FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Not a meteorologist but Bates @ Tufts is pretty close to the water and goes at 6:30, while the others all go at 1:00.

Tufts is playing @ Trinity 1:30
Bates is playing Wes @ Bates 1:00

[The Mole]

Spring, think you were looking ahead a week, schedule this week is:

Amherst @ Middlebury
Wesleyan @ Bates
Bowdoin @ Hamilton
Colby @ Williams
Tufts @ Trinity

maybe some times get changed or locales shifted?

Not a meteorologist but Bates @ Tufts is pretty close to the water and goes at 6:30, while the others all go at 1:00.

[lumbercat]

I would think that playing games on Sunday will be on the table if the storm tracks unfavorably- it's been done before in the NSCAC.

[SpringSt7]

Not a meteorologist or an athletics scheduler.

[LochNescac]

Upon further review, it looks like if any game gets adjusted it'll be the Bates home game...

Probably just cloudy & a tad breezy in Hartford...

All based on current forecasts & as Spring said;  I'm no meteorologist...just got curious enough to hop on weather.com!

[lumbercat]

Yeah- we'll wait and see what the weather experts say.
I was hoping Charlie might weigh in on the upcoming weekend.

[Nescacman]

Not a meteorologist but Bates @ Tufts is pretty close to the water and goes at 6:30, while the others all go at 1:00.

That will be tough for UBates to carry-off since they play Wes at 1:00 in Lewiston. 

I know that is a typo old friend....in all seriousness, the Wes @ UBates may be moved to Friday night in Lewiston due to Hurricane Lee...stay tuned.

[Nescacman]

Not a meteorologist but Bates @ Tufts is pretty close to the water and goes at 6:30, while the others all go at 1:00.

That will be tough for UBates to carry-off since they play Wes at 1:00 in Lewiston. 

I know that is a typo old friend....in all seriousness, the Wes @ UBates may be moved to Friday night in Lewiston due to Hurricane Lee...stay tuned.

Further data point...URI @ UMaine has been moved to Friday night at 6:30 PM...

[CC_Camels]

Not NESCAC but RPI v. WPI in Worcester has been moved to Friday night.

Sounds like the decision about Wesleyan at Bates will likely be made tomorrow AM...Friday night at 7 is an option being considered

[Nescacman]

Not NESCAC but RPI v. WPI in Worcester has been moved to Friday night.

Sounds like the decision about Wesleyan at Bates will likely be made tomorrow AM...Friday night at 7 is an option being considered

Correct...a decision is expected to be made by 9:30 AM.

[Pat Coleman]

Not a meteorologist but Bates @ Tufts is pretty close to the water and goes at 6:30, while the others all go at 1:00.

That game isn't this weekend.

[Nescacman]

2023 NESCACMAN Week 0 Power Rankings

It's that time of year in the league where they "pay to play". To those of you new to the Boards, welcome! To those returning, welcome back!

We are looking forward to another exciting season of NESCAC Football. Going into the season, we think there are four teams that will challenge for the league crown this year. Hartford State, Tufts, and Middlebury will all be in the mix. We think Wesleyan is the only other team with a shot, but much will depend on how their new starters perform. The next tier is comprised of Williams, Amhurst and Colby with UBates, Bowdoin and Hamilton in the bottom tier.

2023 will be a year of haves and have nots. If you HAVE a competent, experienced QB (see Hartford State, Tufts, Middlebury, and Wesleyan), you stand a pretty good chance of being in the mix. If you DO NOT have a competent, experienced QB (see everyone else), you will not be in the mix. The NESCAC is no different that the NFL, major college football or the local high school down the street. No QB pretty much means, no shot at winning the way the game is played now. It's that simple.

Here are our NESCAC rankings for Week "0" based on our weekly poll of league-wide correspondents. We will post our rankings weekly, generally early in the week:

1). Hartford State Bantams (7 first place votes)(2022 Record: 9-0; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 8-1): 2022 Grade: A+. Defending league champs...Week 1 against the Jumbo's could be for the league championship...A bunch of returning starters for a team that was #2 in total offense and #1 in total defense in 2022...Lost some significant pieces on both sides of the ball but return a solid nucleus including starting 2nd-team All-NESCAC QB Spencer Fetter and 2nd Team WR Sean Clapp...Will be somewhere in the top tier group in '23...Tons of experience and solid coaching...Continue to leverage their academic advantage and institutional focus on football despite their suboptimal location.

2). Tufts Jumbo's (2 first place votes)(2022 Record: 6-3; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 7-2): 2022 Grade: B+...Made a leap into the upper echelon of the league in 2022...Despite leading the NESCAC in total offense in 2022, they were 6th in total defense...If they get better on the defensive side of the ball, should be in contention for the league title in'23...Offense should again be very good with 1st team All-NESCAC QB Michael Berluti running the show...We are rooting for our relative (via marriage), All-NESCAC DL Ed Iuteri...Big test in week #1 when they travel to face Hartford State in the Coop...We think they should challenge for the NESCAC title in 2023.

