FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

2015 Week #7 NESCAC Preview

Welcome to Week 7 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". We went 4-1 last week and now stand at 24-6 for the season. Our only loss was stupidly picking Williams. We should have known better. This weeks picks are dedicated to former board mate, Al Davis. Al, we miss you!!!

Hamilton College at Middlebury College: We think this game will be closer than people think. Hamilton finally lifted the monkey off their back with their first win in 3 years. Both defenses are pretty similar; the difference here is the home field advantage for the Panthers and Middlebury's superior offense. The best player on the field will be QB Milano for Middlebury who has more than twice as many TD passes as the next QB in the 'CAC and that will be enough.

Middlebury 28 Hamilton 17
Weather: Not a factor (weather courtesy of the Weather Channel).

Bowdoin College at Bates College: Another big game in the best conference in Maine, the C-B-B. If Bates wins, they win the title. If Bowdoin wins, they can wrap it up next week against Colby.  Bates runs the ball well, Bowdoin doesn't. Bowdoin passes the ball well, Bates doesn't. We'll go with the home team in a close game.

Bates 17 Bowdoin 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Tufts University at Colby College: With the C-B-B loss last week and no shot at that coveted title, Colby just wants to get to the finish line. Is a coaching changing imminent? Tufts has a shot at their best record since 2001 (6-2).

Tufts 24 Colby 17
Weather: Not a factor.

Williams College at Wesleyan University: Let's cut to the point, Williams is not good and does not match up well against Wes. We think Wes will pound the rock all day against one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Wes will force the Ephs to pass which will allow one of the best pass rushes (17 sacks) and pass rushers (led by Jordan Stone with 5.5 sacks) to put pressure on QB Lommen and force some INTs (Wes DB Zac Cuzner is the reigning 'CAC player of the week recording 3 ints last week against Bowdoin). We think Wes will do a better job of converting in the red zone and delivers the final nail in the HCOF's coffin on Homecoming Day in Middletown.

Wesleyan 31 Williams 14
Weather: Not a factor

NESCAC Game of the Week

Hartford State College at Amherst College: This might as well be called the Tostitos NESCAC Bowl. The winner will be the 2015 NESCAC Champs. The Purple Moose has scored more than 30 points in 4 of their 6 games. Trinity has allowed less than 10 points in 4 of their 6 games. Amherst's offense is better than HS' while HS' defense is better than the Moose. In games like this we like the home team. Take Amherst and give the points.

Amherst 28 Hartford State 21
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCACMAN's Picks
Last week: 4-1 (2015 season to date: 24-6)
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 86-24 (.782 winning percentage)

[Nescacman]

Nescacman....enjoyed your "witty" post with the STATS also.  Must be a Wes grad!  Too clever and imaginative for an EHPs .  Were you a Frat man?  One of the few remaining that has been ordered to be Coed or Closed...same thing.  Nice play on the Moose.  Let you in on something....that mascot will not happen.  Maybe an OWL?....does like meat.

No comment on our collegiate loyalties. However, we will say that Wes has taken political correctness to a new level. We actually think the Wes administration and faculty are to the left of Bernie Sanders. They almost make him look conservative. Political correctness run amok.

[lumbercat]

New to Nescac-
I wouldn't hold my breath on the firing of Michaeles- beleive he will be there well after your sons graduation.
Why do you say "he has destroyed recruiting" ?
He has recruited well especially this year with a strong Freshmen class--a few FYs in starting roles and others contributing on the field following a very strong recruiting year last year.

[RetiredMule]

I will be the first to say that Colby still has a lot to play for this season.  Tufts has set themselves up for a trap game against Colby this weekend.  Colby is coming off a close defeat to a rival that should light a fire under them, while Tufts is coming off the first bad loss of the year that may deflate their high-flying spirits.  On top of that, the game is in Waterville where Colby has always played better.  All of these point to Tufts walking into an elephant sized trap tomorrow.  On a smaller note, the matchup I am very much interested in is the strength of Colby's d-line against Tuft's really good o-line.  I think this will be a lot of fun to watch. 

We will see where everything stands following the game tomorrow, but I have a good gut feeling about tomorrow. Go Mules.

[NewtoNescac]

RetiredMule - I hope you're right!

[Trin9-0]

No comment on our collegiate loyalties. However, we will say that Wes has taken political correctness to a new level. We actually think the Wes administration and faculty are to the left of Bernie Sanders. They almost make him look conservative. Political correctness run amok.

It seems fairly obvious to me that Nescacman is a Wesleyan fan/alum/student/parent. I won't hold it against him/her though and will offer an open invite to my Trin Homecoming tailgate on the 14th.

