FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[AlDavis]

I am aware that Coaches and players take it one game at a time..... but I just bought my plane ticket for the Amherst game and am drooling and pacing around my abode......Wesleyan has only beaten Amherst once since 1993 and that was barely at that 14 - 13 in 2002 when I was in prison for some little white collar crime.......This is very , very exciting as the stuffiness of Amherst and Williams will now  come to an end as far as playing football goes and this is the way it will be for now on moving forward. I am still waiting for Amh63 to tell me where I will meet and greet him over there on the licentious sunny side.....and those One Liners from Frank are not so eclectic now after losing to Bates 3 years in a row and your most important games of this year are now Tufts and Hamilton....I can't wait to see that Williams at Wesleyan spread , my guess right now at least + 42......oooooooh snaaaaap!

[Gr8ful1]

Al, I have been on many a blog and am keenly aware of your type.  Heat-merchant.  I cannot post from a position of strength so must endure your diatribe about the current shift in power in the conference. But please allow me to go on record to say that should your beloved Weslies fall victim to defeat, whether it be due to officiating, weather, illness, poor grades, injury, or any reason whatsoever...especially at the hands of Williams, I will post again with a vengeance.  BTW...on a side note...KC is 5-0 after years of futility.  Just win baby!

[AlDavis]

Tufts...your killing me. Ephparent and Nescac1 might have a better feel for the attitude and level of commitment of this years Eph's team overall. I suppose from your vantage point projecting doom and gloom for the Williams program (0-4 start, past Bates blowouts)gives you something to root for.  Tufts finishing 4-4 is not realistic but I hope for all involved they somehow pull it off.  I rather champion success than hop on the Williams (or any team) has no chance bandwagon.  Eph's have many questions to be answered.  QB position is one, O-line is another, a health TB is yet another, there are others as well. Conference champs? Unlikely. But I choose to wish that for them than to pay any attention to what might be one win seasons for other teams.  Wlliams might win 6. Time will tell. Those in the know...know.  The "smart money" will bet 5 or over! It would not surprise me to see the Ephs place 5 or 6 on the all-conference team at seasons end and I will be quick to remind many of you that you heard it here first.

.
.....Ok whatever you Heard it Here First from a couple of weeks ago..........I do throw heat as I coach High School baseball ....but come on man I have been dead on point since July......It will only get worse here on out and then will show some compassion down the road.....I flat out said before the season started it will be a 7 - 0 Wesleyan at 7 - 0 Trinity , with no guarantee on that game , but it will be Epic.....Williams can stand with their history that can not be argued with....but the near future is not for them to have.....I will be here if they lose to Amherst or Trinity , but this is certain as Death , Wesleyan is going to drill Williams like no tomorrow and quite possibly win by 50 or more.

[frank uible]

The Smart Money, by definition unemotional, will take Williams plus 50 vs. Wesleyan for a bundle. Three times out of four the Smart Money edges out foolish emotional money. Be reminded that one must pay the Smart Money when payment comes due, or one's knee caps will feel it. For the Smart Money gambling ain't a frivolous pastime. It is a deadly serious livelihood. So sayeth Shondor Birns.

[AlDavis]

The Smart Money, by definition unemotional, will take Williams plus 50 vs. Wesleyan for a bundle. Three times out of four the Smart Money edges out foolish emotional money. Be reminded that one must pay the Smart Money when payment comes due, or one's knee caps will feel it. For the Smart Money gambling ain't a frivolous pastime. It is a deadly serious livelihood. So sayeth Shondor Birns.

exactly , but in this particular football game there will be emotion stewing off the charts as Wesleyan has not beaten Williams since 1999 and only twice since 1985....and Williams did not exactly show much love and due respect when Coach Whalen left and that was his team that went 8 - 0 the next year and that was Williams lining up for a Field Goal late in that 45 - 7 drubbing that first year back to play Williams......and Williams has a lot of Smart Money and ooooooh snaaaaaap Football is not a frivolous pastime and some heads are definitely going to roll with no need for a Shondor Birns......be very , very , very afraid Williams the beatdown you will get in 4 weeks.

