FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[formerbant10]

3-2 Last week, pretty close on the Trin & Amherst games.... as for this week:

Trin 42- Williams 7
Colby 28- Middlebury 10
Tufts 17- Bates 14
Amherst 24- Bowdoin 6
Wesleyan 0- Hamilton 0......neither team should win a game this year

[Jonny Utah]

I think the Williams' coaches postgame comments were more of a shot at colby than at williams.......

He basically said that they played like crap, (which they probably did) and if they play the same way next week they will lose 70-0, meaning to me that he thinks trinity is 40 points better than Colby.....(which may be true) but......

He should have just said that Williams played badly against a great team, and that if they play badly next week against another great team, then the results will be the same.

But Ill tell you what,  there could be a dangerous fire brewing in Williamstown this week......

[Roonyhufsfarts]

I hope Williams pulls it together and plays Trinity well.  Its no good when a tradiitonal powerhouse team like williams starts dropping games by huge margins.  From the fragmentary anecdotal evidence I have heard I think williams needs to reevaluate its ability to have a bunch of key players thnking its ok for them to study abroad, chill out in the spring for the most part and then work hard in the summer months to get in shape (or any program for that matter).  I know that is a recruiting tool for alot of NESCAC schools....ya know, come to williams (or wherever) and get a good education, play on a good team, but not work TOO hard, and do some other extracurriculars as well.  But that sort of mentality will loose you games, and if they are content with that or think they can still remain an elite force in the league so be it.  But dont try to defend that sort of football program mentality as the core essence of the NESCAC.....football is football, and all the cliches apply here just as much as in the SEC.  When you bust your butt and work hard in the offseason, especially in this conference, it is clear what that does for a program.  Colby obviously got the message.

P.S.
I am sure most people here know but i thought it needed to be written:  Trinity just tied Williams New England record 23 game win streak set in 1989-1991.  Trinity stands to break that record this Saturday at the Coop with its 24th.  And who ended Williams record run in 91?  You guessed it....Trinity

I think its gunna make for some good football.  And actually, I hope Trinity beats the crap out of williams, greater good be damned.

[Trin9-0]

hufsfarts: I don't see any problem with a traditional power like Williams getting a taste of their own medicine, especially if what you say is in fact true, and the reason for their decline is based on a lack of effort and dedication to the program.  Commitment to the offseason training program is one of the major reasons Trinity has become so much better than anyone else in the league. If Colby and anyone else in the NESCAC wants to follow that mold in order to replace some of the previously more dominant (possibly content) teams, I applaud them. 

I agree with bomber that Williams is a dangerous team right now. And there are a few reasons why they could possilby upset the Bantams.

1. There is much more pressure on Trinity to perform in this game that there is on Williams. As mentioned earlier, Trinity can break Williams' record 23 game unbeaten streak with a win.

2. The expectation of Trinity to finish undefeated again (a feat that may only get them a TIE for the NESCAC title)

3. For a large portion of their season opener they looked merely better than average. They were a few plays from being ahead only 7-0 at halftime to much improved but still bottom tier Bates squad.

4. Inexperience.  True most of their defense has played a significant amount, but that young O-line will have to perform (in their first home game) against a better defense, than what they saw in week 1 or their scrimmage against Wesleyan.

5. Williams has to be embarassed after the game they played in Waterville. Losing 35-9 to a team they have perennially dominated has to be a big blow to their ego. You know they'll have something to prove against Trinity.

6. The Streak. The Ephs have a proud football tradition, that no doubt had at least something to do with their current players chosing Williams. They would love nothing more than to deny the Bantams from breaking the 23 game win-streak record their school currently shares with Trinity.


With all that being said... Trinity 27-10

Priore will have the Bantams ready to do what they always do... pound teams with the running game, and execute an  efficient passing attack combined with a well prepared swarming defense.

[votejohnstamos]

The only better idea teams have about Colby now is that they can throw the ball, which hasn't been the case since 2000.  I assume it's  known, with the line they have and two of the leagues' best backs, though it's yet to have been shown after 1 game,  that they can run the ball.  I saw the game in Waterville and Williams may have planned to defend a run attack and were taken by surprise but I think what was more surprising was the Williams coaches' inability to make any adjustments to it.  Even as Smith (whose only interception actually hit the receiver in the hands first) was throwing the ball all over the field all day, Williams never changed their defesnsive scheme so Colby never had to change plan.  It was so frustrating for Williams that I saw two of their coaches yelling at each other after the game.  One coach was so mad he walked from the booth right across the field while the 4th quarter was in progress.  In their defense, they did stop the run.  I don't really know how you stop an offense, though, that can run two types of attacks so well. 

[dirtybirds8-0]

hufsfarts: Nice to see you joined the commentary...If you look back several pages you will see that I made a similar comment on the off-season efforts of other programs, which makes all the difference between the best and the worst in the league.  There are alot of players in the NESCAC that do take long vacations, and really dont care about imroving their athletic ability (muscle mass, speed, and agility) in the off-season....the Trinity program has mastered the ability to hold each player accountable to the team and the institution by monitoring strength improvement from one season to another.....It all falls on the players....If they want to play, they have to show that they have improved from year to year.....work hard and you will be rewarded with playing time...and championships.

Votestamos:  Thank you for the update on the coaching problems in Williamstown...and I am glad you agree that they were caught off guard by Colby.  I think the reason it is so hard to go undefeated in the NESCAC is that teams figure out what schemes other programs are running and they pick them apart....That is why I still think Colby will lose a game or two.

Trin8-0:  I am agreeing with you on every point you made in your last post....I am nervous about this weekends match up with Williamstown....However, Trinity is in the "Coop", and we all know what it is like to play Williams in your first game at home........The Ephs can come in there with everything they have, but I dont see the dirtybirds "D" letting up more than 10 points.....GO BANTS!

