FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Regarding NFL potential I totally forgot about Perry.  Yeah, he does have the physical profile of a legit prospect. I'll still go under on two though .

[nescac1]

Oh and Amherst posted its roster. 

[GroundandPound]

https://nescacfootballreport.com/team-overviews/

[Nescacman]

Oh and Amherst posted its roster. 

Shocking! What's next, they actually have a watchable offense?!? The Lord Mammoths are the NY Football Giants of the NESCAC.

[Nescacman]

Regarding NFL potential I totally forgot about Perry.  Yeah, he does have the physical profile of a legit prospect. I'll still go under on two though .

Perry and Logan...

[ROTMNG]

Regarding NFL potential I totally forgot about Perry.  Yeah, he does have the physical profile of a legit prospect. I'll still go under on two though .

Perry and Logan...

One guy with actual NFL buzz, another with actual NESCACMAN buzz

[muleshoe]

Week 1 Predictions based on the computers!

Amherst 29.2, Bates 8.1
Middlebury 24.7, Wesleyan 20.0
Trinity (Conn.) 44.4, Colby 0.4 (but will probably be 3-0 at halftime  )
Tufts 35.6, Bowdoin 12.5
Williams 28.5, Hamilton 10.3

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CJImfkg0ouHIIIGOWRfbvwC0TNWh76n47xkz8nqrVBc/edit?gid=597209331#gid=597209331

[Nescacman]

Week 1 Predictions based on the computers!

Amherst 29.2, Bates 8.1
Middlebury 24.7, Wesleyan 20.0
Trinity (Conn.) 44.4, Colby 0.4 (but will probably be 3-0 at halftime  )
Tufts 35.6, Bowdoin 12.5
Williams 28.5, Hamilton 10.3

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CJImfkg0ouHIIIGOWRfbvwC0TNWh76n47xkz8nqrVBc/edit?gid=597209331#gid=597209331

You can throw the computers out the window in Week 1 of the NESCAC. Real picks and spreads to come later this week...

NM

[Nescacman]

2024 NESCACMAN Week 0 Power Rankings

It's that time of year in the league where they "pay to play". To those of you new to the Boards, welcome! To those returning, welcome back!

Some details on "NESCACMAN"...we share a love for all things NESCAC, but especially football, with our fellow boardsters. We love everything about NESCAC...the history, traditions, rivalries, quirky rituals, passion, student-athletes, coaches, students, parents, alumni, tailgates, fields of play et cetera. Each week, we will present our power rankings and then later in the week an overview, prediction and spread on every NESCAC game. There will also be some special reports along the way. And later this week, we will have a very special announcement that we think all NESCAC fans will enjoy.

We are looking forward to another exciting season of NESCAC Football. Going into the season, we think there are four teams that will challenge for the coveted NESCAC Championship: Hartford State, Tufts, Middlebury, and Wesleyan. Williams and Bowdoin are the next most likely teams to have a shot at moving into the top tier. Amhurst, Colby, UBates, and Hamilton are a notch below. We think UBates is a team to watch and is an up and comer.

At all levels of football, the QB position has taken on increased importance in recent years. No longer do you see teams without a decent QB succeed. The NESCAC is no exception to this rule, and we think that is an important storyline for the 2024 season. This year, only 5 of the 10 teams in the league have a returning starting QB. Among the teams expected to compete for a championship, only 2 of them have returning starters. How the remaining new starting QBs perform will largely determine their team's success in 2024. Something we will be watching very closely.
 
Here are our rankings as we head into Week #1:

1). Tufts Jumbo's (2023 Record: 6-3; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 7-2): 2023 Grade: B...Disappointing losses to Hamilton in OT and Hartford State in the Coop put a damper on what should have been a better year for the Jumbo's in 2023...lost 2 of their last 3 games...Tufts had the NESCAC#2 total offense and #1 total defense in 2023...They return top skill players on offense including 2nd team All-NESCAC QB Michael Berlutti (1st team in 2022), 2nd teamer RB Chartellis Reece, and 2nd Team WR Cade Moore but will need to reload on the o-line...they lost many starters on defense but return one of the most experienced secondaries in the league led by returning 1st teamer Louis Timmins...They host the Polars at home in week# 1...Strengths: One of the best collections of skill players in the League...Areas of Concern: Replacing front 7 on defense and plugging holes on the offensive line...Summary: We think they should challenge for the NESCAC title in 2024 in what should be a competitive battle for first place.

