FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

Nescacman....have an nosey inquiry.  You mention that you come from a Union College family but went to a CAC school.
I thought maybe it was Williams since you seem to have "insider" info with the football program there.  I get a smile with your posts when you mention "Hartford State".  Your recent posts of the Wes-Amh game have made me think that maybe you attended Wesleyan.  Aware that the season ending Trinity-Wesleyan game is almost as big as the Ephs-LJs game.
A non response is fine.  Just curious.  Awaiting your post today.

[Nescacman]

For those yearning for a 9 game schedule, I spoke to an AD recently and he told me his school President was going to recommend it when the Presidents meet next. He really wants a 9th game tacked onto the schedule prior to the current start date.

He also told me he'd like to see the schedule juggled somewhat each year. But, they'd keep the end of year rivalries, ie. Williams-Amherst.

I'd love to see it.

Many long time posters on this board have lamented that a 9th game just won't happen because the majority of Presidents are against it.   So I have to ask, "was this AD just displaying his considerable political skills?"

Our sources tell us that the Presidents' that were opposed to the 9th game are now no longer part of the NESCAC and that there is sufficient support to make this happen. As we have said on this Board previously, despite only requiring a majority of the Presidents to vote "for" the proposal, the reality is there needs to be complete uninimity to make it happen. Rest assured, there is also a way to preserve rivalries, timing, etc. while rotating the schedule enough to satisfy everyone. As I am sure most of you realize, there is some pretty fancy software available to the NESCAC (assuming they don't already have it) to make the appropriate schedule a snap.

Lastly, just to clear the air on this topic before it rears its ugly head again, there is zero chance that the NESCAC champ will be accepting the Leagues automatic bid into the D3 Playoffs in all of our collective lifetimes.

[Nescacman]

Nescacman....have an nosey inquiry.  You mention that you come from a Union College family but went to a CAC school.
I thought maybe it was Williams since you seem to have "insider" info with the football program there.  I get a smile with your posts when you mention "Hartford State".  Your recent posts of the Wes-Amh game have made me think that maybe you attended Wesleyan.  Aware that the season ending Trinity-Wesleyan game is almost as big as the Ephs-LJs game.
A non response is fine.  Just curious.  Awaiting your post today.

Not sure what the question is....

[RetiredMule]

Colby versus Bates tomorrow in the first leg of the CBB. Every year this kid means more to kids and it is always a physically grinding game. Generally, blood tends to run a little hotter in these late October or early November Colby/Bates games. Looking forward to Colby coming taking the first leg home.

An interesting fact, in each of Colby's last 4 seasons, the home team in their CBB match ups has been the winner.

[NED3Guy]

I might be a bit behind the 8 ball on this one, as I am really just a casual follower of this board, but is there any talk /worry / maybe even hope that Hamilton gets woo'd to the Liberty League as a full member now that the LL needs some more football schools?

I know Hamilton was LL for all but football not too long ago and I still can't imagine the mid week travel that teams other than football must have to go through to play league games.

Not really sure I can find any other reason they'd want to leave the NESCAC besides those travel issues, but wanted to throw it out there and see if anybody has heard anything.

[Nescacman]

I might be a bit behind the 8 ball on this one, as I am really just a casual follower of this board, but is there any talk /worry / maybe even hope that Hamilton gets woo'd to the Liberty League as a full member now that the LL needs some more football schools?

I know Hamilton was LL for all but football not too long ago and I still can't imagine the mid week travel that teams other than football must have to go through to play league games.

Not really sure I can find any other reason they'd want to leave the NESCAC besides those travel issues, but wanted to throw it out there and see if anybody has heard anything.

Our sources tell us that no changes, either additions or deletions, are imminent.

[Nescacman]

2015 Week 6 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings

Not much movement in the rankings this week with both Tufts and Colby on the move up.

1.   Amherst (LW #1): Amherst and Trinity are on a collision course for the 2015 NESCAC Championship on November 7th. They are winning ugly, but the bottom-line is they are winning.   

2.   Hartford State (LW #2): Solid win against the 'Pears for the Bants. They can't look ahead to Amherst as they travel to Vermont to face a very good Middlebury squad this week.

