FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Scoops]

The Bants went 4 straight quarters without scoring a point, and they're averaging 3.5 yds per carry. Without the 1 big run against Tufts, they're averaging under 3. I may be wrong, but those don't seem like particularly dominant numbers.

But on a serious note, after watching Trinity for the last two weeks, there's blood in the water. Their offensive line has not looked nearly as dominant as they have in previous years... Without a dominant OL...

Lol. Do you even football?

[The Mole]

With such a short preseason, and no "scrimmage" against another opponent, takes NESCAC teams a few weeks to figure out some kinks. Has been some sloppy offense played thus far by several teams, for sure.

[Charlie]

With such a short preseason, and no "scrimmage" against another opponent, takes NESCAC teams a few weeks to figure out some kinks. Has been some sloppy offense played thus far by several teams, for sure.

Best answer I have heard so far. If you really watch the game Trinity could run when they wanted to against Colby they had the size over them. I think their main problem was being impatient play calling. Hard from going from an explosive aerial attack to a grind it out game. But this is what you need to do sometimes.

I truly believe and we have had this discussion numerous times on this board that the lack of preseason games and overall number of games hurts this league. There is no reason NESCAC cant start earlier  , play more games have playoffs etc. You have 100 man rosters now for how long who knows. So you have plenty of players. I understand that this will never happen and been covered repeatedly. But would be a great thing if it happened. I think now with there being somewhat of parody in the league this would be great.

Think about Colby I believe they could finish top four. Would it not be nice to have top four teams go in playoffs where anything can happen best record gets home field advantage. Every other sport has this but football. I guess its nice to dream.

[bantamweight]

The Bants went 4 straight quarters without scoring a point, and they're averaging 3.5 yds per carry. Without the 1 big run against Tufts, they're averaging under 3. I may be wrong, but those don't seem like particularly dominant numbers.

Watch their footwork, assignment, and technique. That's a really good OL.

Most coaches I know would murder for 3.5 yards per carry. And don't play that "but what if they didn't have that long play" crap. It's tiresome and unrealistic.

[Scoops]

Strongly disagree with your point about the long play. That singular play accounted for almost a fifth of their rushing yards on the season. I'm not saying the play didn't happen. I'm saying that their run game has been pedestrian, and the numbers are deceiving because of the averages outside of the big play. I'm also not saying they're poorly coached. Last I checked they haven't had any changes to their position coaching. But they clearly are not performing as well as they have in previous years. It's really basic statistical analysis.

The Bants went 4 straight quarters without scoring a point, and they're averaging 3.5 yds per carry. Without the 1 big run against Tufts, they're averaging under 3. I may be wrong, but those don't seem like particularly dominant numbers.

Watch their footwork, assignment, and technique. That's a really good OL.

Most coaches I know would murder for 3.5 yards per carry. And don't play that "but what if they didn't have that long play" crap. It's tiresome and unrealistic.

[bantamweight]

Strongly disagree with your point about the long play. That singular play accounted for almost a fifth of their rushing yards on the season.

If Trinity didn't score, Colby would have won the game!

But they clearly are not performing as well as they have in previous years. It's really basic statistical analysis.

So you haven't watched the film? Just "statistics?"

[Charlie]

Strongly disagree with your point about the long play. That singular play accounted for almost a fifth of their rushing yards on the season.

If Trinity didn't score, Colby would have won the game!

But they clearly are not performing as well as they have in previous years. It's really basic statistical analysis.

So you haven't watched the film? Just "statistics?"


So Trinity run game as you say was ok. But any great team find ways to win Special teams and defense. Lets not forget how well Trinity played defensively. Colby ran all over williams the week before which some would say has a better defense than Trinity. Except for a trick play Colby would have been shut out. I thought Trinity defense played extremely well. Trinity kept its composure and found a way to win. Trinity also drove down twice in the red zone for no points and missed an easy field goal which was a testament to Colby but also showed how Trinity has still ot reached its peak offensively.

I think there OL is fine , play calling was OK but this was a team win. In simpler terms the better team won in a dog fight.

[NESCACPeople]

You ok NESCAC-MAN? You having trouble putting Wesleyan lower than 3 in your power rankings this week. No worries we are here to help.

The First Ever Unbiased NESCAC-MAN'S Power Rankings

1). Hartford State Bantams (2-0; LW: 2): Not the best team they have had by any stretch of the imagination. They do however seem like the most rounded team so far. Can the offense continue to lean on the run as they try to stretch the field vertically. If they get the pass game rolling watch out!

2). Middlebury (2-0; LW: 5): Sure seem energized against the Cardinals this past week. They still have a long way to go to be a true contender though. But showed they will scrap and still compete. Can the offense find ways to utilize weapons and get solid QB play. Defense employing the bend don't break strategy, must keep up the physical and discipline play.

3). Tufts Jumbo's (1-1; LW: 3): Continuing to trend upward with a comfortable win vs the bobkitties. The offense still has not reached its full potential. Defense is showing improvements.

4). Colby Mules (1-1; LW: 4): May have lost but showed they belong. First time in years The Mules showed some kick, fought for 4th quarters with another one of the big dogs. Need to take care of business this week before looking ahead to the next.

5). Wesleyan Cardinals (1-1; Last week: 1): Cards show their true colors once again. Despite it being the year of the cardinal. They couldn't over come what seems to be a theme since their 3 way split of a championship in 2013 and runner up finish in 2014. Ultra talented but lack of discipline and composure. Doing the little things right wins championships. Still plenty of games left but need to more consistent in big games.

