FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

I really don't think that ending legacy admissions will have any impact on athletics.  Very very few star athletes are legacies and those that are can just get in through other ways if the school wants them badly enough.  At least at Williams, and I'm sure Amherst, legacies do not have worse credentials than other equivalent types of students - its really more of, all else being equal, a legacy gets a preference, basically a tipping point factor (unless of course M&D donated a building).  Honestly I think this is more about the message it sends than anything else, if you replace ten kids with 1550 SATs whose parents went to Amherst with ten kids with 1550 SATs whose parents did not, the student body will still be effectively the same.  If you want to actually make these schools more representative you have to make far more radical changes, like treating kids with the same class rank at an average or below high school as a kid from Exeter as identical candidates for admission ... to the extent Biddy may be remembered less than fondly, it won't be based on this decision.

[ham2016]

Your Week 5 NESCAC Football Uniform Report:
*There was a dearth of pictures from this weekend's games so I've included links (mostly to videos). Sadly, there were no real stand out combos this week but certainly some missed potential.

Amherst at Bowdoin
Grade C
What a shame that Bowdoin gets their first win since 2018 and they're wearing their dreadful mono-grey look. Mercifully, Amherst seems to have figured it out and we were treated to their sharp purple (on the road!) jerseys with white pants.

Williams at Hamilton
Grade B
Hamilton looked solid in their classic home set. Hopefully, if/when they add a second pair of pants they'll go with buff and avoid the dreaded all blue look. Meanwhile Williams did the best they could with their subpar options (hey, at least there's no black in the Ephs road jersey!).

Wesleyan at Tufts
Grade B
I think the all white is Wesleyan's best combo. It pairs great with the black helmet and the piping on the jersey is less superfluous with the all white pants. As previously noted, I'm a believer that Tufts should be in brown at home and if they need to mix in the powder blue, please do so in moderation. The all Smurf look is not ideal and tarnishes what could have been a beauty of a game.

Middlebury at Colby
Grade B
A perfectly fine looking match-up, but nothing spectacular. Midd looked sharp (as always) even though I prefer the white pants to the navy. This is your weekly reminder that Colby needs to bring back their grey pants. The white britches just don't look right with the grey helmets. The Mules used to have such an iconic look. I wish they'd move back to a more classic uniform.

Bates at Trinity
Grade B+
As always, Bates looks their best on the road when they can avoid the mono-maroon look. Trinity sported their classic navy jersey with white pants combo and the alternating color contrast between the two made for an above average looking game.

I know I missed the boat by a few days on this post but I had to wait for my account to activate....hi there, long time reader and former player at Hamilton (2016 grad). Funny that, of all the things said on this board, this is the one that made me make an account and comment (shows how little the Buff and Blue tend to come up...). Anyways, I felt like I owed you an insider shot on the pants issue you've referenced being that I was a captain on the team that originally decided to go away from the pre-2014 horrendous football stoplight look. At that time, if you remember, we normally wore a somewhat-gold helmet, blue jersey with gold cutouts, white pants with blue cutouts, and socks/shoes that normally one matched one if any (in fact normally they were white socks and black shoes). We all just wanted something that actually matched something else on our body.

Anyways, to make it simple, Buff is an awful color to put in athletic clothing, and Nike did not do well with making a custom buff. We also wanted to include some buff, because we assumed buff as Nike saw it was closer to gold, like our helmets had been. In reality, Nike sees buff on clothing as a medium-light khaki. So, at that time, the decision to wear buff meant wearing literal khaki pants, which makes sense because a continental soldier was just a guy in rather tight khaki pants. Being that wearing khaki pants to a football game felt a little square, we decided to cut buff altogether from the uniform and didn't really wait on everyone else to be ok with it. I'm happy they went back to incorporating it, because it's easier to hide in a stripe or a belt. Some other programs there also get away with a semi-gold type thing, so maybe it'll change, but I'm sure if those kids have a choice they'll shy away from khaki pants too.

Thought this was a pretty cool topic for you to do - as a former D3fb and current FBS football coach I've always thought the uniform game in the NESCAC is underappreciated.

