FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Charlie]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 4

10 things we learned in Week #4:

1. Congratulations UBates on their first win. For their effort the last two weeks, they are our biggest mover in the polls this week.
2. League is a mess below the top 4 teams. Big drop-off from Top 4 to #5.   
3. Teams who are still playing their opening day starting QB: Hartford State, Ephs, Wes, Colby, UBates. Combined record: 14-6.
4. Teams who are not playing their opening day starting QB: Jumbo's (injury related), Bowdoin (performance related), Middlebury (injury), Amhurst (performance), Hamilton (performance). Combined record: 6-14.
5. The injury parade continues around the league. Key injuries abound..Jernigan, Simco, Eden, et al...
6. Colby lack of offensive performance is surprising, especially given they have an experienced, decent QB at the helm...problem we see there is that they have no running game.
7. Can Amhurst ride their defense to a Little 3 and league title?
8. Jumbo's off to their worst start since they went 0-8 in 2013.
9. We will have a a new league champ in 2021 with 3 4-0 and 1 3-1 team in contention.
10. Looks like Bowdoin might have found themselves a QB (shocking!).
 
1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 4-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Another win; never easy to win against a Maine team at home (ha-ha)......Ranked 1st in scoring O, scoring D, 1st ranked rushing attack...+3 in turnovers...have only thrown 87 passes in 4 games...2 games until the big game vs. Hartford State...next up: @ Hamilton

1). (Tie) Hartford State (2021 Record: 4-0; LW Rank: 3): Certain posters will be happy with this one...1st in total O, total D, passing O...lead 'CAC with 15 sacks for...6th in rushing offense and only averaging 3.1 yards per carry...next up: vs. UBates 

3). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 4-0; LW Rank: 1): Cardiac Cards strike again...Wes wins on last drive of the game...longest winning streak in the NESCAC right now (7 games)...offense starting to get it going (27 or more points in last 3 games)...Wes 1st in rushing D, interceptions (6) and turnover ratio (+8)...QBs have thrown 13 TDs (tied for most in the league) and have not throw an INT yet...last in passing D....next up: @ Tufts

4). Amhurst (2021 Record: 3-1; LW Rank: 4): Lord Mammoths winning with very good defense and good enough offense...2nd in 'CAC in rushing O, last in passing O...Pass D is last in the league...-3 in turnover ratio...2-5 on FGs...next up: @ Bowdoin

5). Middlebury (2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 5): Not to repeat ourselves but another loss for the Pants which eliminates them from repeating as NESCAC Champs...still lead league in sacks allowed with 17...MID is 8th in total offense and 9th in passing offense...still last in passing efficiency and only 4 passing TDs in 4 games...11 turnovers are last in the league (9 INTs thrown)...missed QB Jernigan last week...next up: @ Colby   

6). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 9): Played well the last 2 weeks beating the Jumbo's and giving Wes a run for their money...middle of the pack in most categories although their passing offense has been good with Costa at the controls...not great running the ball (8th in the league)...great at returning kicks...too many INTs (8)...we suspect that is Costa just trying to do too much...have only allowed 4 sacks....last in league at 3rd down conversion...last in league in penalties by a long shot...next up: @ Hartford State

7). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-4; LW Rank: 6): Another surprising loss...looks like they have found another QB in Berlutti (yes, another Berlutti...this one following in dads footsteps at Tufts)...9th in total D, last in scoring D and last in rushing D...only 3 sacks by them...next up: vs. Wesleyan

8). Hamilton (2021 Record: 2-2; LW Rank: 7): Back to reality against Hartford State...9th in total O, last in total D, 9th in rushing D, 9th in passing D...9th in rushing O...only 3 sacks and 2 INTs for them...next up: vs. Ephs

9). Colby (2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 8): Bad loss against the Ephs...season started out so promising for the Mules...anemic offense (3 TDs in 4 games)...can't run the ball 48.2 yards per game (233 out of 240 teams in NCAA D3)...defense has played OK...more than 80% of their total offensive yards have come via the pass......next up: vs. Middlebury

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-4; LW Rank: 10): Congratulations to QB Boel on winning OPOTW...if RB Eden is hurt, they are in trouble (leads the 'CAC in rushing)...Polars are last in turnover ratio at -6...have allowed 11 TD passes...next up: vs. Lord Mammoths

After reading this board the past year or so I figured Colby would be 4-0 by now.  Is Cosgrove gone after this year or is he getting a long leash like Aaron Kelton did?