6). Williams Purple Cows (1-1; LW:6):  Got back on the right track but have seem to have lost the mojo. No longer seem like the team that feels it can't be beat. Can they regain the swagger of last year in time.

7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (1-1; LW: 7):  Making strides but reminded they still have a ways to go. They have the talent at certain positions to scare and maybe steal a win vs the upper tier. But still have work to do to be more than a trap game.

8). Hamilton Continentals (1-1; LW: 10): Just not a good football team... to maybe they are just Hamilton and you get what you get week to week. Some good some bad some ugly.

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(1-1; LW: 8): Good things take time, but is their improvement week to week that is still to be seen. What will it take for the Bobcats to become a winner?

10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-2; LW: 9):
O oh, maybe in trouble, there's talent there but not playing as a team. QB struggles need to be fixed or this could become a season to forget. The competition only gets harder from here.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 6-4
2021 Season: 33-12
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: 267-83 (.765 winning percentage)

[Nescac24]

If you watched the Midd V Wesleyan game, Midd is the clear #1  as of now. There defense has been putting up the best numbers in the league and the QB is currently leading the NESCAC in passing yards. Trinity has been getting lucky late in their games which will come back to haunt them later if they do not figure it out. Wesleyan was the clear #1 in everyone's mind last week and Midd completely outmatched them.

Only time will tell, but don't write off Midd

[The Mole]

Wordsmithing, but to say Middlebury outmatched Wesleyan is not accurate. Panthers outplayed and outexecuted the Cards, particularly in the red zone, and that was the difference. Outmatched completely infers a physical dominance or athletic edge and that was not the case.
Middlebury played a great game and they have clearly improved from last years inexplicable drop. Their QB outplayed both Wesleyan signal callers.

[maineman]

Will Bowdoin on the road be a trap game for the Panthers?  Might they be looking ahead to Williams the following week?

[Charlie]

Will Bowdoin on the road be a trap game for the Panthers?  Might they be looking ahead to Williams the following week?

Bowdoin has made baby steps in getting better While Colby has pole vaulted over all the Maine teams. If Colby keeps up this play their program will get a big jolt. Perhaps this is what they needed a season like this to turn ramp up recruiting and bring them to top tier. Aside from some key mistakes that a rookie team makes they held composure cant say the same for Wesleyan last week and stayed tough. They really showed NESCAC these last two weeks that they are not a flash in the pan. Now they just have to continue. They will easily beat Bates this week and the following week will show there make up if they can go on road again and beat or get into dog fight with Wesleyan.

Usually teams dont play well in Middletown CT  with that quagmire of a field. But fits into Colby grind it out offensive scheme. Should be interesting but so far love the parody in the league.

[The Mole]

Chuckie, define "quagmire" please. Yes, last year vs Amherst it was a mess with the monsoon. Also, it is PARITY. Parody is an imitation.  No team can sleep on another at this juncture, clearly the league is up for grabs.

[Charlie]

Chuckie, define "quagmire" please. Yes, last year vs Amherst it was a mess with the monsoon. Also, it is PARITY. Parody is an imitation.  No team can sleep on another at this juncture, clearly the league is up for grabs.

Thank You for the error. I get the nostalgia of Wesleyan having the oldest football field. But The field is slow , great deal of divots  , depressions on the uneven playing surface. Not as bad as the old Tufts and Bowdoin fields but still not exactly the greatest field conditions. I am not even speaking about the inclement weather and its impact on the field. I like the fact of the history there but come on they should be making this a permanent field with up to date turf.

I dont agree with the up for grabs statement

After two weeks in no order


Contenders                       Pretenders

Trinity                              Hamilton
Colby                               Bates
Wesleyan                         Bowdoin
Tufts                                Amherst
                                      Williams

** Cant rank Middlebury did not see last weeks game and only ranking Wesleyan     
     based on returning upperclassman.

** If Williams has clear cut win this weekend and handles Tuft then I would easily say Tufts and Williams would shift positions and the Tufts Trinity game was an aberration.

[muleshoe]

Chuckie, define "quagmire" please. Yes, last year vs Amherst it was a mess with the monsoon. Also, it is PARITY. Parody is an imitation.  No team can sleep on another at this juncture, clearly the league is up for grabs.

Thank You for the error. I get the nostalgia of Wesleyan having the oldest football field. But The field is slow , great deal of divots  , depressions on the uneven playing surface. Not as bad as the old Tufts and Bowdoin fields but still not exactly the greatest field conditions. I am not even speaking about the inclement weather and its impact on the field. I like the fact of the history there but come on they should be making this a permanent field with up to date turf.

I dont agree with the up for grabs statement

After two weeks in no order


Contenders                       Pretenders

Trinity                              Hamilton
Colby                               Bates
Wesleyan                         Bowdoin
Tufts                                Amherst
                                      Williams

** Cant rank Middlebury did not see last weeks game and only ranking Wesleyan     
     based on returning upperclassman.

** If Williams has clear cut win this weekend and handles Tuft then I would easily say Tufts and Williams would shift positions and the Tufts Trinity game was an aberration.

Can't decide if I love or hate how much you are gassing up my Mules, Charlie! Regardless, the C-B-B kicks off this weekend and the Mules need to take care of the bobkitties under the lights. Bates always gives us everything they can handle, but I think the Mules will pull away late. Look for Hersch to have a breakout game.