Speaking of which, I'm headed up to Amherst tomorrow for the NESCAC Championship game, any chance amh63 will be in attendance? I'd love to meet the legend in person! Go Bants!

[amh63]

Trin8-0....thank you for the kind "title"...I think . Have made 2 trips up this season and was hoping to go up to Willytown.  Another year...maybe in Hartford.  Yes, I have been on the campus of Trinity a number of times....mainly to watch basketball.  Since I have been retired since 2000....my limited funds is used to please my wife and kids.  My wife informed me that we must be elsewhere on the 14th....will even miss the Williams game at one of the 50 sites around the world it will be broadcasted .
Must apologize to posters here on the matter of the 9th game.  Forgot to plug it with the Prez and AD at Homecoming.  Hard to get their attention....facility dedication..and family "herding" of sorts.
Oh yes, it will be family weekend for the Trinity game and the 20 seniors on the team will be honored...before the game.  Plan accordingly.

[P'bearfan]

From the guys at Nothing but Nescac: Bowdoin over Bates 17-13

Great prediction!

GoUBears!!

[NewtoNescac]

Have a fun day of football everyone. Let it be competitive, and may the players be safe.

I was reminded yesterday just what a decent caring person Jonathan Michaeles is. I will be cheering and rooting for Colby today, for the players, and also for Coach Michaeles.

Go Mules!

[polbear73]

Congratulations to Bates for a complete game in dominating Bowdoin. A discouraging loss for the Polar Bears, but credit the Bates game plan and execution.

[westcoastDad]

How about those Lord Jeffs!  They may not strike fear into opponents hearts but dammit if they don't win like those old Ravens, Steelers (of the 70s) teams.  They win with defense, defense, defense and big play offense. 

Unless there is a major upset at Williams next Saturday the Lord Jeffs will be crowned.....back to back champs

[amh63]

WestcoastDad....agreed it was the defense!  Just some quick points...my take of the game.
There were battles going on between the lines...in the trenches. In the end, it was experience and depth that won the game.  Senior Fairfield-Sonn provided the experience as he made two key picks and blocked the FG near the end of the first half...giving Amherst a 9-7 lead at the half.
Depth in the defensive backfield when FS Gow left early in the first half...replaced by a freshman. Depth in the offensive backfield as Amherst big backs ran hard and got big yardage when needed.
Yes, Trinity won the TOP bigtime. So what is new with this Amherst TEAM.
Again in the second half, Amherst's OL started to wear Trinity DL down...bigger gains by Amherst's Backs.  Amherst rotated more front seven Defensive players in and Trinity's offensive backs were shut down.  When Amherst had to replace several starters in the OL ...depth and adjustments made with the use of TEs kept the offense moving down the field.
Started to ramble here. sorry.
Next week there will be TWO big games that count.  Big rival games.  The CT battle between Wes and Trin.  Then there is the battle for Ma.  The Amherst vs Williams game...always a tough game for The Jeffs.  Another 8-0 season..back to back ones and an undisputed CAC title are worthwhile goals for this team. 
Maybe there is some footage around from this game for a GIF.

[Nescacman]

Unless there is a major upset at Williams next Saturday the Lord Jeffs will be crowned.....back to back champs

We are going to go out on a limb here...Williams has absolutely no chance to beat Amherst next week.

[P'bearfan]

Congratulations to Bates for a complete game in dominating Bowdoin. A discouraging loss for the Polar Bears, but credit the Bates game plan and execution.

Ouch!  Didn't see the game as I was at my daughter's x-country state meet.  Very disappointing result for Bowdoin.  QB Nelson's numbers have dropped off significantly since the Hamilton game  (completion rate: Ham: 65%; Trinity: 38%; Wes: 44%; Bates: 39%) . 
Now we also lost our best running back during this period but it sure looks like Nelson's performance in the Hamilton game was due mainly to playing against a weaker defense.

Nelson may very well be the future of the team but I just don't think he's our best option to win now.

[polbear73]

P'bearfan, if there is a silver lining (and I'm looking very hard for one) is that Nelson is gaining some tough experience.  Bates was in his face all day (even incurring a couple of roughing penalties)-I'm sure that the kid is walking gingerly this morning.  Bowdoin is down to its third string running back and was forced to pass over 50 times, allowing Bates' linebackers to tee off with the blitzing game.  I really credit the Bates coaching staff for a perfect game plan on both sides of the ball and the players for executing that.  As for Bowdoin, the improvement that had been seen during the season was non existent yesterday as they looked overwhelmed throughout. 

Hopefully the Polar Bears can suck it up and end the season on an upbeat note against Colby, a team that will be trying to do the same thing.