[dirtybirds8-0]

By the way....When is D3football.com going to give Trinity some recognition in the National Rankings? I know they dont go to the playoffs, but anyone who has watched them play....or who reviews their roster....could surely make an argument that they should be ranked in the top 25...anyone else agree?

[Trin9-0]

Dirty: I made the following post under the "top 25 rankings" discussion under the "general football" category.

Just out of curiosity I was wondering how those responsible for the top 25 poll base their votes on teams from the NESCAC. Trinity (CT) for example, for the past 2 or 3 seasons, has started the season in the "others recieving votes" section of the poll. After they win all of their games they eventually sneak into the top 25 usually finishing in the low 20s.

I realize it's not a very important issue because Trinity (CT) nor any other NESCAC school is eligibel for the playoffs because of their self-imposed ban.  But I was just curious if the voters have ever even seen a Trinity (CT) or NESCAC game, or if their inclusion into the national poll is just D3football.com's way of throwing a bone to the team with the nations longest current win streak (22).

The notion of Trinity being ranked among the top 25 teams was basically laughed off because NESCAC schools don't play anyone outside of their conference. Trinity was called the best divsion IV team in the country (I had to laugh).

If only there wasn't that stupid ban on football, because I do believe that Trinity (and other top NESCAC teams) would compete with the best d3 teams in the country.

[dirtybirds8-0]

Haha, D4FOOTBALL.COM.....I like that.  You want to start it?  I am curious as well if any of the voting authorities have seen Trinity play?  or if they even base their decisons off of quality players and coaching staff....rather than just pure #'s?

[Jonny Utah]

Ive seen a lot of nescac games and other top east teams play over the last few years, (Ithaca, Rowan, SJF, Springfield, Union, RPI) Trinity last year, twice two years ago......

I would say that Trinity would be a top team in the east, probably with Ithaca and SJF and a few tds behind Rowan.  And with the rest of the east, probably 40 points behind Linfield and Mt. Union.....

I think Trinity lacks the team speed to compete with top d3 teams.  The defense probably has 3-4 guys as weakspots compared to the top teams and the dline might get pushed around in that 3-4 they play. #98 is as good as any de in the country but the others are a little small and slow to compete with the top.

Leo is probably one of the best backs in the country but against good 4-3 defenses you need athletic lineman to block LBs and SSs.  Trinitys Oline is a great pass blocking and run blocking team straigt ahead but they might have trouble against some faster defenses...(Rowan, and the western teams)

I saw the SJF/IC game this past weekend.  SJF is a lot bigger than trinity and Ithaca.  They look like a 1-AA team in pads.  Ithaca though has 45 guys that can play with speed, and thats how they beat them.  Special Teams, depth and those intangibles are key factors that many nescac teams dont have with limited coaching staffs.

Trinity would be a top team in the east theres no doubt about that......

[Roonyhufsfarts]

D4football.com is hilarious....perhaps it could be set up as a showpiece for NESCAC alum's greviences with the no post season play rules, with some stats and perhaps a petition section....

Probably wont come to anyhting but you never know

[formerbant10]

Trin 8-0.... I saw Johns Hopkins play a bunch of games going back a few years when they were one of the better teams in the Centennial and Trinity was very similar to them.  Hopkins never won their conference, but they also did not have a great offense.  I believe their pass Defense was tops in the nation in 2001, I know they didn't let up a touchdown in the air.  That year they got smacked by Bridgewater (VA) and they were a good team, not sure how far they got that year.  I'd have to agree with BostonBomber saying they'd be at the top in the east, but not in the country. 
Bomber.... I heard that Mt. Union only recruits D1 players looking to transfer, is there any truth to that??  If so, can they really be called a D3 team?

[Trin9-0]

bomber & former: I would agree that's a fair assesment. I would love to see Trinity ranked closer to the best teams in the East (Rowan is currently 5th, Ithaca 13th and St. John Fisher 17th) Trinity falls around the 39th spot in "others recieving votes" and around the 33rd spot in the AFCA poll (the Bantams are a few points behind Union in both polls).
Unfortunately it's just too tough to guage how a NESCAC team would do against other top teams.

[dirtybirds8-0]

Fomer:  It is interesting that you bring up the D1 transfer issue about Mt. Union.  If you look at Trinity's current roster, there are several D1 transfers; Gennaro Leo (Colgate), Joe Penny (University of Houston), Bill Schweitzer (Virginia), Helius (UCONN).....last year we had two from (Cornell) and (U of New Hampshire)......Not to mention the fact that there are several other players on Trinity's current roster who could play very high Division 1-AA, this is what I have heard from some coaches at that level who have followed some of the atheletes.  With that said, I do not disagree that Trinity would struggle against the best D3 teams.....as a team....but when you add up all the talent and transfers, I would have to rank Trinity in the top 20 even though they do not play out side of the NESCAC.

In general, with 23 straight wins it would be ridiculous to cast a shadow on them just because they only play other NESCAC schools.  In 2003 the Trintiy Defense had the best statistical defense in the Nation! Allowing just 3.75 points per game.  Last year they were also ranked nationally, allowing 6.0 points per game....I dont care who they are playing...and there are very good offensive teams in the NESCAC.....the numbers speak for themsleves, give them some respect.

[Pat Coleman]

Bomber.... I heard that Mt. Union only recruits D1 players looking to transfer, is there any truth to that??  If so, can they really be called a D3 team?

That statement is so false it's ridiculous.
1) Count the D-I transfers on the roster. You can do it on one hand.
2) Recruiting D-I players looking to transfer is illegal. It's called tampering.