FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

No discussion of bugs is complete without a moment of silence for the best lobster rolls in the universe, at the (now-shuttered) Libby's in Brunswick.  The owner's husband was a lobsterman, and the lobsters were fresh, boiled to order and warm when placed in the bun.  So good that PolarKitten would bring home a cooler full when she'd come home on break.

As for lumber, he's a thrifty New Englander.  He used to stop by my tent in the tailgate for FREE Bloody Mary's, before heading to the dining hall for the CHEAP brunch.  Sort of the blue plate special for Boomer NESCAC fans.

Best tailgate dessert in Maine could be found at Grant's Bakery in The Dirty Lew - truly exceptional whoopie pies.

So assuming we: 1). Aren't cheap and 2). Don't want to eat pre-game meal with Bobcat coeds, what is the recommended breakfast spot in Lewiston?

We have been to "Waffles 'n More" (which was no O'Rourke's" but was pretty good) but is there a better spot? Always looking to upgrade...

BTW, place does not need to serve alcohol, we bring our own...

[lumbercat]

If you are planning Bates trip this weekend be advised Bates Commons may not yet be open to non students due to Covid.

[The Mole]

Just advised that all fans for Wesleyan @ Bates must wear a mask at all times.

Huh? With this type of institutional mentality, it explains a lot...

quote author=lumbercat link=topic=4146.msg2010476#msg2010476 date=1633013772]
If you are planning Bates trip this weekend be advised Bates Commons may not yet be open to non students due to Covid.
[/quote]

[JEFFFAN]

Are Wesleyan and Bates playing inside or outside, folks?

Humor, folks, humor.  Or attempted humor.

[lumbercat]

Just advised that all fans for Wesleyan @ Bates must wear a mask at all times.

Huh? With this type of institutional mentality, it explains a lot...

quote author=lumbercat link=topic=4146.msg2010476#msg2010476 date=1633013772]
If you are planning Bates trip this weekend be advised Bates Commons may not yet be open to non students due to Covid.

[/quote]


Who advised that all fans must wear masks?

[Nescacman]

Are Wesleyan and Bates playing inside or outside, folks?

Humor, folks, humor.  Or attempted humor.

Yup, they're playing in the Malik Dome!

https://www.bates.edu/academic-year-2021-22/2021/09/30/back-to-bates-family-day-reminders-and-masking-update/

At least you can start tailgating with your mask at 9 AM!

[Nescacman]

2021 Week #3 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's Week #3 in the league where they "pay to play"...

Wesleyan University at UBates (Lewiston Campus): Looks like a mismatch on paper....Cards high ranked rushing offense against UBates poor rushing defense...Cards top ranked run defense against a UBates team that hasn't run the ball well...Cards offense started to click in week 2...Costa is one of the better QBs in the league, unfortunately, his supporting cast (in particular, the running game) puts a lot of pressure on him to be the hero every week...

Wesleyan 45 UBates 7 
Point Spread: Wesleyan -21
Weather: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of a rain shower. High of 62.

Williams College at Bowdoin College: Another snooze-fest, mis-match...look for the Ephpeoples to completely dominate the Polars...we think the Polars start mixing it up at QB as Stalcup can't seem to get the offense going...

TTUN 44 Bowdoin 7
Point Spread: TTUN -21
Weather: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of a rain shower. High of 63.

Tufts University at Amhurst College: Tufts has had the toughest starting schedule in the league...they have played well but don't have a "W" to show for it...Tufts will miss QB option 1a, Woodson, but co-starter Crowley is off to a great start to his college career...almost a must-win for the Lord Mammoths...they need to stop turning the ball over so much...we think Jumbo's get their first win...could the LMs be headed for a second straight losing season?

Tufts 28 Amhurst 21
Point Spread: Lord Mammoths -3 
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 72.

Hamilton College at Colby College: We think Colby is going to win their fair share of games....long trip for Hamilton to face a stout Colby defense...Colby's offense has not been great, in particular, their running game...however, we think Colby's offense is better than Hamilton's and Hamilton is going to have a tough time scoring...Colby wins a low scoring affair... 

Colby 14 Hamilton 6
Point Spread: Colby -7
Weather: Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High of 58.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Middlebury College at Hartford State: Hartford State looks like they are back with rookie QB Fetter at the controls...has good mojo working with standout WRs Reid and Girard...needs to show us more in the running game...HS secondary will be tested by Pant's Jernigan...this is definitely not the same MID team that won the league in 2019...MID capable of keeping this close, not sure they have the horses to win on the road in the Coop...we think MID flirts with covering but doesn't get it done...

