FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

I enjoyed the thrilling Wes win over Williams on Saturday and even shared a drink (or two) with Nescacman!

I'll echo the congratulations to Ryan Lynskey for obliterating the 21 year old single game NESCAC rushing record which was previously held by my classmate, Tom  Pierandri, who ran for 304 yards in a 53-0 win over Wesleyan in 2003.

A shout out to Sean Clapp as well for breaking Trinity's all-time receptions record (163). He'll need at least four catches and 52 yards on Saturday to move into 3rd place for both receptions and receiving yards NESCAC history. He would also need four touchdowns to finish in a tie for 3rd place in receiving TDs which is obviously a very tall order... however, he did score 4 TDs against Wesleyan last year. Even if he doesn't reach those marks it's been a pretty spectacular career for a guy who is just "okay".

Saturday's results set-up what should be an epic season finale in Hartford for the 123rd meeting between Trinity and Wesleyan. I haven't missed a Trin-Wes game in 24 years and I'm devastated that I'll be out of town for a family wedding (I may never forgive my cousin).

The SP+ model loves the Bants:
Trinity 31.7
Wesleyan 12.4

I have a feeling our resident prognosticator will predict a somewhat closer outcome (I would agree) and I'm certain he'll pick the Cards to win (I'll disagree). It's somewhat amazing that with just one game left Trinity is yet to play particularly well for a full four quarters. That came back to bite them against Middlebury; we'll see if they can put together a complete game against the top defense in the league.

Tip of the cap to Wes as well. Many wrote them off following the shocking home loss to Bates and shaky results against mid-tier opponents. But here they are with a shot to win the school's first ever outright NESCAC title. The Coop is going to be absolutely jam-packed on Saturday and it should be an electric atmosphere!

Hs8-1, it was great hanging with you both Friday and Saturday. When we get together, we are always amazed at how much we have in common despite who you root for in the NESCAC (at least your choice for employment was better ). For the record, you will definitely be missed on Saturday. My memory is a bit hazy, but did we make a friendly wager on the game this Saturday? If not, please reach out to us so that we can get that out of the way. Thinking you giving us 21 should be about right. In any event, looking forward to a great NESCAC Championship game. Don't need to be playing for a rocking chair for this one to have juice.

A few additional comments. Having seen Clapp play throughout his HS career at Ramapo HS in Wyckoff, NJ, we are not at all surprised that he has had this success. He easily could have played in the CAA or Patriot League and kudo's to HCOF Jeff on snagging him for the Bants.

Not sure we agree with the score disparity that the SP+ model is predicting. Glad you agree Hs8-1. Of course, we'll have a full analysis and our much anticipated pick later this week (Friday). Should be a big crowd on Saturday and the atmosphere will be awesome. Great job by the Hartford State Sports Information Department for the awesome game program cover. That is definitely one worth framing. Maybe we'll get Ben Carbeau and Zander Zebrowski to sign it for us.

NM

[Nescacman]

I think we should refrain from referring to Trinity, Wesleyan, and Middlebury as "the big three"

Spring, sorry we missed you Saturday (although we saw both of your brothers).

By "we", we assume that refers to those on the Board who happen to wear purple? 

[Scoops]

Oh I've done no slinking Mole ol' buddy! I do love all of the Wesleyan fans taking their "victory lap" here, like they didn't just scrape by to get into this position. Typical Wes under-achieving mentality. Win by one on the last play of the game to a team that literally didn't feel the need to throw the ball against your "vaunted" defense. Anyone who watched the game (and the scoops "collective" was there in person) knows that Wesleyan had no business winning that game. But here you are Cards fans. Congrats to you for just barely making the cut. Should be a fun game to watch, although I think the outcome will be obvious. Is it possible to have BOTH teams lose? I think the majority of posters here would rather that than anything 

And Scoops slinked back into its hole

It has been crickets from the student/player at Middlebury...some legend guy?
Was fun while it lasted. 

[The Mole]

I knew you would take the bait. Thank you. 4-4 is mediocre. 7-1 and playing for a championship. How does it feel to lose 10 of the last 11?

[Charlie]

I think we should refrain from referring to Trinity, Wesleyan, and Middlebury as "the big three"

Why statistically they are the prominent three teams over a long period of time

[Charlie]

Charlie, it's fine to critique Williams (or Amherst) on a variety of dimensions, but to compare them unfavorably to what Trinity is able to do is simply crazy.  Trinity brings in an average of around like ten more recruits per year than Williams or Amherst at this point, so I mean, of course they are going to have more talented players to rotate in and out.

None of this is to say that Williams should not be better than a 4-4 team right now -- I'd say they certainly should be, and they've blown (or nearly blown but were fortunate not to) far too many games that they were leading down the stretch two years running now. Need to take a different approach to closing out games.  But they don't have the bodies that Trinity does, and never will, so long as recruiting stays the way it is.   