[BigKat]

Welcome to the board ham2016 and you are absolutely correct in that Hamilton gets far too little play here. There are some great uni combos in the league and also love that feature of the board--as well as Nescacman's weekly predictions. I really felt Bowdoin was going to win last week but didn't put it in writing ))

[Trin9-0]

I know I missed the boat by a few days on this post but I had to wait for my account to activate....hi there, long time reader and former player at Hamilton (2016 grad). Funny that, of all the things said on this board, this is the one that made me make an account and comment (shows how little the Buff and Blue tend to come up...). Anyways, I felt like I owed you an insider shot on the pants issue you've referenced being that I was a captain on the team that originally decided to go away from the pre-2014 horrendous football stoplight look. At that time, if you remember, we normally wore a somewhat-gold helmet, blue jersey with gold cutouts, white pants with blue cutouts, and socks/shoes that normally one matched one if any (in fact normally they were white socks and black shoes). We all just wanted something that actually matched something else on our body.

Anyways, to make it simple, Buff is an awful color to put in athletic clothing, and Nike did not do well with making a custom buff. We also wanted to include some buff, because we assumed buff as Nike saw it was closer to gold, like our helmets had been. In reality, Nike sees buff on clothing as a medium-light khaki. So, at that time, the decision to wear buff meant wearing literal khaki pants, which makes sense because a continental soldier was just a guy in rather tight khaki pants. Being that wearing khaki pants to a football game felt a little square, we decided to cut buff altogether from the uniform and didn't really wait on everyone else to be ok with it. I'm happy they went back to incorporating it, because it's easier to hide in a stripe or a belt. Some other programs there also get away with a semi-gold type thing, so maybe it'll change, but I'm sure if those kids have a choice they'll shy away from khaki pants too.

Thought this was a pretty cool topic for you to do - as a former D3fb and current FBS football coach I've always thought the uniform game in the NESCAC is underappreciated.

ham2016, welcome to the Board! Glad there's a fellow amateur uniform aficionado among us. I'm (clearly) a huge fan of athletics aesthetics and agree that the NESCAC is a unique league given it's history and distinctive mascots. Thanks for the inside background regarding the current Hamilton uniform set. It's interesting to consider the manufacturers limitations/views on a school's colors and how to incorporate them into the uniforms.

To give you a sense of what I'd like to see the Continentals have as an alternative to the white pants I've included a quick photoshop below compared against their current look:


To be honest I don't even really dislike the white pants, especially since they include the buff stripes. I just would really prefer them to not add a set of blue pants because it would be overkill with the blue home jersey and helmet. Back in July I graded all the NESCAC uniforms and gave Hamilton a B+ (only Midd, Trin, & Tufts look better in my book).

Maybe in the offseason I'll take a shot at redesigning the whole league.

[Nescacman]

Your Week 5 NESCAC Football Uniform Report:
*There was a dearth of pictures from this weekend's games so I've included links (mostly to videos). Sadly, there were no real stand out combos this week but certainly some missed potential.

Amherst at Bowdoin
Grade C
What a shame that Bowdoin gets their first win since 2018 and they're wearing their dreadful mono-grey look. Mercifully, Amherst seems to have figured it out and we were treated to their sharp purple (on the road!) jerseys with white pants.

Williams at Hamilton
Grade B
Hamilton looked solid in their classic home set. Hopefully, if/when they add a second pair of pants they'll go with buff and avoid the dreaded all blue look. Meanwhile Williams did the best they could with their subpar options (hey, at least there's no black in the Ephs road jersey!).

Wesleyan at Tufts
Grade B
I think the all white is Wesleyan's best combo. It pairs great with the black helmet and the piping on the jersey is less superfluous with the all white pants. As previously noted, I'm a believer that Tufts should be in brown at home and if they need to mix in the powder blue, please do so in moderation. The all Smurf look is not ideal and tarnishes what could have been a beauty of a game.