Hartford State 31 Middlebury 17
Point Spread: Hartford State -7
Weather: Intervals of clouds and sun. High of 75.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2021 Season: 10-0
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
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: 238-67 (.780 winning percentage)

[polbear73]

I give Stalcup a lot of credit for his loyalty to Bowdoin and the program for returning for this year. However the second stint isn't any more productive than the first. With a quarterback from a program like Bergen Catholic on the bench, it's time to make a move. There is really nothing to lose.

[Nescacman]

I give Stalcup a lot of credit for his loyalty to Bowdoin and the program for returning for this year. However the second stint isn't any more productive than the first. With a quarterback from a program like Bergen Catholic on the bench, it's time to make a move. There is really nothing to lose.

We agree 100%...Stalcup is not the future of the program at this point...time to get others game experience...

[nescac1]

Bates will lose by less than 38 and I'll say right now they will lose by less than whatever your prediction is for Trinity and Williams too.  I'm doubling down on my Bates bet I guess.  When you have a QB who can play it's hard to lose by 40 to imperfect teams and no one in Nescac is perfect this year. 

[Hawk196]

With a quarterback from a program like Bergen Catholic on the bench, it's time to make a move. There is really nothing to lose.

I've been saying this for awhile, recruit from the big north in N. NJ. (Bosco, Bergen, St. Joes,, St. Peters). Smart. well coached football players. Now you won't get the Bergen starting QB, but honestly the 2nd string QB is probably better than a good number of starting QB out there. EVERY single game week in and week out is playoff level and the teams prepare like it is a playoff game. These teams are subbing in top 50 teams in the U.S., because no one wants to see Ridgewood (NJ) get their brains beat in and lose 58-3.
When my son was offered I asked the coach "why my son", his answer was he is doing things in Highschool that they are teaching players now.

[Nescacman]

Bates will lose by less than 38 and I'll say right now they will lose by less than whatever your prediction is for Trinity and Williams too.  I'm doubling down on my Bates bet I guess.  When you have a QB who can play it's hard to lose by 40 to imperfect teams and no one in Nescac is perfect this year.

You're overestimating UBates defense...Wes last 3 games v. UBates:

2019: Wes 48 UBates 12 (Costa DNP)
2018: Wes 44 UBates 13
2017: Wes 41 UBates 23

We 100% agree that there are no perfect teams in the NESCAC...not sure that has ever existed frankly...even the 2019 MID 9-0 team had flaws...

We do believe that Wes' offense is at worst equal to and is probably better in 2021 than it was in '19, '18, and '17. For sure, the Wes defense is better than it was the last few years...Hence, our prediction...

Costa can play, but he has no supporting cast...

We will see...     

[Nescacman]

With a quarterback from a program like Bergen Catholic on the bench, it's time to make a move. There is really nothing to lose.

I've been saying this for awhile, recruit from the big north in N. NJ. (Bosco, Bergen, St. Joes,, St. Peters). Smart. well coached football players. Now you won't get the Bergen starting QB, but honestly the 2nd string QB is probably better than a good number of starting QB out there. EVERY single game week in and week out is playoff level and the teams prepare like it is a playoff game. These teams are subbing in top 50 teams in the U.S., because no one wants to see Ridgewood (NJ) get their brains beat in and lose 58-3.
When my son was offered I asked the coach "why my son", his answer was he is doing things in Highschool that they are teaching players now.

Love the Big North...at this point, DePaul deserves to be in the discussion as well...nothing better than watching a Bergen/Bosco game after finishing off our Taylor Ham, Egg & Cheese or polishing off a few "wellers" from Rutt's or Hiram's (Anthony Bourdain's fave "restaurant" on the planet)!

[SpringSt7]

I love the Bowdoin spread this week. I think Raymond and Williams run the ball early and often and cruise into the half up big and step on the brakes. They are banged up, have the easiest four weeks of the schedule coming up, and just want to make it out of each week alive. I think they win 21-0 or maybe 21-7

[VoodooDoc]

When a quarterback moves up to the next level, no matter how talented, there is a learning curve.  Look at the great young quarterbacks that came into the NFL this year.  It takes a while to adjust.  All too often, when a talented young quarterback is thrown to the wolves too quick, the result is that he can lose his self confidence.

The Polar Bears have a good running game, the offensive line is improving, and the receivers are also improving.  To throw a young quarterback in that mix isn't a good idea.  If he is to be the guy for the new couple of years, likely you will see more of him as the other pieces gel.