FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Charlie]

Come on Scoops, you know the drill. Lottsa misinformation on this site daily-that's the fun of it. Seems like no team is solid in all 3 phases ,let alone 2. Bottom of league seems obvious now, let's sort out the rest.

What's the most number of teams that have shared a Nescac season title? More than 3? Feels like that sort of year.......

Prediction

Trinity will run table. I think they will beat Middlebury. If they do and it won't be easy they are going to skate by Williams with their inept offense. Thus creating the Wesleyan matchup at the end of the year. However will it matter at that point.

Trinity has two aces. Tufts & Colby. Tufts I believe can knock of Wesleyan and definitely beat Middlebury. Colby could also beat Wesleyan that would put Wesleyan out of the race. They also play Middlebury at the end of the year. So Trinity could loose Wesleyan game thanks to these two teams and still win NESCAC with a loss by virtue head to head competition.

Now how big was the opening game for Tufts ?

By the way no one has commented despite how well Tufts played against Williams. Why does Tufts up with 4 minutes left in the game throw.The obvious approach would to run the ball or throw high percentages passes and kill the clock. Berluti threw an out route that should have been pick 6. I give credit to the players of Tufts but man that Coaching staff continuously has people scratching their heads.

[nescac1]

Having watched the Williams-Tufts game, I was praying for Tufts to run the ball (totally ineffective the entire game) and forego passing (incredibly effective the entire game) on every single play.  Had Tufts tried to run clock and stopped being aggressive passing the ball, they probably would have lost the game. 

[NESCACFball24/7]

From what I could tell Williams was bringing 6 guys on almost every play and just hoping they could match up on the outside which obviously they couldn't. That whole last tufts drive was just outs and hitches down the field.

[Charlie]

From what I could tell Williams was bringing 6 guys on almost every play and just hoping they could match up on the outside which obviously they couldn't. That whole last tufts drive was just outs and hitches down the field.

Correct but on two occasions Berluti almost threw a pick 6 on out patterns why not a screen to a RB or WR screen to that stud WR. Why risk a loss or any type of turnover. I am not bashing the entire offensive game plan but in this situation you protect the win.

Especially given Tufts history of blowing wins sometimes it is ok to be conservative. Especially against a Williams team who clearly does not have QB that can throw. You can run the clock down Williams burns all their timeouts and now you have a QB having to go 70 or 80 yards with about 50 seconds left and who has shown no signs of completing downfield passes. I like those odds much better.

[The Mole]

Charlie, those are a lot of "what ifs". I do not think the champion runs the table this year because of all those scenarios. 6 weeks left and anything can happen.

Would love to know your predictions for the week....

[Charlie]

Charlie, those are a lot of "what ifs". I do not think the champion runs the table this year because of all those scenarios. 6 weeks left and anything can happen.

Would love to know your predictions for the week....

October 8 Game Predications

Bates      @ Amherst.                 Winner Bates
Colby      @ Wesleyan.                           Colby    * Game of the Week
Hamilton @ Trinity                                 Trinity
Williams  @ Middlebury                          Middlebury
Bowdoin  @ Tufts                                  Tufts

[Nescacman]

Come on Scoops, you know the drill. Lottsa misinformation on this site daily-that's the fun of it. Seems like no team is solid in all 3 phases ,let alone 2. Bottom of league seems obvious now, let's sort out the rest.

What's the most number of teams that have shared a Nescac season title? More than 3? Feels like that sort of year.......

Prediction

Trinity will run table. I think they will beat Middlebury. If they do and it won't be easy they are going to skate by Williams with their inept offense. Thus creating the Wesleyan matchup at the end of the year. However will it matter at that point.

Trinity has two aces. Tufts & Colby. Tufts I believe can knock of Wesleyan and definitely beat Middlebury. Colby could also beat Wesleyan that would put Wesleyan out of the race. They also play Middlebury at the end of the year. So Trinity could loose Wesleyan game thanks to these two teams and still win NESCAC with a loss by virtue head to head competition.

Now how big was the opening game for Tufts ?

By the way no one has commented despite how well Tufts played against Williams. Why does Tufts up with 4 minutes left in the game throw.The obvious approach would to run the ball or throw high percentages passes and kill the clock. Berluti threw an out route that should have been pick 6. I give credit to the players of Tufts but man that Coaching staff continuously has people scratching their heads.

loose=lose

[The Mole]

Charlie, please break down how Colby will defeat Wesleyan. I know you are a Bantam and want the Cards to lose, but please provide the anatomy of the upset.

