FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Vandy74]

Seems to me that those schools that are out in the sticks don't fare as well as Trinity, Wesleyan and Amherst? 

Did Middlebury, VT, the cow-tipping capital of the universe, suddenly become a bustling metropolis?  Or are you sufficiently scared of Vandy now (and having met him, you have every right to be) that you no longer include Midd in your listing of "sticks" schools?   

Be kind, PC, be kind.  wcD is an OK guy.  We got off on the wrong Foote, I'll admit, but I was having a bad hair day at the time.  My bad.  As for the "bad hair day" that's a figure of speech.  I say that because, knowing you, the witty rejoinders are chomping at the bit to express themselves.   I tried giving you a +K but something you posted within the last 24 hours must have impressed the hell out of me.  Or is it that we both use the same writers.  I'm planning on seeing you in the sticks in a couple weeks and you owing me the price of a drink.

[PolarCat]

I'm planning on seeing you in the sticks in a couple weeks and you owing me the price of a drink.

Every (both?) motel room in your one-horse town is booked solid.  (There is a special spot in hell for those damn leaf-peepers).  So I'm either staying in East Bumfrick,or pitching a tent in your front  yard.  If it's the former, I will have an hour drive after the game, so can only share a Moxie with you.

You've got indoor plumbing up in Vermont, right?

[westcoastDad]

Polar Cat,
Middlebury just beat us.  I'm not saying a word about their wonderful gridiron existence!  Yes, Vandy has influenced me a tad.   Actually, more than a tad.  But, wonderful program out there! 

[Vandy74]

I'm planning on seeing you in the sticks in a couple weeks and you owing me the price of a drink.

Every (both?) motel room in your one-horse town is booked solid.  (There is a special spot in hell for those damn leaf-peepers).  So I'm either staying in East Bumfrick,or pitching a tent in your front  yard.  If it's the former, I will have an hour drive after the game, so can only share a Moxie with you.

You've got indoor plumbing up in Vermont, right?

Rich folk discovered you kin do that 5 years ago.

[PolarCat]

I wonder if wcD knows the toothbrush was invented in Middlebury, and how it got it's name?

[Vandy74]

I wonder if wcD knows the toothbrush was invented in Middlebury, and how it got it's name?

There you go again, asking him to bite off more than he can chew.  Besides, the homespun wiki version has it half right. 

[amh63]

Vandy74....your posting times indicate your rise in inside clever responses here.  However, posting in " homespun country ways" ...terms and spelling are too much HClinton for me.  Did like the use of the "Foote" term.
PolarCat....a little disappointed in you in encouraging A Commodore alum.  Vandy and Middhoops may not reserve a space for you and others in the stands.  Speaking of those Midd rooters, did see on the badly covered NSN broadcast, two neon yellow fans together...but they were on the sidelines?
Middlebury does have a first class Inn...one that the Lord Jeffery Inn...completely rebuilt..was trying to copy.
WestCoastDad....is it possible that there are TWO fathers that have sons that are classmates and teammates that are USC...Southern Cal...grads?
Vandy & PC ....have either of you notice the return of our mutual "friend"?

Last comments..on football yet.  There is several football notes..NFL..in today's WSJ dealing with QBs.  It always seems that the offense in general and QBs in particular get the bulk of attention...good and bad.  Why is that?  Oh yes, a legal issue dealing with a Purple & White sports team..NorthWestern of the Big Ten headed by the former Prez of Williams...mentioned in the WSJ..on the sports page. Topic relating to free speech and unionization of D1 players as paid players.  Glad this is a D3 board.
Note, NorthWestern Un.is the Vanderbilt of the North, IMO.  Two high academic private schools playing football in football crazy power conferences.

[gridiron]

Schools in the sticks...

Depends upon how one looks at it.  Takes longer to get from Boston to Middlebury and Hamilton than any of the three Maine schools.  Further, it takes longer to get to Williams than either Bates or Bowdoin from Boston and is in an area most would consider the sticks for sure.

Five of the six schools mentioned (Middlebury the exception) would be considered currently in the "have-not" category with respect to the most competitive football teams in the conference.  Not sure there is cause and effect, but since it was brought up, who knows?