Middlebury at Colby
Grade B
A perfectly fine looking match-up, but nothing spectacular. Midd looked sharp (as always) even though I prefer the white pants to the navy. This is your weekly reminder that Colby needs to bring back their grey pants. The white britches just don't look right with the grey helmets. The Mules used to have such an iconic look. I wish they'd move back to a more classic uniform.

Bates at Trinity
Grade B+
As always, Bates looks their best on the road when they can avoid the mono-maroon look. Trinity sported their classic navy jersey with white pants combo and the alternating color contrast between the two made for an above average looking game.

I know I missed the boat by a few days on this post but I had to wait for my account to activate....hi there, long time reader and former player at Hamilton (2016 grad). Funny that, of all the things said on this board, this is the one that made me make an account and comment (shows how little the Buff and Blue tend to come up...). Anyways, I felt like I owed you an insider shot on the pants issue you've referenced being that I was a captain on the team that originally decided to go away from the pre-2014 horrendous football stoplight look. At that time, if you remember, we normally wore a somewhat-gold helmet, blue jersey with gold cutouts, white pants with blue cutouts, and socks/shoes that normally one matched one if any (in fact normally they were white socks and black shoes). We all just wanted something that actually matched something else on our body.

Anyways, to make it simple, Buff is an awful color to put in athletic clothing, and Nike did not do well with making a custom buff. We also wanted to include some buff, because we assumed buff as Nike saw it was closer to gold, like our helmets had been. In reality, Nike sees buff on clothing as a medium-light khaki. So, at that time, the decision to wear buff meant wearing literal khaki pants, which makes sense because a continental soldier was just a guy in rather tight khaki pants. Being that wearing khaki pants to a football game felt a little square, we decided to cut buff altogether from the uniform and didn't really wait on everyone else to be ok with it. I'm happy they went back to incorporating it, because it's easier to hide in a stripe or a belt. Some other programs there also get away with a semi-gold type thing, so maybe it'll change, but I'm sure if those kids have a choice they'll shy away from khaki pants too.

Thought this was a pretty cool topic for you to do - as a former D3fb and current FBS football coach I've always thought the uniform game in the NESCAC is underappreciated.

Welcome into the pool ham2016, the water is definitely warm...

As Al Davis (not a reference to the former Al Davis on this Board) used to say, "Just win baby!"....as long as the players are happy, let them wear what they want...

[Nescacman]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 5

What we learned in Week #5:

1. Congratulations to the Polars on their first win since 2018.
2. League is a now officially a mess below the top 3 teams; Big drop-off from Top 3. 
3. We think we are starting to see a changing of the guard in the NESCAC.
4. Just when you think teams are turning it around (Lord Mammoths)...
5. MID's lack of offensive performance (9th in the league in scoring) is surprising, especially given they have the former OPOTY at QB....
6. Only Bates and Colby stand between Ephs/Hartford State and their October 30th battle in Willyville.
7. Jumbo's officially have the worst defense in the NESCAC.
8. Berlutti and Boel are definitely the real deal and should be fun to over the next couple of years.
9. Hartford State looks like the team to beat heading into the final four games.

1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 5-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Another blowout win...have only allowed 10 points the last 3 weeks...Rank 2nd in scoring offense and 1st in scoring defense...only team in the league with more rushing yards than passing yards...lead league in sacks and fewest sacks allowed...next up: @ UBates

1). (Tie) Hartford State (2021 Record: 5-0; LW Rank: 1): Another blowout win for the Bants...haven't been tested since week 1...have only allowed 14 points in the last 3 games...1st in scoring offense, total offense and passing offense...have had problems running the ball but passing attack has more then picked up the slack...only averaging 3.1 yards per carry...next up: @ Colby 

3). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 5-0; LW Rank: 3): Cardiac Cards strike again...Wes wins late in the 4th quarter...longest winning streak in the NESCAC (8 games)...Spectacular game by QB David Estevez earned him OPOTW and Golden Helmet...Wes 2nd in total offense, rushing offense and rushing defense ...QBs have thrown 15 TDs (2nd most in the league)...next up: v. Middlebury

4). Colby (2021 Record: 2-3; LW Rank: 9): Big win against MID which could lead to a season turnaround....still last in scoring offense, 9th in total offense and rushing offense...will have their hands full this week...next up: vs. Hartford State

5). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 1-4; LW Rank: 10): Congratulations to the Polars on their first win and a big jump in the rankings...completely different team than earlier in the season with Boel and Eden...Polars could make it 2 straight when they host the Jumbo's this week......next up: vs. Lord Mammoths

6). Amhurst (2021 Record: 3-2; LW Rank: 4): Lord Mammoths suffer disappointing loss to the Polars for the first time in forever ...must win this week against the Conts at home...they don't win this week they are looking at another losing season...next up: v. Hamilton

7). Middlebury (2021 Record: 1-4; LW Rank: 5): Big loss to Colby on the road...lead league in sacks allowed with 19...9th in scoring offense ...still last in passing efficiency and only 5 passing TDs in 5 games...next up: @ Wesleyan  

8). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 1-4; LW Rank: 6): Hit the Hartford State speed bump after two very good games against Tufts and Wes...does not get any easier this week against the Ephs...9th in points allowed......last in league in penalties by a long shot...next up: v. TTUN

9). Hamilton (2021 Record: 2-3; LW Rank: 8): Another dose of reality against the Ephs...last in total offense, 9th in total defense, 9th in rushing defense, last in passing offense...only 3 sacks by them...next up: @ Amhurst

10). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-5; LW Rank: 7): Tough start to the season losing to Wes at home...guarantees a losing season for 2021...FY QB Berlutti looks like the real deal...last in total defense, last in scoring defense and last in rushing defense...2nd in passing offense...next up: @ Bowdoin

[Trin9-0]

Nescacman, I'm surprised to see you so bullish on the Polar Bears (5th?!) and so down on Hamilton (9th). Bowdoin does have just one win after all, including a loss to the Continentals. Meanwhile Hamilton, who also beat Colby (who you similarly have ranked above them) has already played Trinity, Williams and Wesleyan. It's possible the Conts run the table, although I'd say there's likely at least one more loss in there.

To me there are three clear tiers in the NESCAC this season: 

1. Trin and Williams. These are the top two and I can only see them losing to each other. Whoever wins the showdown in Williamstown is the favorite to not only win the NESCAC but finish undefeated.

2. Wes is in a class by themselves. Sure, they're undefeated but their average margin of victory is a mere touchdown while both the Bants and Ephs have won their games by an average of 26 points. I don't see them beating the top two teams but would be absolutely shocked if they lost to anyone else.

3. The other 7 teams in the league are a pick 'em... I wouldn't be one bit surprised by any other team here beating the other. Amherst currently has the best record of the bunch but could easily lose their last four. Meanwhile 0-5 Tufts could conceivably win out.

[nescac1]

I think Trin8-0 basically nailed it.  I DO think Wesleyan could beat Trinity or Williams, just because their offense, especially Estevez, is just that good ... with a bit of good fortune and/or winning the turnover battle, Wes could certainly squeeze out a high-scoring win vs. either Trinity or Williams, even if they are likely to have a very difficult time stifling either of those offenses.  At the same time, I think that at this point, Wesleyan's results dictate that it is clearly behind the big two, which are dead-even with one another. 

I also agree that spots 4 through 10 in NESCAC is basically a seven-way tie and a huge collective shoulder shrug ... any of them can beat any of the rest of 'em on any given day, depending on match-ups and who brings their A game on any particular day.  If you look at the head-to-head results among those teams, there is really no way to make heads or tails of them other than, it's almost totally random as to who beats who .... of that group, I think Bowdoin may actually have the brightest long-term future as I love their young talent and overall trajectory, and certainly Midd, Amherst and Bates, at least, are all heavily reliant on their seniors.  I was extraordinarily underwhelmed by Hamilton on both sides of the ball.  Just looked brutal vs. Williams, the Ephs could have won that won 60-0 if they really wanted to. 

It will be very curious what Tufts does at QB next year with three apparently capable starters all returning.  I think I'd move Woodson to WR or TE, he is such an elite athlete that he can really help the team at a position other than QB, but the other two both look like potential stars who aren't candidates for a position change.  Too bad Tufts can't trade a spare QB to Amherst or Midd for some help on defense! 

