FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Kudo's to the Wes SID on working OT on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_yQs--yoyw/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Let's go!

[CC_Camels]

Hamilton Roaster is now posted:

https://athletics.hamilton.edu/sports/football/roster

[Nescacman]

Late word out of Medford is that Tuft's All-NESCAC 2nd Team RB Chartellis Reece is out for the year. This development will definitely have an impact on the Jumbo's this year.

NM

[BigKat]

Late word? Been known all summer.

[NescacNewbie]

Wow! Reece is out? Injury?
That sucks for the young man, and definitely a tough loss for the team. Does this change your thoughts on power rankings?

[westcoastnescac]

Hearing wasn't an injury ..

[nescac1]

Tufts did mention Reece as a returning TB in its season preview published just yesterday, seems odd to do so if it is known that he's not playing for the entire year? 

[Scoops]

Also hearing that Reece being out is not injury related. Huge blow for Tufts. It is likely that all NESCAC return man Aundre Smith will head the rushing attack (when Berluti hands it off at least). He was a capable #2 last season, with particularly good outings against Wesleyan and Colby.

[NescacNewbie]

Reece is still listed on the roster, fyi.

[ROTMNG]

4). Middlebury (2023 Record: 8-1 NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 6-3)

Bulletin board material for Midd -- defending champs ranked 4th and behind their week 1 opponent. I'm not sure the team has lost as much talent on offense as the board seems to think, and this might be the best DL group in all of Division III. The beautiful thing is we don't need to argue because we will see on Saturday.

New QB, loss of All-Leaguers (WR Wood, LB McCool, DB Muldoon) and several OL...we stand by our projection. They were very fortunate to have 8 wins a year ago and could have very easily had 3 losses or more. Should be a great game Saturday...that's why they play the games.

"Several Oline" is patently false. Midd returns 7 lineman who started a game last year. Only 1 starter graduated (and he missed most of last season with injury anyway.) Besides, all NESCACMAN does is provide bulletin board material. And we are thankful for his service.

[Nescacman]

2024 Week 1 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's Week #1 "in the league where they pay to play"...hard to believe this is our 11th season predicting NESCAC games...this week features a game that could have league championship ramifications as the Wesleyan Cardinals travel to Vermont to face Middlebury. We also have an upset special in Week 1...here we go!

Colby College at Hartford State College: Colby NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense 8/Total Defense 6; Hartford State NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense 1/Total Defense 2...Tough draw for the Mules facing Hartford State in the Coop...dawn of a new era at QB for the Bants...we expect to see more of "ground and pound" offensive scheme featuring All-NESCAC RB Tyler Dinapoli...good match-up to get the new Hartford State QB some confidence...Meanwhile, Colby will also have a new QB...he'll have some weapons to throw too but we imagine that the Bants defense won't make it easy for him to find open receivers...Colby has not been strong offensively in recent years and we think they will be challenged to generate enough points to keep up with the high-powered Bants offense who also return their All-NESCAC WR Sean Clapp...Colby will have the best player on the field on Saturday in LB Julian Young but that won't be enough...Keys to Victory for Colby: Run the ball well to control the clock...protect the passer...Julian Young & Co. holds HS to under 20 points...KTV for HS: Basically show up...don't take Colby lightly...avoid penalties and turnovers...convert in the redzone...Players to watch: WR Jack Sawyer (COL), RB Keon Smart (COL), LB Julian Young (COL), QB Zander Zembrowski (HS), RB Tyler Dinapoli (HS), WR Sean Clapp (HS)...Game Summary: We do not expect the same level of dismantling that we saw last year (HS won 48-7 in Waterville) but this is a good warm-up game for the Bants...should allow Zembrowski to get his sea legs under him while they work out the kinks. Colby is well-coached and will be ready to go, but they are undermanned and will have a tough time keeping up with the Bants especially after losing BOTH coordinators. Hartford State going away...

Hartford State 42 Colby 7
Point Spread: Hartford State -28
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Sunny. High of 86.

