FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[SpringSt7]

Two notes for this week--one Williams related and one not.

-It was brought to my attention over the weekend by a respected voice how quickly we have forgotten about the fact that the change to a 9 game schedule also meant that we lost the preseason scrimmage that usually leads into Week 1. I say this to remind people that in a season so far that has seen quite the volatility between Week 1 and Week 2 performances, that Week 1 was the first time many of these kids were hitting and getting hit for an extended period of time with game-like intensity (hitting in practice is just not the same), since the beginning of last November. I am not sure how much of a role this plays, if any, but I feel like it is a proposal worth sharing that could possible explain why some teams looked so different from Week 1 to Week 2. Hopefully a third week will finally give us some consistency.

-I expect Williams to roll Bowdoin quite easily, the only team Mark Raymond (2-0) has yet to lose to since he took over in Billsville--courtesy of the 8 game schedule. But it is interesting to note that there are 4 teams in the NESCAC that are tied for the league lead in sacks, with 6: Tufts, Trinity, Wesleyan....and Bowdoin. Bowdoin got to Seamus Lambert last week 5 times and it's not because they have a sleeping giant up front on the DLine or anything, it's because they have quite literally blitzed on almost every single defensive snap, more than 100 of them, in the first two weeks. They will provide another interesting test for this Eph O-Line, who will have to keep Maimaron clean with some effort on every single snap. I also love that the new Bowdoin coaching staff has chosen to lead with some aggression and refuses to play scared, despite the fact that it will continue to be an uphill battle building a program in Brunswick

[Nescacman]

OK, I have a decision to make...my older son goes to Yale and plays Guard, but got a slight concussion at practice and is being held out of this week's game. My other son at Tufts is a freshman olineman and did see some 4th quarter playing time in that debacle against Williams.

My wife and I decided to go to all of my older son's games as this is the end of his football career and the other guy has 3 more.

Here the question, do I drive the 1.5 hrs to Yale and tailgate, support the team and see my son after the game OR drive the 3hrs to Tufts and MAYBE see my son play(and see him after the game)

Decisions, decisions.....

University of Yale.

[Nescacman]

Two notes for this week--one Williams related and one not.

-It was brought to my attention over the weekend by a respected voice how quickly we have forgotten about the fact that the change to a 9 game schedule also meant that we lost the preseason scrimmage that usually leads into Week 1. I say this to remind people that in a season so far that has seen quite the volatility between Week 1 and Week 2 performances, that Week 1 was the first time many of these kids were hitting and getting hit for an extended period of time with game-like intensity (hitting in practice is just not the same), since the beginning of last November. I am not sure how much of a role this plays, if any, but I feel like it is a proposal worth sharing that could possible explain why some teams looked so different from Week 1 to Week 2. Hopefully a third week will finally give us some consistency.

-I expect Williams to roll Bowdoin quite easily, the only team Mark Raymond (2-0) has yet to lose to since he took over in Billsville--courtesy of the 8 game schedule. But it is interesting to note that there are 4 teams in the NESCAC that are tied for the league lead in sacks, with 6: Tufts, Trinity, Wesleyan....and Bowdoin. Bowdoin got to Seamus Lambert last week 5 times and it's not because they have a sleeping giant up front on the DLine or anything, it's because they have quite literally blitzed on almost every single defensive snap, more than 100 of them, in the first two weeks. They will provide another interesting test for this Eph O-Line, who will have to keep Maimaron clean with some effort on every single snap. I also love that the new Bowdoin coaching staff has chosen to lead with some aggression and refuses to play scared, despite the fact that it will continue to be an uphill battle building a program in Brunswick

Our two cents:

1. IOO, the movement to the 9-game schedule has had a limited impact on the early quality of games. First of all, all of the NESCAC teams play an inter-squad with officials under game conditions 1 to 1 1/2 weeks before their first game. Second, in recent years most of the better teams in the league did not take the pre-season scrimmages very seriously which meant not playing their better players and running very basic versions of their offense and defense since the scrimmages were inter-NESCAC. A brief history lesson, NESCAC teams used to play two pre-season games AND an inter-squad and those games were against non-NESCAC teams (and that was with an 8-game schedule).

2. Bowdoin has decided to be aggressive and rush/blitz 6-8 players nearly every single down. that has yielded them their share of sacks. Unfortunately, that has left them susceptible to the pass (last in the NESCAC in pass defense and no interceptions) and left gaping rushing lanes (2nd to last in rushing D). Kudos to HCOF Hammer for at least trying to mix it up but at the end of the day, different approach, same results for the Polars in 2019.