So tired of this recruiting and admissions stuff. Lets face it Middlebury , Wesleyan and to a smaller extent Tufts all tend to have large recruiting classes. I think we need to look at the Coaching staff 10-16 combined record the last three years and not having beaten any of the big three in any of those years. Instead of recruiting at the last count 7 QB and trying to put them in other positions sit down with your staff and cover positional needs. Williams seems to focus on OL/DL/LB and stays away from skilled positions. Extremely difficult to have a player change positions in College and compete against those athletes specifically recruited at that position. I applaud a Trinity & Wesleyan they get their underclassman valuable in game reps and experience. I understand that the Spring will help in a players development but nothing beats real game situations.

A great example is that seeing Williams last game is meaningless by standings comparison empty your bench and see what you really have for QB and other positions. You have nothing to loose. Williams starting QB is a good. I would not put him in the top four QB in NESCAC but with weapons around him and a better game plan could play well. I believe the problems with Williams stem from the Coaching which inevitably leads to recruitment.
as well. I was merely stating in this post how Trinity  ,  Wesleyan and Middlebury recruit for positional purposes rather then who can merely get into the school through admissions.

This is only one part of Williams problem the other are the bizarre game plans and in game Coaching decisions. In what universe do you not play man under and cover two over the top on the last drive rather then leave your standard defense. Again Coaching decisions that cost Williams the game.

All these schools have high academics I am not going to go through this process as it has been covered in many posts. I just think the NESCAC teams need to prepare itself for Freshman to get game experience coupled with the fact that roster limits are about to be implemented meaning recruits have to come to be ready to play. The last I looked Williams tends to have one of the smaller roster in NESCAC and this is by design.

[SpringSt7]

Charlie, it's fine to critique Williams (or Amherst) on a variety of dimensions, but to compare them unfavorably to what Trinity is able to do is simply crazy.  Trinity brings in an average of around like ten more recruits per year than Williams or Amherst at this point, so I mean, of course they are going to have more talented players to rotate in and out.

None of this is to say that Williams should not be better than a 4-4 team right now -- I'd say they certainly should be, and they've blown (or nearly blown but were fortunate not to) far too many games that they were leading down the stretch two years running now. Need to take a different approach to closing out games.  But they don't have the bodies that Trinity does, and never will, so long as recruiting stays the way it is.   

So tired of this recruiting and admissions stuff. Lets face it Middlebury , Wesleyan and to a smaller extent Tufts all tend to have large recruiting classes. I think we need to look at the Coaching staff 10-16 combined record the last three years and not having beaten any of the big three in any of those years. Instead of recruiting at the last count 7 QB and trying to put them in other positions sit down with your staff and cover positional needs. Williams seems to focus on OL/DL/LB and stays away from skilled positions. Extremely difficult to have a player change positions in College and compete against those athletes specifically recruited at that position. I applaud a Trinity & Wesleyan they get their underclassman valuable in game reps and experience. I understand that the Spring will help in a players development but nothing beats real game situations.

A great example is that seeing Williams last game is meaningless by standings comparison empty your bench and see what you really have for QB and other positions.

Can't think of a better time to tinker than a meaningless Week 9 game. Does anyone know who Williams plays this week?

[BantChamps]

I knew you would take the bait. Thank you. 4-4 is mediocre. 7-1 and playing for a championship. How does it feel to lose 10 of the last 11?

How does it feel to lose 20 of the last 22?

[The Mole]

it sucks, but if you want to be trolled, I am game.....find a negative comment I have made about Trinity on this board.....I'll wait

[lumbercat]

It has been crickets from the student/player at Middlebury...some legend guy?
Was fun while it lasted. 

HCOF shut him down.

[Nescacman]

It has been crickets from the student/player at Middlebury...some legend guy?
Was fun while it lasted. 

HCOF shut him down.

Now that's funny!!! We honor the HCOF on every podcast! In Aaron we trust!

[Brady12]

[/quote]

Can't think of a better time to tinker than a meaningless Week 9 game. Does anyone know who Williams plays this week?
[/quote]

Exactly this week 9 game means everything to both teams. The Ephs need this one to salvage their season.  It would be a winning season, 2 more wins than last year, and finally a win in the little 3. 

[GroundandPound]

I agree the most important statistic is wins and losses.  The measurement of wins and losses are points scored compared with points allowed. Why then do many on this board habitually rank offenses by total yards per game and defenses by total yards allowed per game? Since points are how wins and losses are measured, points scored per game and allowed per game should be how offenses and defenses are judged/ranked.

[Charlie]

I know some people mentioned this in prior posts but did the NESCAC footbal refs change at all. The Trinity/Amherst game had some real questionable Flags , spots , and sideline calls. I also heard the officiating at the Wesleyan game was very questionable as well.

[Scoops]

Good luck to the cardinals in their attempt at winning their first outright championship after so many years of coming oh so close!

I knew you would take the bait. Thank you. 4-4 is mediocre. 7-1 and playing for a championship. How does it feel to lose 10 of the last 11?