I dont think he will be gone. Colby is changing. They have a big infusion of money from a donor and their acceptance rate is lower than some of top tiered NESCAC schools. The problem is that admissions is not on board with admitting athletes to bolster the football program. Colby's admission band program for football recruits is nuts. I believe like Bowdoin they are operating from a limited talent pool and kids frankly are just not interested. In addition the archaic practice schedule is nuts these kids are not in the military. You are throwing students sleep schedules off all week long and that is a huge factor. I think these major factors will always keep Colby a middle of the road to below level team unless admissions and there athletic philosophy changes. Recruits will not want to go there. I believe admissions simply does not care about football but there focus is on other sports and academics.

[SpringSt7]

Wesleyan tied for 3rd with no one? Freudian slip?

[Trin9-0]

Haha... I knew you had it in ya, Nescacman. Don't feel too bad, Wes should still be favored to win their next three. Unfortunately, I don't think they match-up well with the either the Ephs or Bants to close the season.

It looks like we all whiffed on Bates. Aside from a disastrous showing at Middlebury in Week 2 the Bobcats have been very competitive; losing to both Wes and Amherst in one-score games and handling Tufts. The coaching situation in Lewiston and the play of Costa certainly appear to prove the old adage "It's not the X's and the O's it's the Jimmy's and the Joe's." They'd still need to pull a pretty monumental upset in one of the next two weeks to finish with a winning record but if they can stay close with Williams and Trinity and sweep the CBB it would have to be considered a very good season in Lewiston.

[Nescacman]

Wesleyan tied for 3rd with no one? Freudian slip?

Typo fixed....it's been a long week...should we send to you to edit next week before we post?

[Nescacman]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 4

10 things we learned in Week #4:

1. Congratulations UBates on their first win. For their effort the last two weeks, they are our biggest mover in the polls this week.
2. League is a mess below the top 4 teams. Big drop-off from Top 4 to #5.   
3. Teams who are still playing their opening day starting QB: Hartford State, Ephs, Wes, Colby, UBates. Combined record: 14-6.
4. Teams who are not playing their opening day starting QB: Jumbo's (injury related), Bowdoin (performance related), Middlebury (injury), Amhurst (performance), Hamilton (performance). Combined record: 6-14.
5. The injury parade continues around the league. Key injuries abound..Jernigan, Simco, Eden, et al...
6. Colby lack of offensive performance is surprising, especially given they have an experienced, decent QB at the helm...problem we see there is that they have no running game.
7. Can Amhurst ride their defense to a Little 3 and league title?
8. Jumbo's off to their worst start since they went 0-8 in 2013.
9. We will have a a new league champ in 2021 with 3 4-0 and 1 3-1 team in contention.
10. Looks like Bowdoin might have found themselves a QB (shocking!).
 
