FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Ephpapa20]

Thanks for the report, Ephpapa.  Good luck to your son, hope he gets a chance to see the field early in his career!

Thanks! I am hoping the same. We will all know soon enough. 1st practice is today...

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

So in talk radio parlance... First Time Poster.... Long Time (>5 years) Reader.......

I've no kids playing....  Just a longtime passionate NESCAC Football Fan - I attend a few games - with friends attending pretty much every game last Fall and this coming Fall..... and we all compare notes weekly.

Two comments from my buddies in the know:

1.  Amherst QB situation.  It's unfortunate Foy injured his ACL and is out for the year.  But it's well known both last year (2015) and this year that Berluti is/was NOT the Foy backup nor heir apparent nor "next man up".  Frankly.... He was last year, at best, the 3rd string QB.  (He lost his QB standing at Middlebury in 2014 (when he started in a rotation with Foy the first 3 games but was benched the entire Middlebury 2nd half) when he had a meltdown on a coach.  And his non-team play away from the field hasn't helped his cause.)   Going into camp a year ago it was #11 Foy then #15 Carmilani (from NJ) then anyone's guess with #6 Berluti leading the rest of the non-playing pack.  That order didn't change all year.  (FYI... Last year Foy was banged up for a few plays at home vs either Wes or Trinity, and Carmilani, not Berluti, was "the next man up".)  In addition, QB Berluti had post season hip/labrum surgery, didn't participate in much off season stuff, and didn't gain any standing in the coaches' eyes.    So anyone who thinks Berluti is the leading contender for the starting QB job should talk to their sources for additional clarification and correction.  Amherst is in for a tough away schedule with the injury and away games at Middlebury, Wes, then Trinity (and also Bowdoin in week 2). 

2.  Ephs (who still have their nickname) aren't looking strong in any way.  20 graduating seniors (with little depth) replaced by 15 recruits whom my sources said "have no size... none".   Ephs started last year with about 70 total players.....  down significantly by the end of the season.   Subtract the grads who mostly played, add 15 frosh recruited by the former regime, and zero transfers. (The new regime was hoping for/promised up to 5 transfers, but the Eph frosh class was oversubscribed, so they got none.)  Raymond thus will work with none of his own recruits this year.  And add to the mix a projected starting QB who didn't play QB (listed but moved to DB/Athlete... He's just the best option they have).  Tough break for a good guy (Raymond).  1 - 7 Eph Prediction..... 2 - 6 if very lucky.

3.  Wesleyan is "all in".  Staff feels "this is their year".    Like 8 - 0 and undefeated NESCAC type of year.   9/24 @ Tufts should help to settle that.

No other schools' comments from my buddies (yet) about their kids or alma maters yet.........

[nescac1]

NESCAC Football Observer, I, too, have expressed pessimism about Williams' chances for the next year, likely two, until the new coach has an opportunity to bring in a few recruiting classes and just as importantly instill his off-season program.  I'm especially pessimistic about the passing game, which was the team's lone consistent strength last year, with a new untested QB and a nearly entirely new receiving core.  But a lot of what you are saying about Williams does not ring true to me. 

First, I've seen the pre-season list of incoming football players (with a bit of creativity, anyone can) and there are 23 names listed, not 15.  And many of them are absolutely MASSIVE: 6'4 240, 6'3 274, 6'1 290, 6'1 305, 6'5 325, 6'3 230, and 6'2 280.  How much quality they collectively bring to the table, who knows (again, certainly not easy to recruit without a head coach), but at least 2-3 from that group look quite promising based on high school bios / credentials. 

Second, I am highly, highly skeptical that the new coach was ever promised anything like the potential of five transfers.  Williams brings in an entirety of something like a dozen transfers per year, and typically only a few of them are athletes (Amherst, by comparison, admits many more transfers, and typically more transfer athletes).  To think that one sport would ever get five transfers begs credulity -- that is probably as many football transfers as Williams has brought in during the last TWENTY years combined.  And I note the Williams class is not oversubcribed, but has just as many incoming frosh as it has had for the past five years. 

Now, I hope that admissions helps the new regime out by letting in a slightly-larger-than-usual football group next year, and perhaps even a transfer or two, but I would not anticpate anything beyond that ... remember Williams only gets 66 TIPS total per year (along with Amherst and Wesleyan), less than the 72 most NESCAC schools receive (and yes, transfers count in that total from what I understand), to spread among the largest number of sports of any NESCAC schools, and each guy they take for football is taking away one athlete from some other sport ...

All that being said, I'd consider a 4-4 season this year to be an ENORMOUS success for the Ephs. 

[frank uible]

Prediction of a 4-4 season more extreme even than Clinton's carelessness is macro extreme.

[nescac1]

(1) Let's not get into politics here, we hear enough about Clinton and Trump everywhere else
(2) Not predicting 4-4; saying I'd count that as an enormous success.  Over-under for wins around 2 seems more realistic.  I am confident that the coaching change will pay dividends in the long run, but patience will be required. 

[amh63]

Nescac Football Observer.....welcome to the board with the longest "handle" on the board!
Your post seems to be Little Three heavy, so I assume your buddies are too.  You do remind me of a poster about five or so years ago that rooted for Wesleyan where his son played.  Posted heavily for a season....his posts were unique and contained too much Off the field info, IMO.
The QB related info for the most part support what I am aware of.  I have much respect for the QB coach at Amherst and leave selection of QBs to the coaching staff.  Amherst is somewhat unique in having a QB specific coach.....though, another Nescac school added a QB coach in the off-season.
Wesleyan always puts a strong team on the field and has a fine coaching staff. However, an 8-0 season is a bold prediction.   Any more specific info to justify that high an expectation by the coaches, etc.? Yes, they did beat Trinity to close out the season on a high note. 