[Nescacman]

Some thoughts on our rankings...

-We agree that teams ranked #4-#10 could win or lose to each other in any given week depending on which team shows up...
-You have to look at Bowdoin as BB or AB ("Before Boel" or "After Boel")...two entirely different teams since he became the starter...played Wes tough on the road and beat Amhurst for the first time in a long time ( mid-90's)... 
-Colby is probably the most inconsistent team in the league but they did beat Amhurst and Middlebury and we weighed in the fact that they have two wins...
-We think Hamilton was fortunate to play Bowdoin when they did and would probably lose by 2-3 touchdowns to them if they played this week...we just don't think they are very good and miss Gray & Co. terribly...we know they beat Colby but we think Colby is better than them right now...look at their statistical rankings for a flavor of what they are all about...yes, we are down on the Conts right now...
-Amhurst lost to both the Polars and the Mules (so much for the C-B-B title in 2021 for the Lord Mammoths!)....
-MID beat UBates...
-UBates beat Tufts...

[nescac1]

I also agree that Bowdoin looks - now - wayyy better than Hamilton.  Hamilton doesn't have anyone like Bowdoin's TB / QB / top few WRs.  Those guys are legit.

[xPolarDadx]

I think Trin8-0 basically nailed it.  I DO think Wesleyan could beat Trinity or Williams, just because their offense, especially Estevez, is just that good ... with a bit of good fortune and/or winning the turnover battle, Wes could certainly squeeze out a high-scoring win vs. either Trinity or Williams, even if they are likely to have a very difficult time stifling either of those offenses.  At the same time, I think that at this point, Wesleyan's results dictate that it is clearly behind the big two, which are dead-even with one another. 

Having seen all three teams, two in person, I don't think Wes has any chance of beating Trinity or Williams, unless Williams has significant injuries to their offensive studs, or Trinity turns over the ball 3 or more times.  Wes doesn't have anyone that can cover either Reid or Girard... and Trinity has them both on the field at the same time.  Maimaron is as good a runner as Estevez (personal opinion), and a significantly better passer, with way more weapons if everyone is healthy.  I see Stola and Burke (he has wheels for a big dude) putting up huge numbers for Williams against the Wes D.

[Charlie]

I think Trin8-0 basically nailed it.  I DO think Wesleyan could beat Trinity or Williams, just because their offense, especially Estevez, is just that good ... with a bit of good fortune and/or winning the turnover battle, Wes could certainly squeeze out a high-scoring win vs. either Trinity or Williams, even if they are likely to have a very difficult time stifling either of those offenses.  At the same time, I think that at this point, Wesleyan's results dictate that it is clearly behind the big two, which are dead-even with one another. 

Having seen all three teams, two in person, I don't think Wes has any chance of beating Trinity or Williams, unless Williams has significant injuries to their offensive studs, or Trinity turns over the ball 3 or more times.  Wes doesn't have anyone that can cover either Reid or Girard... and Trinity has them both on the field at the same time.  Maimaron is as good a runner as Estevez (personal opinion), and a significantly better passer, with way more weapons if everyone is healthy.  I see Stola and Burke (he has wheels for a big dude) putting up huge numbers for Williams against the Wes D.

I think that if Trinity can stop Williams running game this will be a long afternoon for the Ephs. If they take a page out of Tufts playbook when they played Williams. Tufts stymied the Williams running attack all day their interior lineman clogged up the running lanes all day. The Williams QB could not run anywhere. I think Maimaron is a better runner than passer. So if Trinity can stop the run going to be a long afternoon and this game could get out of control. Trinity will get up quickly.

Tufts used a combination of run stunts , slants and run blitzs that Williams had no answer for and if dupilicated by Trinity and for that matter Wesleyan will be problomatic for the Ephs.

I also vote the interior DL for Tufts for early All Star nominations. I know it does not show in win loss catagory but those two kids have played outstanding all year.