[ColbyFootball]

OK, I have a decision to make...my older son goes to Yale and plays Guard, but got a slight concussion at practice and is being held out of this week's game. My other son at Tufts is a freshman olineman and did see some 4th quarter playing time in that debacle against Williams.

My wife and I decided to go to all of my older son's games as this is the end of his football career and the other guy has 3 more.

Here the question, do I drive the 1.5 hrs to Yale and tailgate, support the team and see my son after the game OR drive the 3hrs to Tufts and MAYBE see my son play(and see him after the game)
Tufts. Your Tufts son is the only one that may play. Just my opinion. But, I can understand if you opt to be with your older guy at Yale.

Decisions, decisions.....

Tufts. That son may play. Just my opinion. But I understand if you decide on Yale.

[gridiron]

Always enjoy nescacman's weekly rankings and predictions. Hope it continues for years to come.

Couple of intriguing games this week with Tufts/Amherst and Trinity/Middlebury on tap.

Intersesting NESCAC fact: longest road trip this weekend---Colby/Hamilton--450 miles.

[JEFFFAN]

OK, I have a decision to make...my older son goes to Yale and plays Guard, but got a slight concussion at practice and is being held out of this week's game. My other son at Tufts is a freshman olineman and did see some 4th quarter playing time in that debacle against Williams.

My wife and I decided to go to all of my older son's games as this is the end of his football career and the other guy has 3 more.

Here the question, do I drive the 1.5 hrs to Yale and tailgate, support the team and see my son after the game OR drive the 3hrs to Tufts and MAYBE see my son play(and see him after the game)

Decisions, decisions.....

Had this conflict for years and years but in a different sport with three sons.   Easy call - Yale.   Those days are going to be over in a blink of an eye.  Tufts days still ahead.  Slam dunk.

[MUC57]

OK, I have a decision to make...my older son goes to Yale and plays Guard, but got a slight concussion at practice and is being held out of this week's game. My other son at Tufts is a freshman olineman and did see some 4th quarter playing time in that debacle against Williams.

My wife and I decided to go to all of my older son's games as this is the end of his football career and the other guy has 3 more.

Here the question, do I drive the 1.5 hrs to Yale and tailgate, support the team and see my son after the game OR drive the 3hrs to Tufts and MAYBE see my son play(and see him after the game)

Decisions, decisions.....

Had this conflict for years and years but in a different sport with three sons.   Easy call - Yale.   Those days are going to be over in a blink of an eye.  Tufts days still ahead.  Slam dunk.

Hawk196

Pardon an outsider butting in, however; I think JEFFFAN gave you great advice. Go to Yale. 

[Hawk196]

OK, I have a decision to make...my older son goes to Yale and plays Guard, but got a slight concussion at practice and is being held out of this week's game. My other son at Tufts is a freshman olineman and did see some 4th quarter playing time in that debacle against Williams.

My wife and I decided to go to all of my older son's games as this is the end of his football career and the other guy has 3 more.

Here the question, do I drive the 1.5 hrs to Yale and tailgate, support the team and see my son after the game OR drive the 3hrs to Tufts and MAYBE see my son play(and see him after the game)

Decisions, decisions.....

Had this conflict for years and years but in a different sport with three sons.   Easy call - Yale.   Those days are going to be over in a blink of an eye.  Tufts days still ahead.  Slam dunk.

Hawk196

Pardon an outsider butting in, however; I think JEFFFAN gave you great advice. Go to Yale. 

No butting in? I asked for opinions. 3 for Yale 1 for Tufts...my wife wanted to surprise me with a tent for tailgating, has made arrangements with other parents, etc...so its Yale (plus its half the time  )

[MUC57]

OK, I have a decision to make...my older son goes to Yale and plays Guard, but got a slight concussion at practice and is being held out of this week's game. My other son at Tufts is a freshman olineman and did see some 4th quarter playing time in that debacle against Williams.

My wife and I decided to go to all of my older son's games as this is the end of his football career and the other guy has 3 more.

Here the question, do I drive the 1.5 hrs to Yale and tailgate, support the team and see my son after the game OR drive the 3hrs to Tufts and MAYBE see my son play(and see him after the game)

Decisions, decisions.....

Had this conflict for years and years but in a different sport with three sons.   Easy call - Yale.   Those days are going to be over in a blink of an eye.  Tufts days still ahead.  Slam dunk.

