FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NewtoNescac]

Johnny U, the thing that jumped out at me in these polls was Bates being in the top 5 of both, and Tufts being in the bottom 5 of both. Based on last year, and word on recruiting, I think Tufts will be having a better year than Bates W/L wise. And, if the transfer QB for Hamilton turns out to be a find, look for them to shake up the standings with a 2-3 win season. It's all a guess on my part at this point, but it sure is fun to talk football. In about 5 weeks the substance begins. Can't wait!

[lumbercat]

No question that the QB situation is an issue for Bates. As noted here previously the man for the job is Dugan who was the starter early in 2013 before a bout with injuries. If he can step up and be the player they beleive he can Bates will be solid.

Regardless of Dugan's status expect one or more incoming QBs to get some playing time.

Bates could be very good but will obviously struggle if they have diffulty at QB.

A huge blow to them was losing a sophomore QB transfer last year who went on to become the starter at Merrimack.

[PolarCat]

This Bobcat fan isn't worried.  Every team loses important players every year.  But Dugan has experience, Radford impressed me the one time I saw him last season, and the incoming freshman QB looks very talented.  More importantly, the Bobcats return a lot of key players, including several talented sophomores who had an impact last year.  (Four of Bates' top 10 scorers in 2014 were freshmen).

On defense, Bates lost 4 of its top 5 tackle leaders, but I'm confident Kempton and Capone can coach up their replacements.  In my opinion, the one player whose loss will be felt the most is punter Dave Kurey, who finished 2014 second in the 'CAC in punting average, was second team All-NESCAC, and was twice Special Teams Player of the Week.  Rumor has it the Bobcats have an incoming freshman P with a great leg, but it remains to be seen how well he can adjust to the college game.

[gridiron]

The eight game schedule favors Bowdoin this season (as it did last), as they draw Williams instead of Middlebury.  You can bet the Polar Bears are appreciative of again not facing the Panthers. 

The flip side is Colby wishes it did have Williams on the docket instead of Trinity again.

Others who benefit this season: Tufts again facing Hamilton instead of Wesleyan.

[amh63]

Murray's change of uniform colors is a good change....in the new slate approach.  However, getting into the Panthers' territory .
In my day, Amherst purple was more like Blue-black...due to the limited color dyes available, I believe.  Today's tints, dyes, whatever...one can get "Fifty Shades of Purple" on materials/ fabric.  As Amherst fans sometimes remark...including my alumnae daughter...you can't have enough purple...color clothes for her and her daughter....my translation here
Speaking about Middlebury being the TOP dog....they have the best QBs...plural.  Top ranked quarterback...all conf....as well as the top ranked QB transfer.  Had a chance to discuss the QB situation with the Middlebury HFC in the Spring at Gettysburg College.  We both were at a post season women's lacrosse game.  His daughter is a vital member on the Blue and White team. The coach gave me the "party line"....there will be open competition for the starting job.
Got some "inside info" that the QB transfer is scary good and has the coaching staff with wide smiles...my phrasing here.

[polbear73]

amh63: Having played against (and won once!) those Amherst teams in the early 70's, I always thought they had the best looking uniforms.  The purple was a darker shade and you couldn't beat the traditional stripes on the sleeves.  However, Swift,  Fugett, Scott, et al would have looked good in burlap!

[amh63]

Polbear73....you are a generous man and must have been quite a player...those teams were very good.  As you know, those specific Amherst players were ALL NFL starters....after graduating Two doctors and a lawyer/ business man...later.
I really wish Amherst would get those stripped jerseys back in their dealings with the uniform companies.  There are some Div1 schools that have a two stripe sleeve jersey...in purple/ white...Kansas St?...got me excited when I saw them..Nike?
The Amherst QB during your years...starting QB in '73 is an active supporter of Amherst sports.  We have broken bread together.  Drop by the Football Tent on Oct. 3 and maybe you both can recall some games.  Maybe we can meet there...before the game.  Tent should be on the Sunny side near the Infamous 100 year old tree that was moved a 100 feet for 100 grand!

