FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[The Mole]

It is bad but, here are records for CBBH vs Wesleyan since 98/all-time

Colby 9-14/17-26
Bates 2-20/4-34
Bowdoin 3-19/29-61-2
Hamilton 5-17/18-30-1

And the Cards were not to be confused as a juggernaut from 98 on.....

Here is rest of the league vs Wesleyan since 98/all-time

Amherst 18-4 (3 of the 4 since 2013)/72-44-9
Williams 14-8 (7 in a row since 2013)/76-44-5
Trinity 19-3 (2 of the 3 since 2013)/64-54-2
Middlebury 6-7/23-25-2
Tufts 5-7/24-24-2

Not to beat a dead horse, but culture can be changed (see 2013 since arrival of Whalen/DiCenzo). If there is not a President and admin/admissions that is supportive/wants to win, you are SOL

Discussed before, but this shows the top, middle and bottom of the league pretty clearly......

If you want to know how weak this slate really is, I looked up Bates and Middlebury's all-time head-to-head because I had this incorrect memory that Bates always played Middlebury close, most likely of the 35-34 Midd win in 2018. The results surprised me so I also looked up the all time head-to-heads of Amherst/Colby, Bowdoin/Trinity, and Wesleyan/Hamilton.

Since 1998 (farthest the archives could go), Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, and Wesleyan are a combined 70-1 against Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and Hamilton.

[polbear73]

It is bad but, here are records for CBBH vs Wesleyan since 98/all-time

Colby 9-14/17-26
Bates 2-20/4-34
Bowdoin 3-19/29-61-2
Hamilton 5-17/18-30-1

And the Cards were not to be confused as a juggernaut from 98 on.....

Here is rest of the league vs Wesleyan since 98/all-time

Amherst 18-4 (3 of the 4 since 2013)/72-44-9
Williams 14-8 (7 in a row since 2013)/76-44-5
Trinity 19-3 (2 of the 3 since 2013)/64-54-2
Middlebury 6-7/23-25-2
Tufts 5-7/24-24-2

Not to beat a dead horse, but culture can be changed (see 2013 since arrival of Whalen/DiCenzo). If there is not a President and admin/admissions that is supportive/wants to win, you are SOL

Discussed before, but this shows the top, middle and bottom of the league pretty clearly......

If you want to know how weak this slate really is, I looked up Bates and Middlebury's all-time head-to-head because I had this incorrect memory that Bates always played Middlebury close, most likely of the 35-34 Midd win in 2018. The results surprised me so I also looked up the all time head-to-heads of Amherst/Colby, Bowdoin/Trinity, and Wesleyan/Hamilton.

Since 1998 (farthest the archives could go), Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, and Wesleyan are a combined 70-1 against Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and Hamilton.

Mole, agree about culture and it has been my unhappy experience that support for football must come from the TOP: President and Board must deliver a strong mandate or nothing will happen.

[Nescacman]

Let's back to the games...serious questions to ponder

Colby @ Amherst: Mules are improved, are the Mammoths going to get sandbagged at home? Most interesting game this week
Bates @ Middlebury: Will (get it) they bounce back and/or are the Bobcats better than thought?
Bowdoin @ Trinity: What is the real line on this one--31.5? Asking for a friend.
Hamilton @ Wesleyan: Are the Cards over rated? There will be a tailgate at location TBD....
Williams @ Tufts: Another elephant sized W for the guys in purple ?

Best wishes and luck to all, hoping for health and great contests

We think the week will be more interesting than peeps think...week 1 jitters, two years of rust, etc.... it will certainly tell us a lot more about every team... NESCACMAN picks, spreads, scores tomorrow afternoon...

[Nescacman]

It is bad but, here are records for CBBH vs Wesleyan since 98/all-time

Colby 9-14/17-26
Bates 2-20/4-34
Bowdoin 3-19/29-61-2
Hamilton 5-17/18-30-1

And the Cards were not to be confused as a juggernaut from 98 on.....

Here is rest of the league vs Wesleyan since 98/all-time

Amherst 18-4 (3 of the 4 since 2013)/72-44-9
Williams 14-8 (7 in a row since 2013)/76-44-5
Trinity 19-3 (2 of the 3 since 2013)/64-54-2
Middlebury 6-7/23-25-2
Tufts 5-7/24-24-2

Not to beat a dead horse, but culture can be changed (see 2013 since arrival of Whalen/DiCenzo). If there is not a President and admin/admissions that is supportive/wants to win, you are SOL

Discussed before, but this shows the top, middle and bottom of the league pretty clearly......

If you want to know how weak this slate really is, I looked up Bates and Middlebury's all-time head-to-head because I had this incorrect memory that Bates always played Middlebury close, most likely of the 35-34 Midd win in 2018. The results surprised me so I also looked up the all time head-to-heads of Amherst/Colby, Bowdoin/Trinity, and Wesleyan/Hamilton.

