FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[BigKat]

Interesting feedback. My suspicion is 3 or 4 Nescac teams might beat undefeated Carnegie Mellon. I think they are in a very weak league. Good intel on the Gulls LC-thanks !

[Nescacman]

Not to rev Charlie up but I wonder how the Bants would do vs say Carnegie Mellon or Endicott. Any of our experts have a feel for that? Close games? blowouts for the playoff eligible squads, etc?

I can't comment on Carnegie Mellon but have some knowledge of Endicott and their personnel. I would make Trinity a touchdown favorite in a game against Endicott.

For what it is worth, we've seen Endicott play and we think that any of the top 3 teams in the NESCAC this year (Hartford State, Middlebury, Wesleyan) would beat the Gulls, probably by a TD or more. We think, depending on which Tufts team showed up, they would give them a game as well. Purely hypothetical, but fun to think about.

[Charlie]

Not to rev Charlie up but I wonder how the Bants would do vs say Carnegie Mellon or Endicott. Any of our experts have a feel for that? Close games? blowouts for the playoff eligible squads, etc?

I can't comment on Carnegie Mellon but have some knowledge of Endicott and their personnel. I would make Trinity a touchdown favorite in a game against Endicott.

For what it is worth, we've seen Endicott play and we think that any of the top 3 teams in the NESCAC this year (Hartford State, Middlebury, Wesleyan) would beat the Gulls, probably by a TD or more. We think, depending on which Tufts team showed up, they would give them a game as well. Purely hypothetical, but fun to think about.

All great banter. I just find it hypocritical that the NESCAC allows every sport in the NCAA tournaments , playoffs etc except football. No reason they cannot start the football season earlier in October like every other College and High School in America. The playoffs ending time would not interfere with the NESCAC academic calendar.

Yes you did get me revved up now !!

[Nescacman]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 8 Power Rankings

We are very proud to present our last "in-season" rankings for 2022. Next week, we will present our final rankings and give out our annual NESCACMAN Awards for 2022. We want to thank everyone who followed us this year on D3Boards and on Twitter. We also appreciate all the kind words we received from the student-athletes, parents, alumni, coaches, and administrators who follow us and read our posts and blogs during the season. We especially love when they come by our tailgate and spend some time quality time talking NESCAC and small college football with us.  We really appreciate all the (mostly) kind words and support. This is a labor of love for us, and we look forward to continuing for many years to come. In the off-season, we will continue to discuss the 2023 season, recruiting, expanded rosters, spring practice, and other miscellaneous topics. For now, it's on to week #9...

1). Hartford State Bantams (8-0; Last Week: 1): Wes is all that stands in the way of a perfect season for the "Baby Birds" from Hartford. Congratulations to Hartford State on earning at least a tie for the NESCAC championship. Hartford State held the Bobkitties to only 4 first downs on the day while amassing almost 600 yards of total offense. 3 interceptions and 1 0f 9 on third down did not help the UBates cause. "Great job" by HCOF Devanney for running up the score and embarrassing a rebuilding UBates squad. We've seen this movie before and seems to be par for the course with this guy. We're sure that some will disagree, but we think moves like that in this league are classless and not necessary. Just our opinion, of course. Sooner or later, someone will catch Hartford State on a bad day and put up a 60 spot on them. Of course, the Bantams alumni base will yell bloody murder and we will all just laugh. We look forward to that day, we really do. Back to our regularly scheduled program...We are looking forward to this Saturday's game between two in-state rivals in the Turducken Bowl. Wes won the last time they visited the Coop and Hartford State won a close game last year. We think Wes matches up well against the Bants. Clearly, both teams have something to play for so it should be a great battle. We are keeping our fingers crossed that mother nature doesn't have an impact on the game.

2). Middlebury Panthers (7-1; LW: 2): Congratulations to Middlebury on exceeding everyone's expectations for 2022 (well, at least ours). Beat the Hamilton in the "Rocking Chair" Game, whatever that is?!? Congratulations to HCOF Ritter on a stellar final season. QB Cole Kennan was last week's NESCAC OPOTW and New England Gold Helmet winner nearly setting school records for passing yards and TD passes in a game. Quite an accomplishment when you look back at the impressive array of student-athletes that Middlebury has had at QB over the last 15-20 years. The Panther faithful will be rooting hard for Wes to "upset" the Bantams this week. Meanwhile, the Pants will have to beat the streaky Jumbo's who have been playing well since losing back-to-back games to the Lord Mammoths and the Cards. This week is by no means an easy game coming up for Middlebury. Tufts is #1 in total offense in the league. Their pass offense is also #1 and Middlebury has not done a particularly good job defending the pass ranking #7 in the NESCAC.

