FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NewtoNescac]

I'm not saying. tufts is as good as Amherst. I believe teams develop a mindset, an attitude, after a few games.

I just see Bowdoin being in a downward spiral from this point on, and see them struggling to win a single game. What reason for optimism do they have to elevate them? I don't sense any.

Conversely, Hamilton has lost their first two, yet you sense a positive feeling with the program.

Colby is neither here, nor there, right now. That team is at a crossroads, and can go into a death spiral having to face Amherst the following week, or turn it around.

[AUPepBand]

I'm not saying. tufts is as good as Amherst. I believe teams develop a mindset, an attitude, after a few games.

I just see Bowdoin being in a downward spiral from this point on, and see them struggling to win a single game. What reason for optimism do they have to elevate them? I don't sense any.

Conversely, Hamilton has lost their first two, yet you sense a positive feeling with the program.

Colby is neither here, nor there, right now. That team is at a crossroads, and can go into a death spiral having to face Amherst the following week, or turn it around.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Where there is vision, it's fun and exciting and everyone is focused on doing what they can to contribute to fulfilling that vision. At Hamilton, Coach Murray has introduced a fresh new vision, based not on the "W" column, but on a foundation of learning to play well. Some of the greatest games ever played by Alfred teams were Saxon losses.

If a team learns to play well, winning takes care of itself.

[NewtoNescac]

Agreed, AU.

[P'bearfan]

If a team learns to play well, winning takes care of itself.

I agree to a point....if you're giving up 2" -4", 20 - 30lbs and 1 - 2 steps per position there's a limit to how far playing well will carry you.

[AUPepBand]

If a team learns to play well, winning takes care of itself.

I agree to a point....if you're giving up 2" -4", 20 - 30lbs and 1 - 2 steps per position there's a limit to how far playing well will carry you.

You need to read Twelve Mighty Orphans by Jim Dent. Those obstacles of which you speak can only be overcome by heart and mind.

[RetiredMule]

AUPep - heart and mind can only carry you so far in collegiate football.  Rudy is a one off. The biggest issue facing Hamilton in terms of size is in the 50-79 number range, where it really matters.  With the exception of Roeder, the Hamilton offensive line is 250 pounds roster weight (normally inflated) and thus on the lighter end of NESCAC olinemen.  In some cases, they will be giving up about 20 pounds to interior dlinemen in this league.  That's a significant body weight difference.  Similarly, Hamilton has historically featured small interior dlinemen in the 240 pound range. People can argue all they want that weight is a number and strength is what counts, but when you are in the trenches and get slammed into from every direction, 20 pounds makes a huge difference.

[NewtoNescac]

You need quality players, but I do think the program mentality, and atmosphere surrounding the program, is where it starts. The reason is it takes time to bring players in. Typically years. But you can turn the feeling around quickly and build from there. Hamilton is a great example. I get it from a close personal source that things are really positive in Clinton.

[polbear73]

And that is precisely the culture that Coach Wells is instilling in Brunswick.  I have had no indication from people close to the program that there is any "downward spiral", that there is renewed energy around the team, and that the team is concentrating on getting better each week.  By the way, Bowdoin played very hard to the last whistle in both of their games despite being down a lot.  We will find out how much progress they have made in a couple of days.

[AUPepBand]

You need quality players, but I do think the program mentality, and atmosphere surrounding the program, is where it starts. The reason is it takes time to bring players in. Typically years. But you can turn the feeling around quickly and build from there. Hamilton is a great example. I get it from a close personal source that things are really positive in Clinton.

Agreed. A vision is presented and good kids will buy into it. Murray's work at Alfred wasn't instant success. He inherited a sinking ship. There was a noticeable difference in the Saxons' first game under Murray...a loss, mind you, but the kids played with heart. And that was a noticeable difference and was a pleasure to see. In Murray's second season, the AU Pep Kazoo Band was formed, the next year adding trumpets, trombones, drums, etc. The band didn't expect much but it sure was fun cheering them on. It still is! 

[NewtoNescac]

The Bowdoin downward spiral I refer to is for this seasons wins and losses. Otherwise, Wells is probably moving them in a positive direction long term.

[polbear73]

The Bowdoin downward spiral I refer to is for this seasons wins and losses. Otherwise, Wells is probably moving them in a positive direction long term.

Fair enough.  Objectively, I would be hard pressed to favor them in any game remaining this the season. 

[dlippiel]

Great ATR write-up on Middlebury back-up QB Jared Lebowitz. It sounds as if he wouldn't be a back-up at too many other D3 schools in the nation. dlip totally gets the Vermont draw having graduated from UVM and having spent a little time at and around Middlebury College. The dogs and mountains...nothing like that state. Lord dlip misses Vermont.

Anyway, great article and dlip is wishing both Lebowitz, Milano, and the Panthers all the luck as the season continues.

[AUPepBand]

Great ATR write-up on Middlebury back-up QB Jared Lebowitz. It sounds as if he wouldn't be a back-up at too many other D3 schools in the nation. dlip totally gets the Vermont draw having graduated from UVM and having spent a little time at and around Middlebury College. The dogs and mountains...nothing like that state. Lord dlip misses Vermont.

Anyway, great article and dlip is wishing both Lebowitz, Milano, and the Panthers all the luck as the season continues.

So dlip, why the affection for Union College if you're a UVM grad? Pep's older sister lived in Richmond near Burlington for many years when her husband was working for G.E.  And, Pep last month crashed the wedding of one of his former student employees who hails from Orange, VT. Gotta love dem Green Mountains!

[Nescacman]

Here goes nothing on the early picks for the coming weekend.

Tufts  34   Bowdoin  7
I think Tufts has learned how to beat the teams they should beat. And convincingly.

Bates  28   Williams. 10
Williams will not stop Bates' run option. Williams is beginning to look to next year with a new HC.

Trinity  17   Hamilton  10
Hamilton continues to play tough, but asking them to travel and win at Trinity is just too much. But they'll get a moral victory. The real win will come soon enough.

Colby  17   Wesleyan  14 in OT
If Colby's O can muster a couple of TD's, they win a close one. If the lack of scoring continues, look for Wes to win by 2-3 TD's.

Amherst  37   Middlebury  14
Middlebury is just not that good, and Amherst is too well balanced. Also, Amherst does a tremendous job of coaching. GOTW is a bit of a let down.

NewtoNescac....can you please give me Wesleyan +3? Name the bet, I'll give you the action.

[NewtoNescac]

Nescacman - didn't you read the disclaimer on that Wes game? Colby hasn't had ANY offensive production in the past two seasons, so I don't think I'll be taking you up on that bet. And I resent you trying to take advantage of me. lol