FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[mariner75]

Frank....for what it's worth, I've seen more NJAC games over the past 30 some odd years of serious watching than NESCACs......

[PolarBearNation]

I thought this site was about NESCAC football, not NESCAC academic standards and lacrosse prestige.

[Jonny Utah]

I thought this site was about NESCAC football, not NESCAC academic standards and lacrosse prestige.

It is polarbearnation....so stop asking questions and just comment on the games this saturday and the games last saturday.

[patfan]

I agree...lets talk some football. I'm going to pick Bowdoin over Bates simply because of their passing attack. the Bowdoin offense will take complete advantage of a VERY weak Bates secondary. I think that kid Nolan is going to have another huge game for the Polar Bears. I think that kid #2 is eating his words right about now. I believe he told the Bowdoin Newspaper that he was the best reciever in the league this year. His teamate Nolin is making him look foolish. Stratton and Hammond will have to get after it and force Bates into some turnovers as well. I think the Bates offense is underated, especially going up against a weak Bowdoin defense. 27-17 Bowdoin
   Amherst will pull it out against Trinity. They're playing at home in front of what will be a huge crowd. The run desfense is very solid and that fifty front will cause problems for the Trinity zone running attack. Not to mention # 20 is the best corner in the league this year. I don't think the Amherst offense has gotten enough credit. They have three legit runners, a very good quaterback who is more then capable of making big plays, and the best athlete in the league outside of anyone on Trinity in #1. 17-14 Amherst
    I think Colby may have its hands full with Tufts. They're a scary team. They play tough and have a great defense. The Colby offense is going to have to be really clicking to pull it out. The Colby defense has to step it up big time. Look for Smith to have a big game. I think the coaches have lit a little bit of a fire under his ass this week. 24-14 Colby
   I'm not that interested in the rest of the games.

[Pat Coleman]

I don't know if anyone on this board reads Around the Nation, but they should for some important news regarding us and the NESCAC.

[gordonmann]

If you're going to the Trin-Amherst game, look for K-Mack.  It'll be a great chance to talk with a cool guy and learn more about the rest of the Division III landscape.

Go Clucks!

[Trin9-0]

Amherst will pull it out against Trinity. They're playing at home in front of what will be a huge crowd. The run desfense is very solid and that fifty front will cause problems for the Trinity zone running attack. Not to mention # 20 is the best corner in the league this year. I don't think the Amherst offense has gotten enough credit. They have three legit runners, a very good quaterback who is more then capable of making big plays, and the best athlete in the league outside of anyone on Trinity in #1. 17-14 Amherst

If Trinity can put up 14 points they will win #29. I agree the Lord Jeff offense is underrated, but you can't expect them to put up almost twice as many points as the Bantam defense has allowed the entire season! I agree the Trinity offense may struggle to put up a lot of points against a tough Amherst defense. However, they have the weapons to at least get into field goal position and Swiniarski may be the best kicker in the league. Trinity will win the field position battle with 2004 all league punter Tim Coughlin and excellent punt/kick coverage teams combined with arguablly the NESCAC's best ever defense who has allowed only 9 points in 6 games and have forced 23 turnovers.

[dirtybirds8-0]

Here is what worries me about tomm game against Amherst.  While I agree with Trin8-0 that Amherst will need to work hard for some offensive production...it is their D-fense that has me worried.  If Amhersts D can force some turnovers and put points on the board with an interception or fumble recovery for a touchdown...well there you hav it.  They will put up at least 10 points offensively and 1 touchdown by the D could do it for the Lord Jeffs...either way, both teams need to play flawlessly or the game could be decided on just one mistake!

[formerbant10]

Personally, I think the Bants turn it up a notch in the big game.  PatFan, wouldn't you say that Trinity has 3 legit runners and a QB who is very capable of making big plays as well.  If it comes down to field possession and TO's I like the Bants in this game.  They 5 man front may be a little different for the Bants, but I'm sure Priore has been getting the O Line ready for it all week. 
Anyway you look, it should be a great game.  I wish I could make it up there, but I have prior engagements.  Best of luck to the Bants.  Im taking them at 16-10, simply b/c Josh Pitcher doesn't lose games. 
Saul, I hope you wear a name tag so some of these posters can see who you really are.