Hawk196

Pardon an outsider butting in, however; I think JEFFFAN gave you great advice. Go to Yale. 

No butting in? I asked for opinions. 3 for Yale 1 for Tufts...my wife wanted to surprise me with a tent for tailgating, has made arrangements with other parents, etc...so its Yale (plus its half the time  )

Good luck to all your teams. Travel safely! 

[Nescacman]

Always enjoy nescacman's weekly rankings and predictions. Hope it continues for years to come.

Couple of intriguing games this week with Tufts/Amherst and Trinity/Middlebury on tap.

Intersesting NESCAC fact: longest road trip this weekend---Colby/Hamilton--450 miles.

Win or lose (but probably lose), that's going to be one long ride home on a Saturday night back up to Maine for the Mules...

[Nescacman]

2019 Week #3 NESCACMAN Preview

Welcome to Week #3 in the NESCAC...in the league where they "pay to play"....4-1 in week 2....Congratulations to us on hitting 200 career winning picks...Thanks Jumbo's for not showing up in Willytown...one more weekend of good weather in New England...here are this week's picks and spreads:

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Wesleyan University: Past and present does not seem to be on the Bobcats side...they have lost 12 straight to Wes and have not won a game since November of 2017...tough start to HCOF Hall's college coaching career as he is now 0 for 11 and counting...Win 1 is not happening this week...Wes is too good at home and has way too many weapons for the undermanned UBates D to deal with...Wes hopes to be back at full strength on D and if Costa can't go for the 'Cats, it could be a very long day against the "Mysterious Ministers from Middletown"...

Wesleyan University 34 UBates 7
Point Spread: Wesleyan -21.
Weather: Mostly sunny. High of 79.

Colby College at Hamilton College: Battle of two of the better Q's in the league, Hersch v. Gray...Kenny has more weapons (if only they had better O-lines) and the Conts actually have a running game this year and that's the difference in this one...expect HAM to run Kagan early and often and have Gray use the short passing game to control the clock...

Hamilton 28 Colby 17
Point Spread: Hamilton -4.
Weather: Thunderstorms. High of 82.

Bowdoin College at TTUN: The Polars are last in Total D and last in passing D in the NESCAC...we expect Maimaron and Stola to have huge days for the Ephs exploiting Bowdoin's "blitz and stunt every play" D...Bowdoin hasn't won in Willytown since 1979....not happening this year...

TTUN 38 Bowdoin 14
Point Spread: TTUN -17.
Weather: Mostly sunny. High of 79.

Amwurst College at Tufts University: The "Battle of the Pachyderms" (we definitely stole that one!) is one of two really interesting games in the 'CAC this week...Tufts is tough at home (17-5 since 2014) and beat Hartford State at the Oval in week 1....it appears Tufts has made the move to FY QB Trevon Woodson...his athleticism  may present some problems for the LMs on D...we expect a close, low scoring affair with AMH winning a close one on the road...

Amwurst 17 Tufts 14
Point Spread: AMH -1. 
Weather: Sunny. High of 81.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Hartford State at Middlebury College: HS is #1 in the league in total O and total D.....MID is number 2 in total D...HS looks like they righted the ship last week against Bowdoin...HS hands MID their first loss of 2019...

Hartford State 27 MID 20
Point Spread: HS -6. 
Weather: Thunderstorms. High of 75.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners)
2019 Season: 7-3
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 202-58 (.777 winning percentage)

[amh63]

Nescacman....thanks for the picks.  Interesting to provide the spreads!  Don't believe the majority of posters are "gamblers"....though in the past there was a poster who was.
What is the background to the new 3M term for the Cardinals...is it associated with the group behind "Nescacman" ?

[Nescacman]

Nescacman....thanks for the picks.  Interesting to provide the spreads!  Don't believe the majority of posters are "gamblers"....though in the past there was a poster who was.
What is the background to the new 3M term for the Cardinals...is it associated with the group behind "Nescacman" ?

Al Davis is THE inspiration behind the spreads...we miss ya Al...

More on the "Mysterious Ministers from Middletown": https://www.wesleyan.edu/about/history-traditions/traditions.html#

[Canvas Hightops]

Rooting for Midd but will consider it an enjoyable game if it's as close as nescacman predicts. 
40% chance of rain around halftime.  Bantam receivers with slippery hands?  Couldn't hurt the Panthers' chances.

[ColbyDad]

Take the 4 point road dog.