FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Not that we need to explain ourselves and justify our ranking of Wesleyan's o-line but a few facts (since we only deal in facts): Wes has attempted the most passes in the league this year (almost double the number of passes that the Ephs have attempted, btw) thus it makes sense that they have been sacked more, Wes is #3 in total offense, #5 (barely) in average yards gained per play, tied for 2nd in first downs per game, #3 in scoring per game, and #3 in third down conversions. All positive correlators of good o-line play. Not a reach to rank the Wes o-line #3 IOO. If you extrapolate the Williams sack against number and base it on a similar number of pass attempts to Wes, Williams would be #9 in the conference in sacks against (Ephs have allowed 8 sacks against in 79 attempts compared to Wes allowing 10 sacks in 153 attempts, FYI). We stand by our ranking.

All great stats and everything Nescacman. But the fact remains that Wesleyan can't run the ball, and they've given up a lot of sacks. They have only had 2 players run for more than 50yds in a game (one of whom was the QB so those were scrambles). They have 1 rushing touchdown on the season. And they throw the ball more because they can't run it, which opens them up to having more sacks. None of those things is indicative of having a top tier offensive line IMO.

Or do they run the ball less because they have such a dynamic passing game featuring one of the best QB's in the league (Niko is def Top 3) and 2 of the best WR's (Chase and Elk) in the league...seems like a chicken/egg argument to us...

[Nescacman]

Question: If a team has the best running and scrambling QB in the conference, does that mean they also have the best offensive line?

Fetter Doesn't Scramble

We know that some of the Hartford State lovers out there will take offense to this but we are not a fan of Spencer Fetter. Fetter clearly benefits from being surrounded year after year by the most offensive talent in the league and consistently one of the best o-lines in the league. We've said it before and we'll say it again. After watching him in person numerous times, we think he's "SAWFT", he does not like getting hit, and we don't appreciate the way he treats his teammates. We also don't appreciate public comments he has made towards the competition (go do a Google search if you want to see for yourself). Our opinion, put Fetter in Clinton, Lewiston, or Waterville, and he would be mediocre at best. Put Kenny Gray in Hartford and he would have been a legend. We'll take a tough SOB (and good teammate) like Maimaron, Estevez, Gray, Ollie, Coyne et al any day of the week over a guy like Fetter. Tough guy to root for if you ask us.

Agree NM but let me take the liberty of adding Brendan Costa to that list. As tough as they come, great teammate with D1 arm talent who would have been a legend in Hartford.

We're in agreement on Costa...our list was not meant to be inclusive but he certainly deserves a spot on this list...surround him with better talent and he would have been a perennial winner and all-league guy...from what we hear (and we have had deep connections into UBates, as we think you know), he was also a great teammate and even better person...

[Nescacman]

For all those waiting for NESCACMAN's weekly picks, spreads and other assorted nonsense on this week's games, we plan on posting this evening...stay tuned. Two big games on the slate for this week that will have an impact on the league championship...

[GroundandPound]

Colby over Amherst 3
Williams over Hamilton 4
Tufts over Wesleyan 2
Bowdoin over Bates 5
Middlebury over Trinity 1
(5 most confident 1 least confident)

[MammothDad]

That's a bold prediction, Cotton!

Please let me know if there is any degenerate bookie offering Trinity points.  I want some of that!

[SpringSt7]

I would put Williams at #3. They're the best rushing offense, and I'm not going to knock their offensive line for the teams lack of legitimate weapons in the pass game.

Williams is the best rushing offense because they had the best RB in the league by a country mile and now he's out for a while. They have a nice line but I would expect those numbers to dip in the second half.

[Scoops]

Given that they couldn't punch it in on the goal line against Colby, with what looked like extra linemen in the formation, and had to throw to score, I'm going to go out on a limb and say they can't run the ball. But that's just my opinion.

Not that we need to explain ourselves and justify our ranking of Wesleyan's o-line but a few facts (since we only deal in facts): Wes has attempted the most passes in the league this year (almost double the number of passes that the Ephs have attempted, btw) thus it makes sense that they have been sacked more, Wes is #3 in total offense, #5 (barely) in average yards gained per play, tied for 2nd in first downs per game, #3 in scoring per game, and #3 in third down conversions. All positive correlators of good o-line play. Not a reach to rank the Wes o-line #3 IOO. If you extrapolate the Williams sack against number and base it on a similar number of pass attempts to Wes, Williams would be #9 in the conference in sacks against (Ephs have allowed 8 sacks against in 79 attempts compared to Wes allowing 10 sacks in 153 attempts, FYI). We stand by our ranking.