3). Wesleyan Cardinals (6-2; LW: 3): Congratulations to Wes on winning their 2nd outright Little Three title in 3 years and 3rd in 6 years, something not accomplished by the Cardinals since 1966 to 1970. As expected, a big crowd was on hand (6,000+, easily the biggest crowd in the NESCAC in 2022) for the final home game for the class of 2023, "Salute to Service" Day, and events honoring the Wes All-80's Football Team as well as inductees into the Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame, including all-time Wesleyan great Dennis Robinson '79. All around excellent effort by the Cardinals. Offense was clicking on all cylinders and the defense played well, except for 2 big plays by the Purple Cows. The Wes defensive line had another awesome game and Nick Helbig won the NESCAC DPOTW for the second time this year. You might as well just give him the DPOTY Award right now. He may be the greatest defensive lineman to ever play in the NESCAC and you could make the argument that he might be the best defensive player that ever played in the NESCAC. He'd get our vote. He's the best we've ever seen. This week, the Cards head to Hartford to face the Bantams and attempt to ruin Hartford State's bid for a perfect season. If you are planning on going up for the game, make sure to lock your car and put away your belongings.

4). Tufts Jumbo's (5-3; LW: 5): Congratulations to the Jumbo's on winning the battle for 4th place in the NESCAC vs Colby last week. Jumbos seem to be hitting their stride just in time for the play-offs. This week they face Middlebury at home in a game that could have NESCAC title implications for Middlebury. Tough match-up for Middlebury as their 7th ranked pass defense faces Tufts #1 ranked offense.

5). Colby Mules (4-4; LW: 4): Did not show up in the battle for 4th place in the NESCAC. Wheels fell off the bus in the second half for the White Mules as the Jumbo's scored 21 unanswered points. Need to beat the depleted Polar Bears to secure a winning season and win the coveted C-B-B title, the "Greatest Pillow Fight in America". Travel down the road to Brunswick to face Bowdoin in the last NESCAC game of the year with a chance to salvage a winning season.

6). Williams Purple Cows (2-6; LW:6): Purple Cows lose to Wesleyan, the latest chapter in what has been a disappointing year for Williams. QB Vaughn came back to earth. Possibly the worst group of WRs in Williams history. Two top receivers are RBs. Leading WR has 15 catches in 8 games. Williams doesn't have a WR in the top 20 in the NESCAC receiving rankings. Williams passing attack is last in the NESCAC. This week they host the Lord Mammoths. Loser clinches a share of last place in the NESCAC and the Little Three for 2022.

7). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(2-6; LW: 7): Banged up Bobcats lose in a blowout to the Bantams. Finish the season with a woeful trip to the friendly confines of Hamilton. Gives UBates a chance to finish the season on a high note as HCOF Coyne rebuilds the program.

8). Amwurst Lord Mammoths (2-6; LW: 10): Lord Mammoths win ugly over the Polar Bears. Offense only generates 149 yards of total offense in the win. Travel to Williamstown for the battle of the basement in the NESCAC.

9). Bowdoin Polar Bears (2-6; LW: 8): Lose a close one to the offensively inept Lord Mammoths. Replacement QB Robbie Long throws 3 interceptions. Still trying to get that elusive third win in 2022. Without their starting QB. will have a tough time getting it this week in v. Colby.

10). Hamilton Continentals (2-6; LW: 8): Have given up 40 or more points now in 5 of their 6 losses. UBates will try to make it 6 of 7 this week. Hamilton is #9 in total offense and #10 in total defense in the NESCAC. Maybe it's time for another leadership change at the helm of this program as they stagger towards the finish line in what has been another tough year in Clinton.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 29-11 (5-0 last week)
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: 290-90 (.763 winning percentage)

Follow us on Twitter @realnescacman

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

Nick Helbig won the NESCAC DPOTW for the second time this year. You might as well just give him the DPOTY Award right now. He may be the greatest defensive lineman to ever play in the NESCAC and you could make the argument that he might be the best defensive player that ever played in the NESCAC. He'd get our vote. He's the best we've ever seen.

I did some comparative analysis with the player I always think of as the most dominant and imposing defensive lineman in NESCAC history: Michael Blair (Trinity '05). Blair was an absolute animal, a multiyear anchor of those scary-good Priore teams in the early aughts. That 2005 Trinity squad is arguably the strongest NESCAC team in history.

Comparing stats between the two, you are absolutely spot on--Helbig might be the most dominant d-lineman in league history. I didn't expect the stats to compare in his favor, but they do:

Blair:
Seasons:  4
Available games to play:  32 (I don't know if Blair played in every game during his tenure, though I'm pretty sure he did start as a frosh)
Tackles for Loss (yards):  37.5 (171)
Tackles for Loss per Game:  1.17
Sacks (yards):  23.5 (142)
Sacks per Game:  0.73

Helbig:
Seasons:  3 (2020 season canceled)
Games played:  26
Tackles for Loss (yards):  35.5 (166)
Tackles for Loss per Game:  1.37
Sacks (yards):  21 (123)
Sacks per Game:  0.81

Will be interesting to see if Helbig gets the DPOTY title again this season. I feel like it's hard to win a POTY award like that in consecutive years (even if performance is similarly strong), so I wouldn't be surprised to see it go to someone else. Who else is in contention?

