FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Ephs]

I was expecting a little more excitement from the Williams/Amherst people concerning "The Biggest Little Game in America". Has the game lost some of its luster due to the fact that it hasn't had any impact on deciding the NESCAC title the past few years.

i wouldn't say it's lost its luster, not for the kids anyway. this is do or die for them. lots of excitement about this game, for sure. two very evenly matched teams, playing well towards the season's end. i expect to see a war this saturday.

congrats to you trin boys on another successful year. always enjoyed playing you guys and i'll see you next year in williamstown.

[Jonny Utah]

Yea just because there are 34 Trinity Posters on d3football.com and only 1 Williams guy doesnt mean people wont be excited for the game.......

[dirtybirds8-0]

I hope the bears win big

[Ephs1991]

It might not show up here but there is still plenty of excitement for the Williams-Amherst game.  Like the earlier posters said this should be a very intense battle of two good teams.

Congratulations to Trinity, barring any unforeseen disasters against Wesleyan.

To all the Ephs out there, let's get this one against Amherst to get the momentum going into next season for Colby and Trinity, both in Williamstown in 2006.

Go Ephs!

Hopefully Bowdoin coach David Caputi can dust off the playbook from some of the old Williams-Amherst games when he was offensive coordinator.   Hoping the Polar Bears win big.

Bant551, I know what you mean about being on a scrappy team.  Nothing (except maybe beating Trinity in '89 and '90) was better than seeing the shocked faces of the  top ranked Jeffs after a 3-4 Williams team beat the crap out of them in 1987.

[Trin9-0]

Yea just because there are 34 Trinity Posters on d3football.com and only 1 Williams guy doesnt mean people wont be excited for the game.......

Johnny: I believe there are more than one Williams poster and more than a few from Amherst (even if all of them are Saul). I was just cusious how important the game is when only bragging rights are on the line.

Crusier, I completely agree with you. Why are people saying Colby is overrated? If anything they are not getting the respect they deserve. They are currently 6-1 yet ranked behind both Bowdoin and Amherst in the New England DIII football poll. I realize they lost to the Jeffs but Amherst does still have 2 loses to Colby's 1. The Mules have also done something this season that no one else has been able to do besides Trinity... beat Williams (however, Bowdoin didn't get the chance). I think they'll be playing this game with a big chip on their shoulder.

nescac1: If Trinity does decide to hitch their waggon to Trinity the offense will probably undergo a major overhaul. I don't think they'll go to an option offense, but they will definately incorporate much more bootleg and roll-out passes to feature his athleticism. Also, Kevin Quinn will be another big loss to the Bantam defense along with LB "Sugar" Ray Panza.

Next year could be the year Williams and/or Amherst knock off Trinity because of their returning talent. Williams probably has the best shot because it's always tough to win up there, where as the Jeffs have to travel to Hartford, where the Bants just don't lose. Hopefully all the experience the youthfull Bantams gained this year will be enough to carry on the streak.

dirty: Finally a week where we differ in our picks! I LOVE the road team this week (with one obvious exception).
former: Here's your chance.

FINAL PICKS
Bates 22
Hamilton 17

The Bobcats go on the road and win the Nobody Cares Bowl

Middlebury 14
Tufts 10

They may both be 2-5, but Middlebury is a much better team and will put the final touches on another classic Tufts late season collapse.

Williams 34
Amherst 31

Despite the recent history of visiting teams in this series the Ephs pull it out over an Amherst team that is still licking its wounds from their shot at knocking off Trinity. Williams has played great football starting in the 4th quarter of the Bates game. They win out and finish at a respectible 6-2.

Colby 21
Bowdoin 20

Another road win this week as the Mules end the Polar Bear's dream season on a sour note. Colby finishes at 7-1 and set up a great match-up in next years season opener at Trinity.

Trinity 45
Wesleyan 3

The only home team to get a win this week will completely dominate the game from start to finish. My only hope is that the Cards can eek out a field goal to preserve the 2003 Trinity defense scoring record. Congrats to the players and coaches for an outstanding season that has added to the most dominant run in NESCAC football history.

[First6Ws]

cruiser, I'm on the same page as well.  Not sure if people were knocking Colby, but a one loss season is impressive, even without the Bants on the schedule.  That said, much respect to be won or lost this week againts the P Bears (I can't believe respect will be dished out for a win over Bowdoin, my how things have changed).  A Mules win would set the anticipation for the showdown in the Coop to open next season.   