Since 1998 (farthest the archives could go), Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, and Wesleyan are a combined 70-1 against Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and Hamilton.

Minor correction...Whales/Dice arrived in 2010...

[PolarCat]

I have the hardest time understanding why Bowdoin is a perennial train wreck.  Lots of other PB athletic teams win conference titles and go deep into post-season play.  FH, WBB, WH, Sailing, Rugby, Tennis, and others.  PolarKitten's WLAX team made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen twice while she was there.  Terrific location on the coast, great little college town, good skiing nearby, and train service to Boston.  If I was a 19 year old male, I'd find Brunswick 1,000 times more appealing that Clinton, Middlebury, LZ Bantam, Waterville or Bates (which has 90% of the location but 0% of the charm, and the most anti-fun Administration imaginable).  Add to that the terrific career outcomes, and it boggles my mind the Polar Bears are traditionally at the bottom of the league. 

Our family loved Bowdoin.  We thought highly of Dave Caputi, and much-maligned Mac was a fine young man (and from what I hear, is now a fine USMC officer).  It's a FUN campus, even post-Crack House.  Barry Mills was always at the games.  What was the missing ingredient?

[Charlie]

I have the hardest time understanding why Bowdoin is a perennial train wreck.  Lots of other PB athletic teams win conference titles and go deep into post-season play.  FH, WBB, WH, Sailing, Rugby, Tennis, and others.  PolarKitten's WLAX team made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen twice while she was there.  Terrific location on the coast, great little college town, good skiing nearby, and train service to Boston.  If I was a 19 year old male, I'd find Brunswick 1,000 times more appealing that Clinton, Middlebury, LZ Bantam, Waterville or Bates (which has 90% of the location but 0% of the charm, and the most anti-fun Administration imaginable).  Add to that the terrific career outcomes, and it boggles my mind the Polar Bears are traditionally at the bottom of the league. 

Our family loved Bowdoin.  We thought highly of Dave Caputi, and much-maligned Mac was a fine young man (and from what I hear, is now a fine USMC officer).  It's a FUN campus, even post-Crack House.  Barry Mills was always at the games.  What was the missing ingredient?

The answer is simple. The College simply does not want to sacrfice lowering its admissions standards for players. If the college lowered its academic requirments and brought in top athletes they could turn around the program. Coaching only takes you so far you need the athletes. I applaud the school, for staying true to their standards. Football is just not tops on their priority list. They could bring in Nick Saban but again if you dont have the athletes to compete you simply would not win.

[nescac1]

One good bit of news for Bowdoin football, Dylan Gordon, who looks like a very strong recruit, signed on for the class of 2026.  He turned down Williams, Wesleyan and Hamilton, and Amherst was also after him.  Bowdoin needs a lot more recruiting wins like that ...

[DC 53]

If you want to know how weak this slate really is, I looked up Bates and Middlebury's all-time head-to-head because I had this incorrect memory that Bates always played Middlebury close, most likely of the 35-34 Midd win in 2018. The results surprised me so I also looked up the all time head-to-heads of Amherst/Colby, Bowdoin/Trinity, and Wesleyan/Hamilton.

Since 1998 (farthest the archives could go), Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, and Wesleyan are a combined 70-1 against Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and Hamilton.

Hamilton hasn't had much success since the early 1990's, but they have beaten Wesleyan twice since 2010, and they beat Amherst as recently as 2019.

[lumbercat]

As Bowdoin has ascended in recent years to the the #5 ranking on the US News college ratings there is a perception in the Bowdoin Administration that their inflexibility in Athletic admissions has fortified their rise to an elite academic level and enhanced their Academic standing.
The esteemed Bowdoin Faculty and Administrtion espouse this elitist mindset as their pathway to Academic and social distinction. Very sad.
They need to take a tutorial in Brunswick from the Harvard and Yale of the NESCAC. Williams and Amherst are the schools that embody the true concept of excellence.......Academics.....and Athletics.
They can win in some sports at Bowdoin but there is a profound aversion on the part of the Bowdoin Administration and Faculty in supporting the 'Helmet Sports", most notably Football and Hockey. Administrative support for these sports has diminished substantially in recent years. After all they are violent.......and expensive.
It's the faculty and administration folks, don't blame the coaching staff or programmed AD Ryan- he's a puppet up there with little autonomy. The Hammer and his his staff are busting their butts and deserve a lot of respect but the battle against Faculty and the anti football faction at Bowdoin is tough.

[polbear73]

Not the Bowdoin that I went to many years ago when football was winning and competitive and hockey was dominant in the East. Support came from everywhere, especially the faculty and administration. It was so much fun and a great place to be.

[Nescacman]

If you want to know how weak this slate really is, I looked up Bates and Middlebury's all-time head-to-head because I had this incorrect memory that Bates always played Middlebury close, most likely of the 35-34 Midd win in 2018. The results surprised me so I also looked up the all time head-to-heads of Amherst/Colby, Bowdoin/Trinity, and Wesleyan/Hamilton.