[Bantam4life]

Nick Helbig won the NESCAC DPOTW for the second time this year. You might as well just give him the DPOTY Award right now. He may be the greatest defensive lineman to ever play in the NESCAC and you could make the argument that he might be the best defensive player that ever played in the NESCAC. He'd get our vote. He's the best we've ever seen.

I did some comparative analysis with the player I always think of as the most dominant and imposing defensive lineman in NESCAC history: Michael Blair (Trinity '05). Blair was an absolute animal, a multiyear anchor of those scary-good Priore teams in the early aughts. That 2005 Trinity squad is arguably the strongest NESCAC team in history.

Comparing stats between the two, you are absolutely spot on--Helbig might be the most dominant d-lineman in league history. I didn't expect the stats to compare in his favor, but they do:

Blair:
Seasons:  4
Available games to play:  32 (I don't know if Blair played in every game during his tenure, though I'm pretty sure he did start as a frosh)
Tackles for Loss (yards):  37.5 (171)
Tackles for Loss per Game:  1.17
Sacks (yards):  23.5 (142)
Sacks per Game:  0.73

Helbig:
Seasons:  3 (2020 season canceled)
Games played:  26
Tackles for Loss (yards):  35.5 (166)
Tackles for Loss per Game:  1.37
Sacks (yards):  21 (123)
Sacks per Game:  0.81

Will be interesting to see if Helbig gets the DPOTY title again this season. I feel like it's hard to win a POTY award like that in consecutive years (even if performance is similarly strong), so I wouldn't be surprised to see it go to someone else. Who else is in contention?

Feels like if Trinity wins this week and goes 9-0 hard not to give the DPOTY to Noah Glantz or Brian Casagrande.

[Pat Coleman]

Not to rev Charlie up but I wonder how the Bants would do vs say Carnegie Mellon or Endicott. Any of our experts have a feel for that? Close games? blowouts for the playoff eligible squads, etc?

I can't comment on Carnegie Mellon but have some knowledge of Endicott and their personnel. I would make Trinity a touchdown favorite in a game against Endicott.

I don't know if I got that point across in my post, but my general gut feeling is the same. Voters just have no data on which to rank NESCAC teams at all.

[The Mole]

Noontime Podcast interview with Trinity players Brian Casagrande & Devante Reid discussing rivalry game vs Wesleyan Saturday.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/noontime-sports/id1524845530?i=1000585662676

[Nescacman]

Nick Helbig won the NESCAC DPOTW for the second time this year. You might as well just give him the DPOTY Award right now. He may be the greatest defensive lineman to ever play in the NESCAC and you could make the argument that he might be the best defensive player that ever played in the NESCAC. He'd get our vote. He's the best we've ever seen.

I did some comparative analysis with the player I always think of as the most dominant and imposing defensive lineman in NESCAC history: Michael Blair (Trinity '05). Blair was an absolute animal, a multiyear anchor of those scary-good Priore teams in the early aughts. That 2005 Trinity squad is arguably the strongest NESCAC team in history.

Comparing stats between the two, you are absolutely spot on--Helbig might be the most dominant d-lineman in league history. I didn't expect the stats to compare in his favor, but they do:

Blair:
Seasons:  4
Available games to play:  32 (I don't know if Blair played in every game during his tenure, though I'm pretty sure he did start as a frosh)
Tackles for Loss (yards):  37.5 (171)
Tackles for Loss per Game:  1.17
Sacks (yards):  23.5 (142)
Sacks per Game:  0.73

Helbig:
Seasons:  3 (2020 season canceled)
Games played:  26
Tackles for Loss (yards):  35.5 (166)
Tackles for Loss per Game:  1.37
Sacks (yards):  21 (123)
Sacks per Game:  0.81

Will be interesting to see if Helbig gets the DPOTY title again this season. I feel like it's hard to win a POTY award like that in consecutive years (even if performance is similarly strong), so I wouldn't be surprised to see it go to someone else. Who else is in contention?

Feels like if Trinity wins this week and goes 9-0 hard not to give the DPOTY to Noah Glantz or Brian Casagrande.

As a reminder, the Coaches vote for DPOTY. It doesn't go to the player with the best stats or the player on the team with the best record. It's all about who the opposing team, including the OC and offensive lineman, fear the most. Not sure you have seen Nick play, but he can't be blocked one-on-one (unless you hold him, which happens a lot...we have his mom's pictures, which she takes at every game, to prove it), is totally disruptive, and other teams have to game plan around him. He'll win it unanimously. Glantz, Casagrande, Hooks, Jacobs, Devine, Ortiz, Young, Danny Banks, et al are all great student-athletes. They will be rewarded with 1st team All-NESCAC nods. However, there is only one Helbig. Sorry Mr. Hartford State.