2). Hartford State Bantams (2023 Record: 8-1; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 7-2): 2023 Grade: A. Defending co-NESCAC champs (officially) and NESCAC runner-up (reality)...After leading the NESCAC in both scoring offense and scoring defense, they must wonder how they lost a game in 2023... Return talent on offense includes All-NESCAC 1st Teamers RB Tyler DiNapoli and WR Sean Clapp...Hartford State will have a new signal caller in Zander Zembrowski as well as many new faces in their OL...we expect the offense to be more run focused than they have been in the past...They lost many starters on defense but the new starters did get experience in garbage time when the Bants had big leads...HS also has a weapon in returning all NESCAC kicker Matthew Jumes..HS continues to leverage their academic advantage and institutional focus on football despite their suboptimal location....Strengths: Power running game, winning tradition and coaching... Areas of Concern: New QB and reloading in the trenches on both sides of the ball...Summary: Will probably not be the juggernaut that we have seen the past few years but will be somewhere in the top tier group in '24 as they reload.

3). Wesleyan Cardinals (2023 Record: 6-3; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 7-2): 2023 Grade: B...Cards return 17 of their 22 starters plus get back several players who missed significant time due to injury in 2023...#5 in total offense and #7 in total defense in 2023...Cards return one of the top returning QB's in Nico Candido who has NESCAC 1st Team WR Chase Wilson to throw to...key on offense is whether the offensive line can do a better job of keeping Nico upright (Wes was dead last in the league in sacks allowed in 2023) and run the ball better (was 7th in 2023 in rushing offense)...Wes returns everyone on defense, they will be healthy and added Colby All-NESCAC transfer Safety Nick Donatio to an experienced group...Players to watch on defense include include All NESCAC DL Mike Rowan and All-American DB Wesley Abraham...Strengths: Experience at QB, possibly the best playmaker in the league in Wilson and a deep and experienced defense... Areas of Concern: Running game must be better and the o-line needs to give Candido time to throw. Summary: Wes has had 11 straight winning seasons, is the defending Little 3 champ, and Coach Dice is the all-time winningest HCOF in Wes history so we are betting on them again this year....The Cards are our pick to win the Little 3 title again for the third straight year....Wes always has high expectations, and we think they will surprise a few people this year...if they can somehow get through Middlebury and Tufts in weeks 1 and 2, watch-out.

4). Middlebury (2023 Record: 8-1 NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 6-3): 2023 Grade: A+...First year of the Mandigo-era was a resounding success as the Panthers won the NESCAC Football Championship...HCOF Mandigo will try to keep the momentum going after replacing long-time Middlebury HCOF Ritter... As noted last year, HCOF Mandigo comes from the defensive side of the ball so we can see the Middlebury offensive philosophy changing from "pass first" to being more-balanced (in 2023, the mix was almost exactly 50/50 compared to 56/44 in favor of the pass in 2022)...Middlebury, like many of their competitors, will have a new signal caller in 2024 in Junior Brian Moran...Star receiver Donovan Wood is gone, but they return All-NESCAC 2nd Teamer Patrick Jamin...The defense had a "bend but don't break" season in 2023 finishing 8th in total defense yet 2nd in scoring defense...we expect the defense to be improved in terms of yards allowed with returning All-NESCAC DLs Tomas Kenary and Dave Fillias and All-NESCAC DBs Rocca Stola (former Eph WR Frank Stola's little brother) and Teddy Daniel...Strengths: Defending champs and 4 returning All-NESCAC guys on defense... Areas of Concern: New starter at QB and lost a lot of talent...Summary: As Ric Flair says, "To be the champ, you have to beat the champ"...2023 was a dream season when many things went their way...not sure that happens in 2024 but we think there is enough talent here for Middlebury to be dangerous every week and be a serious threat to compete....week #1 tilt against Wesleyan will be a good barometer for this team.

