FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[chessdoc]

you know williams is truly a fantastic squad, that said after the first half with bates I had my doubts. If they played a high quality deep squad a mount union or bridgewater, I wonder how they would fare. Talent, coaching they had, fullmer was huge, but the line was not overwhelming at all and the rb was just ok. I think my money would bet against them . now bash me, i know its coming.

[Col. Partridge]

Fells,

I'm curious to hear why you think the playoff ban is hurting the conference?  Maybe its reputation among the die-hard D3.com posters suffers, but I doubt Williams or most of the other schools ever loses an academically-qualified recruit for the sole reason that they don't go to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this an apples-to-apples comparison, but you never hear a kid turning down Harvard or Yale to go to say, Colgate just because they play in the I-AA playoffs.

That being said, I wish there was some way to guage how good Williams is this year on a national level.

[fells]

Fells,

I'm curious to hear why you think the playoff ban is hurting the conference?  Maybe its reputation among the die-hard D3.com posters suffers, but I doubt Williams or most of the other schools ever loses an academically-qualified recruit for the sole reason that they don't go to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this an apples-to-apples comparison, but you never hear a kid turning down Harvard or Yale to go to say, Colgate just because they play in the I-AA playoffs.

I don't think the playoff ban hurts the conference per se, I just think there are some solid teams in the conference, and they should be able to go on to the playoffs. Look at Williams this year who had a solid offense, solid defense, and dominanted most of its opponents. They are very good, and I would like to see what they would be able to do against teams in other conferences. I think having NESCAC teams go to the playoffs would enhance the reputation of football programs.

The thing I have the problem with is that NESCAC schools can participate in the playoffs in all other sports. I know football takes time away from academics, and kids would have to come back to school a couple of weeks earlier, but the double standard I see just doesn't make sense to little ol me.



That being said, I wish there was some way to guage how good Williams is this year on a national level.

[Col. Partridge]

In other news, has anyone heard about NESCAC Rash?   Unfortunately, its not what you think it is...

[bant551]

I think they might lose a few recruits because of playoffs.  It all depends on how obsessed people are with school rankings.  I saw people from Ithaca bashing Colgate on the Cortaca Jug page and I know successful people who went to both schools.

I hate it really, and I think people tend to overestimate how obsessed people are with rankings.  Yes, I'm in the small minority in terms of not really caring that much (except for wanting my college to be looked upon with respect and be well regarded), but I do know that the NESCAC loses SOME recruits because of the playoff thing.

[fells]

In other news, has anyone heard about NESCAC Rash?   Unfortunately, its not what you think it is...

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww

[frank uible]

Here's a semi-educated guess.  2006 Williams approximately = 2006 Mount Union minus 30.

[Col. Partridge]

Frank:  How about a semi-educated guess as to how Williams would do vs. Union?

[Jonny Utah]

Fells,

I'm curious to hear why you think the playoff ban is hurting the conference?  Maybe its reputation among the die-hard D3.com posters suffers, but I doubt Williams or most of the other schools ever loses an academically-qualified recruit for the sole reason that they don't go to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this an apples-to-apples comparison, but you never hear a kid turning down Harvard or Yale to go to say, Colgate just because they play in the I-AA playoffs.

That being said, I wish there was some way to guage how good Williams is this year on a national level.

I dont think the playoff ban hurts nescac recruiting that much.  When these high school kids realize that they have a chance to attend a nescac school and football tips are helping them get in, they jump at the chance to attend some of the best schools in the country over the playoffs.

[frank uible]

Capt.: I have a pretty good fix on 2006 Williams' quality; a half-ass fix on 2006 Mount Union; almost no fix on 2006 Union except that I'm sure that it is extremely far from the quality of 2006 Mount Union.

[Ephmen1991]

On the playoff discussion, I don't see how Williams could get more motivated than they do for Trinity or Amherst.  (Or any NESCAC teams playing their traiditional rivals.)  Those games have a playoff like intensity anyway.

I'm curious to see if there are any current NESCAC players on here who would like to sound off?

[bocephus]

On the playoff discussion, I don't see how Williams could get more motivated than they do for Trinity or Amherst.  (Or any NESCAC teams playing their traiditional rivals.)  Those games have a playoff like intensity anyway.

the attitude while we were at williams was always exactly that - the last two games (little three), and especially amherst, were our playoffs.   the coaches always expressed that they had no interest in moving on, and we tended to feel the same way.  if we were in the playoffs, fine, but it wasn't that important to us.  we didn't even think about it much.   it's tough to end a season (much less a career) better than with two undefeated rivals going to OT vs each other. 

[labart96]

Fells,

I'm curious to hear why you think the playoff ban is hurting the conference?  Maybe its reputation among the die-hard D3.com posters suffers, but I doubt Williams or most of the other schools ever loses an academically-qualified recruit for the sole reason that they don't go to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this an apples-to-apples comparison, but you never hear a kid turning down Harvard or Yale to go to say, Colgate just because they play in the I-AA playoffs.

That being said, I wish there was some way to guage how good Williams is this year on a national level.

I dont think the playoff ban hurts nescac recruiting that much.  When these high school kids realize that they have a chance to attend a nescac school and football tips are helping them get in, they jump at the chance to attend some of the best schools in the country over the playoffs.

Agreed.  I think bigger factors like the quality of school, availability of fin aid, the coach, etc take higher precedence than playoff eligibility.

Speaking from my own experience as a former recruit, I looked at Bowdoin (although after my interview I knew I'd never get in) Hamilton, Midd, Hobart and Dickinson.  Got into 4 (Ham, Mid, Bart and Dick) and not once did the ability or lack of playoff potential ever enter the discussion.

[Senor RedTackle]

I really think they could go far in the tournament.

sorry Fells...I'm here from the Liberty League (RPI) and I made the trip to watch us play St.John's in the final 4. It was a magical first half going into the locker room at 10-10..I was dazed thinking that we were going to actually have a shot at the title if we could put these guys away. Unfortunately, the wheels came off and the depth of their talent became strinkingly real. RPI had an all world QB who ended up getting into the Patriots camp and did some arena ball....even having a kid of that caliber wasn't enough because that's about all RPI had (and a good WR).  At the level of St.John's, Mt. Union, etc, these  guys are just different..even if it's different because they're used to consistently playing for a shot at the title. I'm sorry but Williams may beat a curry..or even surprise a Hobart or St.John fisher but no way, no chance against Mt. Union or those elite teams. You guys could win a first round game....a 2nd round win would be a big achievement.....and i dont mean to be negative. it is what it is.....

[bant551]

Query:

If we are operating within the parameters of an all D-3 discussion (and this is COMPLETELY HYPOTHETICAL PEOPLE), and the other NESCAC schools do fine in playoffs, why does it seem people think football would get smoked?

-Bant551, Esq.