[maineman]

2013 NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III FOOTBALL POLL


Week #4 - 10/7/13
Rank    Team    Record    (First-Place Votes)    Points    Last Week's Rank
1    Trinity
   3-0    (13)    190    1
2
   Framingham St.
   4-1    (5)    170    2
3    Amherst
   3-0    
   153    5
4
   Salve Regina
   3-1    (2)
   128    6
5    Wesleyan
   3-0    
   113    8
6
   Western Connecticut
   3-1    
   108    10
7    Middlebury
   2-1         54    3
8
   Springfield
   3-2         53    4
9    Worcester St.
   3-1         46    9
10    Westfield St.
   3-1         28    -
Also Receiving Votes (to be listed a team must receive at least one percent of the available points and appear on at least two ballots):  Endicott (25), Bridgewater St. (19), Bates (10).

[fulbakdad]

Where did that New England poll come from?  The lunch room at Trinity?

[Nescacman]

Week 4 NESCAC Preview and Power Rankings

Welcome to Week 4 in the NESCAC. This week we give our regular preview of the upcoming games. We have also added by popular request our power rankings for the league. Last week was not our best week of forecasting games, however, we did ALMOST call one major upset (the Ephs do me in again) and one minor upset (why would I ever pick Tufts). Very disappointing 2-3 week for us. This week should be a bit easier as the schedule is one of the least compelling slate of games that we will see all year.

Week 4 NESCAC Power Rankings

1. Amherst, Wesleyan (Tie): You can't blame Wesleyan for the schedule they were given and frankly, what more can you expect from them against those teams. We were impressed by the Colby win as a result of them running up and down the field on the #1 ranked rushing D coming into that game. Amherst's win against a good (albeit one dimensional) Middlebury team was impressive. We will see in two weeks who the real #1 team is.

3. Trinity: Their unimpressive win at home against Williams is why they are ranked here. They have 2 warm-up games before they get into the serious part of their schedule against Middlebury, Amherst and Wesleyan. They will be 5-0 heading into those games barring a major misstep. I am keeping an open mind.

4. Middlebury: Consider this, Middlebury is second in the NESCAC in total offense, first in passing offense and last in rushing offense. In the NESCAC, balance wins games. Plus, they turn the ball over way too much (thank you Mr. Foote). They just don't have the balance and that is why they will lose to the better teams in the conference, like Amherst.

5. Bates: This team is on the rise. Once again, another one-dimensional offense. They can run the heck out of the ball but can't pass. They are right now at the bottom of the top tier, which given their history, is an accomplishment onto itself.

6. Colby: Top of the junk pile. They will lose to the better teams in this league. However, 3 of their last 4 games are very winnable and a respectable 4-4 season should be achievable.

7. Williams: The only reason I am ranking them here is out of historical respect for the Purple Cows' program. We will reassess after they lose to Middlebury this week.

8. Bowdoin: Well they do have a win, albeit against the Jumbos. This week may be their last chance for another win in 2013. By the way, when was the last time Bowdoin had 2 of the 3 NESCAC Players of the Week (Donnarumma and Murowchick...saw Donnarumma play high school football in NJ...very good player...why is he at Bowdoin...oh yeah, academics!)?

9. Hamilton: Last in points scored, last in points allowed, second to last in total offense and second to last in total defense. This week is their last chance at a win in 2013 (unfortunately, no Jumbo's on the schedule) as they head towards an 0-8 season.

10. Tufts: 26 in a row and counting. Enough said.

11. Connecticut College: Despite not having a team, maybe they should be ranked 9th.

Week 4 NESCAC Preview

Hamilton College at Bowdoin College: Hamilton ranks at or near the bottom of nearly every meaningful team stat in the NESCAC. They have to travel to Brunswick, perhaps one of the longest road trips any NESCAC team has to make all year. We think Bowdoin's running game is just too much for the Conts.
Bowdoin 14 Hamilton 7
Weather: Not a factor.

