FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[madzillagd]

These guys could probably give you some pointers...

http://tracking.si.com/2012/10/30/little-league-football-betting-scandal-florida/

[PistachioX]

Trinity's hardest fought contests this season were on damp or wet grass fields - at Willams and at Bowdoin.  Grass slows down their running game, and when wet - makes it tough for Bunker to cut and edge.  It makes me a wee bit concerend for their last game of the season, at Wesleyan.

[banfan]

The wet grass at Bowdoin 2 weeks ago affected everyone.  The D line can't plant and explode as usual and everyone who has to or wants to cut hard is affected.  Coach pointed out that the timing on pass plays is different because the receiver takes longer to make his move.  All these things take a little adjustment.  The home team, Bowdoin, in this case, gets an advantage for the first quarter or so.  That was their best qrtr.  I bet all their points and many of their positive runs scrimmage were early in the game.  Another area that is affected and takes longer to adjust to (because they are not on the field a lot) is the special teams, especially the coverage teams.  I think the Bowdoin returns were pretty good that day.

So Bates would do well to adjust early.

Lumbercat, I will try and provide Picks.  It would be all Bates if in Lewiston, have to think a bit more about Brunswick.  Will see where Bates played it's schdule.

[gridiron]

Been a busy week on this end but pleased to see all the action here, especially fellow newbies.  Lumbercat, spot on with your comments a couple of pages ago (sorry to be so tardy)...

Regarding attendance figures, the estimates appear to be just that and vary widely from venue to venue.  Hard to put much credence in what is reported given the lack of ticket receipts, etc.  Need to see with your own eyes to validate.  With that as my qualifier Bates had a good crowd the game I attended, while Williams did not in the only one I witnessed.  Not scientific at all but both were very nice days weatherwise.

Another week before us.  Although I got stung last week with my Midd/Trinity and Bates/Colby picks, here goes for this week.

Colby @ Tufts  The Jumbos should be motivated with what would appear to be a chance to finally break into the W column.  Just don't think it is in the cards, despite Colby's mistakes week in and week out.
Bates @ Bowdoin  A win by Bates and the CBB is theirs this year.  Look for it to happen.
Amherst @ Trinity  With Trinity's dismantling of Middlebury last week, I am now converted.  Trinity all the way.
Middlebury @ Hamilton  Middlebury is better than they showed last week, and, unfortunately for the Contiinentals, will make up for it this week.
Wesleyan @ Williams  One of the more interesting matchups this week in my view.  Not sold yet on the Cardinals, but Williams is clearly not what they were in years past.  Williams on top in a tight one.

[lumbercat]

Some good matchups this week, hope for good weather:

Trinity 31- Amherst 20--Unlike last years Trinity team which was also a very good one they now have a fine passing game which gives them a balanced attack. Last year they tried to dominate with the run game and fell just short. With a balanced attack they seem unbeatable.

Wesleyan 27- Williams 24--Drew is the most explosive back in the conference and appears healthy after returning last week. Wes pass rush will disrupt the young Eph's QB with their big rush off the ends. I like Wes but hard to imagine Williams at 3-4 and possibly 3-5 at year end.

Bates 28- Bowdoin 17--Bates had fumbled 3 times all year going into last week. They had a terrible start with 3 fumbles lost in the first half and still rolled over Colby. Bowdoin is small but very athletic and talented on D but the Bobcats have moved the ball methodically all year and thrown well when needed.

Tufts 24- Colby 23--Colby rebuilding, like Tufts, but Jumbos can taste a win at home. Tufts will throw 60+ times. Dodds may be questionable with injury, if he doesn't go Colby wins by a touchdown.

Middlebury 51- Hamilton 29-- Trinity surely had a great Defensive scheme in last week to stifle Foote but gotta think he also had to have an off day. The Buff and Blue will see the aerial circus with a vengeance. The Panthers don't seem to be above running it up when they can in looking to pad Foote's stats. No other QB has seen action all year despite some comfortable wins- maybe Foote takes a breather when the Panthers hit 60.

[banfan]

Colby @ Tufts-  You can say a lot about both of these teams.  They are starting over.  They have young teams and new coaches.  Hopefully they are improving.  This is nescac so there should be a supreme effort to win every game.  It is in Med-ville so I will give it to the Jumbos,  28-21.

Midd @ Hamilton-  Hamilton just does not have the horses and although they are well coached and have made significant progress, year to year, Midd should be in a foul mood.  Midd got kicked last week and this will be a telling game.  I do not know the coach or kids well enough but I want them to have learned a lot.  Midd 42-14.

Bates @ Bowdoin-  Big Game.  it is a toss up partially because it is a big game but mostly because it is at Brunswick and it is a grass field that is wet/soft.  I like Bates and think they are the better team but expect a close messy tough game.  Bobcats 24-21.