[AUPepBand]

Lumbercat....Nice!  Something to really chew on....   I agreed for the most part on the preseason order of things.  However, "poll" implies a gathering of thoughts among peers.  Me thinks that a poll of posters here is like "herding cats"..too partisan
The hardest region of the listing is the bottom half, IMO.  Hamilton will surprise fans...much like Tufts did last season.

Nice to see someone's drinking Pep's Kool-Aid! Sweet! +K

Go Conts!

[NewtoNescac]

New uniforms aside, everything hinges on Murray replicating his previous success at Alfred. I think he's going to take the first step which would be to win 2-3 games. We'll see.

[Pat Coleman]

Johnny U, the thing that jumped out at me in these polls was Bates being in the top 5 of both, and Tufts being in the bottom 5 of both. Based on last year, and word on recruiting, I think Tufts will be having a better year than Bates W/L wise. And, if the transfer QB for Hamilton turns out to be a find, look for them to shake up the standings with a 2-3 win season. It's all a guess on my part at this point, but it sure is fun to talk football. In about 5 weeks the substance begins. Can't wait!

Hero sports doesn't talk to any of the schools. Their previews are just based on looking at the rosters and deleting all the seniors, making assumptions from there.

I looked at their previews for the schools I am writing about for Kickoff and it's clear they don't actually do any homework. Ours will be much more informed. Predictions may be just as much of a crapshoot (!) but at least we'll know who's coming back.

[amh63]

Must update an earlier post......HFC Ritter has TWO daughters on the Panthers conf. best women's lacrosse team  Chrissy who will be a senior this year and Katie that just graduated.  Mrs Ritter who was also at the game in Gettysburg can call the dogs off now due to the slight I made.....Vandy74 make it so!
Still, it will be interesting dynamics when Coach Ritter and his new offensive coordinator Caputi attend the next Bowdoin-Middlebury women lacrosse game.  Their daughters will be on the field....playing against each other.
I know...wrong sports board but Hey...there is a football link somewhere here

[PolarCat]

Actually amh63, you may need to get Mrs. Caputi to call the dogs off, too.  The Caputi's also have two daughters who played NESCAC lacrosse this year, one for Bowdoin and one for Midd.  Next year, they will up the ante to three, as their youngest is headed off to Colby.

[gridiron]

The educational and financial benefits enjoyed by children of coaches and other employees attending NESCAC schools certainly grow in value each year.

[lumbercat]

Top home field venues in the NESCAC-

Williams- the new facility trumps Amherst and is the best in the league. As good as it gets.

Bowdoin- although the playing surface has deteriorated and the infrastructure is old it's still the most iconic venue in the NESCAC.

Bates- the new Garcelon field has a great feel that combines the old tradtion at Bates with the renovated stadium which is located at the direct center of the Bates campus. Best Fan support is best in the league. Fans are closer to the action at Garelon than any other Nescac venue.

Amherst- a nice new facility set behind a track located at the far edge of the expansive Amherst campus. Jeff students may take Ubers to the games? Never be as good as Williams but great tailgating allowed right at the field.

Hamilton- the most underrated facility in the Nescac but nobody goes there because it's so damn far from New England.

Colby- Mayflower Hill is a nice place but when you sit in the stands to you need binoculars or a periscope to see the game-- the stands are set way back behind the track and an expansive berm. The game is a rumor from those stands- never been to a field where fans are further from the field.

Trinity- The largest stadium in the league but in a location where there is no intreraction with the campus and teams have that long hike from the locker rooms to the field. However this is the high end Nescac facility in terms of capacity.

Wesleyan- a football field in a baseball Field.....reminder of the days when the Boston Patriots played at Fenway Park. Cards football needs their own stadium....you can't move Wes baseball from that iconic venue.

Tufts- Ellis Oval- sterile facility with stands set way back off the track......typically more fans on the visiting side at Ellis but believe that will change very rapidly as Big Civ continues to mold the Brown and Blue culture.

Middlebury- almost forgot---a very nice facility, one of the very best but anyone who has ever visited it has the same comment........why are the stands only on one side?.....drop the whole mountain scenery thing and put some stands on the other side for the visiting team- it won't compromise the great view.

[frank uible]

The acid test is the preferences of the players.