Since 1998 (farthest the archives could go), Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, and Wesleyan are a combined 70-1 against Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and Hamilton.

Hamilton hasn't had much success since the early 1990's, but they have beaten Wesleyan twice since 2010, and they beat Amherst as recently as 2019.

The 2021 HAM squad is not on the same level as the Kenny Gray/Joe Schmidt led teams based on what we saw last Saturday...we realize it is only one week but Gray could sling it with the best of them and always gave HAM a shot at a win against anyone...

In a related story, new QB, Junior Nigel Scott, no longer appears on the Hamilton football roster...not sure what that means...did he quit? was he suspended? is he injured (usually injured players names stay on the roster)? is this Hamilton gamesmanship? Another SID snafu (would not surprise us)? We'll keep our eyes on this developing story but if he is indeed no longer on the team, it is certainly never a good thing to lose your starting QB after one game....especially the case since it appeared to us that HCOF Murray put in whole new RPO package to take advantage of his new QBs running abilities...stay tuned...

[polbear73]

LumberCat raises a good point here and that is academic and athletic excellence can coexist and that one can promote and support the other. Bowdoin seems to have forgotten its once stated goal of achieving excellence in every pursuit it undertakes. It certainly has the resources.

[Nescacman]

If you want to know how weak this slate really is, I looked up Bates and Middlebury's all-time head-to-head because I had this incorrect memory that Bates always played Middlebury close, most likely of the 35-34 Midd win in 2018. The results surprised me so I also looked up the all time head-to-heads of Amherst/Colby, Bowdoin/Trinity, and Wesleyan/Hamilton.

Since 1998 (farthest the archives could go), Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, and Wesleyan are a combined 70-1 against Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and Hamilton.

Hamilton hasn't had much success since the early 1990's, but they have beaten Wesleyan twice since 2010, and they beat Amherst as recently as 2019.

The 2021 HAM squad is not on the same level as the Kenny Gray/Joe Schmidt led teams based on what we saw last Saturday...we realize it is only one week but Gray could sling it with the best of them and always gave HAM a shot at a win against anyone...

In a related story, new QB, Junior Nigel Scott, no longer appears on the Hamilton football roster...not sure what that means...did he quit? was he suspended? is he injured (usually injured players names stay on the roster)? is this Hamilton gamesmanship? Another SID snafu (would not surprise us)? We'll keep our eyes on this developing story but if he is indeed no longer on the team, it is certainly never a good thing to lose your starting QB after one game....especially the case since it appeared to us that HCOF Murray put in whole new RPO package to take advantage of his new QBs running abilities...stay tuned...

Follow-up to our earlier post...we heard second-hand (and not corroborated) that last week's starting Q for the Conts (Nigel Scott) was told he was not going to start this week and decided to pack it in rather than wait for a second chance...we will reserve comment until the actual situation is confirmed...

[xPolarDadx]

Follow-up to our earlier post...we heard second-hand (and not corroborated) that last week's starting Q for the Conts (Nigel Scott) was told he was not going to start this week and decided to pack it in rather than wait for a second chance...we will reserve comment until the actual situation is confirmed...

That's surprising.  Scott was slightly over half of Hamilton's rushing yards, and the only time the Hamilton WRs were getting open last week was when Scott was using his legs to extend plays / drawing the DBs up out of coverage... Though not the most accurate passer, he's quite athletic, so I would think that they'd want to keep him in the game in some capacity even if he wasn't under center.

[quicksilver]

LumberCat raises a good point here and that is academic and athletic excellence can coexist and that one can promote and support the other. Bowdoin seems to have forgotten its once stated goal of achieving excellence in every pursuit it undertakes. It certainly has the resources.

Exactly. And it is a crock to pretend that Bowdoin's athletes are somehow superior academically than atheletes at other NESCAC schools and that Bowdoin is complying with higher academic standards. The NESCAC releases lists of names of atheletes who are also academic achievers every semester by school. The Bowdoin athletes are, at best, middle-of-the-pack in terms of academic records in comparison to athletes at other NESCAC schools. . Bowdoin is using slots and tips like every other school to assemble teams but those teams are not getting the job done on the field/court/ice. To me, it is more about the administration failing to apply standards of excellence to the Bowdoin sports and accepting mediocrity as an OK outcome. The current dismal situation falls primarily at the feet of current President Clayton Rose (and the board that supports him). While the state of the football program on Rose's watch is appalling even more shocking is the collapse of the hockey program, long the crown jewel of Bowdoin's athletic program, on Rose's watch. The commitment on the part of the current Bowdoin administration to a successful athletic program is simply not there, especially in terms of men's team sports like basketball, football, hockey, and lacrosse. It should not be OK to settle for being at or near the bottom of the NESCAC on a regular basis . .