FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[P'bearfan]

Interesting to follow the discussion on that Bowdoin Orient piece.  Folks are arguing that football should be eliminated altogether and the budget reallocated to teams with winning records.

Wow.  There are some interesting comments after the article – not sure where to even begin a rebuttal.

I'm a firm believer in the value of college athletics so I don't buy the argument that Bowdoin will rise in the rankings if they get rid of football.  Harvard fields more varsity teams than any other D1 school in the country and they've got a fairly enviable academic reputation.

I can't imagine a NESCAC school canceling an athletic program and redistributing $$ based on winning percentages.  Coaches would have the incentive to win at any cost – or lose their job.  What coach would take that position?

Now whether a school should have a football team is a different question.

I'm a lifelong CFB fan but as we learn more about the long term impact of football injuries on the athletes (e.g. chronic traumatic encephalopathy), we'll see more schools thinking long and hard about whether to field a team.

[frank uible]

How about eliminating all athletics (except for ultimate frisbee) and then building a gigantic library and a powerhouse ultimate frisbee team with the financial windfall?

[PolarCat]

Frank, there is too much risk of physical harm in that.  Ultimate Frisbee is still an outdoor activity, so kids can sprain ankles, catch colds, and do all sorts of nasty things.  And libraries are so last century.

Far better to build a GAMING CENTER with an X-Box for every student, so that the kiddos can play Call of Duty, FIFA, maybe even Madden, without any risk of personal injury.  The savings in laundering team uniforms and not having trainers would be staggering.

[amh63]

Just back from the library with several more books to keep me busy.....see the chatter has made a weird turn.  So here I am to put my few cents in....or more.
First, dropping football to help a school's ranking is thinking like people on climate warming who only know one scientist on the subject...AL Gore.
Swarthmore dropped football over a decade ago and their ranking has not risen...may even dropped in many of the silly commercial mags. 
With respect to associated financial benefits, etc....that is another matter.  Bowdoin has done very well the last several years on their endownment growth...in fact, they are proud to have won this year an award for their high return...20 percent...in the Yale range.  Bowdoin has cracked the Billion dollar level and has the third highest endownment in the conference.  The soon to retire Bowdoin Prez wants 100 million for financial aid. 
My take before getting into trouble here on many fronts....Bowdoin maybe looking for a new identity.  A school that has built zillions of solar panels on campus...that has a varsity women's rugby team that seems happy winning over non varsity teams by large margins.  Be careful that you do not go the direction that WES took awhile back and now seems to find their way back...wrt to athletics.

[quicksilver]

Interesting to follow the discussion on that Bowdoin Orient piece.  Folks are arguing that football should be eliminated altogether and the budget reallocated to teams with winning records.

Wow.  There are some interesting comments after the article – not sure where to even begin a rebuttal.

I'm a firm believer in the value of college athletics so I don't buy the argument that Bowdoin will rise in the rankings if they get rid of football.  Harvard fields more varsity teams than any other D1 school in the country and they've got a fairly enviable academic reputation.

I can't imagine a NESCAC school canceling an athletic program and redistributing $$ based on winning percentages.  Coaches would have the incentive to win at any cost – or lose their job.  What coach would take that position?

Now whether a school should have a football team is a different question.

I'm a lifelong CFB fan but as we learn more about the long term impact of football injuries on the athletes (e.g. chronic traumatic encephalopathy), we'll see more schools thinking long and hard about whether to field a team.

Many grains of salt should be sprinkled over comments posted on newspaper sites, even college newspaper sites!! There is no ability to re-allocate tips from fball to other sports as there is a special set aside for football for each NESCAC school of 14 slots per year.   Conn College gets fewer athletic slots than its NESCAC siblings because it does not have football. There's a formula of sorts where schools are free to re-allocate among the nonfootball sports but they cannot dip into the football pool to pump up other sports.

The future of football is such a tough question -- on the one hand, there are the injuries; on the other hand, it is such a fun game to watch. In the end, I suspect that brain injury side of things will ultimately require that the sport be greatly modified.  A fair number of parents have already made the tough choice of barring their children from playing football. It's hard to predict how this process as to timing and such will unfold but it is equally hard to imagine that the status quo will remain in effect.