[Nescacman]

Schools in the sticks...

Depends upon how one looks at it.  Takes longer to get from Boston to Middlebury and Hamilton than any of the three Maine schools.  Further, it takes longer to get to Williams than either Bates or Bowdoin from Boston and is in an area most would consider the sticks for sure.

Five of the six schools mentioned (Middlebury the exception) would be considered currently in the "have-not" category with respect to the most competitive football teams in the conference.  Not sure there is cause and effect, but since it was brought up, who knows?

We can go round and round on why the league is clearly divided into the "have's" and "have not's"...bottom line is there is no silver bullet answer.

Location of a school is certainly one factor (of many). We don't think it is a coincidence that 4 of the top 5 teams in the 'CAC are within striking distance of two major metropolitan areas. As long as the Pants continue to be able to get stud QB's to run their one dimensional offense, they will be in the discussion. "The Gambler" is the latest in a string of best in class QB's (McKillup, Foote, Miano). We give Coach Ritter credit for consistently getting the right guy to run his O for him.

Other factors (as have been widely discussed on the Board) include (in no order) coaching, admissions support, financial aid support, administration support, alumni commitment/pressure, $$$ commitment, academic and athletic facilities, school location, weather, uniforms/equipment, academic reputation, mentoring/career opportunities, football tradition, commitment to winning, players on the team, school social life, parental pressure, ability to play two sports, etc.

What's the right answer? Let's all agree that there is not one and move on...I am sure we can all agree that the "have not's'" fall down in many of the above areas.

[Vandy74]

Vandy74....your posting times indicate your rise in inside clever responses here.  However, posting in " homespun country ways" ...terms and spelling are too much HClinton for me.  Did like the use of the "Foote" term.
PolarCat....a little disappointed in you in encouraging A Commodore alum.  Vandy and Middhoops may not reserve a space for you and others in the stands.  Speaking of those Midd rooters, did see on the badly covered NSN broadcast, two neon yellow fans together...but they were on the sidelines?
Middlebury does have a first class Inn...one that the Lord Jeffery Inn...completely rebuilt..was trying to copy.
WestCoastDad....is it possible that there are TWO fathers that have sons that are classmates and teammates that are USC...Southern Cal...grads?
Vandy & PC ....have either of you notice the return of our mutual "friend"?

Last comments..on football yet.  There is several football notes..NFL..in today's WSJ dealing with QBs.  It always seems that the offense in general and QBs in particular get the bulk of attention...good and bad.  Why is that?  Oh yes, a legal issue dealing with a Purple & White sports team..NorthWestern of the Big Ten headed by the former Prez of Williams...mentioned in the WSJ..on the sports page. Topic relating to free speech and unionization of D1 players as paid players.  Glad this is a D3 board.
Note, NorthWestern Un.is the Vanderbilt of the North, IMO.  Two high academic private schools playing football in football crazy power conferences.

amh63....yes I did notice the return of the Bonney lad.  It was nice of him to drop in and say "Hi."  Always good to see ya Chuck.    As for the neon yellow dudes, that sounds like Event Staff garb.

[gridiron]

Have others on the board recognized the NESCAC connection to the now-infamous Trump video?

Billy Bush is a former Colby Mule!

[amh63]

Info overload!  Knew about the close relationships to the Bush political family.  Any thought of his college days experience...none...would have been directed to New Haven CT.  Bushes of Ct.  go back many generations.

[WesCardPlayer]

Wesleyan has been putting together highlight videos as well (though not in-house like Tufts)...

https://vimeo.com/186993791

[quicksilver]

Have others on the board recognized the NESCAC connection to the now-infamous Trump video?

Billy Bush is a former Colby Mule!

Even better -- he is a former lax bro (2-time captain of the Colby lacrosse team)!!!

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

So.... let's talk football and week 4 predictions:

o   Bowdoin 21 @ Hamilton 28
o   Wesleyan 28 @ Bates 14
o   Colby 07 @ Amherst 31
o   Tufts 17 @ Trinity 31
o   Middlebury 42 @ Williams 07