All great stats and everything Nescacman. But the fact remains that Wesleyan can't run the ball, and they've given up a lot of sacks. They have only had 2 players run for more than 50yds in a game (one of whom was the QB so those were scrambles). They have 1 rushing touchdown on the season. And they throw the ball more because they can't run it, which opens them up to having more sacks. None of those things is indicative of having a top tier offensive line IMO.

Or do they run the ball less because they have such a dynamic passing game featuring one of the best QB's in the league (Niko is def Top 3) and 2 of the best WR's (Chase and Elk) in the league...seems like a chicken/egg argument to us...

[Scoops]

Now THIS is a chicken/egg argument. I would say that Fischetti is a great back, but a great back is nothing without a good offensive line. Look at RB Eden in Brunswick. By all accounts a very talented back who has languished behind poor offensive line play. That said, the loss of Fischetti in Williams offense should prove the true talent of their offensive line.

I would put Williams at #3. They're the best rushing offense, and I'm not going to knock their offensive line for the teams lack of legitimate weapons in the pass game.

Williams is the best rushing offense because they had the best RB in the league by a country mile and now he's out for a while. They have a nice line but I would expect those numbers to dip in the second half.

[lumbercat]

Colby over Amherst 3
Williams over Hamilton 4
Tufts over Wesleyan 2
Bowdoin over Bates 5
Middlebury over Trinity 1
(5 most confident 1 least confident)

I usually don't make predictions but here goes
Colby over Amherst by 10
Tufts over Wesleyan by 3
Trinity over Midd by 17
Williams over Hamilton by 9

[lumbercat]

Question: If a team has the best running and scrambling QB in the conference, does that mean they also have the best offensive line?

Fetter Doesn't Scramble

We know that some of the Hartford State lovers out there will take offense to this but we are not a fan of Spencer Fetter. Fetter clearly benefits from being surrounded year after year by the most offensive talent in the league and consistently one of the best o-lines in the league. We've said it before and we'll say it again. After watching him in person numerous times, we think he's "SAWFT", he does not like getting hit, and we don't appreciate the way he treats his teammates. We also don't appreciate public comments he has made towards the competition (go do a Google search if you want to see for yourself). Our opinion, put Fetter in Clinton, Lewiston, or Waterville, and he would be mediocre at best. Put Kenny Gray in Hartford and he would have been a legend. We'll take a tough SOB (and good teammate) like Maimaron, Estevez, Gray, Ollie, Coyne et al any day of the week over a guy like Fetter. Tough guy to root for if you ask us.

Agree NM but let me take the liberty of adding Brendan Costa to that list. As tough as they come, great teammate with D1 arm talent who would have been a legend in Hartford.

We're in agreement on Costa...our list was not meant to be inclusive but he certainly deserves a spot on this list...surround him with better talent and he would have been a perennial winner and all-league guy...from what we hear (and we have had deep connections into UBates, as we think you know), he was also a great teammate and even better person...

Well said NM- My heart bleeds for that kid, never got his due amid all the turmoil at Bates pre Coyne. Great Arm, great feet and tough as hell. Amen

[Nescacman]

Question: If a team has the best running and scrambling QB in the conference, does that mean they also have the best offensive line?

Fetter Doesn't Scramble

We know that some of the Hartford State lovers out there will take offense to this but we are not a fan of Spencer Fetter. Fetter clearly benefits from being surrounded year after year by the most offensive talent in the league and consistently one of the best o-lines in the league. We've said it before and we'll say it again. After watching him in person numerous times, we think he's "SAWFT", he does not like getting hit, and we don't appreciate the way he treats his teammates. We also don't appreciate public comments he has made towards the competition (go do a Google search if you want to see for yourself). Our opinion, put Fetter in Clinton, Lewiston, or Waterville, and he would be mediocre at best. Put Kenny Gray in Hartford and he would have been a legend. We'll take a tough SOB (and good teammate) like Maimaron, Estevez, Gray, Ollie, Coyne et al any day of the week over a guy like Fetter. Tough guy to root for if you ask us.

Agree NM but let me take the liberty of adding Brendan Costa to that list. As tough as they come, great teammate with D1 arm talent who would have been a legend in Hartford.

