FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

2024 NESCACMAN Week 8 Power Rankings

Welcome to the Week 8 Power Rankings for November 4, 2024.

NESCACMAN goes 4-1 with our picks for week #8. We now stand at 34-6 for the year. Our lone loss this week was the UBates loss to Bowdoin (despite 392 yards on the ground for the Frisky Kitties...wow).

Wesleyan continues to be in our top spot based on their Little 3 win over the Ephs. Hartford State remains in the 2nd spot after beating up on the Lord Mammoths. This week we have the NESCAC Championship game in Hartford as Wesleyan faces the Bantams.

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 overviews, predictions, and spreads on every NESCAC game every week. There will also be some special reports along the way. Please note, we try to be as objective and honest as possible (maybe with a slight tinge of red and black). Our opinions stated here are solely those of NESCACMAN and are not the views or opinions of any institution in the NESCAC or the League itself.

We also co-host a podcast titled "Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast"  along with Chris Grace, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Wesleyan Football Cardinals. Available weekly, the podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. Please follow us and take a listen. Episode 8 is available now (featuring interviews with Colby Head Football Coach Jack Cosgrove, UBates Head Football Coach Matt Coyne, and UBates RB Ryan Lynskey). Episode 9 will be available later this week and will feature Bowdoin Head Football Coach BJ Hammer and Colby LB Julian Young. Should be another great watch/listen. Our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, weekly game previews, and predictions. We encourage you to check it out.
   
1). Wesleyan Cardinals (Record: 7-1; Last Week Rank: 1; 7  first place votes): Wesleyan beat Willams for the 10th time in the last 11 games to capture their third straight Little 3 title for the first time in 76 years. Congratulations to Wesleyan and their fans for an electric atmosphere. Nearly 8,000 strong came out to support their team. Game was not as close as the final score. Frankly, Wesleyan had receivers running around open all day. If not for some overthrown balls and dropped passes by Wesleyan, Wesleyan could have very easily won by 4 or 5 TDs, much the same way that they beat Middlebury. Inopportune and ill-timed errors by Wesleyan (penalties, interception in the end zone, and dropped punt) did not help either. We were not at all impressed with the Ephs WRs (who caught exactly NO passes on the day). Nor were we impressed with the Williams secondary who couldn't stop Chase Wilson despite double and triple teaming him all day. Things were so bad in the secondary that they tried to cover converted WR Luke LaSaracina with one-handed LB Tim Landolfi (whose Dad played at Wes) on the last play of the game. We all know how that worked out. Stellar day for the Wes pass defense (2 completions for Williams on the day for 22 yards and a pick 6 for Wesleyan by none other than DPOTY Candidate Dylan Connors). Wesleyan has now won 5 games in a row in 2024, and it was Wesleyan's 5th straight win at home against the Ephs. Interesting factoid...Wesleyan held Williams to 1 of 12 on 3rd down on the day. Wes travels to face Hartford State in the NESCAC Championship game this week in The Coop.

2). Hartford State Bantams (Record: 7-1; Last Week Rank: 2; 3 first place votes): The Bants beat the Lord Mammoths on the road 45-20 to keep pace with Wesleyan in the NESCAC title race. Amherst led 10-0 early in the second quarter before falling behind. The Lord Mammoths closed the gap to 28-20 early in the 4th quarter before Hartford State pulled away. The Bants had 423 yards of total offense on the day and held Amherst to 22 yards on the ground. 7 turnovers on the day for the Lord Mammoths (5 interceptions; 2 fumbles), including 2 INTs in the endzone, were the difference in this one. Hartford State uncharacteristically turned the ball over 4 times to the Lord Mammoths (3 fumbles; 1 interception). Sean Clapp caught 2 TDs passes, including a career long 81 yarder, RB Tyler DiNapoli went over 100 yards and ran for 3 scores, and QB Zander Zebrowski threw 3 TD passes. Interesting factoid...Sean Clapp became Hartford State's career reception leader with a game to play in 2024. This week, Hartford State hosts Wesleyan in the NESCAC Bowl for the undisputed NESCAC Championship. Fortunately, we will not have a tie in 2024.

