FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

While I agree up to a point, there are lots of other examples where long-standing rivalries can add spice to an otherwise lackluster season.  Think Yankees-Redsox.  Derby Day in the Premier League.  Army-Navy.  Packers-Bears.  Or for that matter, the entire AFC South.

Nothing wrong with giving the CBB teams (hamstrung by coaching, recruiting and/or Admissions) a chance for some glory.  The boys play hard to earn the title, and it keeps the season interesting for the long-suffering fans.

Besides, the conferences that actually compete for the D3 Championship could well argue that Amherst, Trinity, and Wes are just "slightly taller" midgets. 

[Nescacman]

Here are my picks for this coming Saturday. I do this, not because I'm so bright, since most of my picks have been wrong, I like to generate some quality football conversation. So here goes nothing.

Colby 27 - Hamilton 24
My heart tells me it will be a blow out, like last year, but my head tells me otherwise. Last year Hamilton made the grueling trip to Waterville with a broken team spirit, and this year Colby must make that long trip to Clinton. I do think it will have some impact. Couple that with a much improved Continental's team, and it should make for a good game, with the Mules taking it by 3.

Amherst 31 - Wes 14
I think Amherst will be repeating as NESCAC champs this year, and while Wesleyan is young and can do some nice things on both sides of the ball, Amherst is simply too balanced and deep. Next year things may be different, but not this time around.

Middlebury 24 - Bates 14
I am not a fan of Middlebury's one dimensional offense, and a fair defense, at best. Thus my close pick. But, if Bates is smart enough to do anything and everything to stop the pass, and can get the option going, and scoring and eating time off the clock, you could very well be seeing a 24-21 Bates upset. But, they haven't shown it thus far.

Trinity 38 - Bowdoin 17
The freshman Bowdoin QB will continue to show his stuff, but not enough against a physical Trinity defense. I'm also thinking Trinity will score at will on Bowdoin's defense. This is probably the easiest game of the week to pick.

Tufts 20 - Williams 17
Williams will keep it close at home against a Tufts team determined to pick it up after last weeks tough loss. They still have their eye on the prize. Whereas, from week to week, you can't figure out what Williams has it's eye on. Just can't bring myself to pick Williams at this point.

We are more or less on the same page this week as you will see when our picks come out tomorrow...which means, that your picks are not as exciting as they were last week. If you wanted to be controversial you should have picked Wes or go way out on a limb and pick Bowdoin.

[Nescacman]

Retiredmule, While your pain regarding the slow Colby start is understandable, it is nothing new.  In the first four games over the past five seasons Colby has gone a combined 1 and 19 (with the sole win coming against Williams, which, unfortunately for the Mules, is not on the schedule each season).  In contrast, the team has gone a very respectable combined 11 and 5 during the second half of the season during the same period.

Bottom line is Colby's unfortunate lot in life has been to face the "Fantastic Four" to begin each season--teams, against which, Colby has not been very successful. However, against the rest of the NESCAC the team typically holds its own, which may again be the case this season--we'll know soon enough. Every year at this point in the season the comment is, "Look how Colby is struggling," and at the end of the season the comment is, "Look how they turned things around to finish strong."  It has more to do with the schedule than anything else.

Clearly, today's NESCAC football has two tiers.  This fact, combined with the fact all teams play their schedule in the same order each season, cause most of us to jump to early conclusions by putting too much emphasis on team records during the season without regard for who teams have actually played at that point. Add to the mix the peculiar rotating schedule whereby teams don't all play each other each year, and team records can be difficult to compare to one another--even at the end of the season. And let's not forget we only have an eight game sample size with which to work.

While a nine game schedule would help, but the best solution will be for all teams to figure out a way to be more competitive against all opponents.  If there are two tiers, let's hope teams can rotate in and out year to year.

Which is why the rotating schedule idea has become one of the few remaining impediments to a full 9-game NESCAC schedule. You would think that issue could get resolved, right?

[Nescacman]

As a previous post indicated, the offense needs an identity. They have the players, but Michaeles needs to utilize them better with his schemes and play calling. He us a really nice guy, but it's time to show he's a good HC/OC.

I have some quick suggestions, in case he reads thus stuff.

Quick question for long time posters - do the coaches actually read this stuff? 

Perhaps I'm projecting my own biases but reading this board would be the last thing I'd spend time doing if I was a coach.

We know for a fact that some of the coaches (including HC's) are not only aware of the Board, they read it. We also know that the players read every word on this Board and most, get a big kick out of it.

Although there are limited posters, there are a ton of folks reading this Board. We got together with some of our former teammates this week and they proceeded to rattle off a number of quotes from the Board. Very funny!

[PolarCat]

Tuesday was End Domestic Violence Day at Bates, when students were encouraged to wear a purple tie.  (Not sure where the purple came from, but given it was one of Ray Rice's uniform colors, it is oddly fitting).  Coach Harriman purchased 68 purple ties, put one in each player's locker, and instructed them to wear those ties Tuesday if they didn't already own a purple tie.  I believe MLAX coach Peter Lasagna did the same.