3). Middlebury (1 first place vote)(2022 Record: 7-2; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 6-3): 2022 Grade: A-...Bounce back year for the Pants in 2022 after a very disappointing year in 2021...New HCOF Mandigo will try to keep the momentum going replacing long-time Middlebury HCOF Ritter...If Doug even comes close to replicating the success of his brother, all time Women's Hockey Great Coach Bill Mandigo (and Wes alum), he'll be a Middlebury legend... HCOF Mandigo comes from the defensive side of the ball so we can see the Middlebury offensive philosophy changing from "pass first" to being more-balanced as time goes by...Middlebury does have a strong QB returning in Cole Kennon, who is one of the better QB's in the league...Other returning starters include All-NESCAC WR Donovan Wood, 4 returning O-lineman, All NESCAC DL Tomas Kenary and All-NESCAC DB Rocca Stola (former Eph WR Frank Stola's little brother)...Middlebury was #4 in total offense in 2022 but was 8th in total defense including 9th against the pass...We think there is enough talent here for Middlebury to be dangerous every week and be a serious threat to compete in 2023.

4). Wesleyan Cardinals (2022 Record: 6-3; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 6-3): 2022 Grade: B...Cards return 15 of their 22 starters plus get back a number of players who played a ton in 2022 as well as a few injured starters return...#3 in total offense and #2 in total defense in 2022...Despite losing several key performers to graduation and transfer (Estevez, Helbig , Simco, Henderson, and Tomlinson among others) Cards have a lot of experienced players including QB Nico Candido who is among one of the top 4 QB's in the League...Players to watch include returning All NESCAC DL Mike Rowan, WR Chase Wilson, and converted TE and now TB, 5th year Ezra Jenifer (6'2"/225 pounds)...Wes has had 10 straight winning seasons, is the defending Little 3 champ, and Coach Dice is the all-time winningest HCOF in Wes history so we are betting on them again this year...The Cards are our pick to win the Little 3 title again in 2023...Wes always has high expectations and we think they will surprise a few people this year.

5). Williams Purple Cows (2022 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 5-4): 2022 Grade: D+...2022 was a very challenging year for the Purple Cows after winning the league and running the table league in 2021...QB/leader/NESCAC OPOTY Maimaron was not going to be easy to replace and they didn't come close to doing that in 2022...Williams was last in the NESCAC in passing in 2022...Defense wasn't much better ranking 8th in 2022 after finishing 1st in 2021...Need to solidify the QB position (hopefully one of the six QBs on the roster works out) and find some capable receivers to have a bounce back winning season...The running game should be fine with Mario Fischetti and QB Jack Dickinson, who ran well but did not pass well, before getting injured...Run defense was fine in 2022 but pass defense will need to improve in 2023...Haven't had a winning record without a Maimaron at QB since 2011...When will Union HCOF Poppe return to Williamstown? We think they will be better but a lot will depend on the QB play.

6). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (2022 Record: 2-7; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 4-5): 2021 Grade: D....Anytime an Amhurst team goes 2-7, like they did in 2022, it is a huge fail (although we gave them a "D")...One the worst offenses in recent memory in the NESCAC   (last in total offense, scoring offense, first downs, #9 in passing offense, and #9 in rushing offense)...Despite the offense ineptitude, the defense kept them in games and was ranked #4...Could be more of the same as the QB continues to be a question mark for the Lord Jeffs headed into this season...Returning signal caller, Mike Piazza was last in the NESCAC in pass efficiency and only tossed 5 TDs vs 6 INTs in 2022...Need to show more on offense and replace key performers on defense...Where did all of the Amhurst playmakers go?...We respect HCOF Mills, which is why we are giving the Lord Mammoths the benefit of the doubt and see them as a mid-tier team (at best) this year.

7). Colby Mules (2022 Record: 4-5; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 record: 4-5): 2022 Grade: C...Another up and down year last year...After going 4-2, they lost the last 3 games to end 2022 with another losing record...Have not had a winning season since 2005 and 2023 will not be the year they break that streak...In 2023, Colby will see a change in QB (a welcome change but we digress) as they will finally replace the veteran, but very mediocre Matt Hersch...Colby's offense was not good in 2022 (9th in the NESCAC, slightly better than the woeful Lord Mammoths), however, the defense was more than competent...Team is consistently devoid of playmakers (top rusher Keon Smart only averaged 3.6 yards per carry and they only had one receiver in last year's top 20 in receptions...Offense will need to improve dramatically to get this Team over .500 in '23...We're betting that 2024 is more likely for that...Team definitely has University support, but they have been unable to parley that into any consistent on the field success to-date... They are our pick to win the C-B-B in '22...Ceiling for them is mid-tier at best in '23.