3.   Middlebury (LW #3): Middlebury continues to throw the ball early and often while they struggle on the ground. They will need to do better than the 56.4 YPG on the ground to have a shot at home against Trinity.

4.   Wesleyan (LW #4):No loss is a good loss, but last week showed that this young team can play with the big boys in the conference. Despite Wes ranking high in both total D and total O, they have struggled to put the ball into the end zone from the red zone. 2016 will be the year of the Cardinal.

4.   Tufts (LW #5): We are going to jump on the Tufts bandwagon this week. Although we give them little credit for beating up on a bad Ephs squad, they do score a ton of points and have won by comfortable margins in 2 of their 4 wins. Like it was for Wes last week, this week is a big test for Tufts. Fortunately for them, the game is home where they play well and have only lost one game the last two years.

6.   Williams (LW #6): Another bad loss for the Kelts to a good team. We watched a lot of this game and were surprised by the poor play by the Ephs offensive line. Williams had 35 yards rushing on 17 attempts, gave up 2 sacks, 3 tackles for losses and QB Lommen was under pressure all day. If they don't win at home this week against Hamilton, the HCOF might be fired on the spot.

7.   Bates (LW #7): Bates always plays well at home and last week was no exception against Middlebury. This week they look for their first win against B-C-C rival, Colby in Waterville.

8.   Bowdoin (LW#8):  Back to reality for the PBears as they got pecked in the Coup. Bowdoin is fast becoming a poor mans Middlebury with FY QB Noah Nelson throwing early and often.

9.   Colby (LW#10): Congrats to the Mules on their first win of the year against the Conts.

10.   Hamilton (LW #9): Hamilton has now lost 25 games in a row. We would love to see them break the streak this week in Willytown...we really would.

[PolarCat]

Personally, I would want to add the 9th game without juggling the schedule -- I like Amherst's schedule very well just the way it has been.

Of course you do.  It gives your team an unfair advantage.

[JEFFFAN]

Personally, I would want to add the 9th game without juggling the schedule -- I like Amherst's schedule very well just the way it has been.

Of course you do.  It gives your team an unfair advantage.

Meaning what?  Please explain.

[PolarCat]

In the first half of your season, the Jeffs face 3 teams from the bottom half of the conference: Bates, Bowdoin and Colby.  Pretty hard not to get off to a good start with that schedule.

Contrast that to the first half of Colby's season, when they face Amherst, Wesleyan and Middlebury.  The Mules have almost no chance of being 2-2 at the midway point of their season.

Let's compare this to the NFL.  Assume the Pats started their season with the Titans, Jaguars, Bucs and Browns EVERY SINGLE YEAR, while the Titans faced the Pats, the Packers, the Broncos and the Bengals EVERY SINGLE YEAR.  Do you think the Titans fans would find that a little unfair?

[AmherstStudent05]

In the first half of your season, the Jeffs face 3 teams from the bottom half of the conference: Bates, Bowdoin and Colby.  Pretty hard not to get off to a good start with that schedule.

Contrast that to the first half of Colby's season, when they face Amherst, Wesleyan and Middlebury.  The Mules have almost no chance of being 2-2 at the midway point of their season.

Let's compare this to the NFL.  Assume the Pats started their season with the Titans, Jaguars, Bucs and Browns EVERY SINGLE YEAR, while the Titans faced the Pats, the Packers, the Broncos and the Bengals EVERY SINGLE YEAR.  Do you think the Titans fans would find that a little unfair?

I think this is overstating things a bit.  In fact (and as I have said before), I would argue that Amherst faced the toughest schedule of anyone last season (in an admittedly very narrow band).  I would think the two most important aspects in determining strength of schedule are: (i) who you play, and (ii) where you play them.

Last year we didn't get to play the worst team in the Conference and we had away games against our three closest contenders for the conference crown (Wesleyan, Middlebury and Trinity).  Indeed, we NEVER get to play Hamilton and Bates in the same season, and while performance varies over the years, I think it is safe to say that these have been the two generally weakest programs over the past two years.  In contrast, Bates never has to play Amherst and Trinity in the same season. 