October 8 Game Predications

Bates      @ Amherst.                 Winner Bates
Colby      @ Wesleyan.                           Colby    * Game of the Week
Hamilton @ Trinity                                 Trinity
Williams  @ Middlebury                          Middlebury
Bowdoin  @ Tufts                                  Tufts

[Charlie]

Charlie, please break down how Colby will defeat Wesleyan. I know you are a Bantam and want the Cards to lose, but please provide the anatomy of the upset.

October 8 Game Predications

Bates      @ Amherst.                 Winner Bates
Colby      @ Wesleyan.                           Colby    * Game of the Week
Hamilton @ Trinity                                 Trinity
Williams  @ Middlebury                          Middlebury
Bowdoin  @ Tufts                                  Tufts

I am not Bantam just think Colby is going to change the landscape of league this year. But I will say this I dont think this game will be easy for Colby. But In my opinion I believe Colby has best O-Line in the league up to this point in season. I know it does not show up in the stats.

I love the physicality of both OL tackles as well as solid play from Guards. They remind me of the two Williams tackles from last year who dominated the league but I beleive these two are more physical. I also believe at this juncture that Colby RB is the best in the league so far. Extremely patient , fast and breaks tackles.

Cosgrove has the QB throwing high percentage passes and the QB exhibited some escapability and kept chains moving. If they can neutralize Helbig they will be able to move the ball. This will be a tall task but think they can do this.

Defensively Colby employed a great bend but dont break defense keeping everything in front of secondary. I think there are some question marks with Wesleyan QB this year not playing as well as they did las year. Colby is going to force them to move ball up the field and tighten in red zone. Although Wesleyan has solid kicker.

Again wont be easy so far impressed with Colby Coaching and game plans. Big factor is how Colby handles the travel  , turnovers and if they can apply the same intensity they have exhibited the last few weeks. In addition game will be played on grass so the speed of the game will be slower which I think favors Colby in a smash mouth game.

[JumboJerry]

Hearing there will be a fly over of three F35 Lightning Jets during the national anthem prior to Tufts vs Bowdoin Community College at Ellis Oval Stadium this Saturday. Pretty cool.

[Nescacman]

Charlie, please break down how Colby will defeat Wesleyan. I know you are a Bantam and want the Cards to lose, but please provide the anatomy of the upset.

October 8 Game Predications

Bates      @ Amherst.                 Winner Bates
Colby      @ Wesleyan.                           Colby    * Game of the Week
Hamilton @ Trinity                                 Trinity
Williams  @ Middlebury                          Middlebury
Bowdoin  @ Tufts                                  Tufts

I am not Bantam just think Colby is going to change the landscape of league this year. But I will say this I dont think this game will be easy for Colby. But In my opinion I believe Colby has best O-Line in the league up to this point in season. I know it does not show up in the stats.

I love the physicality of both OL tackles as well as solid play from Guards. They remind me of the two Williams tackles from last year who dominated the league but I beleive these two are more physical. I also believe at this juncture that Colby RB is the best in the league so far. Extremely patient , fast and breaks tackles.

Cosgrove has the QB throwing high percentage passes and the QB exhibited some escapability and kept chains moving. If they can neutralize Helbig they will be able to move the ball. This will be a tall task but think they can do this.

Defensively Colby employed a great bend but dont break defense keeping everything in front of secondary. I think there are some question marks with Wesleyan QB this year not playing as well as they did las year. Colby is going to force them to move ball up the field and tighten in red zone. Although Wesleyan has solid kicker.

Again wont be easy so far impressed with Colby Coaching and game plans. Big factor is how Colby handles the travel  , turnovers and if they can apply the same intensity they have exhibited the last few weeks. In addition game will be played on grass so the speed of the game will be slower which I think favors Colby in a smash mouth game.

Charlie, first off, you do know that Wes has won the last 11 games these teams have played against each other (including 6 of the last 7 in Middletown), right?

Charlie, did you watch the first half of the UBates/Colby game? We did...

As far as the Colby offense, and their offensive line, Colby is 7th in total offense, not far ahead of both Hamilton and UBates. They have allowed the fewest sacks thus far this season, but that may be more a result of the fact that they have thrown the fewest passes in the league thus far (66 passes compared to Wesleyan's 119 and Middlebury's 112).

