FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

If the top NESCAC team decided they wanted to go the NCAA's some fall, would the NCAA give them a Pool A right away or would they have to wait a few years?  Obviously, like Union, it would be the end of their tenure in NESCAC.  I noticed the NCAA doesn't even regionally rank any of the NESCAC teams, probably because they always  decline the bid. 

If the NESCAC did decide to go to the NCAA's sometime, do you think, like in other sports, the conference  would be pretty much combined in their own region with a few other New England teams like Endicott, UNE, WPI, Springfield, etc.?  If the NESCAC had a 9-0 team, an 8-1 team and a 7-2 team, do you they would stand a chance of getting multiple bids?

I realize it is folly to talk about this, but it is better than debating Coach Raymond!

The NESCAC could take an automatic bid in 2023 if it wanted one, absolutely.

If an individual school wanted to go rogue and take a bid, it would have to qualify on its own as an at-large.

If the NESCAC joined and took an automatic bid, there would just just *three* at-large bids nationally. The NESCAC, with no non-conference play, would be highly unlikely to get one of those at-large bids when there are just three across 29 conferences.

[CC_Camels]

That's well ahead of the middle SAT range of 1310-1450 for Connecticut College, and it's about on par with Middlebury.

Of course Conn College is still undefeated in football...

[lumbercat]

Never thought we would see a ninth game in the the NESCAC.

But the times are changing and I think we will see the NESCAC competing in Post Season Football play. I also think a 10th game outside the conference is a possibility along with increased roster numbers and some form of sanctioned spring practice.
Never thought any of this was possible but it clearly has some significant potential.

[DagarmanSpartan]

Quote: But the times are changing and I think we will see the NESCAC competing in Post Season Football play.

Long overdue.

It's insane that MIT and Johns Hopkins can both compete for a d3 football Natty but the NESCAC schools can't.

Makes no sense.

[maineman]

Never thought we would see a ninth game in the the NESCAC.

But the times are changing and I think we will see the NESCAC competing in Post Season Football play. I also think a 10th game outside the conference is a possibility along with increased roster numbers and some form of sanctioned spring practice.
Never thought any of this was possible but it clearly has some significant potential.

If a tenth non conference game ever materialized, who do you think the opponent would be?

Middlebury-Norwich

Hamilton-Union

Bowdoin-UNE

Colby-

Bates-

Wesleyan-Coast Guard

Trinity-

Williams-RPI

Amherst-WPI

Tufts-Endicott

[DagarmanSpartan]

Tufts - MIT seems like a no brainer.

Bates - Husson

Trinity - Western Connecticut

Colby - Plymouth State

[muleshoe]

Never thought we would see a ninth game in the the NESCAC.

But the times are changing and I think we will see the NESCAC competing in Post Season Football play. I also think a 10th game outside the conference is a possibility along with increased roster numbers and some form of sanctioned spring practice.
Never thought any of this was possible but it clearly has some significant potential.

If a tenth non conference game ever materialized, who do you think the opponent would be?

Middlebury-Norwich

Hamilton-Union

Bowdoin-UNE

Colby-

Bates-

Wesleyan-Coast Guard

Trinity-

Williams-RPI

Amherst-WPI

Tufts-Endicott

This is fun to think about, as I think it's much more likely than the playoffs... but hopefully both happen!

If we're keeping it regional and/or historical, Midd-Norwich and Hamilton-Union seem like no-brainers, as does Tufts-MIT. I could see the CBB rotating between UNE, Husson and MMA (restarting the program in 2025).

I believe Colby used to play Hobart frequently back in the day, perhaps a Liberty League v NESCAC showdown should be in the works...

[The Mole]

Williams vs Union
Springfield/WNE vs Amherst/Trinity
Middlebury vs Norwich
Morrisville/Utica vs Hamilton
Wesleyan vs CGA/Salve Regina
Tufts vs MIT
Colby/Bates/Bowdoin vs UNE/Husson/ME Maritime

[lumbercat]

Agree Muleshoe, fun to ponder.

And I like the Moles choices with one exception. Gotta bring back Trinity-Coast Guard. Need to restore the great old rivalries that ended with the creation of the NESCAC.
Also, there was no better rivalry than Middlebury-Norwich so that's a no brainer.
Wesleyan-Western Ct. would be a good matchup but would love to see the Cards step up a class and play Southern Ct.

[lumbercat]

Handicapping potential regional matchups that make sense is fun but as I think further I don't see many of those scenarios working. Scheduling is really difficult.

However, the more I reflect on possibilities if this 10th game ever becomes a reality, the more interesting it becomes.
First, I would hope Lord Jeffrey in Hartford would relish this opportunity and schedule the Bants in a game against Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, John Carroll etc

From what know about Dicenzo with the Red and Black he would embrace a game against any D3 elite opponent.