Harriman the OC may occasionally have some of us scratching our heads, but Harriman the Man is a class act.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12118828_512534588906156_5186856291815926257_n.jpg?oh=d4c869b7070e95e95a7910b9f82bbeed&oe=56C944B4

[Pat Coleman]

I think we need to do some Guerrilla Marketing, and recruit the folks next to us at the tailgates and in the stands.  We need some fresh blood, before we get all interbred like the Amish and start sprouting beards, suspenders and buggy whips.

Pat, if you are reading this, it wouldn't hurt for you to get the word out somehow.  (I assume you have a financial interest in increasing membership and views).  Maybe too late for this season, but next year, maybe some ads in programs or handouts with schedules, info on away tailgating, etc.?  Hire Adam and Joe to write some editorial content for you to promote the site.

I've been thinking about ways to refresh this. Part of it is that conversation about sports (and many things) has moved to Twitter. However, I am not giving this up any time soon.

To the lurkers, please register! You have to use a real email address, but that is hidden from people who aren't logged in, so you won't be getting spam based on the board. If you use free email, it might take us longer to confirm that it's a legit address. Part of the reason we don't have spam posts on this board is because we're very thorough in vetting emails of people who register before we approve them.

[NewtoNescac]

While I have great respect for Bates and Colby as institutions and athletic rivals for my alma mater, Bowdoin, I have always thought that there is too much emphasis on the CBB football title.  Let's face it, aside from Bates' recent surge to relevance in the league and Colby's sporadic past successes, the CBB schools have been league cellar dwellers more often than not.  I cringe when one of the schools celebrates its championship while going 3-5, 4-4 or 5-3 at best. I have never heard it stated, but I have always thought that winning the CBB to many constitutes a very successful season, even though that "champion" more often than not, finishes at the league's midpoint or lower. Heading into this weekend, CBB schools are a combined 1-11.

I don't ascribe to the Bowdoin Orient's harsh characterization of a few years ago of the CBB champ being akin to the "world's tallest midget", but I do feel strongly that it is bad for each of the three Maine schools and the League in general to be consistently holding up the bottom of the standings, making the CBB championship to be nothing more than a bad joke.  Hopefully the administrations hold out higher goals than winning the CBB, correct any systemic flaws that exist and consistently contend for NESCAC titles.  It is only then will the CBB be actually worth something.

Well said.

[NewtoNescac]

Here are my picks for this coming Saturday. I do this, not because I'm so bright, since most of my picks have been wrong, I like to generate some quality football conversation. So here goes nothing.

Colby 27 - Hamilton 24
My heart tells me it will be a blow out, like last year, but my head tells me otherwise. Last year Hamilton made the grueling trip to Waterville with a broken team spirit, and this year Colby must make that long trip to Clinton. I do think it will have some impact. Couple that with a much improved Continental's team, and it should make for a good game, with the Mules taking it by 3.

Amherst 31 - Wes 14
I think Amherst will be repeating as NESCAC champs this year, and while Wesleyan is young and can do some nice things on both sides of the ball, Amherst is simply too balanced and deep. Next year things may be different, but not this time around.

Middlebury 24 - Bates 14
I am not a fan of Middlebury's one dimensional offense, and a fair defense, at best. Thus my close pick. But, if Bates is smart enough to do anything and everything to stop the pass, and can get the option going, and scoring and eating time off the clock, you could very well be seeing a 24-21 Bates upset. But, they haven't shown it thus far.

Trinity 38 - Bowdoin 17
The freshman Bowdoin QB will continue to show his stuff, but not enough against a physical Trinity defense. I'm also thinking Trinity will score at will on Bowdoin's defense. This is probably the easiest game of the week to pick.

Tufts 20 - Williams 17
Williams will keep it close at home against a Tufts team determined to pick it up after last weeks tough loss. They still have their eye on the prize. Whereas, from week to week, you can't figure out what Williams has it's eye on. Just can't bring myself to pick Williams at this point.

We are more or less on the same page this week as you will see when our picks come out tomorrow...which means, that your picks are not as exciting as they were last week. If you wanted to be controversial you should have picked Wes or go way out on a limb and pick Bowdoin.

The picks are a lot less aggressive this week, but true to what I thought the outcomes will be.

[polbear73]

While I agree up to a point, there are lots of other examples where long-standing rivalries can add spice to an otherwise lackluster season.  Think Yankees-Redsox.  Derby Day in the Premier League.  Army-Navy.  Packers-Bears.  Or for that matter, the entire AFC South.

Nothing wrong with giving the CBB teams (hamstrung by coaching, recruiting and/or Admissions) a chance for some glory.  The boys play hard to earn the title, and it keeps the season interesting for the long-suffering fans.