Hersch has been his typical mediocre self in the middle of the pack of QB efficiency in the league. We would classify him as more of a game manager then anything else. Part of the reason that Colby doesn't throw often or long is that they really don't have a play maker at receiver. They have one receiver in the league Top 20 and he is #14 on the list (Sawyer). One other point on the Colby passing attack...Hersch is 8th in the league in completion percentage at 56.9%. So much for the "QB throwing high percentage passes", right Charlie?

We like Smart as a RB, but he is definitely not the top RB in the league thus far in 2022. That honor a third of the way through the season would go to the Purple Cows Fischetti.

Colby's defense has been solid, especially their pass defense, but they haven't faced a test like Wesleyan yet this year. Wes's pass offense has quietly been on par with the much more heralded Tufts passing attack. Other than a tough day at Middlebury against the best pass defense in the league (by pass efficiency), the QB play for Wes has been excellent. Unlike Colby, Wes is totally loaded at receiver with 4 receivers in the Top 20 led by 1st-team All-NESCAC WR Logan Tomlinson.

Other inaccuracies in your evaluation of the game this Saturday: Hamilton did a pretty good job of containing Nick Helbig (by holding him...if you want to see pictures, we have them) but it didn't matter as the other DL/LBs stepped up big-time, recorded 3 sacks, numerous hurries and completely stopped the Hamilton offense. The Wes defense has numerous other players besides Nick, although, he is a stud and is the DPOTY in the league through the first third of the season IOHO. Also, fortunately, Wes also has not one but two all-league level kickers in Yoon and Von Jess. Yoon twisted his ankle and in true next man up fashion, Von Jess stepped in and proceeded to convert all five of his XPs (Yoon made his first two) and 3 TBs on kick-offs.

BTW, for the record, Colby is winning because they are +4 in turnovers, have the fewest penalties thus far in the league and their punter has been exceptional (average 44 yards/punt and 6 punts inside the 20).

We're not ready to make our pick yet on this game yet, but when we do make our prediction, it will be based on the facts.

[maineman]

It looks like Doug Mandingo is heir apparent to Coach Ritter?

https://athletics.middlebury.edu/news/2022/10/5/doug-mandigo-96-named-associate-head-football-coach.aspx?utm_medium=sidearm-email&utm_source=athletics.middlebury.edu&utm_campaign=Doug+Mandigo+%2796+Named+Associate+Head+Football+Coach&utm_content=7018e38c-dd5a-4b73-8e08-7f8ec36c8129

Middlebury has announced the promotion of Doug Mandigo '96 as the associate head football coach. In this new role, Mandigo will continue serving as the defensive coordinator, a position he has held since 2011, while assisting with the head coaching transition. 

[Scoops]

I can't believe you're making me defend Charlie here Nescacman, but here we are! For all the credit you give Wesleyan, they've only had success against two of the bottom tier teams in the league. Sure, their numbers look great, but when they came up against a team that's an equal to them, they had no answers offensively. I would bet dollars to donuts that the Colby defense will be able to contain wesleyans offense. The question in the game will be if the Mules will be able to get anything going on offense. I think Wes is one of the better teams in the league, but to assume they're going to roll Colby shows a complete lack of reality. Not sure I'd put my money on the ol' blue and white, but I'm not putting it on the Cards either. Hammer the under here folks!

Charlie, please break down how Colby will defeat Wesleyan. I know you are a Bantam and want the Cards to lose, but please provide the anatomy of the upset.

October 8 Game Predications

Bates      @ Amherst.                 Winner Bates
Colby      @ Wesleyan.                           Colby    * Game of the Week
Hamilton @ Trinity                                 Trinity
Williams  @ Middlebury                          Middlebury
Bowdoin  @ Tufts                                  Tufts

I am not Bantam just think Colby is going to change the landscape of league this year. But I will say this I dont think this game will be easy for Colby. But In my opinion I believe Colby has best O-Line in the league up to this point in season. I know it does not show up in the stats.

I love the physicality of both OL tackles as well as solid play from Guards. They remind me of the two Williams tackles from last year who dominated the league but I beleive these two are more physical. I also believe at this juncture that Colby RB is the best in the league so far. Extremely patient , fast and breaks tackles.

Cosgrove has the QB throwing high percentage passes and the QB exhibited some escapability and kept chains moving. If they can neutralize Helbig they will be able to move the ball. This will be a tall task but think they can do this.