1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 4-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Another win; never easy to win against a Maine team at home (ha-ha)......Ranked 1st in scoring O, scoring D, 1st ranked rushing attack...+3 in turnovers...have only thrown 87 passes in 4 games...2 games until the big game vs. Hartford State...next up: @ Hamilton

1). (Tie) Hartford State (2021 Record: 4-0; LW Rank: 3): Certain posters will be happy with this one...1st in total O, total D, passing O...lead 'CAC with 15 sacks for...6th in rushing offense and only averaging 3.1 yards per carry...next up: vs. UBates 

3). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 4-0; LW Rank: 1): Cardiac Cards strike again...Wes wins on last drive of the game...longest winning streak in the NESCAC right now (7 games)...offense starting to get it going (27 or more points in last 3 games)...Wes 1st in rushing D, interceptions (6) and turnover ratio (+8)...QBs have thrown 13 TDs (tied for most in the league) and have not throw an INT yet...last in passing D....next up: @ Tufts

4). Amhurst (2021 Record: 3-1; LW Rank: 4): Lord Mammoths winning with very good defense and good enough offense...2nd in 'CAC in rushing O, last in passing O...Pass D is last in the league...-3 in turnover ratio...2-5 on FGs...next up: @ Bowdoin

5). Middlebury (2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 5): Not to repeat ourselves but another loss for the Pants which eliminates them from repeating as NESCAC Champs...still lead league in sacks allowed with 17...MID is 8th in total offense and 9th in passing offense...still last in passing efficiency and only 4 passing TDs in 4 games...11 turnovers are last in the league (9 INTs thrown)...missed QB Jernigan last week...next up: @ Colby   

6). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 9): Played well the last 2 weeks beating the Jumbo's and giving Wes a run for their money...middle of the pack in most categories although their passing offense has been good with Costa at the controls...not great running the ball (8th in the league)...great at returning kicks...too many INTs (8)...we suspect that is Costa just trying to do too much...have only allowed 4 sacks....last in league at 3rd down conversion...last in league in penalties by a long shot...next up: @ Hartford State

7). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-4; LW Rank: 6): Another surprising loss...looks like they have found another QB in Berlutti (yes, another Berlutti...this one following in dads footsteps at Tufts)...9th in total D, last in scoring D and last in rushing D...only 3 sacks by them...next up: vs. Wesleyan

8). Hamilton (2021 Record: 2-2; LW Rank: 7): Back to reality against Hartford State...9th in total O, last in total D, 9th in rushing D, 9th in passing D...9th in rushing O...only 3 sacks and 2 INTs for them...next up: vs. Ephs

9). Colby (2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 8): Bad loss against the Ephs...season started out so promising for the Mules...anemic offense (3 TDs in 4 games)...can't run the ball 48.2 yards per game (233 out of 240 teams in NCAA D3)...defense has played OK...more than 80% of their total offensive yards have come via the pass......next up: vs. Middlebury

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-4; LW Rank: 10): Congratulations to QB Boel on winning OPOTW...if RB Eden is hurt, they are in trouble (leads the 'CAC in rushing)...Polars are last in turnover ratio at -6...have allowed 11 TD passes...next up: vs. Lord Mammoths

After reading this board the past year or so I figured Colby would be 4-0 by now.  Is Cosgrove gone after this year or is he getting a long leash like Aaron Kelton did?

So here are the facts...HCOF Cos will turn 65 in two weeks...he was out of coaching for 3 or 4 years before taking over at Colby after "retiring" from UMaine...he was leading the selection committee for a new coach on Mayflower Hill when he selected himself...he has a losing career record as a college head coach...

Our opinion is that HCOF Cos was never a permanent solution at Colby....they way he was talked about on this board and elsewhere was like Colby was hiring the next coming of Nick Saban...he is definitely not that (having watched him coach, some of his decisions were questionable IOO)...frankly, his record at UMaine was pretty mediocre if you ask us (sub 500 overall record and 1 outright league title in 22 years)...recruiting at a school with high academic standards in Maine with no scholarships to offer is way different than recruiting in Orono...just our opinion and random thoughts...

Yes, we believe Colby will move on in a year or two (by design) from the HCOF...HCOF Cos will leave the program pretty much right where it was before he arrived...

[Nescacman]

Haha... I knew you had it in ya, Nescacman. Don't feel too bad, Wes should still be favored to win their next three. Unfortunately, I don't think they match-up well with the either the Ephs or Bants to close the season.