5). Williams Purple Cows (2023 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 5-4): 2023 Grade: C-...2023 was another challenging year for the Ephs finishing with their 2nd consecutive 3-6 campaign after winning the league and running the table in 2021...The Ephs have found it challenging replacing QB/leader/NESCAC OPOTY Maimaron as they finished last in passing in 2022 and 9th in 2023...To be fair, they have run the ball well despite numerous injuries...Defense was better in 2024 as they ranked 5th in total defense...Will need more consistent play from QB Owen McHugh (former starter Jack Dickinson is also on the roster) and their young WRs (WR Holden Gering is a player to watch) to move up in the standings...RB Mario Fischetti from Chaminade HS on Long Island is a star but can't seem to stay healthy over the course of a season...The defense should be improved as they return 6 of their 7 starters in their front 7...Strengths: The running game should be fine with Fischetti and the defense will be better with experience... Areas of Concern: Need better play out of the QB position in 2024...Haven't had a winning record without a Maimaron at QB since 2011...need to avoid injuries to have more success...depth is definitely an issue...Summary: We think they will be better record wise in 2024 but a lot will depend on the QB and WR play.

6). Bowdoin Polar Bears (2023 Record: 4-5; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 record: 3-6):  2023 Grade: C+...Another losing year in '23 but did look much improved at times...The challenge for them is that they lost most of their skill players including QB Andrew Boel, RB Andre Eden, WR Colton Fahey, and TE Brandan King...QB will be a question mark with Robbie Long taking over the fill-time reins in 2024...Long played a bit when Boel missed time due to injury and is more of a running threat than Boel (2nd on the team in rushing)...we were impressed by RB Luke Watson in 2024 who was used as a receiver out of the backfield quite a bit but could emerge as Eden's replacement at TB...The defense will miss All-NESCAC LB Max Jacobs but they do return All-NESCAC DL/LB Koy Price who was 3rd in the NESCAC in sacks and tackles for loss...Strengths: Experienced, yet undersized offensive line...defensive front 7...Areas of Concern: What will the offense do to reload in 2024? May lose a lot of games 10-3...Summary: Defense appears to be solid, but we are from Missouri on the offense....QB Long can run but he has not yet proven he can throw the ball downfield consistently...4 wins would be a good year for this team.

7). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (2023 Record: 4-5; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 3-6): 2021 Grade: C-....Well 4-5 is an improvement over 2-7 in 2022, however, the Lord Mammoth faithful has to be disappointed with the mediocre performances over the last several years...The offense continued to struggle last year (9th in total offense, 9th in scoring offense, 10th in first downs, 8th in passing offense, 9th in rushing offense, 8th in red zone offense)...Despite the offensive ineptitude, the defense kept them in games and was ranked 3rd...Could be more of the same in 2024...QB continues to be a question mark for the Lord Jeffs headed into this season with Senior Jack Cox and Soph John Collier seemingly poised to battle it out for the starter position...All-NESCAC DB Luke Harmon leads the defense which should, once again, be solid...Strengths: Many defensive returnees from a solid 2023 unit needs to keep them in games...Areas of Concern: The offense needs to be better....Amherst's running game, which used to be feared, needs to return to past glory... Summary: Need to show more on offense...Where did all of the Amhurst playmakers go?...We respect HCOF Mills, which is why we are giving the Lord Mammoths the benefit of the doubt...we see them as a mid-tier team (at best) this year....We think they could take a step back this year as their 4 wins in 2023 were by a combined 24 points.

