FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[formerbant10]

So the question is do I play it safe and pick like the rest of 'em, or do my own thing......
Let's start with the easy ones

Trinity 42....Bowdoin 7....Priore pulls the plug again and Bowdoin gets one on the rookies.  Don't expect much against the first team D though, they want another shutout.
Colby 35....Hamilton 10....agreed
Amherst 28....Wes 14.....Amherst needs a cake walk here.
Middlebury 24....Bates 10....can't disagree on that one either, Bates is too bad.
Tufts 21....Williams 20....toughest pick, but can't go against family.  If Tufts is up, watch out for Williams to use their hi-tech weather system to get them back in the game.  They tried it last year against Trin, but still got smoked.

Should be some good games this week.

[Jonny Utah]

After reviewing Div III top 25 today, anyone know why Trinity wouldn't be included? Is there politics since NESCAC doesn't participate in the playoffs?

Im sure theres some bias/politics involved too.

[formerbant10]

There are biases/politics in every poll, that's just how humans are.  We have feelings, whether it be hometown pride or rooting for the underdog, everyone will have some type of flaw in their voting.  The only way polls get around it is if there are enough people voting to balance out those issues.  But it is hard to argue against keeping Trinity out of the top 25 b/c they don't play anyone.  The voters @ D3hoops have not had trouble voting for Trinity when they have been good, and taken away votes when they didn't deserve them....but the basketball team competes out of the conference and out of the region making it much easier to gauge where they are nationally.  For instance in the 2003-04 season Trinity beat #2 Amherst and gained a ton of votes, then lost to unranked Hunter a week later and dropped 5 spots.  It is tough when there is one very dominant team in a conference that doesn't play anyone else unless you see them live....and I don't think 25 voters are willing to make a trip to Hartford just to see them play.

[Trin9-0]

former: I agree polls are destined to be flawed because of the human element. Luckily the folks who run division III are smart enough to have a playoff to determine the national champion instead of relying heavily on polls like in D1.

However, here in the NESCAC we're the smartest of them all... We don't have a poll, a playoff or even a championship game. And sometimes the best teams don't even play each other. Now that's smart!

You did a good job with your picks, but Tufts is gonna cost you. I think you may have let your own bias interfere with your judgement. The Jumbos have a history of falling apart in the second half of the season, and their lack of offense will cost them in a game that should be low scoring to begin with.

[formerbant10]

Tufts hasn't let me down yet....and yes my biased is towards alma mater, family ties, better nicknames in the conference....in that order.  That and I have always enjoyed seeing Williams lose.  Wouldn't it be boring if we all had the same picks for the final weeks??
Couldn't agree more on the playoff system to determine a champion.  Pat, is there any other group in the NCAA that doesn't use a playoff besides 1A football?

[Trin9-0]

If anyone is interested:

The Trinity College football team and its current winning streak of 26 games will be the subject of a one-hour documentary, which will be broadcast nationally on College Sports Television (CSTV). The program will focus on the Trinity football game on Oct. 1 against Williams College, which the Bantams won, 34-6, to break the New England Division III win streak record of 23 victories. The show will also showcase the spirited football rivalry between the two storied small college football powers and give a behind-the-scenes look at the Trinity and Williams football programs. The documentary is scheduled to premiere on Thu., Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. and will run again at 11 p.m. that night and several times over the next week until Oct. 29.

CSTV is available to satellite subscribers on DirecTV channel 610, EchoStar's DISH network channel 152, and to regular cable subscribers nationwide through many of the top cable operators. New England-area fans and alums can find CSTV on Adelphia's Digital Tier, and on the sports tiers of Charter and Comcast – additional information is also available online at www.cstv.com. Fans throughout the nation should consult their local cable companies to find out the best and easiest way to get CSTV.

(taken from: http://www.trincoll.edu/athletics/main.aspx?mode=story&s_id=T481 )

[dirtybirds8-0]

mariner: I am assuming you went to the game?  I heard from one of the coaches that they should have scored several touchdowns...2 called back and one dropped pass that should have been caught.  Oh by the.....TUFTS LOST, so watch your attitude.  Post me something when it matters.

[mariner75]

db......Yes I was there & watched the broadcast replay also. There was one Trinity td called back for a penalty & each team had numeous drops...that's not they way you portrayed it in your post.  I'm well aware the Tufts lost.....I'm also well aware that I'm not the one with the attitude.....thanks.

[First6Ws]

A few points...Weather is the great equalizer.  That's how Tufts stayed close with the Bants...Never expect a team called the Mules to go undefeated...and NEVER doubt a hoard of Chickens in the Coop.  Bants roll 38-10, with maybe 3 coming against the first team D.  I love the chicken on everything but the helmets.  My freshman year -wait DB, were you there? no, no you weren't there- we wore the chickens on the varsity gold helmet.  Not attractive, but I did hound the coaches to push for the chicken on the new field and the results have been remarkable.   

[mariner75]

No doubt about the weather.  Just trying to keep it real rather than hype.

[Roonyhufsfarts]

I am still looking for somebody to give me a heads up on the Bowdoin defense.........and more importantly, their d-line.  if its the same as years past, then there is no way in hell they are going to be able to stop a suprisingly good and young bants oline with all those tailbacks behind rain or shine.

[Trin9-0]

hufsfarts: The Polar Bear d-line is comprised of Mike Stratton ('04 All-NESCAC) as well as the '04 team-leader in sacks Zach Hammond. Dylan Brix moved from linebacker to defensive end, while Michael Vitousek is the other end. At linebacker they return '04 All-NESCAC honoree Shaun Kezer (team high 84 tackles last season). The outside backers are Dave Donahue and John Regan. They have 3 returning DB's Brendan Murphy,Steve Curwen and Mike Minogue and a freshman cornerback Sean Welch who play for them.

It's an experienced group but not overly talented. Sure almost all of them played last year... but they were ranked dead last in total defense, and allowed 509 last year to Trinity.

I agree the young Bantam o-line has played suprisingly well. Combine that with a Trinity defense that leads the league in almost every statistical category and dispite the rain Bowdoin's luck will run out this week and they they'll become victim #27.

[pbfan]

Ali beats Liston
Douglas beats Tyson
US Hockey beats Soviets
Jets beat Colts
Mets beat Orioles

Upset (100-1) beats previously unbeaten Man O'War

Red Sox come back from 3 games down to win ALCS

Believe

[formerbant10]

A lot of underestimated opponents in those wins/upsets...I more liken it to Super Bowl XX Bears 46 Patriots 10

Believe That

[Trin9-0]

pbfan: Stranger things have happend, however in more than a few of those examples the favorite overlooked the eventual winner. With a chance to knock off the only other undefeated team in New England I doubt the Bantams will be looking past the Polar Bears to get ready for 0-4 Middlebury.

But like they say, "That's why they play the game!" Will you be watching in Hartford tomorrow?