3). (tie) Middlebury Panthers (Record: 6-2; Last Week Rank: 3): Middlebury beats Hamilton to retain the "Old Rocking Chair". It was Hamilton's 28th straight loss to Middlebury. Despite the lopsided win, Middlebury will not win a second consecutive NESCAC Championship as both Wesleyan and Hartford State won thus ensuring that the winner of that game this week will have sole possession of first place. The Panthers held Hamilton to 9 first downs and 191 yards of total offense. Interesting factoid...after only having 23 mins of possession last week, MID had nearly 35 mins this week. Middlebury travels to Medford to face the Jumbo's this week in a battle of 6-2 teams in the NESCAC consolation game. 

3). (tie) Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 6-2; Last Week Rank: 3): Tufts wins their 4th straight game with a win over Colby on the road. Tufts scored on their 7th game opening drive in 8 games this year and never looked back. Tufts scored 28 points, had 26 first downs, and had 415 yards of offense against a decent Colby defense. RB Christian Shapiro led the Jumbo's as he rushed for over 100 yards and scored 2 TDs. Interesting factoid...Tufts coach Jay Civetti now has a .500 record as a Head Coach for Tufts. This week Tufts hosts Middlebury.

5). Williams Purple Cows (Record: 4-4; Last Week Rank: 4): Williams loses a heart breaker to Wesleyan for the second straight year. Loss eliminates Williams from the NESCAC title hunt in 2024.Williams game plan was almost exclusively focused on the run. They officially threw 5 passes, but they were also sacked 3 times and QB McHugh scrambled a few times as well. Williams needs a win this Saturday to avoid their 3rd straight losing season in a row. Interesting factoid....Williams has only won 1 stand-alone Little 3 title since 2011. Wesleyan has won 6 and Amherst has won 5 (but none since 2018). Williams hosts Amherst in the Little 3 consolation game on Saturday.

6). Colby Mules (Record: 3-5; Last Week Rank: 6): The Mules lost to Middlebury to lock in a losing record for 2024. They are still looking for their first winning season since 2005. Colby pulled to within 7 points with 3 minutes to play but could not get the tie. Turnovers hurt Colby's chances. Interesting factoid...Colby is second in the NESCAC in rushing defense. The week the Mules travel to Brunswick to face the Polars with the C-B-B title on the line in the last game of the NESCAC season under the lights.

7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (Record: 3-5; Last Week Rank: 7):  Bowdoin beats UBates despite allowing 392 yards rushing. The Polars FY QB Peter Macauley tied the Bowdoin single game record for TD passes. This was Bowdoin's first win in Lewiston since 2007. Interesting factoid...Bowdoin has a chance to win their first back-to-back C-B-B title since they won 3 straight from 2006 to 2008 as they host Colby.

8). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus) (Record: 2-6; Last Week Rank: 7): The Frisky Kitties lose to Bowdoin despite Ryan Lynskey setting the single game NESCAC rushing record. Colton Bosselait tossed 2 INTs and was only 5 of 13 for 65 yards. Interesting factoid...UBates averaged 9 yards per play Saturday and had 457 yards of total offense in the loss. The Kitties travel to Hamilton in week #9 as they look for their 3rd win of the year.

9). Amherst Lord Mammoths (Record: 2-6; Last Week Rank: 9): The Lord Mammoths jumped out to a 10-0 lead before succumbing to Hartford State in their last home game of the year. It was Amherst's sixth straight loss. The Lord Mammoths will play for second place in the Little 3 this Saturday against the Ephs. Amherst's running game was again a no-show as they only had 12 yards on 22 attempts. The Lord Mammoths had 7 turnovers on the day (5 interceptions and 2 fumbles). Interesting factoid...Amherst is only averaging 34.1 yards per game rushing (236th out of 239 D3 teams). The Lord Mammoths face Williams in Williamstown this Saturday.

