FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

NESCAC Week 2 Preview

Bowdoin College at Amherst College: The Bears travel to face the Lord Jeffs at newly renovated Pratt Field. Bowdoin is led by Mac Caputi, the Bowdoin head coaches son. Nice to see that nepotism is still alive and well in Maine. Amherst is coming off a lackluster performance versus Hamilton last week (13-7 at the half).  Amherst has historically dominated Bowdoin and this week will not be an exception. Amherst continues their "preseason" with another win, albiet this one a bit more convincing: Amherst 28 Bowdoin 7

The University of Tufts at Bates College: The longest losing streak in college football is on the line here. Tufts has been boasting about their "successful" last two recruiting classes. Unfortunately, for those freshman and sophomores, they actually have to play the game and thus far those recruiting classes have yielded exactly ZERO wins in the last 9 games since the sophomore class came to Medford last September. When will NESCAC teams learn that the mastermind behind Tufts inept offense has singlehandedly wrecked two NESCAC football programs, first Wesleyan and now Tufts. Bates is dramatically improved, which is no small feat considering they play in Lewiston, Maine, which had its 15 minutes in the 1960's. Do you know how hard it is to recruit at Bates? Have you ever been to Lewiston? Consider this, Bates led Trinity 17-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter, led the Bantams in yards, and led Trin Trin in time of possession. Despite all those statistics, they still could not close it out. No such luck for the Jumbo's this week. The Bates option attack rolls. Chalk up number 25 in a row for the Men from Medford: Bates 31 Tufts 14

Williams College at Trinity College: When does the "Kelton Watch" start. If it hasn't already, I think this is the week. Williams is .500 since Kelton ran the table in 2010 with a team that he inherited from former Coach Mike Whalen (who now leads upstart Wesleyan). He has not won a Little 3 title since then either. Think the Williams Sideline Quarterback Club is going to sit around and watch this storied program go down the tubes. Think again. Things are not going to get an easier for the Ephs this week as they travel to Hartford to play a very good Trinity team. Williams has 26 straight winning seasons. If they lose this game, which they will, they will have run the table against Bates, Tufts and Hamilton, plus beat one of the following teams (Middlebury, Amherst, Wesleyan) in their last 6 games to avoid a losing season. Good luck Coach Kelton. Over/under on Mr Kelton's permanent vacation is Thanksgiving: Trinity 42 Williams 7   

Wesleyan University at Hamilton College: Wesleyan is 6th in the country in total offense. When was the last time a NESCAC team ranked in the national top 10 in any offensive category? The question is the following: is Tufts that bad or is Wesleyan that good? Probably a combination of the two. Wesleyan dominated Tufts in every way; offense (see above, two RB's over 100 yards rushing, no sacks allowed, 45 unanswered points in the first half, etc.), defense (completely shut down Tufts after making first drive adjustments) and special teams (Wes kicker NESCAC special teams player of the week). Lost in the shuffle was the play of second year starter, Junior Jesse Warren, perhaps the best QB in the NESCAC outside of Vermont. For his efforts, Warren was awarded NESCAC Offensive player of the week honors. Hamilton is coming off an opening game loss against Amherst. They actually hung in there, trailing 13-7 at the half. However, they could not overcome 5 interceptions by Continental QBs. Wesleyan's secondary will have a field day against this weak passing offense. Hopefully, it is a nice day for Hamilton's "fallcoming". It won't be pretty on the field for the Hamilton faithful however: Wesleyan 38 Hamilton 14.

Game of the Week

Colby College at Middlebury College: The only interesting game on the NESCAC schedule this week. The Mules travel to Vermont to face Middlebury. I think Colby shocked everyone last week with their opening day trouncing of Williams. That is everyone except those that saw Colby play last year. They are a good football team and will give Mr. Foote and Company a world of trouble. Still Middlebury is one of the teams to beat in the NESCAC and despite Colby's valiant efforts, they will end up losing a close game: Middlebury 24 Colby 17     

Enjoy the games!!!

[AlDavis]

damn!!!  that Nescacman post is like the word of God and full of Truth!!.....thank you....I am going to read this post again but this time like Howard Cosell is reading it to me.

[gridiron]

True that!  Superb assessment of the teams at this point.  THANKS!!!

[Trin9-0]

Wesleyan is 6th in the country in total offense. When was the last time a NESCAC team ranked in the national top 10 in any offensive category?

Trinity ranked 7th in the nation in rushing offense just last year. And that was following a full season as opposed to a single game against, by far, the worst program in the conference.

For years I bemoaned the pitiful state of Wesleyan football and wished they would be more competitive because I believe the NESCAC is more interesting when the Cardinals are good. I guess putting up with the bandwagon WesTech fans is the flip side of that coin.

I find it interesting that Nescacman views Amherst as "continuing their preseason" by opening with Hamilton and Bowdoin, while there's no mention of the Cardinals facing the very same Continentals in addition to the mighty Jumbos in their first two contests.

While I can understand the not-so-subtle vitriol for the Ephs and their continuing decline towards mediocrity I wouldn't shut the casket on Williams just yet. It has been proven over decades that regardless of record the Trin-Williams game is almost always very tightly contested. I expect the same in Hartford this weekend.

One final note, I was unaware that Tufts University change their name to "The University of Tufts".

[NESCAC JACK]

Wesleyan is 6th in the country in total offense. When was the last time a NESCAC team ranked in the national top 10 in any offensive category?

Trinity ranked 7th in the nation in rushing offense just last year. And that was following a full season as opposed to a single game against, by far, the worst program in the conference.

There's also the Middlebury passing attack, which I believe has done one or two good things over the last decade or so.