Would Devanney do the same?

[Scoops]

Instead of re-hashing the NESCAC fantasy land playoff/non-conference conversation, how about we take a look at the real upcoming season? Having watched the tape on the majority of the incoming NESCAC class, I think there's potential for real parity this season. As I see it the championship is a real toss up.

My way too early predictions:

1. Trinity: hard to bet against them, but they definitely don't have the supporting cast they've had in years past. But the QB and OL will likely carry them back to the title

2. Tufts: Loss of some big time offensive weapons, but their defense showed real improvement. Possibly more balanced to help offset the losses on the offensive side and inevitable drop in scoring. But they still have the QB and proven weapons, and that should keep them toward the top.

3. Middlebury: They should probably be 2, but you can't get your doors blown off, and move ahead of the team that did it. Sorry Midd. A lot to like about this team, but they NEED a running game. Kennon can't do it alone.

4. Colby: Another year older with a growing core group. Need to replace the QB, but that may be addition by subtraction given his lackluster 5th year. If they can upgrade there, and have some of their young talent hit their groove, they could be a scary team. Especially with their defensive talent.

5. Bowdoin: Call me crazy, but they had some big wins with a very young team. Can they keep the momentum and break into the upper tier of the league? They have a chance to do something but will Hammer be able to handle the success.

6. Wesleyan: major losses on both sides of the ball, and some very questionable games in 22. You like to think they would find a way, but they've consistently managed to disappoint. Hard to see that changing.

7. Williams: As I put forth before, should be a big year for Raymond. Can answer a lot of questions about the direction of the program. Solid recruiting class, but you never want to rely on freshmen. Might not have a choice in willytown. If he gets above .500 I think it's a really good sign.

8. Bates: year 2 of the Coyne project should be a continuation of a promising first season. Managed to keep the team's head above water with a completely decimated roster. Will have to rely on freshmen, but that might honestly be an upgrade in most cases. Youth will lose him games, but talent might steal him a few.

9. Amherst: Hard to like what you see. Severe lack of weapons on offense that hasn't really been addressed in the incoming class. They have to get Piazza a capable #1. Or maybe they move Piazza to WR and use one of the other QBs? Have to do something to generate some scoring.

10. Hamilton: I don't want to pile on this team, but they have so many holes. I've only met Coach Murray once, but he seemed like a decent person. I hope he can do something (anything) to improve upon such an abysmal year, but I'm not sure if that's in the cards.

[VoodooDoc]

Scoops

3 of the 5 years at Wabash, the team was in the D3 playoffs. I believe that Coach Hammer knows how to handle success.

[Scoops]

He ran a very successful defense at Wabash. But if the Patriots have showed us anything, it's very different when you're the head coach vs a coordinator. Not to say he can't, just that he has to prove it as the head guy.

Scoops

3 of the 5 years at Wabash, the team was in the D3 playoffs. I believe that Coach Hammer knows how to handle success.

[VoodooDoc]

Scoops
You seem to have overlooked his time at Allegheny.  The former national champion had few wins before he got there.  He took them from 1 win his first year to 6 wins his third year.  I also would not dismiss his time at Wabash.  His defenses were consistently among the top 5 in Division 3, and several times they led all of college football (Divisions 1, 2, and 3) in defensive categories.  Wabash is a school of about 900 students, and they played against schools with 10,000 students or more and with 150 to 160 players in their football program.  My point is that Coach Hammer has been there before, and can handle success.

If the NESCAC schools are ever to compete in the Division 3 playoffs, the need to have a spring practice session.  This allows the various position coaches to work on the skills associated with their roles.  Particularly after COVID, even players from some of the high schools with great coaching staffs, did not get the full of scope of training that they might have otherwise received.  While teams are limited to the number of players dressed on the sidelines in the play-offs, teams like Mount Union have 150 to 160 players in their programs each year.  This is one reason that they reload year after year, but they have the depth to compete for a 15 game run in a season.  Finally, the top Division 3 schools usually have players of the size and speed of a Division 1 team.  Size, speed and depth will take a toll on most Division 3 schools even with great talent.

I would like to the NESCAC participate in the Division 3 playoffs, but it will be hard to compete with the top 4 to 6 teams. 

[continentalarmy]

10. Hamilton: I don't want to pile on this team, but they have so many holes. I've only met Coach Murray once, but he seemed like a decent person. I hope he can do something (anything) to improve upon such an abysmal year, but I'm not sure if that's in the cards.

While last season was nothing to be proud of, this team has some serious talent returning that will improve upon last seasons performance. Besides losing all-conference left tackle, they return their entire offense filled with young talent, a 5th year QB, and the best tight end in the league. Don't be surprised to see Hamilton make a leap this year.