Indeed, in light of the current 8-game schedule, the tough early games are a double-edged sword.  Yes, two out of four years Colby opens up with Trinity.  But also two out of four years Colby doesn't have to play Trinity at all!  I think if you were to offer any NFL team a deal whereby they had to front load all their toughest games, but got an overall weaker schedule, I think all 32 would instantly accept.

Now, I am not saying scheduling order is totally unimportant.  I do think it is nice to be able to build up a little momentum at the start of the season.  Particularly, since there isn't really a preseason, I wouldn't love it if Amherst had to play one of its most competitive games Week 1 (although both schools would be in the same boat).

Also, Amherst has the natural advantage that since it is fortunate enough to be (at least for now) firmly entrenched in the upper half of the conference, its pool of weak teams to face is slightly larger vis-à-vis Colby.  Also, as long as the Maine schools are all hovering in the bottom half of the league and the CBB games are all played towards the end of the season, then it does get to be a little difficult to construct soft opening schedules for each of those schools. 

[amh63]

Nescacman.....Question is....What Nescac school did you attend?

For those posters who want to see what a D3 CAC school does at Halftime of Homecoming...one that does NOT have a PEP band....go to the Amherst website..front page......pics. Featured pic is the Big Beachball Contest!  I want to point out that my daughter and granddaughter are in the Featured Picture.  The two girls in Purple coats on the far left.  Daughter has a purple cap; granddaughter has a Pink pants.  I know, some some shameful...yet prideful...promotion here!

Hope there will be good weather for all the games and those traveling.
One last note....the QB coach for Amherst was a record setting QB for Tuft's.  He was coached by the Tuft's coach and his father is presently an assistant coach for Tuft's.  He is the recruiting coordinator for Amherst football.

[PolarCat]

AmherstStudent05 we agree about one thing:  The CAC should have a 9 game schedule, so every team has to face every other team, every single year.

But I disagree with your other premises.  Having Bates, Bowdoin and Colby in the first half of your season is a gift.  Your offense and defense have a chance to work the kinks out, the OC and DC can try out different players to see what works, you're likely to let your subs rack up some playing time, and there's a resultant reduced risk of injuries. 

The CBB should be played out the last 2 weeks of the year, and the Little Three on the two penultimate weeks (to allow for Amherst-Williams and Trinity-Wes the final week).  That leaves 6 (not 5) weeks to schedule all the other contests, and there's no good reason other than inertia why the schedule can't be rotated.

Look, forcing Bates and Hamilton to open their seasons with tough opponents, then face each other the last week of every year is just silly.  There is no natural rivalry between the two schools, it's a God-awful long bus ride for the away team after Daylight Savings Time has ended, and the game serves no good purpose.  Why not let the 'Cats and the 'Conts play each other early in the season on occasion?

[Jonny Utah]

AmherstStudent05 we agree about one thing:  The CAC should have a 9 game schedule, so every team has to face every other team, every single year.

But I disagree with your other premises.  Having Bates, Bowdoin and Colby in the first half of your season is a gift.  Your offense and defense have a chance to work the kinks out, the OC and DC can try out different players to see what works, you're likely to let your subs rack up some playing time, and there's a resultant reduced risk of injuries. 

The CBB should be played out the last 2 weeks of the year, and the Little Three on the two penultimate weeks (to allow for Amherst-Williams and Trinity-Wes the final week).  That leaves 6 (not 5) weeks to schedule all the other contests, and there's no good reason other than inertia why the schedule can't be rotated.

Look, forcing Bates and Hamilton to open their seasons with tough opponents, then face each other the last week of every year is just silly.  There is no natural rivalry between the two schools, it's a God-awful long bus ride for the away team after Daylight Savings Time has ended, and the game serves no good purpose.  Why not let the 'Cats and the 'Conts play each other early in the season on occasion?

I would say you would have an argument the other way.  If your Bates or Bowdoin, I would think you would want to play the "best" teams earlier.  Especially if you have a new coach with a new system (although that could go both ways as well).  By the end of the year, Amherst has seen everything you have done, and is going to have more talent than you anyway. 

In the end, I say Bates and Bowdoin has a better chance against top teams early than late.

[Nescacman]

Nescacman.....Question is....What Nescac school did you attend?

Thats for us to know and you to figure out...