[amh63]

Wow, this board is moving along.  New posters with strong and often well written posts.  Yet it is good to have posters like Trinity8-0 to put topics back in perspective.  I will try to add some historic type comments here to lower the tone of comments.
It was not too long ago that Amherst struggled to get wins against Williams.  It was in 1992 when Hamilton won its only game against Amherst and the Jeff's went 0-8.  When my sons were at Amherst in the 90's, Bates was an easy win.  Hamilton or Bates to start the season...did not matter...it was a winnable game.  Tufts could be a challenge though.  Wesleyan was almost an automatic win.  Hash?  Abit, but the point here is programs have its ups and downs and schedules are not controlled by coaches, I believe.  Of course, Trinity has been tough for decades.
It is good to see Whalen planning night games to get attendance up at games.  I have attended many
Games in Middletown when it was both Family and homecoming Day. I believe the attendances at those games,IMO , were less than the 5000 plus cited for the night game.  It is good to have competative rivalry games where attendance exceed 10,000.  Yes, Williams vs Amherst draws those numbers.
Coaches...it can be a tight group in the conference.  For example, the HFC at Bowdoin, a Midd grad, I believe, was an assistant at Amherst, Tufts and Williams before going to Bowdoin.  The coaches recruit against each other, know the talent level of other teams and also know the plays to a great degree.  In short, there can be more surprises this season...upsets?  Maybe.  By Amherst?  hope so!

[gridiron]

More has been made the past several years of Wesleyan's effort to move up in league than perhaps any other program.  As such, the pressure is squarely on Coach W and team to finally have a breakout year this season.  Expectations have been set by all the attention, and, as a result, anything less than a stellar year will be looked upon as failure (5 and 3 will be viewed as ho-hum).  Four years into the "new regime" (with maximum support from the administration) means it is now time for results.  With flexibility/freedom comes responsibility...

[AlDavis]

My ancestor is Nostradamus , and I have already posted many times....no need to worry about Wesleyan and the 4 years , just look at the 4 years now since passed at Williams , so in reality that is a swing ( Times 2 ).....Wesleyan at Trinity in a 7- 0 and 7 - 0 showdown with all things great at stake including that little streak at The Coop.

[Trin9-0]

Wesleyan at Trinity in a 7- 0 and 7 - 0 showdown with all things great at stake including that little streak at The Coop.

Wesleyan gets one victory over a program with exactly zero wins the past two years and you're penciling in an undefeated match up on November 9th? I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if the Bantams enter the contest undefeated. Keeep in mind the Bants play back-to-back road games at Middlebury and Amherst. I'd be even more surprised in the Cards win BOTH little three games. Thankfully, for Wes fans they don't have to contend with Middlebury.

p.s. There's nothing "little" about a 12 year home winning streak.

[gridiron]

Ah, the banter will make watching the outcomes this week that much more entertaining.  Go 'dogs!

[lumbercat]

This could be Wesleyans resurgent year following many calls on this board in the last couple of years that they were ready to make a move. I suggest reserving judgement until they advance beyond an easy opener with Tufts and this weeks opponent the Buff n' Blue- they will be 2-0 and will not face their first real test until weeks 4 and 5.

The Cards have a great schedule this year opening with the bottom 2 teams in the conference. They also don't have to deal with Foote and Middlebury which is a major plus. Their challenge will be the Jeff's. Bates will play them tough but they have an excellent shot to go 7-1 or 8-0. 

They will beat Trinity this year barring unusual injuries.

[gridiron]

This could be Wesleyans resurgent year following many calls on this board in the last couple of years that they were ready to make a move. I suggest reserving judgement until they advance beyond an easy opener with Tufts and this weeks opponent the Buff n' Blue- they will be 2-0 and will not face their first real test until weeks 4 and 5.

The Cards have a great schedule this year opening with the bottom 2 teams in the conference. They also don't have to deal with Foote and Middlebury which is a major plus. Their challenge will be the Jeff's. Bates will play them tough but they have an excellent shot to go 7-1 or 8-0. 

They will beat Trinity this year barring unusual injuries.

And let's not forget that Wes's week 3 opponent, Colby, would have been another loss for the Cards last year but for the team scrambling for 10 points in the final 2:30 of the game and winning on a FG.

[AlDavis]

This could be Wesleyans resurgent year following many calls on this board in the last couple of years that they were ready to make a move. I suggest reserving judgement until they advance beyond an easy opener with Tufts and this weeks opponent the Buff n' Blue- they will be 2-0 and will not face their first real test until weeks 4 and 5.

The Cards have a great schedule this year opening with the bottom 2 teams in the conference. They also don't have to deal with Foote and Middlebury which is a major plus. Their challenge will be the Jeff's. Bates will play them tough but they have an excellent shot to go 7-1 or 8-0. 

They will beat Trinity this year barring unusual injuries.

And let's not forget that Wes's week 3 opponent, Colby, would have been another loss for the Cards last year but for the team scrambling for 10 points in the final 2:30 of the game and winning on a FG.

....and a game like that is a building block to the process , just like the heartbreaking loss in Overtime to Trinity , no such worries this year and in coming years , they are going to be around for a while , there is no more status quo , there is a changing of the guard , some are excited and some like yourself are sour ......you got the 120 out of the last 130 years or so to lean on , that's a fact......but 2013 and beyond ain't yours to have.

[lumbercat]

I agree with you Al- I believe Wesleyan is approaching elite status in the NESCAC but it will not be confirmed until they get beyond the weakness in their early schedule this year.

[AlDavis]

thanks lumbercat , .....and I promise to be here if high expectations not met in these next seven weeks and you can rag on my ass for a year....but oooooh snaaaap if they roll into The Coop at 7- 0.