On the offensive side of the ball, we would say it is probably comes down to three players...Berlutti, Lutz, and Tomlinson. Berlutti or Lutz probably win it unless Logan has a monster game Saturday, which is not out of the realm of possibility. Helbig winning DPOTY doesn't help Logan's chances either. Will be tough for two players from the same team to be POTY, even for 7-2 Wesleyan .

Just our opinion having watched a ton of NESCAC football this year.

[Nescacman]

Noontime Podcast interview with Trinity players Brian Casagrande & Devante Reid discussing rivalry game vs Wesleyan Saturday.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/noontime-sports/id1524845530?i=1000585662676

Good podcast. Highly recommend listening to it and subscribing to the Noontime Podcast. Casagrande and Reid did a nice job. It was interesting to hear their take on Hartford State's 5-4 year which occurred during their sophomore year. Should be a great game Saturday.

[JEFFFAN]

NESCACMAN - you're the best - I love your posts - but best ever?

https://www.amherst.edu/news/node/860423

[BigKat]

and NM we know you love your Cards but there is zero chance that WR is getting Offensive POY. Literally none. But I do hope they win Sat! which  Prob unlikely as the Bants will be too physical for them.

[Nescacman]

and NM we know you love your Cards but there is zero chance that WR is getting Offensive POY. Literally none. But I do hope they win Sat! which  Prob unlikely as the Bants will be too physical for them.

We would typically agree with you, but in a year where the WR's have been so good and we have a limited number of QB candidates (Berluti, Fetter, Kennon, Estevez), we think Lutz and Tomlinson have a legit chance to win OPOTY. Kennon has been great but has not played enough this year plus he doesn't run the ball. Estevez is a victim of the number of play makers on the Wes offense. Fetter's a great player but not at Berluti's level this year. BTW, the last WR to win OPOTY was in 2017 when former Wesleyan star Mike Breuler, who now plays for the European Football Champs, the Vienna Vikings, won it.

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

and NM we know you love your Cards but there is zero chance that WR is getting Offensive POY. Literally none. But I do hope they win Sat! which  Prob unlikely as the Bants will be too physical for them.

We would typically agree with you, but in a year where the WR's have been so good and we have a limited number of QB candidates (Berluti, Fetter, Kennon, Estevez), we think Lutz and Tomlinson have a legit chance to win OPOTY. Kennon has been great but has not played enough this year plus he doesn't run the ball. Estevez is a victim of the number of play makers on the Wes offense. Fetter's a great player but not at Berluti's level this year. BTW, the last WR to win OPOTY was in 2017 when former Wesleyan star Mike Breuler, who now plays for the European Football Champs, the Vienna Vikings, won it.

Nescacman I was (and am) with you on Helbig as a singular talent and one of the most dominant defensive linemen in NESCAC history who has a great shot at capturing a second DPOTY award, but there is a 0% chance that both the OPOTY and DPOTY come from Wesleyan this year (the third place team in the league). I understand being a homer (a passionate one, for sure), but that is just delusional. 

[Scoops]

Helbig more than likely wins DPOTY, simply because he's a senior and the known name in the league. If I had a vote, it would be for the Bates LB, but the team wasn't good enough to warrant him actually winning the award. Offensively, it's a 3 man race and this weekend's game in Boston will settle that. Berlutti is the hands down favorite, with Lutz a very close 2nd place. Kennon could leapfrog with another big day, but I think Lutz or Berlutti walk away with the award.

and NM we know you love your Cards but there is zero chance that WR is getting Offensive POY. Literally none. But I do hope they win Sat! which  Prob unlikely as the Bants will be too physical for them.

We would typically agree with you, but in a year where the WR's have been so good and we have a limited number of QB candidates (Berluti, Fetter, Kennon, Estevez), we think Lutz and Tomlinson have a legit chance to win OPOTY. Kennon has been great but has not played enough this year plus he doesn't run the ball. Estevez is a victim of the number of play makers on the Wes offense. Fetter's a great player but not at Berluti's level this year. BTW, the last WR to win OPOTY was in 2017 when former Wesleyan star Mike Breuler, who now plays for the European Football Champs, the Vienna Vikings, won it.

Nescacman I was (and am) with you on Helbig as a singular talent and one of the most dominant defensive linemen in NESCAC history who has a great shot at capturing a second DPOTY award, but there is a 0% chance that both the OPOTY and DPOTY come from Wesleyan this year (the third place team in the league). I understand being a homer (a passionate one, for sure), but that is just delusional.