It looks like we all whiffed on Bates. Aside from a disastrous showing at Middlebury in Week 2 the Bobcats have been very competitive; losing to both Wes and Amherst in one-score games and handling Tufts. The coaching situation in Lewiston and the play of Costa certainly appear to prove the old adage "It's not the X's and the O's it's the Jimmy's and the Joe's." They'd still need to pull a pretty monumental upset in one of the next two weeks to finish with a winning record but if they can stay close with Williams and Trinity and sweep the CBB it would have to be considered a very good season in Lewiston.

We would say 3-6 or better and a C-B-B title is a win for the 'Cats in 2021...think about the hill they had to climb coming into 2021...they came into the season without a real HCOF and the smallest recruiting class (by far) in the league...

The question is where do they go from here? Theoretically, Costa will not be around next year and they will be starting a new QB for the first time in 4 years, they need to resolve the coaching situation (quickly), and they will need a stellar recruiting class to make up for the lack of one last year....wow, not easy...

Who will be their HCOF next year? Will it be the interim HCOF who is getting on in years (and had some health issues)? Will it be their popular Offensive Coordinator? Will they hire a top notch assistant from elsewhere in the NESCAC? Will they hire an HCOF from another D3 program outside of the NESCAC? Will they hire Jonathan Michaeles? How about Dave Caputi?

[Pat Coleman]

Thought you said next coming of Lou Saban.

[Nescacman]

Thought you said next coming of Lou Saban.

Ha-ha...love Lou, but he could never beat the 'Phins...

[Nescacman]

Haha... I knew you had it in ya, Nescacman. Don't feel too bad, Wes should still be favored to win their next three. Unfortunately, I don't think they match-up well with the either the Ephs or Bants to close the season.

We are just being objective Hs5-4...the Cards have not played particularly well on defense the last two weeks, although their offense and special teams have been very good...we believe that they will right the ship and head up to Ephville 7-0 in a month...

Before we start giving wins to the Ephs, let's not forget that Wes has a 7 game winning streak going against them and have NEVER lost to either Maimaron or HCOF Raymond...Coach Dice certainly seems to have the number of his alma matter doesn't he? As far as Hartford State is concerned, you better hope your savior Fetter stays healthy...not that we wish him ill will...very talented guy...

In fact, the future seems bright at the QB position around the league with HAM's Cairns, Tufts Berlutti, Hartford State's Fetter, and Bowdoin's Boel...changing of the QB guard if you will...next year, we'll have new Q's at UBates, Ephs, MID at a minimum...

[SpringSt7]

There's no reason so far to believe that Wesleyan will come into Williamstown and beat the Ephs this year except for the fact that they always beat the Ephs. I don't say that as a joke, it's a potentially serious mental hurdle they will need to get over to get to where they want. And it's a big one.

[Charlie]

Question off topic why does the NESCAC not expand football for playoffs or allow the teams to go into Division 3 playoffs. Seems odd that they play nine games and thats it. I know they are trying to follow the Ivy league model. But as times change in this crazy world so should these football rules. You know Coaches and players would be for it. I mean D2 schools even play 10 games for regular season. I just think 9 is way to small a season versus what other leagues play collegiately. This small amount of play has to change or playoffs should be the NESCAC needs more games

[Nescacman]

Question off topic why does the NESCAC not expand football for playoffs or allow the teams to go into Division 3 playoffs. Seems odd that they play nine games and thats it. I know they are trying to follow the Ivy league model. But as times change in this crazy world so should these football rules. You know Coaches and players would be for it. I mean D2 schools even play 10 games for regular season. I just think 9 is way to small a season versus what other leagues play collegiately. This small amount of play has to change or playoffs should be the NESCAC needs more games

With all due respect, we have gone down that rabbit hole way too many times on this board...great off-season topic....can we leave this discussion until January/February and discuss actual game play until at least when the league announces the players of the year/all-league selections?