8). Bowdoin Polar Bears (2022 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 record: 2-7):  2022 Grade: C-...Another losing year in '22 but did look improved at times...Is this a make-or-break year for HCOF Hammer? RB Andre Eden is something to get excited about finishing #3 in the league in rushing last year (despite averaging 3.2 ypc)...QB is a question mark with Andrew Boel returning from a serious knee injury and his replacement, Robbie Long, who played the last 3 games, only threw for 1 TD...The defense will miss All-NESCAC DL Drew Ortiz and leading tackler Max Jacobs although they did finish in the middle of the pack last year and they led the league in sacks...Pass offense needs to get better to move out of the bottom tier...We have a tough time seeing them get more than 2 wins this year....Will we see a new HCOF as a result in 2024?

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(2022 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 2-7): 2022 Grade: B....HCOF Coyne deserved Coach of the year for the on and off-field improvements to this long-time bottom tier program...Has done a great job of bringing elements of the Williams/Wesleyan culture he learned from his mentors, HCOFs Whalen and Dicenzo...HCOF Coyne has put his own spin on things and has the Program headed in the right direction, however, 2023 will NOT be their year...UBates fans should target 2025; we think that will be the Kitties year...Meanwhile, despite a Junior class comprised of 9 players (thank you HCOF Hall), HCOF Coyne has reloaded and most of the roster will be comprised of Freshman and Sophomores...They will have SOME help from their seniors and they do return starting QB Colton Bosselait who needs to learn how to limit INTS (led the league in INTs by a long-shot with 15)...Defensively they will need to improve a unit that was 9th in the league in total defense and lost some of their key performers...Although 2023 may be a step back on paper, the younger players will get a bunch of experience as they continue to rebuild the program.

10). Hamilton Continentals (2022 Record: 2-7; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 Record: 1-8): 2022 Grade: D...In for a tough season (again) this year...Ended '22 season losing 4 straight games...Same old story in Clinton; not clear what the direction of this program is..."Rudderless" is a word that comes to mind...Once again, will enter the '23 season with question marks all over the field including at QB, RB, and their entire defense...Their defense was last in the NESCAC and was equally bad against the run and the pass...Haven't had a great running back in years....Need playmakers...Last in sacks....Too many areas to fix...They will be a bottom tier team again in 2023.

[quicksilver]

2023 NESCACMAN Week 0 Power Rankings

It's that time of year in the league where they "pay to play". To those of you new to the Boards, welcome! To those returning, welcome back!
. . .. . .
8). Bowdoin Polar Bears (2022 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 record: 2-7):  2022 Grade: C-...Another losing year in '22 but did look improved at times...Is this a make-or-break year for HCOF Hammer? RB Andre Eden is something to get excited about finishing #3 in the league in rushing last year (despite averaging 3.2 ypc)...QB is a question mark with Andrew Boel returning from a serious knee injury and his replacement, Robbie Long, who played the last 3 games, only threw for 1 TD...The defense will miss All-NESCAC DL Drew Ortiz and leading tackler Max Jacobs although they did finish in the middle of the pack last year and they led the league in sacks...Pass offense needs to get better to move

Max Jacobs is but a junior and is very much back for this season. He is also one of the team's five captains: https://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/football/roster/max-jacobs/12363

[Nescacman]

2023 NESCACMAN Week 0 Power Rankings

It's that time of year in the league where they "pay to play". To those of you new to the Boards, welcome! To those returning, welcome back!
. . .. . .
8). Bowdoin Polar Bears (2022 Record: 3-6; NESCACMAN Predicted 2023 record: 2-7):  2022 Grade: C-...Another losing year in '22 but did look improved at times...Is this a make-or-break year for HCOF Hammer? RB Andre Eden is something to get excited about finishing #3 in the league in rushing last year (despite averaging 3.2 ypc)...QB is a question mark with Andrew Boel returning from a serious knee injury and his replacement, Robbie Long, who played the last 3 games, only threw for 1 TD...The defense will miss All-NESCAC DL Drew Ortiz and leading tackler Max Jacobs although they did finish in the middle of the pack last year and they led the league in sacks...Pass offense needs to get better to move

Max Jacobs is but a junior and is very much back for this season. He is also one of the team's five captains: https://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/football/roster/max-jacobs/12363

You are correct and we stand corrected...not going to matter much in our overall assessment of the 2023 Polars, however...

Meanwhile, Wesleyan, among others, has posted their 2023 preview: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/X6aKxMiGONVRT

[GroundandPound]

Nicely done NESCACMAN... let the games begin :-)