FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

Pay no attention to the posts from the guy who thinks he's funny.  I'm not sure of his identity, but he sounds like a former gender studies major, living in his parents' basement, with too much time on his hands.

Williams has already shown their commitment by hiring a coach of Raymond's caliber.  I imagine he is better-paid than several other NESCAC coaches with longer tenure.  And the rumor is they tried to get rid of Kelton prior to the 2015 season, but were stuck with him due to an administrative error.  I imagine the current team's small roster was a parting gift from the former HCOF.  (His current team is 0-6 and lost their opener 66-0).

Williams will indeed be back.  The question is whether any of the other programs can step up to keep them out of the top half of the conference.  Will Wells pull off his turnaround?  Will the incoming Bates AD (yet to be named) finally start giving the program what it so desperately needs?  Will Hamilton figure out a way to put the pieces together?  Will Colby - with or without Michaeles - discover a winning formula?  Time will tell.  But unless Civetti gets hired away by a D1, I think it's going to be awfully hard for Williams to crack onto the Top 3.

[Trin9-0]

I've yet to find anyone on this board who enjoys Nescacman's brand of "humor". My best guess (based on his usual targets) is that his allegiance is to Wesleyan. How quickly some forget the Cards were at the very bottom of the NESCAC not too long ago.

Sooner or later everyone takes a turn being in the basement. I played on two 4-4 teams at Trinity, which is about as low as the program has been in the past half century (the last time Trinity had consecutive non-winning seasons was 1972-'73). The climb back up to the top of the mountain makes the success that much sweeter and also helps develop some humility.


Sadly, a wedding will keep me from attending the Trinity-Tufts showdown in Hartford tomorrow. The Jumbos are a formidable challenge and I expect a close game. Trinity has not been challenged thus far, so it will be interesting to see how they respond to a quality opponent who is highly motivated. My gut tells me that the Bantams have enough weapons to put up a few scores and will hold Tufts to fewer than three TDs. My prediction is Trinity wins a close one, 20-17.

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

I think NESCACMAN is funny.  His humor is full of sarcasm... but that's ok.  We're all supposed to be big boys, no?

But his points are accurate.   (And the sprint football reference to Sat's was funny.)

But lest we forget....... Despite all the academic kudos associated with these 10 great schools.........

Saturdays are about winning, and no points by making excuses, ie, whining, about injuries, what if's, etc..

EVERY football program has kids who don't return, injuries, underperformance, etc..    It has to be "NEXT MAN UP"..... 

If a program has the depth and/or ability to have a NMU mentality....  those are the programs that succeed.

And, let's face it.... None of the current players at any of the schools is facing a situation into which they didn't walk fully aware of the coaches, school attitudes towards football, etc..

Just is what it is.

[ColbyFootballDad]

NESCACMAN
What is with the Pop Warner References? What are you saying?  Is that the level of Football you lasted played? I don't get it. Is your point that NESCAC players or parents should be ok with asinine commentary? Did you play? Tell us more about your career in the trenches.

[ColbyFootballDad]

ColbyFootballDad

Don't let comments from the peanut gallery set you back. Who knows what the guys motivation is in those comments.

I'm a Bates guy but believe me your son is in a great place.....trust it. Embrace these 4 years with your boy as I know you will.

Not sure where you are from but I'm sure you will get to some NESCAC games and especially some CBB games.

The NESCAC is special......some get it right away but for others it takes time.....it's just starting to sink in on the West Coast......at the end of the day its a great thing.

Good Luck to the Blue and Grey at Amherst.

They will get it figured out on the Hill....just a confusing situation right now.

When my son decided to leave his first sport and pursue football at the next level we did our research and everything about the NESCAC seemed to make sense for him. I wanted to pursure IAA scholarships or at least Patriot League but the NESCAC Tradition, Schools, Academics,  Rivalries etc.seemed right for him. We didn't consider past W/L records but he wants to Win and be a part of winning. I'm ok with the comments. I'm not ok with a program that doesn't try and I see all the effort i need to thus far.  as far as this board, I like to know something about who hides behind some of what I read. This is obviously fun for me however my son could care less and never responds when I copy him on what I read here. His head is down but Troll like behavior will continue to be an issue for me.  BTP

[mariner75]

Here is the Tufts - Trinity game preview from the Jumbos website:

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/trinity_preview

[ColbyFootballDad]

Wish i could see that game. Should be a great one

[Nescacman]

Week 4 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings

Hartford State supplanted the team fka the Lord Jeffs for #1 after Middlebury's big win last week. Also, some movement at the bottom of the rankings.

1. Hartford State (3-0, LW: 2): Trinity thumped the Conts last week as they rolled to their 3rd win of the season. Their rushing D was especially good allowing only 67 yards rushing on 29 attempts. The Bantams are first in the league in total offense and third in total defense. After 2 weeks of warm ups, they head into the meat of their schedule with games against the other 4 "have's" over the next 5 weeks, starting with Tufts this Saturday.

