only 7 points; got run over in the second half when the coaches went with a bunch of freshman in the front seven and never subbed anyone in (unbelievably).  I think Bowdoin is better up front this year.  Hope it is a game in the 4th quarter.

BTW...will be surprised if Wesleyan can hang with Trinity...HS has too much talent on both sides of the ball.  Otherwise, I take Amherst over Williams, Tufts over Middlebury, Hamilton over Bates (although I am rooting for Bates to win a game; Hamilton is no better than the CBB teams talent wise other than QB)

[Nescacman]

Nescacman -- Always enjoy the weekly picks. Colby deserves to be favored in the CBB game, but I give Bowdoin a chance. Nothing to lose at this point. Richam did not play last year.  Bowdoin had 200+ yards of offense in the first half last year but was up only 7 points; got run over in the second half when the coaches went with a bunch of freshman in the front seven and never subbed anyone in (unbelievably).  I think Bowdoin is better up front this year.  Hope it is a game in the 4th quarter.

BTW...will be surprised if Wesleyan can hang with Trinity...HS has too much talent on both sides of the ball.  Otherwise, I take Amherst over Williams, Tufts over Middlebury, Hamilton over Bates (although I am rooting for Bates to win a game; Hamilton is no better than the CBB teams talent wise other than QB)

The difference maker in every game tomorrow, ex the Battle of the Birds, is the Q...in every game the Team with the better Q will win...even if Richam plays, that's the problem for Bowdoin, their Q just is not the answer...

[GoBlue61]

NESCACman -- Can't argue with your QB hypothesis...believe me -- I am not going to argue for the Bowdoin QB -- he is averaging 2 picks per game and threw 2 picks on the first two series vs Bates.  It was not until the coaches took the ball out of his hands that Bowdoin got going.  He did make a few plays in the second half (TD pass and TD run).  If Bowdoin can run Richam 30 times, they have a chance.  Not sure the Colby QB is a sure thing yet; 70 yards passing per game the last two games and he is a freshman.  My guess is both teams try to run the ball and the team that stops the run will win.

[lumbercat]

Reading some good posts on the CBB. I am a fairly close observer so I thought I would weigh in-

Its been a very painful year for the Garnet in Lewiston. Kind of a perfect storm scenario with injuries and struggles that come with change but those things happen especially in a transitional environment. Coach Harriman and new Coach Hall have different coaching philosophies and styles but at the end of the day they have one very significant trait in common. Neither one is going to whine and complain about bad breaks, bad calls or injuries. Harriman sustained many issues in the program over the years and this has been the year from hell for Coach Hall. No whining, complaints or excuses from Garcelon Field. The integrity and pride in Bates football remains un compromised and totally intact......tough times like this year only galvanize it. There is no quit up there.

On the Gowetski hit last week- the kid is a good linebacker, a gamer. 25 years ago it was great hit but today they classify it as a dirty hit so I guess it was. He took out the FY QB who was the last QB on a thin Bates roster. I don't believe Gowetski was trying to take the kid out but I'm old school. Just a shame the way it all played out........look for the wildcat at Garcelon Field on Saturday- no QBs left for the Garnet and Black.

Bates season ended when Costa went down against Colby in the first half.

Bates had a hot shot at QB who quit the team this year when Costa got the starting nod.....the kid would have got his shot but he didn't hang in there-..... Feel bad for that kid, he would have gotten his chance way back in the Tufts game when Costa got nicked up the first time.

On to the state championship series--

Again, Nescacman seems to have the line spot on.

About the QBs-

JBW will pressure the FY Colby QB- blitzes, games etc to rattle the kid. Cosgrove will sustain the rush and have screen-draw attack cued up for the kid who has showed some poise so far. If I'm Wells I would bring pressure like the kid has never seen, but Cosgrove is no rookie. it will be interesting.

The strength of the Colby lineup is the secondary, one of the best in the conference. McCrum better be careful.

Bowdoin strength is their Linebackers- though Gowetski sits the first half. They have the tools to apply pressure to the young Colby QB.

Both teams Def lines are their weakness- small and slow.

At the end of the day, outside of the QB dynamics, it boils down to 2 very good backs- Richam vs Schwern.