Defensively Colby employed a great bend but dont break defense keeping everything in front of secondary. I think there are some question marks with Wesleyan QB this year not playing as well as they did las year. Colby is going to force them to move ball up the field and tighten in red zone. Although Wesleyan has solid kicker.

Again wont be easy so far impressed with Colby Coaching and game plans. Big factor is how Colby handles the travel  , turnovers and if they can apply the same intensity they have exhibited the last few weeks. In addition game will be played on grass so the speed of the game will be slower which I think favors Colby in a smash mouth game.

Charlie, first off, you do know that Wes has won the last 11 games these teams have played against each other (including 6 of the last 7 in Middletown), right?

Charlie, did you watch the first half of the UBates/Colby game? We did...

As far as the Colby offense, and their offensive line, Colby is 7th in total offense, not far ahead of both Hamilton and UBates. They have allowed the fewest sacks thus far this season, but that may be more a result of the fact that they have thrown the fewest passes in the league thus far (66 passes compared to Wesleyan's 119 and Middlebury's 112).

Hersch has been his typical mediocre self in the middle of the pack of QB efficiency in the league. We would classify him as more of a game manager then anything else. Part of the reason that Colby doesn't throw often or long is that they really don't have a play maker at receiver. They have one receiver in the league Top 20 and he is #14 on the list (Sawyer). One other point on the Colby passing attack...Hersch is 8th in the league in completion percentage at 56.9%. So much for the "QB throwing high percentage passes", right Charlie?

We like Smart as a RB, but he is definitely not the top RB in the league thus far in 2022. That honor a third of the way through the season would go to the Purple Cows Fischetti.

Colby's defense has been solid, especially their pass defense, but they haven't faced a test like Wesleyan yet this year. Wes's pass offense has quietly been on par with the much more heralded Tufts passing attack. Other than a tough day at Middlebury against the best pass defense in the league (by pass efficiency), the QB play for Wes has been excellent. Unlike Colby, Wes is totally loaded at receiver with 4 receivers in the Top 20 led by 1st-team All-NESCAC WR Logan Tomlinson.

Other inaccuracies in your evaluation of the game this Saturday: Hamilton did a pretty good job of containing Nick Helbig (by holding him...if you want to see pictures, we have them) but it didn't matter as the other DL/LBs stepped up big-time, recorded 3 sacks, numerous hurries and completely stopped the Hamilton offense. The Wes defense has numerous other players besides Nick, although, he is a stud and is the DPOTY in the league through the first third of the season IOHO. Also, fortunately, Wes also has not one but two all-league level kickers in Yoon and Von Jess. Yoon twisted his ankle and in true next man up fashion, Von Jess stepped in and proceeded to convert all five of his XPs (Yoon made his first two) and 3 TBs on kick-offs.

BTW, for the record, Colby is winning because they are +4 in turnovers, have the fewest penalties thus far in the league and their punter has been exceptional (average 44 yards/punt and 6 punts inside the 20).

We're not ready to make our pick yet on this game yet, but when we do make our prediction, it will be based on the facts.

[The Mole]

Scoops, Wes outgained Middlebury and had over 400 yards of offense. To say they had no answers offensively is 100% inaccurate. Missed FG, Blocked FG, interception and turnover on downs in the red zone versus the Panthers. Give Middlebury credit as they executed in the red zone and Cards did not, but they moved the ball up and down the field most of the day.

Dollars to donuts, what is your score prediction and outcome?

[Nescacman]

I can't believe you're making me defend Charlie here Nescacman, but here we are! For all the credit you give Wesleyan, they've only had success against two of the bottom tier teams in the league. Sure, their numbers look great, but when they came up against a team that's an equal to them, they had no answers offensively. I would bet dollars to donuts that the Colby defense will be able to contain wesleyans offense. The question in the game will be if the Mules will be able to get anything going on offense. I think Wes is one of the better teams in the league, but to assume they're going to roll Colby shows a complete lack of reality. Not sure I'd put my money on the ol' blue and white, but I'm not putting it on the Cards either. Hammer the under here folks!

Charlie, please break down how Colby will defeat Wesleyan. I know you are a Bantam and want the Cards to lose, but please provide the anatomy of the upset.