2. Middlebury (3-0, LW: 5): Big win for the Pants last week ending Amherst's 21 game winning streak. MID made the best of only 248 yards total offense which included negative 13 yards rushing on 34 attempts. The difference in this one was the play of Lebowitz at QB, the kicking of Massengill and key third down conversions.

3. Tufts (3-0, LW: 3): Tufts actually had a ball game against the Polar Bears last week. Tufts was very fortunate to beat Wesleyan in week 1 (two missed short FGs by Wes and a key personal foul penalty against Wes gave Tufts a 1st down that kept the drive alive). We are not totally sold on the Jumbo's. We'll find out in the weeks ahead whether they are for real starting this week when they play the Bants in Hartford.

4. Wesleyan (2-1, LW: 4): Continues to roll with a big win last week in Maine that was, frankly, not as close as the score indicates. They will try to keep their title hopes alive as they travel to Maine again this week before their big week 5 annual battle against the the team fka the Lord Jeffs. Wes leads the NESCAC in time of possession per game (33:28), rushing TDs (8), third-down % (46%) and kick return average (26.5). They also rank 2nd in yards per game (447.0), rushing yards per game (226.3), yards per rush (5.9), rushing first downs (30), passing first downs (30), fourth-down % (67%), scoring defense (9.7 ppg), yards per game allowed (213.3), passing yards per game allowed (140.3) and rushing yards per game allowed (73.0).

5. Amherst (2-1, Last week: 1): Tough loss on the road ending their 21 game winning streak. Although their 4th string QB played well, they need Berlutti back to stay in the hunt. Amherst, like HS, is into the meat of their schedule as well facing Tufts, Trinity and Wes over the next 4 weeks.They will need to win all of those if they expect to share in the league title in 2016.

6. University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) (1-2, LW: 6): An amazing week for UBates. Not only did they beat Williams (again), but they actually threw the ball 24 times for 240 yards. Is it any coincidence that they won? We like Coach Harriman and actually think if the school gave him more resources and he got away from that wacky offense he runs, UBates would actually have a chance to move into the upper echelon of the 'CAC.

7. Colby (1-2, LW: 7): Really nothing else to say. Destroyed by Wes last Saturday, it doesn't get any easier this week as they face an Amherst squad that hasn't lost since 2013. We rank them ahead of the bottom 3 because they have a win.

8.Williams (0-3, LW:10): HCOF Kelton still 0-6 at Shorter. Ephs looking at an 0-5 start before they have a chance at a win. The Ephs are 7th in scoring offense and 8th in scoring defense.

9. Bowdoin (0-3, LW: 9): We're not sure if Bowdoin played better last week or Tufts played worse. They gave up 40 points for the 2nd time this season and are last in the NESCAC in points allowed and total defense. Things are not much better on offense where they are 2nd to last in the league in total offense.

10. Hamilton (0-3, LW: 8): Last in scoring (just 2 TDs in 3 games) and 2nd to last in points allowed. The Conts are last in the league in total offense and second to last in total defense. The are also last in the conference in turnovers, by a wide margin. Fortunately, the schedule lightens up with opportunities for win #1 in each of the  next 3 weeks.

[amh63]

The Amherst preview of the Colby game is up.  Reading it, points out several things.  How tight last season's game was until the fourth quarter when an interception led to a TD and another int. stopped aNother Colby drive.  An interesting note is the absence ...again... of an all Nescac kicker.
Seems there is also a spread in the start of the football games...Bowdoin game is at Noon and the featured game of Tufts-Trinity is the late starter.
The Colby Fall sports teams will be all over the Amherst campus...soccer teams, field hockey too..on Sat.
First order is the Amherst defense stopping Colby's all everything RB.  Key, IMO.

Trinity8-0, if you get the chance, could you dig up some historic info for me and this board.  On the Midd athletic website, there is a writeup of a former HC of Football...still lives in VT..that will be honored at his Alma mater.  The former coach was a great lineman at the Un. Of Delaware..the Blue Hens.  He and his wife were at UDelaware about the time of former Trinity HC, Coach Miller.  Not clear when Coach Miller played as a Blue Hen QB and when the former Midd coach played there.  The time frame for both may have been when there were no freshmen on the varisity.  There may be a crossover year.

[JumbosMom]

Wow gone for a bit and lots of chatter! I just wanted to clarify about attendance and the game I felt was crowded . In the film the stands are indeed less than full I guess my impression was from the packed tailgate in the garage and the field house, and a few glasses of Jumbo Juice! - I think many took advantage of watching the game on the large screen tvs out of the rain - but I do stand corrected.

Now , on to this Saturday's game. Tufts has no problem being the underdog it makesthe boys hungry and motivates the boys. A battle it will be but I believe we are taking the win! (Well really no surprise I believe so! ).  At last weeks game by the 3rd quarter we had second and 3rd string playing as we were so far ahead. No need to risk injury to our key players and no need to totally defeat the other teams spirits and on their parents weekend. I thought it was a classy move and gave some of the younger players some great time on the field and experience.