Everyone should check out Keith's Around the Nation article by the way.  Thanks to Pat, Keith and d3football.com for giving some ink/credit to the snobs from New England

[formerbant10]

Well it all comes down to this weekend with the pics.  Thanks to you two for having different pics and going for the win, but that means I have to have one more upset you both don't have to win.

Trinity 42......Wes Tech 7.......The only way Wesleyan could pull out a W is if Trinity has jungle juice in their water jugs.
Bates 21.....Ham Tech 10......not much to say there.
Williams 14......Amherst 21......Williams did not impress me much, and the Herst seemed to give the Bants a real game.
Colby 28.....Bowdoin 14.....Is Van Wilder, I mean Stepka graduating this year or is he going for his PhD?
Middlebury 21......Tufts 24.....Tufts has to give me one this year.....ps....get the ball to Halas, the kid can play the game.

Trin, Dirty and the other fellow Bants:

Have a great time at homecoming, can't make it....got some games of my own this weekend.  Have a few for me and I hope to see you fools soon.

[dirtybirds8-0]

It has been a great season of posting...I cant wait till tommorow.  In addition, thank you to Keith and Pat for finally giving Trinity an up close look.  I know it is one game and a different team from the last two seasons, but I am sure that if you had seen the 2003 and 2004 teams you would have been as equally impressed...if not more impressed.  Thank you.

[pbfan]

               


                  GO BEARS

[cruiser]

colby slaughters bowdoin 28-3. the CBB championship stays in waterville as colby locks up a 7-1 record and NESCAC runner up. congrats to trinity on an 8-0 finish (again) and all other teams competing this season

[Ephs1991]

Good job Ephs!  Hope it's a great night in Williamstown.  Carry that momentum right into next year.

[nescac1]

Congrat to the Ephs, who really totally dominated Amherst after Amherst's opening drive.  The Ephs ran the best they have all year, the offensive line completely controlled the line of scrimmage.  Morrissey looked great, not sure why Williams did not unleash him sooner, but he and Weeks should be a nasty combo for the next few years.  Williams defense, until going into prevent mode late, was also pretty dominant.  Kehoe played very well, as did Amherst's receivers, but the difference was the Williams d-line, which surprisingly shut down the run game and pressured Kehoe the whole game.  Hannon was awesome for Amherst, but he could not do it alone, and Amherst's lack of a power running game -- both o-line and backs looked small -- really hurt them.  Fullmer played another great all-around game, hope the knee injury isn't too major and he can recover to full strength next year, but it looked pretty bad from the sidelines. 

I wish Williams could play Trinity again now as I think it would be a great game, the Williams offense is completely different than it was early in the season, they even tossed d-back Moffie into the mix and he made some big plays.  They have five receivers (including the sick tight end) who match up well against almost any Nescac d-backs, and all are back next year.  They lose a few stellar o-lineman from the best pass-blocking unit in the league, but all the skill guys are back and they have some big underclassmen ready to step up up-front.  Offense overall should be pretty even with this year's fine unit.  On defense, they should be stronger next year.  All but one of the front 7 returns, and they have a few young HUGE defensive tackles who played well against Amherst despite being only frosh and sophomores.  They lose some good d-backs, but Moffie and Poppe should be two of the top cover corners in the league next year (unless Poppe plays safety) and they always find good athletes to play safety, Batty in particular looks promising.  Trinity, watch out at Williams next year, if the weather is good enough to allow for a lot of passing, it could be a war.  Congrats to the Ephs on putting the Hurst in their place and to a great end to the season!

[bant551]

***I wish Williams could play Trinity again now as I think it would be a great game, the Williams offense is completely different than it was early in the season, they even tossed d-back Moffie into the mix and he made some big plays.***

We were in the same situation my senior year at Trinity (2002).  We found our identity as a heady, tough team after the Williams loss when we beat Middlebury and Amherst.  We wished we had another shot.

[frank uible]

In college football there are no "do-overs". Williams football should be and forever will be known as inferior to Trinity football in 2005 - merely refer to the score between them!

[Trin9-0]

How about the Bants getting some love from ESPN, #3 in Berman's Top 10 Plays of the Week. Congrats to the Bants on another perfect season and have a happy Festivus!

5-0 with my picks this week to finish the season 35-5 to become the NESCAC football picking WORLD CHAMPION!!