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Amherst College: UBates NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense 10/Total Defense 10; Amherst NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense 9/Total Defense 3...This game is a match-up between 2 teams headed in opposite directions...the Lord Mammoths won last year's battle 17-7 in Lewiston, however, UBates won in 2022 in Amherst...UBates is a team on the rise while the Lord Mammoths are a shadow their former glorious selves...Lord Mammoths will likely start either soph John Collier or senior Jack Cox at QB...both started games last year, although neither had much sustained success...UBates returns 2-year starting QB Colton Bosselait and 17 other starters...he has up and coming star WR Sergio Beltran to throw to...KTV for UBates: Need to run the ball well to set-up the Bosselait-to-Beltran passing combo...on defense, stop the run to force the Lord Mammoths into passing situations...KTV for Amherst: The Lord Mammoths porous run defense needs to improve as does their offense...Players to watch: QB Colton Bosselait (UB), WR Sergio Beltran (UB), RB Ryan Lynskey (UB), WR Owen Gaydos (AMH), LB Luke Harmon (AMH)...Game Summary: We think the Kitties and HCOF Coyne turn some heads with a much-needed, surprising win on the road. This is our upset special for Week 1.

UBates 17 Amherst 14
Point Spread: Amherst -3
Weather: Mostly sunny. High of 84.

Hamilton College at Williams College: Hamilton NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense: 7/Total Defense: 9; Williams NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense: 6/Total Defense: 5... Some optimism for a change in Clinton with an experienced QB in returning NESCAC Rookie of the Year Luke Kurzum and a new offensive coordinator in former Colby offensive coordinator Shea Dwyer...HAM on a roll (no cheese please) having finished 2023 winning 3 of their last 4 games...Meanwhile, Williams should feature a power running game behind oft-injured star RB Mario Fischetti...they will need to throw the ball somewhat effectively to keep the HAM defense honest...HAM will also try to run the ball effectively behind second year RB Nate Wildman (now wearing #1)...interesting sidebar, former Wesleyan great Kyle Mangini's (recently elected into the Wes Athletics Hall of Fame) son is Williams FY LB Luke Mangini...KTV for Hamilton: Return to what worked when they won games in 2023; run the ball well...force the Ephs to throw which has been a challenge the last couple of years...KTV for Williams: Like HAM, run the ball well...on defense, force the Conts to pass...Players to watch: RB Nate Wildman (HAM), QB Luke Kurzum (HAM), QB Owen McHugh (WIL), DE Cameron Smith (WIL), RB Mario Fischetti (WIL), WR/DB Holden Gering (WIL)...Game Summary: For the first time in a long time, there is optimism in Clinton...meanwhile, we think the Ephs are on the rise and will get back to .500 after 2 back-to-back 3-6 seasons...we think the Ephs have too much talent to lose an opener at home. Should be a close, defensive battle between two similar teams (like last year), but we think the Ephs pull it out in the 4th quarter.

Williams 21 Hamilton 14
Point Spread: Williams -7
Weather: Mostly sunny. High of 83.

Bowdoin College at Tufts University (6:00 PM start):  Bowdoin NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense 3/Total Defense 4; Tufts NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense 2/Total Defense 4...Really interesting game...We think Tufts will play with a chip on their shoulder after a "disappointing" 6-3 season last year in Medford...The Polars will have a bevy of new starters at the skill positions on offense and will try to keep up with the high-powered Jumbo offense...new Bowdoin starting QB Robbie Long will need to have a big day for his team to have a chance at the upset in Medford...Bowdoin strength is their front 7 seven on defense, led by Koy Price, and their O-line...meanwhile, Tufts will have to find a replacement for RB Chartellis Reece, who is out...next man up...KTV for Bowdoin: Avoid turnovers and keep the game low scoring behind all world Polars defender Koy Price...KTV for Tufts: Protect QB Berlutti...stop the run to force Bowdoin QB Long to pass...Players to watch: LB Koy Price (BOW), QB Robbie Long (BOW), RB Luke Watson (BOW), QB Michael Berlutti (TUF), WR Cade Moore (TUF), RB Aundre Smith (TUF)...Game Summary: Should be a great opening night atmosphere under the lights in Medford. Loss of Reece is not optimal for the Jumbo's, but we think they have enough talent on offense to figure it out. We think the Jumbo's light it up with a big opening night win at home.

