FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[westcoastnescac]

The more I look at the Trinity-Middlebury game from last year the more confident I am about tomorrow. The biggest reason Trinity lost was they couldn't get it done in the red zone. The Bantams put up 444 yards of total offense and punted only once but had to settle for FIVE Jumes field goals. And, of course, they botched the end of the game; down 5 with :17 seconds left at the 2 yard line they ran only one play got stuffed for no gain. Obviously they should have thrown it into the end zone on third down at the very least.

Turnovers were another huge factor. Fetter uncharacteristically threw 2 picks in the game (he only had 3 INTs the entire rest of the season). One of only four lost fumbles on the year happened in the fourth quarter as well when DiNapoli turned it over at his own 28 yard line.

As Nescacman pointed out, the Bantams have scored TDs on 15 of 18 red zone trips this season and Zebrowski has 0 picks on the year. If Middlebury allowed Amherst to score three TDs then I think Trin scores at least 28 and the Bantams haven't allowed that many points in a game in over two years.

Midd is fighting for the lives and has the homefield advantage, but Trinity wants revenge and I think they get it 34-20.

Agreed - if you watch the film of that game trinity had every opp to win that game just didn't bounce their way / as you said very uncharacteristic misses. think trin covers -13.5 (who bets a -14 spread?)

[lumbercat]

Believe Colby will beat Amherst handily.

Trinity will dominate Middlebury. Bants should rattle Midd QB with pressure- stunts and blitzes....if Sweet Lew sees that road. Bants typically love to flex their muscles and insist on winning with their basic power scheme which is driven by arrogance and their refusal to gamble a little on D.

After the debacle last year in Hartford I think Sweet Lew will wake up this year and attack the Middlebury passing game much more aggressively with the great players the Bants have on D.

Hey Lew, if Middlebury cant throw it you win!

Key to winning at Middlebury, which has never been easy to achieve is to shut down the passing game with continuous QB pressure and confusing D schemes.

[mhoncho123]

Lost 24-13 at home v. a 1-4 team and now going to Maine to play a surging 2-4 team. 
I'd call that one a toss-up.

Not in relation to the unfortunate beatdown the Pants will incur on Saturday...hope we are wrong, but this game won't be close.

Nescacman,

I think the matchup in Brunswick seems more pressing for than Wesleyan faithful than the game in Vermont (Panthers + 110). I'm really curious to see how the Wesleyan offensive line and rushing attack adjust from last week. My film study of the Wesleyan v Colby game showed many lapses among the offensive line. From what appeared to be missed assignments, poor schemes, etc, I believe this Bowdoin front 8 will give them fits. I like Bowdoin in this one. 

Maybe other board members know this, but why does it say "Junior Varsity" next to my name? I've never played a snap of JV ball in my life. I was a 4 year varsity letterman, so maybe board admin can adjust this error for me.

- Honcho, NESCAC Legend

Post a lot and you will be varsity.  You have to work your way up.

He won't be able to post after Saturday. Will be working overtime to pay up that panthers gamble!

Honcho - just remember Never chase your losses.

Bantchamps,

I have a very comfortable salary nearing 6 figures so I neither qualify for overtime or quite frankly need it. Being a member of the ultra wealthy like myself means I rarely lose. If I were you, I would be more concerned about your 2001 Toyota Camry being repoed after the Panthers victory tomorrow.

I would like to reiterate that I don't believe Bantams fans or players are ready for the hostile environment at Youngman. Trin 9-0 and Bantchamps, I would love to get to shake your hands at the tailgate tomorrow. Me and my grandson will have a keg of Coors Lite and would love to chat ball. Excited for tomorrow.

- Honcho, NESCAC Legend

[GroundandPound]

Per Trin 9-0's post on the upcoming game at Middlebury:
"Clapp is a mismatch for any corner in this league and cannot be covered 1 on 1."
"...Zebrowski has thrown exactly zero ints this season so I'm not particularly worried about that."   
"[Trinity's defense is] either 1st or 2nd in nearly every statistical defensive category. That's a scary prospect for the rest of the NESCAC to have such a young squad be one of the top two units in the league."

[Nescacman]

Episode 6 available now!

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[Brady12]

Muleshoe,
Of the two you identified, I believe Colby and Williams will get wins. I do not know which two NM may get wrong, but I hope he is wrong on Midd and Bowdoin.

Perfect weather in Williamstown. I am predicting a big day for Ephs offense

[Brady12]

Perfect weather in Williamstown. I am predicting a big day for Ephs offense
[/quote]


And that is why I shouldn't make predictions. 

[MapleBBQChicken]

Panthers even money

[jumpshot]

Panther Pride tops Hartford State in a nail biter!Two fine wins for Mid in a row....

[NCF]

Way to go Panthers!

[mhoncho123]

Bantchamps and Trin 9-0,

As I correctly predicted, the Panthers prevailed. I'm glad I locked the Panthers in at even money. For anyone who knows ball and knows the league, this was no surprise. As I also predicted, #82 was a non factor for this Middlebury Defense (5 catches, 46 yards). Outside of the 47 yard reception for #11, he was held in check as well. This Middlebury Defense was consistently attacked on the message board, and they were able to lock down "one of the best NESCAC receivers in the past decade" according to some. So, I suggest the Trinity faithful ask some really self reflective questions. Middlebury's Moran effectively out dueled Trinity's #15, a player who this board had crowned as the front runner for NESCAC OPOY.

I think Trinity fans need to look in the mirror. And I apologize to those who took were on the wrong side of Trinity -14. Great win.

- Honcho, NESCAC Legend

[nescac1]

Looked like an amazing game winning catch by the Midd receiver.  Too bad the camera angle was cut off so it couldn't really be seen. 

Not a thing of beauty for a the Ephs today behind a very conservative game plan but a win is a win and four wins has already exceeded last year's total.  Ephs saving a lot of trickery I suspect for the last three games, when they need to open things up a bit ... Bates definitely a team on the rise, next year watch out.  Three huge games ahead for Williams including the Little 3.

Getting blown out by Colby with a stunning -3 yards net rushing on the day will not quiet the concerns of the Amherst faithful.  At least EJ went with some younger guys; hey, why not?   A win vs Williams is the only way to salvage this season for the former LJs, who are fortunate to have played Bates and Hamilton early in the year because I think a rematch would likely have different outcomes. 

[Bucket]

Believe Colby will beat Amherst handily.

Trinity will dominate Middlebury. Bants should rattle Midd QB with pressure- stunts and blitzes....if Sweet Lew sees that road. Bants typically love to flex their muscles and insist on winning with their basic power scheme which is driven by arrogance and their refusal to gamble a little on D.

After the debacle last year in Hartford I think Sweet Lew will wake up this year and attack the Middlebury passing game much more aggressively with the great players the Bants have on D.

Hey Lew, if Middlebury cant throw it you win!

Key to winning at Middlebury, which has never been easy to achieve is to shut down the passing game with continuous QB pressure and confusing D schemes.

lol

[Brady12]

A win vs Williams is the only way to salvage this season for the former LJs,

The Ephs are playing with fire the way they cant close games out. Colby, Bates.   Not for a few weeks but they certainly cant let a rivalry team stick around.

[ROTMNG]

Midd puts up the average Trin ACT score and beats the Bants once again. Mike Ahonen (Midd WR #8) must hate poultry cause he can't stop beating Bantams.