[Trin9-0]

Wesleyan always puts a strong team on the field and has a fine coaching staff. However, an 8-0 season is a bold prediction.   Any more specific info to justify that high an expectation by the coaches, etc.? Yes, they did beat Trinity to close out the season on a high note. 

You're off by a year amh63. Trin beat Wes in last year's finale; it was 2014 when the Cards broke their 13 year losing streak against the Bantams with a 1 point win in Middletown.

Wesleyan's three losses last year came by a combined 16 points and their schedule this year is favorable; no Middlebury in the opener and both Amherst and Trinity at home. With no Foy for Amherst we could be looking at a very big game in Middletown on November 12th.

[amh63]

Trin8-0.....My error! And my apology!
Yes, the games with both the Cardinals and the Bantams are away....guess the LJs will have to pull them out as in 2014 .  Yes, tough to change my ways at my age.

[AmherstStudent05]

Now, I hope that admissions helps the new regime out by letting in a slightly-larger-than-usual football group next year, and perhaps even a transfer or two, but I would not anticpate anything beyond that ... remember Williams only gets 66 TIPS total per year (along with Amherst and Wesleyan), less than the 72 most NESCAC schools receive (and yes, transfers count in that total from what I understand), to spread among the largest number of sports of any NESCAC schools, and each guy they take for football is taking away one athlete from some other sport ...

My understanding is that Amherst, Wesleyan and Williams have a longstanding agreement (other schools may have as well) that no more than 14 of the 66 TIPS can be allocated to football, so I think that the hands of Williams admissions are slightly tied.  Of course, where they can be flexible is in perhaps allowing the new regime to reach a little more on some (or all) of the 14 TIPS. 

[nescac1]

Ahh, I forgot about that, but that sounds right, AmherstStudent05.  I think there may also be an informal agreement regarding just how far admissions can dip, but that I'm less certain of.  Amherst notoriously was a bit more flexible with football recruits in the early 1990s when it very rapidly restocked with some elite talent following an 0-8 season ... Williams will likely need to do the same if it hopes to be highly competitive within 1-2 years, as opposed to 3-4.  In all events, I believe that Coach Raymond has a pretty easy sales pitch for recruits: a chance to come in and get playing time right away and restore a historically-great program with tremendous history, traditions and alumni support to glory, plus an absolutely stellar football facility.  Not to mention a pretty decent education! 

[quicksilver]

Now, I hope that admissions helps the new regime out by letting in a slightly-larger-than-usual football group next year, and perhaps even a transfer or two, but I would not anticpate anything beyond that ... remember Williams only gets 66 TIPS total per year (along with Amherst and Wesleyan), less than the 72 most NESCAC schools receive (and yes, transfers count in that total from what I understand), to spread among the largest number of sports of any NESCAC schools, and each guy they take for football is taking away one athlete from some other sport ...

My understanding is that Amherst, Wesleyan and Williams have a longstanding agreement (other schools may have as well) that no more than 14 of the 66 TIPS can be allocated to football, so I think that the hands of Williams admissions are slightly tied.  Of course, where they can be flexible is in perhaps allowing the new regime to reach a little more on some (or all) of the 14 TIPS.

The limit of 14 on football tips is a NESCAC-wide restriction. 

[Ephpapa20]

So in talk radio parlance... First Time Poster.... Long Time (>5 years) Reader.......

2.  Ephs (who still have their nickname) aren't looking strong in any way.  20 graduating seniors (with little depth) replaced by 15 recruits whom my sources said "have no size... none".   Ephs started last year with about 70 total players.....  down significantly by the end of the season.   Subtract the grads who mostly played, add 15 frosh recruited by the former regime, and zero transfers. (The new regime was hoping for/promised up to 5 transfers, but the Eph frosh class was oversubscribed, so they got none.)  Raymond thus will work with none of his own recruits this year.  And add to the mix a projected starting QB who didn't play QB (listed but moved to DB/Athlete... He's just the best option they have).  Tough break for a good guy (Raymond).  1 - 7 Eph Prediction..... 2 - 6 if very lucky.

Goodness Gracious! Is the sky falling also? I saw a bunch of size on Monday within the incoming class. The problem with the '16 team is that is will be heavily dependent on underclassmen. I am predicting 3-5, possible 4-4 season. I will have a better idea after the Amherst scrimmage.

[PolarCat]

Ah, I love this time of year.  Every team is undefeated, and like the children of Lake Woebegone, every team is exceptional in the eyes of its parents and fans.

If past history is any precedent, there will be plenty of surprises ahead.  Some, like the hugely unfortunate injury to Foy (and the similar injury to Teddy Bridgewater) will force new players to step up and take a program on their shoulders.  Others will be more subtle: a D line that toughens up in a key game, and hands a highly-favored squad an unexpected defeat, a DB or WR who has a breakout season, or that rare FY that has an impact.  And some games will be be decided by one crazy play: the blocked punt, the fumble in the end zone, the missed FG, or the pick six that goes 94 yards.

How's the season going to shake out?  Thank God I haven't a clue.  It's the twists and turns that make it all so much fun.  22 days and counting till the answers start being revealed.

[frank uible]

3-5 with 4-4 possible? If you put your money where your mouth is, the Smart Money will eat you alive. Give Coach Raymond a break!

[Ephpapa20]

Well I'm a newbie to this board so please excuse my naive exuberance. I am excited for the 24th and the next for years!