[Charlie]

Question off topic why does the NESCAC not expand football for playoffs or allow the teams to go into Division 3 playoffs. Seems odd that they play nine games and thats it. I know they are trying to follow the Ivy league model. But as times change in this crazy world so should these football rules. You know Coaches and players would be for it. I mean D2 schools even play 10 games for regular season. I just think 9 is way to small a season versus what other leagues play collegiately. This small amount of play has to change or playoffs should be the NESCAC needs more games

With all due respect, we have gone down that rabbit hole way too many times on this board...great off-season topic....can we leave this discussion until January/February and discuss actual game play until at least when the league announces the players of the year/all-league selections?

Absolutely totally understand

[Trin9-0]

As far as Hartford State is concerned, you better hope your savior Fetter stays healthy...not that we wish him ill will...very talented guy...

Kind of an odd statement.
Anyway... while Fetter does indeed lead the league in total offense (by a comfortable margin) the Bantams also boast the top three players in all purpose yardage:
1. DeVante Reid (119.3 yards per game)
2. Jonathan Girard (110.3 yards per game)
3. Will Kirby (107 yards per game)

Sure, Fetter pulls the strings but they clearly have a multitude of weapons. If, for some reason, the Bants needed to turn to Lambert he's more than capable. In 2019 he finished second in the league in completion percentage and was third in passing yards and touchdowns. Finally, I'll add that Trinity's defense has allowed just 14 points this season prior the fourth quarter when they've inserted their back-up players.

[lumbercat]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 4

10 things we learned in Week #4:

1. Congratulations UBates on their first win. For their effort the last two weeks, they are our biggest mover in the polls this week.
2. League is a mess below the top 4 teams. Big drop-off from Top 4 to #5.   
3. Teams who are still playing their opening day starting QB: Hartford State, Ephs, Wes, Colby, UBates. Combined record: 14-6.
4. Teams who are not playing their opening day starting QB: Jumbo's (injury related), Bowdoin (performance related), Middlebury (injury), Amhurst (performance), Hamilton (performance). Combined record: 6-14.
5. The injury parade continues around the league. Key injuries abound..Jernigan, Simco, Eden, et al...
6. Colby lack of offensive performance is surprising, especially given they have an experienced, decent QB at the helm...problem we see there is that they have no running game.
7. Can Amhurst ride their defense to a Little 3 and league title?
8. Jumbo's off to their worst start since they went 0-8 in 2013.
9. We will have a a new league champ in 2021 with 3 4-0 and 1 3-1 team in contention.
10. Looks like Bowdoin might have found themselves a QB (shocking!).
 
1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 4-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Another win; never easy to win against a Maine team at home (ha-ha)......Ranked 1st in scoring O, scoring D, 1st ranked rushing attack...+3 in turnovers...have only thrown 87 passes in 4 games...2 games until the big game vs. Hartford State...next up: @ Hamilton

1). (Tie) Hartford State (2021 Record: 4-0; LW Rank: 3): Certain posters will be happy with this one...1st in total O, total D, passing O...lead 'CAC with 15 sacks for...6th in rushing offense and only averaging 3.1 yards per carry...next up: vs. UBates 

3). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 4-0; LW Rank: 1): Cardiac Cards strike again...Wes wins on last drive of the game...longest winning streak in the NESCAC right now (7 games)...offense starting to get it going (27 or more points in last 3 games)...Wes 1st in rushing D, interceptions (6) and turnover ratio (+8)...QBs have thrown 13 TDs (tied for most in the league) and have not throw an INT yet...last in passing D....next up: @ Tufts

4). Amhurst (2021 Record: 3-1; LW Rank: 4): Lord Mammoths winning with very good defense and good enough offense...2nd in 'CAC in rushing O, last in passing O...Pass D is last in the league...-3 in turnover ratio...2-5 on FGs...next up: @ Bowdoin