Wes @ Williams-  Another toss up because they hate each other, Wes is on the up, the game is in Willytown and Williams desperately needs a win.  Just guessing Williams is sorting things out.  Hartwell left, right and deep.  Williams 28-27.

Amherst @ Trinity-  Trin 35-7.

[lumbercat]

Gridiron and Banfan-
Fun to read your predictions- we don't differ all that much but tossup games seem to be Tufts/Colby and Wes/Williams. It should be another interesting week.
Interested to see if Amherst can contain Trinity attack or even come close.
I'll set the over/under on Foote TD passes at 4.5
Colby and Tufts may not be the best teams in the league but it will be a good matchup and nothing will be left on the field.
Hartwell broke out a bit last week but has been contained all year. Not enough other weapons in the Will offense to prevent teams from doubling Hartwell and Williams' passing has been sub par. #1 will probably break out this week---he's due.
Banfan, enjoy that Trinity tailgate, it should be packed.
I'll be beneath the pines at Bowdoin, anybody got some garnet paint for the Polar Bear statue?

[gridiron]

Lumbercat will be tailgating at Bowdoin (vs Bates).  Banfan will be tailgating at Trinity (vs Amherst).  Gridiron will be tailgating at Tufts (vs Colby).  Will have eyewitness post-game reports for those three games. 

Anyone else covering the other two NESCAC games in person???

[shartwell]

I will be behind the camera for Cardinals at Ephs in cold and raw Williamstown.

[lumbercat]

By the way Shartwell I really enjoyed the fine photography work that you posted. Thanks for posting, I'm sure others enjoyed as well.

[gridiron]

Shartwell, concur your pictures are top notch.  Now we have coverage for Williams/Wesleyan, anyone planning to see Middlebury/Hamilton?  Would be nice to have eyewitness accounts for each of the post games.

[banfan]

Constructive stimulation.....

Will Wes be able to make the final game of the season SIGNIFICANT or just interesting?

Does Tufts have a foundation to build on?  Any future running game to report?

Is Bates headed to the upper 3 or 4?

Has Hamilton turned a corner at the Hamilton campus?  They have a coach.  Do they have a new interest in football?

I await your collective wisdom.

[amh63]

Nice predictions all.  Do not know enough to go out on a limb.  Will be checking game via video....will be looking for your "crowd" banfan!   The Amherst preview of the Trinity game is on the website....no audio with the HFC.  You may have scared the HFC banfan with your descriptions of the Bantams.  Your energy on this board deserves a +K for you.

[lumbercat]

Good topics Banfan-

I think Wesleyan will come into the Trinity game at 6-1 and will be playing for the NESCAC title, a great opportunity for them, but they are not yet at Trinity's level. Whelan has done a good job in a short period time. With administrative support that I think is only exceeded at Trinity, Wes will be a force to be reckoned with. I think this years game represents the official rebirth of this game as great rivalry.

Don't see much in the way a ground game at Tufts but they can beat Colby if Dodds can get some time to set up and step into some throws.
Worrisome in the Jumbo rebuilding process is the fact that Tufts still has 17 seniors on the squad which may be among the most in the league. Many of the seniors are starters. They will lose a lot. When you look at the group of seniors at Tufts there is some good talent despite their record so they are still very early in the rebuilding process.

Bates should win their remaining 2 games though a win in Brunswick will not be easy against an underrated Bowdoin defense. 5-3 would be a fine year and will keep the  Bates rebuilding process moving forward. Since the completion of the new stadium recruiting has improved significantly and there is much enthusiasm surrounding the program. The CBB Maine State Championship Series means alot in the Pine Tree State so it's a big game for both teams.

The jury is still out at Hamilton. Not sure they have yet found the newly ingrained positive momentum that we see at Wesleyan or Bates . I sense a lot of apathy toward Football at Hamilton. It's a peripheral observation but I see vey little evidence on their website, overall coverage and on their webcasts that anything is moving forward convincingly at this time in terms of campus enthusiasm and support. The student announcers on the webcasts seemed to be snickering at the Continentals at times. Hope this is not a campus wide sentiment.
In fairness however, lets not forget the botched Head Coach hiring process. Things seemed mishandled with 4 candidates being leaked weeks before Cohens emergence and hiring which took place very late in the summer. He quickly rounded out his staff as the pre-season was beginning. Not sure he has had a complete opportunity this year considering timing and all that was on his plate but I think they godd a good coach despite all the fumbling and delay.
With an offseason to continue to evaluate and review all aspects of the program including recruiting I think he will get things moving in the right direction....They say his "intensity" is very high torque.

[mullethead]

What a gutsy win for Trinity! If I'm not mistaken, Wesleyan's loss secures a NESCAC championship for the Bants. Can anyone confirm? Also, anyone happen to know if a NESCAC championship is enough to get a ring, or does Trinity require an undefeated season to distribute "the bling"? 47 in a row in the COOOOOOP! Way to go, boys!