Amherst College at Colby College:  Amherst obviously needs to stay focused on this game and not look ahead to their huge week 5 Little 3 battle against Wesleyan. Colby looked awful last Saturday. They had no offense until the last drive of the game, with about 80 yards of offense and 2 first downs through 3 ¾ of the game against Wes (plus they didn't cross the 50 until late in the game). Factor in that their vaunted run defense could not stop the Cards one-two punch of Drew/Gibson spells a lot of trouble for the Mules against the balanced Amherst attack. Amherst will force numerous turnovers and will look forward to the epic battle at Pratt Field in Week #5.
Amherst 35 Colby 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Trinity College at Tufts University: And make it 27 and counting. Trinity plays the first of two warm-up games before the real fun begins. Despite this not being the best Trinity team we have seen in recent history, they could show up with their second string and still put a wallop on the "Men from Medford". Trinity needs a game like this and last week) to get things rolling before their games against the big three. Hopefully, no one gets hurt. Fun fact: Tufts Offensive Coordinator Frank Hauser last had a winning season coaching in the NESCAC in 2002 and has had 2 0'fer seasons and 1 1-7 season, not counting this year's debacle (Wesleyan 2002-2009; Tufts 2012-present) in that time frame.
Trinity College 42 Tufts University 7
Weather: Not a factor.

Williams College at Middlebury College: Well we know the last time that Williams went 0-4 as per earlier research. But when did they last go 0-5. My prediction, if the Ephs were to somehow lose to Tufts at home in week #5, "Head Coach of Football" Kelton (his actual title from the Williams College website....if you don't believe me, you can look it up), won't make it to the locker room before being fired. Despite Middlebury possessing the most one-dimensional attack in the NESCAC outside of Lewiston (first in passing offense, last in rushing offense), Mr. Foote is just way too talented to be contained by the hapless Ephs.
Middlebury 28 Williams 14
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Bates College at Wesleyan University: The upstart Bobcats travel to Middletown to face the Cardinals in the most compelling game on the schedule this week. Coach Dicenzo will put 8/9 defenders in the box and force Bates to try and pass. If Bates falls behind (which they will), they will have a tough time catching up with a complete lack of a passing game (29 passing attempts in 3 games...Foote throws more passes in a quarter than they have thrown all year, 0 TD passes). What makes this game interesting is that these two teams have perhaps the best two offensive lines in the NESCAC. I like Wes' a bit more based on their running game (2nd in the league) and pass protection (1 very weak sack in 3 games). Wesleyan, like Amherst, cannot look forward to Week 5. Coach Whalen will keep them focused as they get into the heart of their schedule and perhaps immortality.
Wesleyan 35 Bates 14
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Man's Picks
Last week: 2-3
Season (through three weeks): 11-4

See you next week!   

[amh63]

Nescacman...enjoy your sense of humor and edgy wit!  Find that good writing improves the topic/ subject and vice versa.   Want to let you know that the Nescac website is again providing conflicting info.  Seems that their recent addition of a media person is going the wrong way.  Oh well...addition does not always lead to positive results.

[Nescacman]

Nescacman...enjoy your sense of humor and edgy wit!  Find that good writing improves the topic/ subject and vice versa.   Want to let you know that the Nescac website is again providing conflicting info.  Seems that their recent addition of a media person is going the wrong way.  Oh well...addition does not always lead to positive results.

Thank you amh63. perhaps the NESCAC should hire me to proof read for them...!!!

[amh63]

You are welcome Nescacman...a Karma point to you for what it is worth

[AlDavis]

You are welcome Nescacman...a Karma point to you for what it is worth

Give me 10 Karma Points please , and I will to the smallest degree be kind to the woman and children of Amherst next week.