10). Hamilton Continentals (Record: 0-8; Last Week Rank: 10): Hamilton loses and drops their 7th game of 2024 with a loss to Middlebury in Vermont. WR Chester Boynton set the all-time Hamilton reception record. Hamilton will try to avoid their first 0-9 season in program history. The last time they had a winless season was when they went 0-8 in 2014. The Conts have not had a winning season since 1996. Interesting factoid...Hamilton was shut out for the first time since 2022. This week, Hamilton hosts UBates in Clinton.

NESCACMAN Offensive Player(s) of the Week: RB Ryan Lynskey, UBates

NESCACMAN Defensive Player(s) of the Week: DB Luke Harmon, Amhurst/DB Dylan Connors, Wesleyan/LB Max Danenhower, Bowdoin

NESCACMAN Special Teams Player(s) of the Week: P/K Gage Hammond, Wesleyan

**********

Follow NESCACMAN us on X: @realnescacman

**********

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Look for the podcast on YouTube and Spotify.

If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

Follow us on X (aka Twitter): @nineweeksnescac
Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac
Facebook: Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/141Ru3gKgk/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac

[Trin9-0]

The old boxing adage "styles make fights" certainly applies to Saturday's NESCAC Championship Game and I think we're in for a classic.

Trinity's biggest strength this season has been their passing attack. Zander Zebrowski has been lethal, especially when targeting Nolan O'Brien and Sean Clapp who are two of the best receivers in the NESCAC. Zebrowski leads the league in every passing statistic by a substantial margin; passing yards (2,224), TD passes (22), completion percentage (72.3%), fewest interceptions (2).

However, on Saturday they'll face the league's top-rated passing defense in Wesleyan who has allowed just 148 yards per game and 7 total TDs while forcing 5 interceptions. I'll be very interested to see if, Bantam OC, Mark Melnitsky leans on what his team has done best this year and lets Zander sling the ball, or if he'll put more emphasis on his fourth ranked rushing attack against the Cardinals third ranked rushing defense. Trin will once again be without Jack Tosone, who was injured against Middlebury but Tyler DiNapoli is certainly capable of carrying the load. The Bants' play calling has been among the more balanced in the league this season with a 51%-49% run-pass split, but it's worth noting that a significant portion of those runs came late in games that were well in hand. Nearly 68% of their yardage and 63% of their touchdowns have come through the air.

On the flip side of the ball, Wesleyan is just 8th in the league in rushing offense at 115 yards per game. Trinity is first in rushing defense allowing just 89 yards on the ground per game. The Cardinals have been solid, if unspectacular, through the air while Candido has protected the ball well (just three interceptions). He'll need to keep that up Saturday against a Bantam defense that averages two picks per game.

The SP+ model significantly favors the Bantams with a projected 19.3 point spread. My sense is it'll be a lower scoring game with a handful of big plays making the difference. A slow start by Trinity should almost be expected at this point and, for better or worse, Wesleyan has proven to play to the level of their competition. I think the Cards will hang around until the end where they've shown a knack for pulling out tight games. However, Trinity is still the better team and I think they will do enough to win their 6th championship in the last 8 seasons.

History certainly favors the Bantams: in their last 90 games played in The Coop, Trinity is 85-5.
Over that span the Bantams are 20-2 overall against Wesleyan with a 21 point average margin of victory over the Cardinals.

[lumbercat]

From left field this Trin-Wes matchup is most interesting and should be a classic- like most other NESCAC observers I look forward to this one.

Trin is good as always but as I commented earlier in the year this is a good but not a great team by Trinity standards.
 
Wes is an enigma- believe they play their best against stronger opponents. I think they have a history of not being prepared for weaker opponents, a chink in their culture which they need to fix, but also think when they go into a game with worry and fear to play their very best.

I just can't see Trinity letting another one slip away in Hartford.

I gonna take the points with the Red and Black but don't think they get out of Hartford with a W.

Good luck to all NM, Mole, Red and Black, Trin 9-0, Bantam and all the other followers of these 2 teams. Other NESCAC schools would kill to be in this one so enjoy it!
There is another game in Western Ma but THE GAME this Saturday is in Hartford.

