FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[frank uible]

Fans like polls because it titillates them. Media likes polls because fans like them. In NESCAC athletics where there is virtually no commercialism, coaches and administrators are indifferent to polls to the extent they don't cause distraction - and generally they don't..

[maineman]

Nescacman...thanks for the info.   
In a conference of no post season play and a short 8 game season,  I  see such a poll of little value except for recruiting purposes.  On that point, it is interesting that the poll link is to the Cardinal website.
In other sports, where teams can compete in the post season,  website stories often refer to team rankings...on a regional and national stage.

With Wesleyan 1, Midd 3, Amherst 5 and Trinity 6, and the number of votes separating the latter 3 miniscule, I expect the winner of the Amherst-Trinity game this weekend to move into second place among the NESCACs in the poll.

[AlDavis]

..in Salem , MA today staking out some Terd Burglars from the past , present and future and it is a flat out freak show 2 Days before Halloween here , but I am not afraid as I always have my head on a swivel......but Boooo  Frank , you Frank be very afraid Saturday as your head will be swiveled 360 degrees both ways at once all day and next year , and every year now on.....I am already pounding the pavement to get LaDarius Drew some write - in Heisman Trophy votes.

[FourMoreYears]

Re: LaDarius Drew

Sign of a good player: When Mrs. FourMoreYears notices them and comments that they are most excellent.
It doesn't happen often but it happened with Drew on Saturday.
Very impressive player to say the least.

Also impressive: Bowdoin freshman Grant toting the rock 23 times for 119 yards against the Wesleyan defense.

[AlDavis]

....I luv watching these NESCAC games at ground level so close....and those where haaaard yaaaards by Drew and others as Bowdoin D was Bringing the Wood from their Woods.........I know easier said than done as a couch potato QB but if Bowdoin could implement and execute just a few more pass plays would open up that nice Polar Bear running game for sure True Dat , just have to be not afraid of being So Easy a Caveman Can Do It.....throw some people the Damn Ball....LOL

[nescac1]

Curious to hear from the Amherst fans about the QB situation there.  Is Pieterse hurt, or has he just been eclipsed on the depth chart?  He was a REALLY hyped recruit and looked good in limited action last year.  Seems like Amherst is going with a QB platoon, which must mean the frosh Berluti is very talented.  I thought that both Lippe and Pieterse played very well last year and seemed to have a lot of upside, so am surprised to see a frosh getting so much PT ...

[amh63]

Saw all subject QBs early in the season.  At Homecoming, my wife and I arrived at the Dining area just as the athletic teams showed up.  The football team deferred to us.  Saw all recognizable subject QBs in line moving well.
Got notice of the upcoming Williams vs. Amherst NESN game broadcast.  The DC gathering of LJ and Ephs fans this year is downtown near Chinatown.  Planned to be there.  If you and your wife attend, my treat for her and the first drink for you

[nescac1]

I will be there for sure, she is a possibility, either way, I happily accept your offer! 

[iamhuge]

I'll be at the Tufts - Middlebury game for senior day November 9th.  If any of you want to come by the tailgate, feel free to reach into my cooler for a frosty.

[Someone]

My two cents on QB situation at Amherst. 

Pieterse is buried in depth chart behind Lippe and freshman (#4).  Pieterse may have strong arm but not a great general on the field - loves his legs more than he loves his arm. 

Lippe is in my opinion to slow in reading plays as they develop.  Seemingly throws are made too late as the window is closing.   AND why is he running the ball?

#4 reminds me of McMahon from a couple years ago.  Athletic, mobile, strong arm.  He just needs game experience.  If he does not get injured and the OC allows him to develop, he will be the starter next year.

As for the OC, play calling is a bit odd.  In my opinion, he is the Achilles heel of the team. 

[Nescacman]

Look for my Week #7 NESCAC blog tomorrow...

I am taking votes on the NESCAC GOTW; the more obvious choice of Trinity/Amherst (5-1's battle each other to stay in the hunt for a championship) or the more subtle choice of Williams/Wesleyan (NESCAC/Little 3 fans understand).

What say you NESCAC fans? 

[gridiron]

NESCACman--Without question Trinity/Amherst.  Williams/Wesleyan is way too much of a mismatch.

[lumbercat]

Nothing worse than a quarterback controversy at any level....in my experience alternate quarterbacks seldom/ never produces winning results from high school to the big leagues. Few QBs will perform at their best their knowing they could be yanked on the next series.......multiple QBs at Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin ,Tufts, and Trinity this year.

On another note as a friendly comment to esteemed posters like Frank and Amh 63 (who is one of the best),  its time to acknowledge that the great Western Ma powerhouses of the NESCAC are in a decline, maybe temporary......

Time to acknowledge this fine Wesleyan team.......and a Middlebury team that has performed extremely well with an all American QB are in the limelight along with perennial bulldog Trinity....though the Bants have their hands full this weekend at Amherst.

It hurts, I know, from the Ephs/Jeff  prospective but these Wes guys deserve it...."The Game" will be just "ok" this year. The perennial arrogance should subside this year and A-W will take a back seat and play their game  as a somewhat inconsequential clash..... "The Game" will still be meaningful in the great rivalry but the bright lights will shine on Wesleyan-Trinity with the Panthers nipping at their heels.

Not trying to rub it in but the the New England NESN TV game this year should be shifted to Wesleyan-Trinity........even if Trinity comes in at 5-2, which is a distinct possibility, the game in Hartford will be "The D3 Game" of the year in New England.....The Amherst-Williams game is not important this year and will take a back seat. No disrespect to the great rivalry and all are sure that Amherst and Williams will handle a year out OT the spotlight with class.

[AlDavis]

DON BEST SPORTS

Bowdoin          - 1 1/2
Bates                 42

Tufts                  44
Colby               - 8 1/2

Hamilton             45
Middlebury       - 23 1/2

Trinity               43 1/2
Amherst            -  3

Williams               50
Wesleyan           - 40 1/2

[AlDavis]

whats is the deal with the MOFOing Karma Points....(really , really my ratio is + 11/ - 30 , wtf is that , I should be like + 1000 Million Karma Points by now )......I don't get Karma Points for telling Williams how this is going down , what about quoting William Faulkner from The Sound and the Fury , no Karma Points for that , well that's strait lame ass bhuda on whoever in charge of the Karma Points here.........well I will be rooting in about 10 Kickoffs and just one kickoff return this Saturday.......I am one of the lowest guys on the rung rooting in this game , so I can quantify ( Insert Math Formula here for over 40 years of suffering ) how bad some long suffering important Wesleyan people want this game....its time as it is Wesleyan O'clock on the hour , every hour this week.......Effing Eph's + 40 1/2 is tempting though , and maybe put them in a 3 Team Teaser to get to + 49 1/2....... but Hell Naaaaawl  to Be the Man , You Have to Beat the Man........I personally think Wesleyan is going to hang 70 on these MOFO's , but as we all know now here I got a lot of radiation back in the Reagan years and am slightly distorted so I could be wrong and only win by 30 or so , and I can be wrong like on these Red Sox are killing me swagg strait tortuous .....and I know Frank is sleeping and well past his bedtime of 9:30 pm but will shoot out another William Faulkner quote hoping I start getting some Karma Points that I can launder in Costa Rica........"Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to better than yourself."......William Faulkner is Epic ....2013 Wesleyan is Epic.....and what is scary is 2014 will be even more Epic , this is officially the Start of the ICE Age for Frank and his homies.......Strait ICE Age for you here on out so pay your electric bill.