October 8 Game Predications

Bates      @ Amherst.                 Winner Bates
Colby      @ Wesleyan.                           Colby    * Game of the Week
Hamilton @ Trinity                                 Trinity
Williams  @ Middlebury                          Middlebury
Bowdoin  @ Tufts                                  Tufts

I am not Bantam just think Colby is going to change the landscape of league this year. But I will say this I dont think this game will be easy for Colby. But In my opinion I believe Colby has best O-Line in the league up to this point in season. I know it does not show up in the stats.

I love the physicality of both OL tackles as well as solid play from Guards. They remind me of the two Williams tackles from last year who dominated the league but I beleive these two are more physical. I also believe at this juncture that Colby RB is the best in the league so far. Extremely patient , fast and breaks tackles.

Cosgrove has the QB throwing high percentage passes and the QB exhibited some escapability and kept chains moving. If they can neutralize Helbig they will be able to move the ball. This will be a tall task but think they can do this.

Defensively Colby employed a great bend but dont break defense keeping everything in front of secondary. I think there are some question marks with Wesleyan QB this year not playing as well as they did las year. Colby is going to force them to move ball up the field and tighten in red zone. Although Wesleyan has solid kicker.

Again wont be easy so far impressed with Colby Coaching and game plans. Big factor is how Colby handles the travel  , turnovers and if they can apply the same intensity they have exhibited the last few weeks. In addition game will be played on grass so the speed of the game will be slower which I think favors Colby in a smash mouth game.

Charlie, first off, you do know that Wes has won the last 11 games these teams have played against each other (including 6 of the last 7 in Middletown), right?

Charlie, did you watch the first half of the UBates/Colby game? We did...

As far as the Colby offense, and their offensive line, Colby is 7th in total offense, not far ahead of both Hamilton and UBates. They have allowed the fewest sacks thus far this season, but that may be more a result of the fact that they have thrown the fewest passes in the league thus far (66 passes compared to Wesleyan's 119 and Middlebury's 112).

Hersch has been his typical mediocre self in the middle of the pack of QB efficiency in the league. We would classify him as more of a game manager then anything else. Part of the reason that Colby doesn't throw often or long is that they really don't have a play maker at receiver. They have one receiver in the league Top 20 and he is #14 on the list (Sawyer). One other point on the Colby passing attack...Hersch is 8th in the league in completion percentage at 56.9%. So much for the "QB throwing high percentage passes", right Charlie?

We like Smart as a RB, but he is definitely not the top RB in the league thus far in 2022. That honor a third of the way through the season would go to the Purple Cows Fischetti.

Colby's defense has been solid, especially their pass defense, but they haven't faced a test like Wesleyan yet this year. Wes's pass offense has quietly been on par with the much more heralded Tufts passing attack. Other than a tough day at Middlebury against the best pass defense in the league (by pass efficiency), the QB play for Wes has been excellent. Unlike Colby, Wes is totally loaded at receiver with 4 receivers in the Top 20 led by 1st-team All-NESCAC WR Logan Tomlinson.

Other inaccuracies in your evaluation of the game this Saturday: Hamilton did a pretty good job of containing Nick Helbig (by holding him...if you want to see pictures, we have them) but it didn't matter as the other DL/LBs stepped up big-time, recorded 3 sacks, numerous hurries and completely stopped the Hamilton offense. The Wes defense has numerous other players besides Nick, although, he is a stud and is the DPOTY in the league through the first third of the season IOHO. Also, fortunately, Wes also has not one but two all-league level kickers in Yoon and Von Jess. Yoon twisted his ankle and in true next man up fashion, Von Jess stepped in and proceeded to convert all five of his XPs (Yoon made his first two) and 3 TBs on kick-offs.

BTW, for the record, Colby is winning because they are +4 in turnovers, have the fewest penalties thus far in the league and their punter has been exceptional (average 44 yards/punt and 6 punts inside the 20).

We're not ready to make our pick yet on this game yet, but when we do make our prediction, it will be based on the facts.

Scoops, we think you misinterpreted our post....our post did not say Wesleyan was going to "roll" Colby...we think anyone at all familiar with the teams playing Saturday in Middletown are expecting a close, hard fought game...Colby, although offensively challenged, always plays physical and this Saturday will be no exception..the White Mules defense is solid, however, don't under estimate the impact that former Colby D Coordinator and current Wes D Coordinator Coach Sheeks insights on the Colby defensive personal will have on the Wesleyan offensive game plan...just to be clear, our post was more about setting the facts straight on the theoretic Colby juggernaut that Charlie was commenting on...our predictions and spreads will be posted on Friday along with our view of the game...stay tuned.