Although Bowdoin has superior personnel I give Colby a very slight edge at home with the Cosgrove experience and preparation factor.

[Nescacman]

Bates had a hot  shot, who turned out to be a front runner at QB who quit the team this year when Costa got the starting nod.....the kid would have got his shot but he didn't hang in there-..... Feel bad for that kid, he would have gotten his chance way back in the Tufts game when Costa got nicked up the first time.

Again, Nescacman seems to have the line spot on.

What is that about "winners never quitting" or something like that...let us know that kids name...we won't be hiring him to help us supervise all of those Hartford State alums we have running around making us coffee and standing at the copier...

And we thank you Lumber...we've been putting more time that you can imagine into research around the spreads and we hope our labor of love is appreciated by all...good luck tomorrow...finally some decent weather to enjoy NESCAC football!!!

[polbear73]

Lumber, Given the current rules, I have no quarrel with the penalty given to Gowetski for the hit.  On the streaming feed, however, it looked like he had no chance to pull up from delivering the hit; it happened very quickly and the Bates QB lowered his head a split second before impact.  Still, it was a good call but I doubt that there was any malicious intent. 

[GameBall14]

Good luck to all the seniors today as they put the pads on for the last time. The best years of your life go by faster than any of them could have imagined when they started this journey.

[nescac1]

Amherst taking it to Williams early 21-7 on a very windy field.  Eberth playing very well and showing his veteran savvy out there, and the Amherst front seven, led by Yamin, is dominant.  The depleted Ephs are just too short on dudes right now to compete with a stacked, veteran Amherst squad.  To make matters worse, TJ Rothmann left the game early with what looked like a serious injury, he's had such a tough luck year. 

Eph frosh QB Jackson Bischoping making his first start in place of Maimaron, and doing what he's done whenever he has played, making some remarkable plays down the field but also having trouble with turnovers.  He's got a load of arm talent and the Ephs are going to be in great shape at QB with him and Maimaron around for another few years.  Amherst is shutting down the Williams running game which isn't a huge surprise as the Amherst front seven is stacked and Williams is missing its two best runners.  Meanwhile, a determined-looking Jack Hickey is just barreling through the Eph defenders.  Ephs look a bit outmatched right now and it would be a pretty shocking turn of events for them to turn things around.  But, with so many impressive young players getting great experience, the future is very, very bright. 

[Nescacman]

We will give all of our observations on the games later but a few comments on the BATTLE OF THE BIRDS today:

1. Wes QB PIC was not available to play today due to a shoulder injury suffered against the Ephs early in the game last week (we knew this and for the integrity of the game today kept this to ourselves to protect our sources)....the fact that he was able to finish last week and throw a bomb with the injured wing is a testament to his toughness and why he is, IOO, the best QB in the NESCAC...Pic plays today and we might have seen the upset...

2. Without Pic, the Wes O looked out of synch with 3 different guys seeing action behind center...

3. The Wes D played very well and more or less were right there with the HS O...

4. Weather was a big factor in the game today with swirling winds, cold and even a little snow thrown in...

5. Field conditions were fine and not a factor...

More to follow later....

[Trin9-0]

CHAMPS!

Again.

[GameBall14]

We will give all of our observations on the games later but a few comments on the BATTLE OF THE BIRDS today:

1. Wes QB PIC was not available to play today due to a shoulder injury suffered against the Ephs early in the game last week (we knew this and for the integrity of the game today kept this to ourselves to protect our sources)....the fact that he was able to finish last week and throw a bomb with the injured wing is a testament to his toughness and why he is, IOO, the best QB in the NESCAC...Pic plays today and we might have seen the upset...

2. Without Pic, the Wes O looked out of synch with 3 different guys seeing action behind center...

3. The Wes D played very well and more or less were right there with the HS O...

4. Weather was a big factor in the game today with swirling winds, cold and even a little snow thrown in...

5. Field conditions were fine and not a factor...

More to follow later....

The Wes D Line was very impressive today but as Coach Whalen said on the webcast the overall speed of Trin's defense was too much for the Cards. The windy conditions definitely made throwing the ball tough especially when going to the north. It was a game of defense and field position with the Bants taking advantage of their third qtr field position to set up their two scores. Congrats to Coach Devanney, his outstanding staff and players on another NESCAC Championship.