To the mom looking at Tufts - my son was recruited by all the schools, Bentley and a couple D1s. We picked Tufts because of Coach Civetti and the culture of the team and school. Best decision ever made. You really can't go wrong with Amy NESCAC school though - so best of luck!

Happy Game day Everyone!

[lumbercat]

Nescacman

Really enjoy your Friday previews and this one is another gem. Really good.

The conference has become very predictable with a top tier and the rest....I think most everyone agrees on that.

That being said, it's so easy to predict these games. If they put Nescac football on the board in Vegas I would be out there 8 times a year.

However, it's still Football and this predictability has to waiver at some point.

The only game I differ on tomorrow from the consensus is Bowdoin-Hamilton.
I'm going to predict a decisive win for the Black and White as long they don't show up in those awful grey uniforms.

NESCACMAN- lets make these predictions a little more challenging. We need someone to post odds on the board each week by Wednesday.
Why don't you assume the honors next week 5.

For ensuing weeks I'll suggest these weekly bookmakers:

Week 6- Gridiron
Week 7- Polarcat
Week 8- someone from Middlebury- too many guys, can't tell them apart
but they know their stuff.

[lumbercat]

Jumbosmom
Man- you get it.
Wish you, your family and your son the best at Tufts.

[Nescacman]

Nescacman

Really enjoy your Friday previews and this one is another gem. Really good.

The conference has become very predictable with a top tier and the rest....I think most everyone agrees on that.

That being said, it's so easy to predict these games. If they put Nescac football on the board in Vegas I would be out there 8 times a year.

However, it's still Football and this predictability has to waiver at some point.

The only game I differ on tomorrow from the consensus is Bowdoin-Hamilton.
I'm going to predict a decisive win for the Black and White as long they don't show up in those awful grey uniforms.

NESCACMAN- lets make these predictions a little more challenging. We need someone to post odds on the board each week by Wednesday.
Why don't you assume the honors next week 5 and I will handle week 6.

For ensuing weeks I'll suggest these weekly bookmakers:

Week 6- Gridiron
Week 7- Polarcat
Week 8- someone from Middlebury- too many guys, can't tell them apart
but they know their stuff.

Lumber...we include predicted scores every week. You can create a spread out of that. With that being said, we will be positing our predictions shortly. Good gaming today!

[Nescacman]

2016 Week #4 NESCAC Preview

Disclaimer: This post may contain some humor, sarcasm and views that some (particularly Williams fans) may find offensive, rude and offputting. If you are someone that is easily offended, please move on to other posts. This will be your only warning! Continue at your own risk.

Welcome to Week 4 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". We were 4-1 in week 3, only losing the GOTW. Another bad schedule this week with only one game of consequence on the menu. Perfect day to rake leaves or clean the toilets for everyone not in Hartford today.

Bowdoin College at Hamilton College: Just an awful match-up of the worst 2 teams in the league. Only attendees will be parents, students who don't have a paper due on Monday and former players headed to Turning Stone for the weekend.
Bowdoin 14 Hamilton 10
Weather: Not a factor.

Wesleyan University at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) : Which UB shows up? The one dimensional UB offense that we know and love or the suddenly pass happy team that showed up last week. We're not sure it matters much against a tough Wes defense. Wes will pound the ball on the ground and pass as necessary. Expect Wes to continue to roll towards their Week 5 showdown with the team fka the LJs.
Wesleyan 31 UBates 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Colby College at Amherst College: Amherst will once again go with their #4 signal caller; they hope to have Berlutti back for their big week #5 match up v. Wesleyan. Coach Mills is a gentleman and will try very hard not to run up the score in this one. It will be a challenge. The Amherst JV will get plenty of work in this one. Colby's lightweight squad takes another Saturday.
Amherst 35 Colby 7
Weather: Not a factor.

Middlebury College at Williams College: Another home loss for the once might Ephs. Coach Ritter will have his team focused heading toward the weeks 6 showdown with the Staters from Hartford.
Middlebury 31 Williams 14
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Tufts University at Hartford State College: A dose of reality sets in for the Jumbos. They will keep it close for awhile but the balanced 'State offense will be too much for the Jumbo's to handle. We think the overrated Jumbo's come back to earth.
Hartford State 28  Tufts 14
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCACMAN's Picks
2016 Season: 13-2
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 105-30 (.778 winning percentage)

[RetiredMule]

I am gonna come out with a negative prediction after watching some of the games and knowing schemes for both Colby and Amherst. Amherst front 7 is better schematically and significantly athletically than the Colby o-line. Jabari Hurdle-Price will have a tough time doing anything and the 3rd string QB will have standing and throwing. The matchup is not their to gain space or protect the QB. Colby's defense may be able to hold close for a while. But I do not see Colby scoring and eventually the continual field time wears down the flood gates and Colby's D.

Amherst 34 - 0 Colby