We're in agreement on Costa...our list was not meant to be inclusive but he certainly deserves a spot on this list...surround him with better talent and he would have been a perennial winner and all-league guy...from what we hear (and we have had deep connections into UBates, as we think you know), he was also a great teammate and even better person...

Well said NM- My hear bleeds for that kid, never got his due amid all the turmoil at Bates pre Coyne. Great Arm, great feet and tough as nail. Amen

Only player who got the screw job more than Costa, IOO, was HAM's Kenny Gray. A really talented kid and very tough hombre. We watched him take numerous hits against Wes, the last one (shot right to the ribs) would have knocked out most QB's. He had some good receiver's (led by Joe Schmidt), but no running game and HAM's defense during the Gray era, was poor, at best.

[Nescacman]

Colby over Amherst 3
Williams over Hamilton 4
Tufts over Wesleyan 2
Bowdoin over Bates 5
Middlebury over Trinity 1
(5 most confident 1 least confident)

I usually don't make predictions but here goes
Colby over Amherst by 10
Tufts over Wesleyan by 3
Trinity over Midd by 17
Williams over Hamilton by 9

We noticed you're missing a game, Lumber! Come on, even we pick the game involving our alma matter! 

[Nescacman]

I would put Williams at #3. They're the best rushing offense, and I'm not going to knock their offensive line for the teams lack of legitimate weapons in the pass game.

Williams is the best rushing offense because they had the best RB in the league by a country mile and now he's out for a while. They have a nice line but I would expect those numbers to dip in the second half.

Here's a question Spring...If the Ephs lose Fischetti for an extended period of time, do they win another game this year.? He is their primary/only offensive weapon and accounts for almost 50% of their total yardage to-date in 2023...they have no passing game....and their next man up RB (Jon Oris) averages 3.3 ypc with a long of 15 yards on the season...not ideal for Williams any way you slice it.

[Charlie]

I would put Williams at #3. They're the best rushing offense, and I'm not going to knock their offensive line for the teams lack of legitimate weapons in the pass game.

Williams is the best rushing offense because they had the best RB in the league by a country mile and now he's out for a while. They have a nice line but I would expect those numbers to dip in the second half.

Here's a question Spring...If the Ephs lose Fischetti for an extended period of time, do they win another game this year.? He is their primary/only offensive weapon and accounts for almost 50% of their total yardage to-date in 2023...they have no passing game....and their next man up RB (Jon Oris) averages 3.3 ypc with a long of 15 yards on the season...not ideal for Williams any way you slice it.

I thought they had a Freshman Marvin who was supposed to be RB of future is he hurt or are they not playing him ?

[lumbercat]

Question: If a team has the best running and scrambling QB in the conference, does that mean they also have the best offensive line?

Fetter Doesn't Scramble

We know that some of the Hartford State lovers out there will take offense to this but we are not a fan of Spencer Fetter. Fetter clearly benefits from being surrounded year after year by the most offensive talent in the league and consistently one of the best o-lines in the league. We've said it before and we'll say it again. After watching him in person numerous times, we think he's "SAWFT", he does not like getting hit, and we don't appreciate the way he treats his teammates. We also don't appreciate public comments he has made towards the competition (go do a Google search if you want to see for yourself). Our opinion, put Fetter in Clinton, Lewiston, or Waterville, and he would be mediocre at best. Put Kenny Gray in Hartford and he would have been a legend. We'll take a tough SOB (and good teammate) like Maimaron, Estevez, Gray, Ollie, Coyne et al any day of the week over a guy like Fetter. Tough guy to root for if you ask us.

Agree NM but let me take the liberty of adding Brendan Costa to that list. As tough as they come, great teammate with D1 arm talent who would have been a legend in Hartford.

We're in agreement on Costa...our list was not meant to be inclusive but he certainly deserves a spot on this list...surround him with better talent and he would have been a perennial winner and all-league guy...from what we hear (and we have had deep connections into UBates, as we think you know), he was also a great teammate and even better person...

Well said NM- My hear bleeds for that kid, never got his due amid all the turmoil at Bates pre Coyne. Great Arm, great feet and tough as nail. Amen

Only player who got the screw job more than Costa, IOO, was HAM's Kenny Gray. A really talented kid and very tough hombre. We watched him take numerous hits against Wes, the last one (shot right to the ribs) would have knocked out most QB's. He had some good receiver's (led by Joe Schmidt), but no running game and HAM's defense during the Gray era, was poor, at best.

Immense respect for Gray but let's not base everything on what he did against Wes.