Tufts 28 Bowdoin 14
Point Spread: Tufts -14
Weather: Clear. Low of 60.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Wesleyan University at Middlebury College: Wesleyan NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense: 5/Total Defense: 7; Middlebury NESCAC Ranks (2023): Total Offense: 4/Total Defense: 8...Our first GOTW in 2024 features our #3 and #4 ranked teams, the Middlebury Panthers, hosting the Wesleyan Cardinals...lots at stake in this one... MID was not spectacular on offense or defense in 2023 but was great defensively in the red-zone...MID gave up the fewest TDs in the league last year...Wesleyan will need to do  better job of protecting QB Nico Candido in 2024 and running the ball to improve on their win total last year (6)...If Nico has the time, he has several dynamic receivers to go to including All-NESCACer Chase Wilson...the Cards defense, especially the defensive line should be much improved and will take pressure off of a talented, experienced secondary...the Pants feature WR Patrick Jamin and a bevy of RBs including Carter Stockwell on offense...KTV for Wesleyan: Control both sides of the line of scrimmage...stop the run to force Middlebury to pass...on offense, run the ball effectively to set-up the pass...KTV for MID: Run the ball well behind their experienced O-line to take the pressure off of the new QB....put pressure on the Wes QB...Players to watch: QB Niko Candido (WES), WR Chase Wilson (WES), LB Jake Edwards (WES), DB Dylan Connors (WES), DB Wesley Abraham (WES), QB Brian Moran (MID), WR Patrick Jamin (MID), DL Tomas Kenary (MID), DT Dave Filias (MID), DB Rocco Stolla (MID)...Game Summary: Wesleyan returns all 11 starters on defense plus adds All-League transfer Nick Donatio plus has the most explosive player on the field in Chase Wilson...Wes O-line will have to block Kenary and Fillias to protect QB Candido and run the ball effectively...We look for Wilson to have a huge game/season...Very competitive, close game but we like Wes to pull out a rare  win in Vermont.

Wesleyan 24 Middlebury 21
Point Spread: Middlebury -3
Weather: Sunny. High of 82.

Good luck to all the student-athletes and coaches this Saturday!

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2024 Season: 0-0
2023 Season: 31-14
2022 Season: 31-14
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0 (COVID)
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: 323-107 (.751 winning percentage)

Follow NESCACMAN on X @realnescacman

[Charlie]

4). Middlebury (2023 Record: 8-1 NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 6-3)

Bulletin board material for Midd -- defending champs ranked 4th and behind their week 1 opponent. I'm not sure the team has lost as much talent on offense as the board seems to think, and this might be the best DL group in all of Division III. The beautiful thing is we don't need to argue because we will see on Saturday.

There are no lockdowns but an outbreak. The rule

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

No lockdowns or policy changes I know Wesleyan and Trinity have had a spike in cases. I guess rules to practice , games classes etc have changed just thought this was interesting news.Did not know if this was occurring at other schools

[westcoastnescac]

Think Bates may be a little frisky this year- offense is a pain to scheme for and what was formerly a very young team now aging in a bit. Agree w the pick NM

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

4). Middlebury (2023 Record: 8-1 NESCACMAN Predicted 2024 Record: 6-3)

Bulletin board material for Midd -- defending champs ranked 4th and behind their week 1 opponent. I'm not sure the team has lost as much talent on offense as the board seems to think, and this might be the best DL group in all of Division III. The beautiful thing is we don't need to argue because we will see on Saturday.

There are no lockdowns but an outbreak. The rule

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

Has anyone also heard rumor that COVID is spreading around Colleges again. I heard the bug has Hit Amherst , Trinity & Wesleyan. Just wanted to see if anyone else has heard about this and how and if at all would affect upcoming games.

Not sure that it ever went away. It's endemic now. Do you mean that there are active outbreaks spurring lockdowns or changes in policy on those specific campuses? Folks with kids at those schools might have insight.

No lockdowns or policy changes I know Wesleyan and Trinity have had a spike in cases. I guess rules to practice , games classes etc have changed just thought this was interesting news.Did not know if this was occurring at other schools

@Pat Coleman

Can we get a messaging/quoting/forum training sesh for our esteemed Mr. Charlie? That was a massacre.

[Nescacman]

Think Bates may be a little frisky this year- offense is a pain to scheme for and what was formerly a very young team now aging in a bit. Agree w the pick NM

Love the "frisky" adjective for the Kitties...we may have to use that ourselves. Well-played...