[Brady12]

If Wes plays like they did last week they will lose to trinity by 3 td's.

[lumbercat]

Agree but think Cards bring their best- Wes QB can be erratic but when he's on he's a playmaker. They gotta find some separation for the big Wes receiver- picks/ rubs etc---these Zebras don't even think of calling that stuff. Just get him open.

[GroundandPound]

https://nescacfootballreport.com/weekly-previews/

[Brady12]

https://nescacfootballreport.com/weekly-previews/

Ephs s/b 4-4. Wishful thinking

[Trin9-0]

Trin is good as always but as I commented earlier in the year this is a good but not a great team by Trinity standards.

This checks out if you compare the 2024 Bants' average point and yardage differentials through 8 games to the 11 championship Trinity teams since 2002.

The current squad has outscored their opponents by an average of 18.3 points per game and outgained them by an average of 130.3 yards per game. These numbers (while good) would rank 10th in each category among Trinity's NESCAC title teams with one tough game still to play.

[Nescacman]

Episode 9 available later tonight!

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Episode 9 features Bowdoin Head Football Coach BJ Hammer and Colby LB Julian Young. Should be another great watch/listen. Our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, weekly game previews, and predictions. We encourage you to check it out.

The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.

Sponsored by Gameday Sports.

If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

Follow us on X (aka Twitter): @nineweeksnescac
Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac
Facebook: Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/141Ru3gKgk/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac (https://youtu.be/Cm_ufXbHk6Y?si=LUkoxliRJE8fqrbz)
Spotify: 9 Weeks Nescac

[muleshoe]

Computer picks for Week 9:

Bates 21.4, Hamilton 19.1
Bowdoin 22.4, Colby 20.3
Trinity (Conn.) 31.7, Wesleyan 12.4
Tufts 24.7, Middlebury 22.5
Williams 31.9, Amherst 10.7

3/5 games predicted within a FG, which speaks to how competitive the league has been this year.

I don't want to believe that the de-facto Championship game will be a blowout, but it's hard to believe otherwise given the recent history between the teams and that Wes has barely hung on to win in a few of their games.

Will be up in Brunswick for the CBB title. I like the Mules rushing attack to control the game, and they'll have to be the more physical team on both sides of the ball to win it. This has not been the case the past two years, sadly.

[Nescacman]

Computer picks for Week 9:

Bates 21.4, Hamilton 19.1
Bowdoin 22.4, Colby 20.3
Trinity (Conn.) 31.7, Wesleyan 12.4
Tufts 24.7, Middlebury 22.5
Williams 31.9, Amherst 10.7

3/5 games predicted within a FG, which speaks to how competitive the league has been this year.

I don't want to believe that the de-facto Championship game will be a blowout, but it's hard to believe otherwise given the recent history between the teams and that Wes has barely hung on to win in a few of their games.

Will be up in Brunswick for the CBB title. I like the Mules rushing attack to control the game, and they'll have to be the more physical team on both sides of the ball to win it. This has not been the case the past two years, sadly.

Should be a great weekend of football to close out the 2024 NESCAC Season.

Mule, for some interesting insights on the C-B-B Championship Game, be sure to listen to our podcast this week. Polars Coach Hammer and Colby LB Julian Young will discuss some interesting insights on the game this year and the rivalry between these schools and with UBates. We enjoyed speaking to them. Two class guys.

NM

[Nescacman]

I enjoyed the thrilling Wes win over Williams on Saturday and even shared a drink (or two) with Nescacman!

I'll echo the congratulations to Ryan Lynskey for obliterating the 21 year old single game NESCAC rushing record which was previously held by my classmate, Tom  Pierandri, who ran for 304 yards in a 53-0 win over Wesleyan in 2003.

A shout out to Sean Clapp as well for breaking Trinity's all-time receptions record (163). He'll need at least four catches and 52 yards on Saturday to move into 3rd place for both receptions and receiving yards NESCAC history. He would also need four touchdowns to finish in a tie for 3rd place in receiving TDs which is obviously a very tall order... however, he did score 4 TDs against Wesleyan last year. Even if he doesn't reach those marks it's been a pretty spectacular career for a guy who is just "okay".