[banfan]

amh63: Ecoast responded about removable spikes but most of the time, my son plays with shoes that are one piece bottoms. No removable anything. In the past he has had different types of shoes. I have lost touch with this year's preparation. But, I did text to see what he is doing. He probably purchased some $150 nikes just for the Bowdoin and Wes games. Yikes, the funny conversations we have about the shoes that I used and how long they lasted, all of which were BLACK. Also, the idea of wearing gloves is one of those "Dad, they didn't know how to make gloves when you played" moments.

When I hear about the spikes I will let you know.

[Nescacman]

Welcome to Week 5 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play".

Last week we went on the road and watched the Bates Bobcats host Wesleyan. My impression is that the Bates football experience has come a long way from what I remember having played there against them in the '80's. My recollection of the Bates football experience was the field was basically a high school field and the crowd was (much) smaller than what you would see at a local high school game on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon in my home state of New Jersey. Good crowd, nice people and nice field/stadium were the order of the day. Great experience all the way around. As far as the game, we will comment further below but I will say that this game objectively was "exhibit A" as far as the poor officiating in the 'CAC this year. One example....Bates had 1 penalty for 4 yards. How was the penalty for 4 yards you ask? Well the officials marked off 4 yards instead of 5 on an illegal procedure call against Bates. We won't even mention screwing up the down count in a series and a number of other no calls or bad calls that went both ways. Really inexcusable.

In week 4 we went 4-1 with our picks. The big surprise was Bowdoin's win over Hamilton. Congrats to Bowdoin and soon to be ex-Coach Caputi. We do think Hamilton will get Coach Murray their first win at some point this season, perhaps this week?!?

2014 Week #5 NESCAC Power Rankings

1. Wesleyan (Last Week: #1): Wesleyan is currently the number one ranked D3 team in New England and is ranked 37th nationally. Wesleyan's defense and offense showed up in Week #4 against Bates, They outgained the Bobcats 418-164 including only 95 yards after Bates opening 69-yard drive. The score could easily have been 38-14 with the Cardinals having two TDs (including their 4th defensive TD in 4 weeks) called back because of stupid penalties. Wes is currently number one in total defense, number 3 in scoring offense, number one in passing defense, number 2 in scoring offense and number one in turnover differential in the NESCAC. This week, the Cards face the Lord Jeffs of Amherst in this week's (and thus far this seasons best game) GOTW.

2. Trinity (LW #2): Another strong, expected win by Trinity for their 53rd straight win at home. RB Chudi Iregbulem, who leads the 'CAC in rushing and scoring, had another strong game with 184 yards on the ground. Trinity leads the NESCAC in scoring, is #2 in scoring defense, #1 in total offense and #2 in total defense. This week they travel to Bowdoin for their last scrimmage before Trin's real schedule starts.

3. Amherst (LW #3): Last week, Amherst thumped winless Colby College. Losing at the half 3-0, Amherst turned to senior QB Max Lippe who rallied the Lord Jeffs in the second half winning 35-10. Turnovers were the difference in this one with Amherst forcing 4 Mule turnovers. Amherst's defense has been the difference this year leading the 'CAC in scoring defense and number 3 in total defense. Their offense is by no means in effective in that they are number 2 in total offense. This week they face Wesleyan on the road in the GOTW.

4. Middlebury (LW #4): Good come from behind win overtime for the Panthers on the road in Keltontown. This week they are back home for an interesting game with Bates.

5. Tufts (LW #5): Despite jumping out 7-0 and garnering 355 yards of total offense, the Jumbos lost 35-14 in Hartford. Turnovers, sacks against and time of possession were the key factors in Tufts' loss. The Jumbos host the Keltmen this week in Medford.

6. Bates (LW #6): Bates was without starting QB Matt Cannone and gave Wesleyan a battle in the first quarter before succumbing in Lewiston. Bates continues to play hard and seems to play up to (or down to) their level of competition. Bates travels to Middlebury this week.

7. Williams (LW #7): Kelton watch, week 2. I would say that the HCOF (please fellow "Boardies", we only use the HCOF moniker for HCOF Kelton. All other head coaches should be called HC...if you want to know why, send me a private message and I will explain...thank you) is in big trouble after a crushing OT loss to Middlebury at home. We think this team has talent (not just based on our opinion, that is the opinion of other coaches around the 'CAC). Plain and simple...according to our sources they are not well coached. In particular, the offensive line is having a real tough time of it. They are third to last in rushing offense and third to last in rushing defense. Is this the Williams that we all love to hate? This week, Williams travels to Tufts to face a very motivated Jumbo squad.