8). Colby Mules (2023 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 record: 3-6): 2023 Grade: C...Were fortunate to get to 3 wins in 2024...The program took a step back last year after winning 4 games in each of the 2 previous seasons...we think they'll struggle to get back to 3 wins this year...The Mules have not had a winning record since 2005 and 2024 will not be the year they break the streak...2024 will see (another) change in QB ...Colby's offense was not good in 2023 (8th in the NESCAC), however, the defense was competent finishing 6th...Team has some returning playmakers, including top rusher Keon Smart and WR Matt McHugh...Offense will need to improve dramatically to get this Team over .500 in '24...Far and away the star of the team is returning NESCAC 1st teamer LB Julian Young...Young should be in the mix for NESCAC defensive player of the year...Strengths: Julian Young-led defense and a cadre of capable receivers...Areas of Concern:  Who is going to get the ball to those WRs? New starters on the OL...Summary: Colby has University support, but they have been unable to parley that into any consistent on the field success to-date......Ceiling for them is mid-tier at best in '24....5-4 season would be a huge step forward in Maine legend HCOF Cosgrove's 7th year on Mayflower Hill...we don't see them getting there.

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(2023 Record: 0-9; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 2-7): 2023 Grade: C....HCOF Coyne returns 18 starters and added another strong recruiting year in 2024 to his big 2023 class...They are still building and we think they will show improvement in 2024...Matt has done a great job of building a football culture at a school where that was severely lacking...We think 2024 will NOT be their year, YET...UBates fans should target 2025; we think that will be the Kitties year....Many of the starters will be underclassman once again as they gain experience...the exception is at QB where 2-year incumbent Colton Bosselait will be the starter...he will have a good receiver to throw to in developing star WR Sergio Beltran...they will need to run the ball better in 2024 (59 yards per game, 1.9 yards per carry, and one rushing TD) to improve on an offense that was 10th in the league...Defensively, they were 10th in the league in total defense so there is work to be done on that side of the ball as well...Strengths: Experienced QB and WR combo...motivated and hardworking coaching staff.. Areas of Concern: Inexperience and lack of ability to run the ball...Summary: We think 2024 is a year where we will see incremental improvement...the younger players continue to get needed experience as they build towards 2025 and beyond.

10). Hamilton Continentals (2023 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 2-7): 2022 Grade: C-...Hamilton is one of the few teams in the league with a returning QB (Kurzum) and their running game showed some signs of life led by Soph Nate Wildman...they have a fair amount of returning players...the question is can any of them play at a higher level...Ended the 2024 season winning 3 of their last four games including a win against Tufts in 5 Ots...will enter the '24 season with question marks (again)...Need playmakers (didn't have a top 20 receiver)...Strengths: Running game and returning QB... Areas of Concern: Receivers and winning culture...Summary: We expect some statistical improvement but the rest of the league is getting better too...Bottom tier team again in 2024.

Follow us on X: @realnescacman

[GroundandPound]

https://nescacfootballreport.com/team-overviews/
All Teams Reviewed.
Thank you Nescacman and nescacfootballreport.com for your in depth coverage of NESCAC football.

[Nescacman]

https://nescacfootballreport.com/team-overviews/
All Teams Reviewed.
Thank you Nescacman and nescacfootballreport.com for your in depth coverage of NESCAC football.

Thanks Ground...it's a labor of love for all of us, as you know..

We will be adding a new twist to our weekly "shenanigans" which we think you will all enjoy...we expect to roll it out by Friday. And of course, we will have our regular weekly spreads/picks to enjoy as well on Friday...

We are looking forward to a great season of NESCAC football and wish the student-athletes and coaches the best of luck and hoping for an injury free season!

NM

[Charlie]

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

[MapleBBQChicken]

4). Middlebury (2023 Record: 8-1 NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 6-3)

Bulletin board material for Midd -- defending champs ranked 4th and behind their week 1 opponent. I'm not sure the team has lost as much talent on offense as the board seems to think, and this might be the best DL group in all of Division III. The beautiful thing is we don't need to argue because we will see on Saturday.

[Nescacman]

4). Middlebury (2023 Record: 8-1 NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 6-3)

Bulletin board material for Midd -- defending champs ranked 4th and behind their week 1 opponent. I'm not sure the team has lost as much talent on offense as the board seems to think, and this might be the best DL group in all of Division III. The beautiful thing is we don't need to argue because we will see on Saturday.

New QB, loss of All-Leaguers (WR Wood, LB McCool, DB Muldoon) and several OL...we stand by our projection. They were very fortunate to have 8 wins a year ago and could have very easily had 3 losses or more. Should be a great game Saturday...that's why they play the games.