FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

I agree with SpringSt7's take.  The losses are no doubt huge, especially on offense.  That why I think Williams goes from a team that was 9-0 and dominated both Wesleyan and Trinity to a team that is probably slated for third, pre-season, in NESCAC  (just barely behind Trin/Wes).  But to knock them out of the top tier entirely seems like a stretch ... what did Amherst, Colby, Midd show last year to suggest they are in the same category as Williams, talent-wise?  Especially considering that Amherst and Midd in particular suffer huge personnel losses as well.  And Tufts was just way too one-sided in its performance, needs to prove that it can defend at ALL before they get the benefit of the doubt, specially given big losses in defensive personnel. 

Some other points on Williams: if you substract the rushing yardage of the guys who graduated (basically, Maimaron), Williams STILL would have led NESCAC in rushing yardage last year!  That's how dominant the team was on the ground.  The Ephs do lose two of their three star OL, but both of those guys missed multiple games with injuries, so Williams returns six guys who started at least one game at OL, plus Bedard, who is like an extra OL as an H-back blocker.  While Maimaron's deceptiveness with the ball certainly helped to make life easier for the the Eph TB group, that is easily the best group of running backs in the league, and they should be even better this year with Fischetti (who emerged as a force over the course of the season) now experienced and Nicholas back to full health.  And as special a talent as Maimaron was, the Ephs did not have to rely on his arm much last year, as they were at the bottom of the league in passing yards.  I can't imagine any successor being the all-around dynamic force he is, he was truly a unique talent in NESCAC, but the offense I would assume will showcase a bit more balance this year. 

While offense does have big question marks, to me, the defense has few.  The Ephs only graduated THREE players who had even one tackle on defense last year.  One of them, Wesner, missed the majority of the season due to injury.  The Ephs' entire two-deep on both DL and DB returns, and Devine was one of the two most dominant defenders in the league last year before he got injured.  The Ephs' top six defensive backs are all seniors who formed the best passing defense in the league last year, and they collectively have many years worth of starting experience.  The DL featured five guys playing their first year of varsity football last year, so I would expect will be that much tougher this year due to added strength and knowledge.  LB is the only real question mark, but even there, due to so many injuries to the unit over the years, Williams returns six guys who have a ton of big-game experience, and has added some strong frosh talent. 

[Nescacman]

Caught a glimpse of the new look Wesleyan Cardinal Reds jersey's today...quite sharp if we do say so ourselves...two weeks 'til the cards come out flying against the Coyne Cats...

[BigKat]

Annual rant of why can't Nescac SI folks get rosters digitally uploaded quicker?

[Charlie]

Annual rant of why can't Nescac SI folks get rosters digitally uploaded quicker?

Roster question why don't any of the NESCAC teams with a no roster limit in effect have JV Games. I beleive Wesleyan is the only school to have a JV type program and play the likes of Bridgeton Academy , WNE surprised teams loaded in talent like a Trinity & Williams dont have one to develop the younger players.

[Charlie]

Annual rant of why can't Nescac SI folks get rosters digitally uploaded quicker?

Exactly there are still old Coaches on some of these rosters. On a positive Note Tufts unveiled their new football locker room. This is adjacent to football field where it should have always been and where trainers room is. There is also plans to put the weight room in the same building as well.

[Charlie]

Annual rant of why can't Nescac SI folks get rosters digitally uploaded quicker?

Exactly there are still old Coaches on some of these rosters. On a positive Note Tufts unveiled their new football locker room. This is adjacent to football field where it should have always been and where trainers room is. There is also plans to put the weight room in the same building as well.

I heard a rumor not confirmed but curious to know if anyone else heard that the really good RB from Middlebury  he wore #41 Maldjian is his name that was on the undefeated team is returning. He was a promising back with a great upside and middlebury could certainly use him.

[BeTheMan]

He is listed on this year's roster. Wearing #8.

[Charlie]

He is listed on this year's roster. Wearing #8.

That is great will defintely help them. I know they need to add some talent at skilled positions but this is s good start.

[Charlie]

He is listed on this year's roster. Wearing #8.

That is great will defintely help them. I know they need to add some talent at skilled positions but this is s good start.

Are the updated rosters for each team out yet ?

[Charlie]

He is listed on this year's roster. Wearing #8.

That is great will defintely help them. I know they need to add some talent at skilled positions but this is s good start.

Are the updated rosters for each team out yet ?

I will say one thing Middlebury really went for size this year I would think that they will have one of the biggest OL in the NESCAC.

I also heard Wesleyan has a scrimmage this weekend any other schools planning scrimmages ?

[nescac1]

Maldjian is a HUGE addition for Midd - easily one of the ten best offensive players in the league - and definitely could push them up a bit in the league hierarchy.  With Livingston back for a fifth year, Wood looking like a star receiver, and Maldjian, plus Lizardi as a nice change of pace / scat back, Midd is definitely more stacked at the skill positions than it was last season.  The question on offense is who will win the QB job, and how effective will he be?  The returning QBs were very up and down (at best) during their opportunities last year, but perhaps will benefit from the experience.  So long as the QB position is average, Midd will be able to put up plenty of points. 

Midd does suffer some huge losses on D, including its three leading tacklers, from a D that gave up 28 plus points in five games last year.  Kenary is a monster on the DL but he will be doubled on every play so the question is, can other guys step up and make plays around him.  Besides him, no returning player on D had even four tackles for losses, only one returning player had more than one INT (only two at that), and no one forced a fumble, so a few guys will really have to step up as playmakers, because it can't all be on one guy up front. 

[Nescacman]

We spoke to one of Maldjian's former HS teammates and he is, indeed, back. He was a beast carrying the ball as a frosh in '19 and has a ton of eligibility remaining, if he decides to use it. Here's the rub. As noted, the MID QB situation is at best, up in the air, and the offensive line in '22 is almost certainly not as good as the 2019 edition. Couple those facts with him being away from football for two years and we're from Missouri on this one. We wish him and the Pants the best of luck this year.

[Nescacman]

Once again, to those new to the Board, welcome. Those returning, welcome back. Should be another awesome season of NESCAC football. Looking forward to returning to some level of normalcy in 2022.

As a reminder, weekly we will be providing two regular features to the board. First, we will be providing our weekly NESCAC rankings. Those will typically appear Sunday-Tuesday. We expect to post our first weekly rankings this Tuesday. Second, typically on Friday's, we will be posting our weekly game-by-game previews along with our picks (and spreads) for every game. You may or may not agree with either, but it provides some entertainment for those that follow NESCAC football and is definitely a starting point for threads on the Board.

So enjoy the season and we're looking forward to the banter as always! #rollcards

[Ironhorse22]

New to the board and to the NESCAC. Excited to learn the conference, and look forward to reading the posts as the season gets underway.

[Nescacman]

New to the board and to the NESCAC. Excited to learn the conference, and look forward to reading the posts as the season gets underway.

Welcome to the Board Iron. Hopefully, based on your screen name, you are a Yankee fan in addition to being a NESCAC fan.