[Trin9-0]

Picks for this week
Bowdoin 28
Bates 24

A closer game than expected. Bowdoin looks past the Bobcats towards next weeks showdown with Colby. However, they still pull out the win.

Trinity 13
Amherst 3

For the second straight year this is the biggest NESCAC game on the schedule. The Bants win a close one to all but wrap up their 3rd consecutive perfect season. Turnovers, and big plays make the difference. In the end the Trinity defense is too much for the Jeff's to over come and Trin wins it's 500th game and 29th in a row.

Colby 14
Tufts 10

The Mules struggle against a solid Tufts defense, but still edge the Jumbos at home. The late season collapse continues for Tufts as Colby shuts down a struggling offense.

Middlebury 21
Hamilton 10

The Panthers have turned the corner and will be too much to handle for Hamilton High, especially at home where they always play well. Hamilton can look towards Bates next week with a shot to get it's second win of the season.

Williams 53
Wesleyan 13

One of the worst match-ups all year. A suddenly dominating Eph offense will embarrass the Cards at their own Homecoming. Don't worry, Wes Tech... the season is almost over.

[patfan]

formerbant...I haven't seen Trinity this year, but I have seen Amherst. This kid Kehoe is hands down the best quaterback in the league this year. I think a lot of his success has to do with #1 and #5 two outstanding playmaking recievers. I'm sure Pitcher is great too, but he doesn't get to throw as much as Kehoe. If you go to the game on Sat you will know what I'm talking about. It should be an unbelievable game.
How about a little dirt on Tufts?

[PolarBearNation]

Bowdoin 28 Bates 17
Bowdoin's bend but don't break defense proves to be too much for Bates to handle.  Bowdoins not too far removed from being in Bates position so overlooking them isn't even a question.

Colby 21 Tufts 7
Colby's defense will eat the Tufts offense alive unless they decide to snap out of the 2nd half funk they've been in.  Colby capitalized on turnovers and runs away early.  Tips for playing Tufts:  Wait for them to shoot themselves in the foot and take advantage.

Amherst 14 Trinity 10
Having seen both Trinity and Amherst, I think that the defenses of both teams are outstanding.  The team speed of Trinity could be controlled by Amherst's defense, and the Amherst offense is capable of moving the ball on the ground, complemented by the big play offense that patfan mentioned.  Look for a lot of long drives and few turnovers, making this game close to the wire. 

Hamilton 3 Middlebury 21
Middlebury finally comes alive to salvage the end of the season.

Williams 35 Wesleyan 3
Should Wesleyan even bother showing up?

[WESTECH25]

I can't bring myself to look at the box score for Wesleyan's final two games. 

i've got williams winning it 45-6. 

the following week, i have trinity deciding to rest their starters because the NESCAC will pass  a rule that allows them to be eligible for this year's postseason tourney. 

Trinity plays the JV's and eeks out a 27-3 win. 

other games:

Trinity 21 Amherst 3. 
I don't think it will be as close as some you think.  Trinity controls the ball and wears down amherst's D by the 2nd half. 

Colby 13 Tufts 7
In a grind it out game Colby finds a way to pull it off at home.

Middlebury  35  Hamilton 13
Midds seem to be turning it on and I fully expect them to handle Hamilton.

Bowdoin 23 Bates 13
The polar bears win the tune up for colby.  Bates almost lost to the tech for the love of God!

[Trincoll]

The BANtams defense is not getting enough respect on the board. They have put up outstanding numbers this season so far. Amherst will be shut down and might score a field goal. Turnovers will be in Trinitys favor as will rushing yards the key to Bantams victory will be field position and ball control.. And the fact that Amherst runds a 5 man line is not a problem. Priore has seen every defense imaginable and will have that oline ready. Their is one reason why Amherst wll not have any offense against Trinity and it is Mike Blair. Teams have been gameplaning around this kid since he was a sophmore they are more scared of him this year then ever. And it is not his numbers that make him so dominant it is how he improves the rest of the defense causing double teams on every play freeing trinitys fast linebakers. Prediction Mike Blair Nescac MVP

[Trincoll]

and someone said before Nescac lines cant compete with Springfield or other top D3 schools. This is true for many Nescac schools. But Mike Blair is 6'3'' 260 or 270 and their oline from last year has several 300+ hogs with the speed of Finkleday and Leo last year averaging 300 rushing yards a game we could of played with most D3 schools.