FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[dirtybirds8-0]

Alright trin8-0 and former, I am going to blow you away.

Picks for this week:

Bowdoin 21----Hamilton 10

Colby 17----Amherst 21  This has to be their only loss of the year, Herst loves playing the spoiler

Bates 10---Weslyan 17   They cant lose to Bates

Middlebury 28----Williams 10 

Trinity 42----Tufts 10   

[Trin9-0]

I  must say I am a little nervous about my Bates-Wesleyan pick (that one could go either way, and it's in Middletown).

However, I love that you and former both picked the Jeffs this weekend. I just don't think Amherst has what it takes to beat Colby in Waterville. Though I would love to see it happen because you're right... this is probably the only game standing in the way of the Mules undefeated season.

[frank uible]

You NESCACers haven't yet tumbled to the statistic that some Middlebury guy currently leads DIII (228 teams) in all tackles per game. If you care,  one of you morons can dig out his name and the number.

[frank uible]

You NESCACers haven't yet tumbled to the statistic that some Middlebury guy currently leads DIII (228 teams) in total tackles per game. If you care,  one of you morons can dig out his name and the number.

[Trin9-0]

Frank: Didn't your mother tell you it's not nice to call people names? Besides Pat Coleman would probably say that he only leads NESCAC nation, but regarless:

Panther senior linbacker Coleman Hutzler has 13 solo tackles and 32 assisted tackles in three games for a total of 45 and an average of 15 per game. He is .5 a head of Adam Neiffer of Beloit. And don't forget junior linebacker John Regan of Bowdoin who leads DIII in forced fumbles (1.0 p/g)

Also Amherst leads the (NESCAC) nation in total defense (141.3 y/g). Followed by Tufts 2nd nationally (156.3 y/g) and Trinity 3rd (162.7 y/g)

Trinity leads the nation is pass efficiency defense (61.4). Tufts is 3rd (66.4) Amherst 4th (71.4)

Trinity also is 1st in scoring defense (2 p/g), Amherst 3rd (6.3 p/g)

Colby 1st nationally in turnover margin (3.7 p/g), Bowdoin 2nd (3.3 p/g), Trinity 3rd (3.0 p/g)

Are NESCAC defenses that good, or are the offenses that bad? It could be either... but remember Trinity is 4th in the nation is scoring OFFENSE (46.3 ppg) and 1st in kick off returns (42.67 p/r)

[formerbant10]

Frank, to be honest.....stats for guys at Middlebury just don't do it for me.

[frank uible]

Tin8:  Yes, she did, but it feels so good.

[Pat Coleman]

32 assisted tackles? That's a lot of tackles they're handing out.

[Knightstalker]

32 assisted tackles? That's a lot of tackles they're handing out.

That or nobody else playing on defense knows how to wrap up a ball carrier and finish a tackle.

[formerbant10]

The guys at Trinity sure know how to tackle.  That's one thing I do know.

[cruiser]

seems the only thing trinity can't do is fly, or maybe turn lead into gold...

[Trin9-0]

Judging how good a player is by how many tackles they have can be dangerous. For example Trinity's Michael Blair has been arguably the best defensive player in the league for the past 2 years (if not three). However, he is currently ranked tied for 45th in the NESCAC for total tackles (the highest rank of any Trinity player).

Though he does lead the league in sacks (4.5) and is 4th in tackles for loss (4.5) he is unable to amass a large number of total tackles because he is usually only on the field for 2 quarters and even then most of Trinity's opponent's possessions are 3 and out.

This isn't meant to take anything away from those players who top the NESAC list in number of tackles. However, I'm sure you would see a few more Bantams on the top of the list if they played a full game or at least had an opportunity to be on the field for more than 3 plays at a time.

[Trin9-0]

cruiser: No one is saying that Trinity is fielding a team of Supermen... However, you can't really argue against the fact that they are head and shoulders above anyone they get to play.

[formerbant10]

I've seen G. Leo fly

[formerbant10]

And it's save to say that Priore has turned the program from lead into gold over the past few years.  But yes, I do know that I am extremely biased in my opinion....and maybe blowing a little too much smoke up their behinds.  But why not?