[nescac1]

Williams rushed for 174 yards and 3 TDs vs Tufts (in a game that Williams did not play particularly well overall), so I'd hardly call that "stymying the Williams running attack all day."   Williams has since added its star offensive lineman back to to lineup, which should further help the line play - the holes have been visibly bigger with Watson out there, certainly.  And I'll note that Maimaron looked like he wasn't 100 percent vs Tufts, he lacked his usual quickness and burst - despite that, still ran for 59 yards!   The only team that really shut down the Eph running attack was Bowdoin.  But in doing so they left guys (mainly Burke) widdddeee open in the seams in the passing game, so that's hardly a strategy you went to emulate.

Trinity might stop the Williams running game. But it ain't easy.  I mean if Williams shuts down Girard and Reid it will win easily, too.  But I doubt that happens, either. 

[Nescacman]

I think Trin8-0 basically nailed it.  I DO think Wesleyan could beat Trinity or Williams, just because their offense, especially Estevez, is just that good ... with a bit of good fortune and/or winning the turnover battle, Wes could certainly squeeze out a high-scoring win vs. either Trinity or Williams, even if they are likely to have a very difficult time stifling either of those offenses.  At the same time, I think that at this point, Wesleyan's results dictate that it is clearly behind the big two, which are dead-even with one another. 

Having seen all three teams, two in person, I don't think Wes has any chance of beating Trinity or Williams, unless Williams has significant injuries to their offensive studs, or Trinity turns over the ball 3 or more times.  Wes doesn't have anyone that can cover either Reid or Girard... and Trinity has them both on the field at the same time.  Maimaron is as good a runner as Estevez (personal opinion), and a significantly better passer, with way more weapons if everyone is healthy.  I see Stola and Burke (he has wheels for a big dude) putting up huge numbers for Williams against the Wes D.

The good news in 2021 is that all 3 teams play each other so we shall see...not going to be easy for any of the teams, in particular, the Cards...they are pretty banged up right now with most of their secondary out, a season ending injury to their #1 kicker Von Jess (as a result of a cheap shot in week #1), and, perhaps most importantly, the injury to all-league WR Simco...many of those players will be back in time for the Ephs game...Wes will be as healthy as they have been all year when they play the Ephs and Hartford State...

No one knows how things will turn out in 2021, but we heard the same arguments in 2019 about Wes' chances  and Wes managed to beat the Ephs and Hartford State with many of the same players at key positions...as eph1 will acknowledge, when it comes to Wes/Eph games you never know...strange things happen (take a look at the '82 game as evidence of that)...Wes has beaten the Ephs 7 straight times, Maimaron has never beaten Wes (neither has HCOF Raymond for that matter), and Coach Dice has never lost to his alma matter as head coach...and if you'd like a refresher on the 2019 game (great game, btw)...here you go:

https://youtu.be/dqMkd_gnhCM 

As far as Hartford State is concerned, that's a month from now so who knows, and Wes does have the Bants at home on (long) grass so maybe that slows down Reid and Girard a bit...Wes did win in 2019 but HS is improved at QB, in the offensive line and on defense...they are definitely a force to be reckoned with...

We think all 3 teams are very talented and it should be lots of fun starting October 30th in Willyville...

[D3FLETCH]

I really don't think that ending legacy admissions will have any impact on athletics.  Very very few star athletes are legacies and those that are can just get in through other ways if the school wants them badly enough.  At least at Williams, and I'm sure Amherst, legacies do not have worse credentials than other equivalent types of students - its really more of, all else being equal, a legacy gets a preference, basically a tipping point factor (unless of course M&D donated a building).  Honestly I think this is more about the message it sends than anything else, if you replace ten kids with 1550 SATs whose parents went to Amherst with ten kids with 1550 SATs whose parents did not, the student body will still be effectively the same.  If you want to actually make these schools more representative you have to make far more radical changes, like treating kids with the same class rank at an average or below high school as a kid from Exeter as identical candidates for admission ... to the extent Biddy may be remembered less than fondly, it won't be based on this decision.

The message is the admissions department can now force Amherst to use Athletic Factors (Tips) on 10-20% of their incoming class.