[Trin9-0]

Week 4 NESCAC Preview and Power Rankings

We have also added by popular request our power rankings for the league.

Who, exactly, was clamoring for your "Power Rankings"? The inferiority complex of Wesleyan fans seems more apparent with every post. We get it; you have a good team for the first time in several decades. Why not wait until you beat a worthy opponent to beat your chests about it?

For the record, I agree that Wes has been very impressive against the so called "junk pile". However, I'm going to reserve judgement on the dawn of Cardinal football dominance until after the Amherst game.

As for your shots at Frank Hauser, keep in mind, he had a few very successful campaigns in Middletown before admissions tightened their grip on athletics. Mike Whalen is an excellent coach but don't fool yourself into thinking that the turnaround at Wesleyan isn't directly tied to increased flexibility in the admissions office; the same goes for Bates.

In the NESCAC, admissions offices have as much to do with winning as the coaches... sometimes more.

With regards to this week, I agree with Nescacman that there are few marquee match-ups. I am most curious about the Williams-Middlebury game. Despite their record, Williams does still have talent and, as mentioned, the Panthers are very one-dimensional. It wouldn't shock me if the Ephs pull the upset but in the end I just don't think they can score enough to keep up with Foote.

I think the Trinity-Tufts game will be closer than expected. For whatever reason the Bantams never seem to play well in Medford. Trin has scored more than 10 points just once in their last four games at Tufts. The lone outlier was 16 point effort that came in a loss to the Jumbos in '07. The Bantams will win but I think they'll sweat for just a bit.

Amherst travels to Waterville for a trap game against Colby. The Mules are improved from last year but I think the Jeffs have too much offense.

I'll take Bowdoin over Hamilton in a higher scoring game than one might expect.

Bates has a legitimate shot to shock a Cardinal team that is likely looking past the Bobcats. They are a good match up for Wesleyan if they can control the clock with their ground game. If Bates can limit turnovers and capitalize on scoring opportunities an upset is possible. I don't have enough faith to pick them but oh what joy it would bring me (evil laugh).

[amh63]

Trinity 8-0 ...enjoy your counterpoints.  Agree about the "trap game" in Maine for Amherst.  Like your point about the Bantams' play against the Jumbos, Amherst does have a way to play "flat" games against the Mules and in Away games...with the exception of Little Three opponents.  Good Luck against Tufts.  Need to make an exception here.  Last year's game against Trinity in the Coop, the LJs were jacked up...according to Coach Mills.  He was a little worry after the lost...concerned is a better word here...about how to focus his players on the Williams game.
Forgot something...aside topic...how is the Federal shutdown affected the CGA sports team?...your work?

[gridiron]

.[/quote]
As for your shots at Frank Hauser, keep in mind, he had a few very successful campaigns in Middletown before admissions tightened their grip on athletics. Mike Whalen is an excellent coach but don't fool yourself into thinking that the turnaround at Wesleyan isn't directly tied to increased flexibility in the admissions office; the same goes for Bates.

In the NESCAC, admissions offices have as much to do with winning as the coaches... sometimes more.
[/quote]

Trin8-0 makes some excellent points all around (and make no mistake about Amherst's admissions office being as cooperative as the others referenced).

The excitement is building week to week.  Should be an interesting next 4-plus weeks...

Questions that will be answered one way or another:

Is Amherst for real, or did they simply catch "Air-Ritter/Foote" early in their decent on a crash course into the Green Mountains?
Will the progress at Bates continue, or was their progress last year all that can be reasonably expected?
Can "the best of the rest" Colby youngsters finish 4-4 or 5-3?
Is Williams truly toast as some would suggest?  Should they even bother with stands at the new field for the 500 fans (including visitors) who show up?
Is Bowdoin really better than Tufts?
Has Hamilton become the new Tufts?
Will "the streak" end in Hartford?
If so, will AlDavis survive his post game party?

Cannot wait to see...