8. Bowdoin (LW #8): Nice week 4 comeback win for lame duck HC Caputi. Bowdoin boasts the number 2 rusher in the NESCAC (Tyler Grant) and the number 2 receiver in the NESCAC (Daniel Barone). Reality sets in this week as they face Trinity at home.

9. Hamilton (LW #9): We like HC Murray and the Conts. We think they will get a win this year. Is the week against Colby? Could be.

10. Colby (LW#10): Colby's offense continues to be challenged, ranking last in the 'CAC in points scored and second to last in total offense. Last week they did score a season high 10 points in their 4th straight loss. This week they face Hamilton as they attempt to get their first win.

Week #5 NESCAC Preview

Welcome to Week#5! Interesting slate of game highlighted by the game of the season thus far, Amherst v. Wesleyan.

Williams College at Tufts University: We think the Jumbos gets their third straight win at home against a Williams team that has lost 3 straight. Look for Tufts QB Doll to have a big day against the Ephs.

Tufts 28 Williams 21
Weather: Chance of showers, high of about 70 (weather courtesy of the Weather Channel).

Bates College at Middlebury College: Interesting game. We expect Bates to play hard but we give the edge to the hometown Panthers. We think Bates' offense will have a tough time against a sound Middlebury defense.

Middlebury 21 Bates 14
Weather: Showers, high in the low 60's.

Hamilton College at Colby College: The battle of 0-4's. Someone here gets their first win. Hamilton has played tough in all four of their games and that is the reason we like HC Murray to get his first win here.

Hamilton 21 Colby 10
Weather: Chance of showers, high in the mid 60's.

Trinity College at Bowdoin College: Reality sets in for the Polar Bears. The Trinity juggernaut plays the last of their "easy" games before the more challenging part of the schedule starts. Look for Trin to get out to a big lead before resting their starters in the second half. It will be interesting to see how Bowdoin's players react to Coach Caputi's resignation at the end of the season.

Trinity 42 Bowdoin 14
Weather: Showers, high in the low 60's.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Amherst College at Wesleyan University: We think this game will come down to which offense can score on the defense. We give the edge to Wes because of their balance on offense, the home field advantage, QB Warren, and Wildcat QB Devon Carillo. We think Wes will attempt to stop Amherst's running game and force QB Lippe (or Foy or Berlutti) to throw the ball. We think Amherst's game plan on D will be much the same as Wesleyan's. Wes will have to stop Amherst's NG to have success on offense. We like Wes in a hard fought game that resembles last year's Wes upset in Amherst.

Wes 17 Amherst 14
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Man's Picks
Last week: 4-1
2014 Season: 16-4
2013 Season: 32-8

[lumbercat]

Frank -
One of your very best posts of all time.

[lumbercat]

Please- Bowdoin is losing so drop Football and route those very precious dollars (less than .10 of their endowment) to another sport where the Polar Bears can be more successful...Really??......how embarrassing for Bowdoin and their alums. I almost played football for Bowdoin, glad I didn't. Go Bates and Colby.

[gridiron]

A beautiful fall day in NE.  Perfect for football.  Hoping for a few upsets this week to shake things up a bit.

[middhoops]

Not such a beautiful fall day in Vermont.
It is, however, a good day to play a game on turf.

[P'bearfan]

Just tuned into the Bowdoin - Trinity webcast.  It's half time and the P'bears are leading 10 - 3.  Wow!!

Bowdoin kicked a FG early in the second quarter and then returned an interception for a touchdown later in the quarter.  Trinity got on the board with a FG with just 2 minutes left in the half.

Overall the teams have been even in the stats dept - Trinity has amassed 130 total yards of offense compared to 110 yards for Bowdoin.  However, Bowdoin has been more effective on the ground - rushing for 78 yards vs only 55 yards for the Bantams.

Hopefully, the P'bears can keep up the great work in the second half!

GoUBears!!

[P'bearfan]

Just looked at the QB stats:

Mac Caputi is 4-10 (40%) for 32 yards.

Trinity has used 3 different QB's in the first half.  I've never seen them play before - is that typical or is it more likely the starter was injured? (though I hope not)

Henry Foye is 4-6 (66.7%) for 46 yards and INT
Kyle Pulek is 1-1 (100%) for 27 yards
Spencer Aukamp is 0-4 (0%)

[Go Continentals!]

Colby has a 40-0 halftime lead.  Rosenberg can't move the offense.  Time to bring in a new QB!

[Go Continentals!]

Colby has their 2's in the game.