Saturday's results set-up what should be an epic season finale in Hartford for the 123rd meeting between Trinity and Wesleyan. I haven't missed a Trin-Wes game in 24 years and I'm devastated that I'll be out of town for a family wedding (I may never forgive my cousin).

The SP+ model loves the Bants:
Trinity 31.7
Wesleyan 12.4

I have a feeling our resident prognosticator will predict a somewhat closer outcome (I would agree) and I'm certain he'll pick the Cards to win (I'll disagree). It's somewhat amazing that with just one game left Trinity is yet to play particularly well for a full four quarters. That came back to bite them against Middlebury; we'll see if they can put together a complete game against the top defense in the league.

Tip of the cap to Wes as well. Many wrote them off following the shocking home loss to Bates and shaky results against mid-tier opponents. But here they are with a shot to win the school's first ever outright NESCAC title. The Coop is going to be absolutely jam-packed on Saturday and it should be an electric atmosphere!

The wager has been set between Hs8-1 and NESCACMAN...thank you for the 19 points (based on the SP+ Model). We definitely put our $$$ where our mouth is.

Rest assured, the alma matter (substantially) wins either way.

We hope (and believe) that the game will be (much) closer than that. Our full breakdown to follow tomorrow.

#rollcards

NM

[IVY/PAT]

This is my first ever post. I see that you have discussed topics from a NESCAC quasi–Championship Game to postgame on field crowd control.

I will be at a game on Saturday, but I will be cheering in absentia for Hamilton. My heart goes out to those unheralded young men who, with overwhelming emotional strain, practice every day, strive to stay positive and show up every Saturday. Forgetting the decisions of trustees, the administration, or admissions, they are the essence of true college football. No NIL, just love for the game, their teammates, and an outstanding school.
I think of Teddy Roosevelt's, Man in the Arena.


Enjoy your games on Saturday.

I/P/N

[Trin9-0]

The wager has been set between Hs8-1 and NESCACMAN...thank you for the 19 points (based on the SP+ Model). We definitely put our $$$ where our mouth is.

Rest assured, the alma matter (substantially) wins either way.

We hope (and believe) that the game will be (much) closer than that. Our full breakdown to follow tomorrow.

#rollcards

NM

Nescacman definitely hustled me into the 19 point spread as opposed to whatever line he'll come up with... but since he's got (a lot) more cheddar on the line I figured I couldn't say no, especially since it's going to a good cause.
Safe to say I'd be happy with a(nother) Bantam championship regardless of whether or not they cover!


IVY, welcome to the board and well said! It's easy to get caught up in the wins and losses so thank you for the reminder that it's the dedication and love of the game from all the players and coaches that really matters.

[Nescacman]

The wager has been set between Hs8-1 and NESCACMAN...thank you for the 19 points (based on the SP+ Model). We definitely put our $$$ where our mouth is.

Rest assured, the alma matter (substantially) wins either way.

We hope (and believe) that the game will be (much) closer than that. Our full breakdown to follow tomorrow.

#rollcards

NM

Nescacman definitely hustled me into the 19 point spread as opposed to whatever line he'll come up with... but since he's got (a lot) more cheddar on the line I figured I couldn't say no, especially since it's going to a good cause.
Safe to say I'd be happy with a(nother) Bantam championship regardless of whether or not they cover!


IVY, welcome to the board and well said! It's easy to get caught up in the wins and losses so thank you for the reminder that it's the dedication and love of the game from all the players and coaches that really matters.

Based on historical results, I'm not sure if we would consider 19 points at home being "hustled", but we'll go with that if you wish...in any event, looking forward to a great Championship game on Saturday.

We'll echo Hs8-1's sentiments IVY...welcome to the Boards and we concur, as we have discussed numerous times before here and on our Podcast, it is all about the student-athletes and we can't say enough about their dedication and commitment to the sport we all love. That's one of the reasons we decided to do our Podcast, to celebrate the NESCAC football student-athletes who are all remarkable young men.