Besides, the conferences that actually compete for the D3 Championship could well argue that Amherst, Trinity, and Wes are just "slightly taller" midgets.

Good post, PolarCat and the funny thing is that I could argue each of our positions with equal passion.  I just hate to see the Maine schools consistently playing in the consolation round. 

[NewtoNescac]

Yes, egg on my face yet again. I removed my last post because it was based on a "reliable" source. Well, it wasn't so reliable after all. Multiple -K's for me.

[lumbercat]

Polbear73
Always enjoy your posts but have a response to your latest post.

You preceded me in the CBB but I think you won the CBB in 72..... what did you feel that day?.....Did you perceive yourself as a tall midget on the way to your induction to Bowdoin Hall of Fame?......NO!..... You were ecstatic that day because you achieved a goal....winning the CBB title for you and your Polar Bear teammates. You were ecstatic that day to beat Bates and win the CBB- it meant something!

The CBB means as much today or more than it meant in the 70's.... don't knock it, its a competitive reason for the Maine teams to continue to compete with the Trinitys of the world. Sounds corny, but you and me and countless others have benefitted greatly from the CBB series. So should we sit back now in our armchairs and be frustrated because our colleges can't make the leap to the next level, a level above us?

We should embrace the CBBseries....these teams have competed and grinded it out with one another forever. At the end of the day, great rivalries are priceless. We competed with a lot of intensity and we had some fun doing it.

It's pride, it's tradition, it meant a lot and it still means alot.

Bates, Bowdoin and Colby Football alums  have one thing in common throughout their life......On the last Saturday of October or the first Saturdays of November anybody who ever experienced the rivalries looks for that score, no matter where they are......how did we do against Colby or Bowdoin today?

Sorry JB but I'm tired of this tall midget thing....the CCB teams strap in on and play hard and I love it.

.

The old Maine "State Series" is an honored tradition that has had great meaning in Maine College Football. Sure, it was more significant when U Maine was involved but since then its still a great competitive challenge for 3 fine D3 football programs.  Like the Little 3, it's important. It's what makes the Bates, Bowdoin, Colby experience special.

[NewtoNescac]

Lumbercat - I also believe the CBB is a cool thing. I think some have an issue with it being considered enough. It is nice, but it should never be enough.

[lumbercat]

Newto Nescac-
I hear you and agree but it is still very meaningful.
That is not the primary goal for Michaeles, Harriman and Wells buts it's something they want to achieve....passionatly.

[polbear73]

Polbear73
Always enjoy your posts but have a response to your latest post.

You preceded me in the CBB but I think you won the CBB in 72..... what did you feel that day?.....Did you perceive yourself as a tall midget on the way to your induction to Bowdoin Hall of Fame?......NO!..... You were ecstatic that day because you achieved a goal....winning the CBB title for you and your Polar Bear teammates. You were ecstatic that day to beat Bates and win the CBB- it meant something!

The CBB means as much today or more than it meant in the 70's.... don't knock it, its a competitive reason for the Maine teams to continue to compete with the Trinitys of the world. Sounds corny, but you and me and countless others have benefitted greatly from the CBB series. So should we sit back now in our armchairs and be frustrated because our colleges can't make the leap to the next level, a level above us?

We should embrace the CBBseries....these teams have competed and grinded it out with one another forever. At the end of the day, great rivalries are priceless. We competed with a lot of intensity and we had some fun doing it.

It's pride, it's tradition, it meant a lot and it still means alot.

Bates, Bowdoin and Colby Football alums  have one thing in common throughout their life......On the last Saturday of October or the first Saturdays of November anybody who ever experienced the rivalries looks for that score, no matter where they are......how did we do against Colby or Bowdoin today?

Sorry JB but I'm tired of this tall midget thing....the CCB teams strap in on and play hard and I love it.

.

The old Maine "State Series" is an honored tradition that has had great meaning in Maine College Football. Sure, it was more significant when U Maine was involved but since then its still a great competitive challenge for 3 fine D3 football programs.  Like the Little 3, it's important. It's what makes the Bates, Bowdoin, Colby experience special.

Lumbercat: They were very different times; we beat both Bates and Colby in '69, '70, and '71 before losing to a then undefeated Colby team in '72. Perhaps it was because Maine had left the Series three for four years before, but the CBB was recognized but not as big a deal as it is today. Sure, it  felt great to get a win, but at the risk of sounding arrogant, we expected to win those games-again, different times, and the proximity of the two schools heightened the intensity and increased the crowds, but a championship was hardly considered. We mourned the loss to Colby, not the CBB.

This was before NESCAC was formalized and our seasons were measured more by our results for the entire schedule and, quite frankly, how we did against the Little 3. The CBB itself was not a specific goal of ours, it was barely considered.

[quicksilver]

Good article on Bowdoin freshman QB Noah Nelson.