5). Middlebury (2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 5): Not to repeat ourselves but another loss for the Pants which eliminates them from repeating as NESCAC Champs...still lead league in sacks allowed with 17...MID is 8th in total offense and 9th in passing offense...still last in passing efficiency and only 4 passing TDs in 4 games...11 turnovers are last in the league (9 INTs thrown)...missed QB Jernigan last week...next up: @ Colby   

6). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 9): Played well the last 2 weeks beating the Jumbo's and giving Wes a run for their money...middle of the pack in most categories although their passing offense has been good with Costa at the controls...not great running the ball (8th in the league)...great at returning kicks...too many INTs (8)...we suspect that is Costa just trying to do too much...have only allowed 4 sacks....last in league at 3rd down conversion...last in league in penalties by a long shot...next up: @ Hartford State

7). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-4; LW Rank: 6): Another surprising loss...looks like they have found another QB in Berlutti (yes, another Berlutti...this one following in dads footsteps at Tufts)...9th in total D, last in scoring D and last in rushing D...only 3 sacks by them...next up: vs. Wesleyan

8). Hamilton (2021 Record: 2-2; LW Rank: 7): Back to reality against Hartford State...9th in total O, last in total D, 9th in rushing D, 9th in passing D...9th in rushing O...only 3 sacks and 2 INTs for them...next up: vs. Ephs

9). Colby (2021 Record: 1-3; LW Rank: 8): Bad loss against the Ephs...season started out so promising for the Mules...anemic offense (3 TDs in 4 games)...can't run the ball 48.2 yards per game (233 out of 240 teams in NCAA D3)...defense has played OK...more than 80% of their total offensive yards have come via the pass......next up: vs. Middlebury

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-4; LW Rank: 10): Congratulations to QB Boel on winning OPOTW...if RB Eden is hurt, they are in trouble (leads the 'CAC in rushing)...Polars are last in turnover ratio at -6...have allowed 11 TD passes...next up: vs. Lord Mammoths

After reading this board the past year or so I figured Colby would be 4-0 by now.  Is Cosgrove gone after this year or is he getting a long leash like Aaron Kelton did?

I dont think he will be gone. Colby is changing. They have a big infusion of money from a donor and their acceptance rate is lower than some of top tiered NESCAC schools. The problem is that admissions is not on board with admitting athletes to bolster the football program. Colby's admission band program for football recruits is nuts. I believe like Bowdoin they are operating from a limited talent pool and kids frankly are just not interested. In addition the archaic practice schedule is nuts these kids are not in the military. You are throwing students sleep schedules off all week long and that is a huge factor. I think these major factors will always keep Colby a middle of the road to below level team unless admissions and there athletic philosophy changes. Recruits will not want to go there. I believe admissions simply does not care about football but there focus is on other sports and academics.

Yikes- don't know where to start with this outbreak of negative Colby sentiment. Maybe a few underclassmen are riding the pine and Daddy doesn't like it. Did someone really suggest that Cosgrove might be gone. Not a chance.

Did someone else call Colby Football admissions rigid? Don't confuse the overall college acceptance rate with Football admissions. Colby is aggressively competing on Football and Hockey recruits at lower levels like no other time in recent memory. Their president has openly lauded their success level in recruiting D1 athletes specifically in Football and Hockey with a clearly stated initiative to build excellence into their athletic program in conjunction with the new mega million athletic facility.

The only way Colby is changing is their newfound, unprecedented commitment to winning which far exceeds their Maine state rivals and has them competing directly with Trinity in the Football recruiting talent pool.

The best one to me is Daddy Warbucks saying the Colby football program has disrupted sonny boys sleep schedule. I can't stop llaughing at that one.

Cosgrove has coached at a higher level and clearly recognizes what he needs from his team to win in the NESCAC. I would trust him as the the guy who recruited your son and challenged your boy to come to Colby, get a fantastic education and make a commitment to winning Football. Winning is hard because it's so, so sweet.