FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[JEFFFAN]

This a college student in his basement so let's not get to wound up. He probably isn't aware of some of the very good OL guys returning for 5th years. I would imagine you see some Nescac skill and specialist guys on his upcoming positional lists.

The "they only play each other" isn't a great argument. Talent is talent and production is production regardless of whom you're playing league vs non league games.

I actually think it does matter and in a big way.   The NESCAC has been able to show its competitive status in every sport but football and is now almost inarguably the top D3 conference in the country when all sports other than football are considered.   (Might be an interesting analysis, by the way, to affirm this.)   Since they will never move into playoffs in our lifetimes in football, we will never know ...

[BigKat]

The Nescac has had several D3 All Americans the past few seasons. I think that speaks to the quality of the league nationally.

[lumbercat]

I never thought I would be saying this but I do believe there is stong possibility will see the NESCAC competing in D3 Football playoffs. Along with a 10th game, formal Spring practice and permanent increase in roster size.

[Charlie]

I never thought I would be saying this but I do believe there is stong possibility will see the NESCAC competing in D3 Football playoffs. Along with a 10th game, formal Spring practice and permanent increase in roster size.

They were on their way but think once they cancelled Spring practices they are going backwards than forward

[lumbercat]

That was all Covid driven Charlie- Currently there is momentum to make permanent upgrades. There is an indication of  administrative support to bring Football to the same competitive level of post season participation which is consistent with all of the other sports at NESCAC schools.

It's a NESAC Football equity play and it seems to have legs.

[BigKat]

Portnoy destroying D3 Football on his platform is really disppointing-especially from a guy who couldn't play Intrams in college.

[lumbercat]

Portnoy a money driven bystander who doesn't understand the benefits of sacrifice, commitment and hard work that come from participation in all D3 sports, especially Football. Other than maybe Wrestling to me it's its most demanding sport which yields the the most in the way of benefits to those who play the game.
Portnoy can sit along the sidelines.

[Charlie]

That was all Covid driven Charlie- Currently there is momentum to make permanent upgrades. There is an indication of  administrative support to bring Football to the same competitive level of post season participation which is consistent with all of the other sports at NESCAC schools.

It's a NESAC Football equity play and it seems to have legs.

I really hope for this please don't get me wrong. Just seems like if they could not agree meaning all schools to keep the spring practices would be tough but I will keep fingers crossed.

[BigKat]

Just like Covid policies, it's a copy cat sport. As soon as the Ivies raise their hand for post season eligibility, the Nescac will follow. They have spring practices btw so one really has nothing to do with the other ( re Postseason play) Purpose of the limited practices to get the squad some reps and more importantly the coaches a look at players before summer.

As mentioned before.... playing a round, possibly winning and then getting hammered by some D3 powerhouse with zero academic standards doesn't seem all that appealing.

[lumbercat]

NESCAC coaches want it unanimously I'm told.

[Charlie]

Just like Covid policies, it's a copy cat sport. As soon as the Ivies raise their hand for post season eligibility, the Nescac will follow. They have spring practices btw so one really has nothing to do with the other ( re Postseason play) Purpose of the limited practices to get the squad some reps and more importantly the coaches a look at players before summer.

As mentioned before.... playing a round, possibly winning and then getting hammered by some D3 powerhouse with zero academic standards doesn't seem all that appealing.

If the Ivies have spring football practices then why did the NESCAC do away with there's COVID aside. I get that the Coaches want this but the administration at some of these schools does not. The Ives already play 10 games with an out of conference game and NESCAC does not so the premise that NESCAC copies them I am not sure is clearly evident.

I also do not think the NESCAC schools would get pounded actually the opposite I think they would win a round or two before before coming up against stiff competition.

[VoodooDoc]

Charlie

With a roster of around 120 players, a good NESCAC team might get a win in the first round of the playoffs. From thereon, they would be competing with teams of 150  or more players, and with linemen much bigger than you typically in the NESCAC.  The key is depth the more games that you play.

This is not too say that I wouldn't want to see the NESCAC in the D3 playoffs.  This will help NESCAC teams recruit players that would have academic success in NESCAC schools, but go elsewhere today because of the 9 and done.  In turn, the quality of NESCAC teams will be enhanced greatly. 

[Charlie]

Charlie

With a roster of around 120 players, a good NESCAC team might get a win in the first round of the playoffs. From thereon, they would be competing with teams of 150  or more players, and with linemen much bigger than you typically in the NESCAC.  The key is depth the more games that you play.

This is not too say that I wouldn't want to see the NESCAC in the D3 playoffs.  This will help NESCAC teams recruit players that would have academic success in NESCAC schools, but go elsewhere today because of the 9 and done.  In turn, the quality of NESCAC teams will be enhanced greatly.

Again I stated that they might win a round or two. Depending on the team and circumstances I cannot predict a championship but would be fun to see.

I actually would like to see top four teams in NESCAC in a playoff format. I think when teams play each other second time it is a  better game and whoever finishes higher gets home field. Especially this last year Where Middlebury almost beat Trinity and with Tufts lighting up the scoreboard. Would have been fun to watch this. The year before when Williams beat Trinity for title one would think a second game would have been fun to watch. However any additional games would be nice.

[Pat Coleman]

As mentioned before.... playing a round, possibly winning and then getting hammered by some D3 powerhouse with zero academic standards doesn't seem all that appealing.

If the Centennial can send teams to the national semifinals then eventually the NESCAC can as well.

Sorry that you guys have to compete with schools that are so beneath you. 

[GroundandPound]

https://athletics.mountunion.edu/documents/2022/12/14/2022_Football_Game_Notes_North_Central.pdf

Mt. Union Football won or came in second in four out of the last seven D 3 championship tournaments.  Above is their two deep chart from last year's championship game.
It appears their linemen are no larger than the top 2 or 3 NESCAC teams' linemen.  I believe the NESCAC champs will do very well in the tournament, if given the opportunity, regardless of the size of their linemen.  Helbig was far from "big" and was one of the best linemen to ever play in the NESCAC.