FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[speedy]

As recently as the 1950s some NESCAC-to-be colleges were playing (and at times defeating) certain Ivy League colleges, at least one of which was a nationally ranked "major" college at the year of play.

The Maine schools played for the "Maine state championship" until the mid-1960s, with UMaine being the fourth team.

[Col. Partridge]

Tough week to pick.  Results versus common opponents are inconclusive, especially as it applies to the four teams tied for first playing each other tomorrow.

FAVORITE   SPREAD   UNDERDOG Wesleyan      7        BOWDOIN Trinity          3        MIDDLEBURY WILLIAMS    14        Hamilton Bates           6        COLBY Amherst       1        TUFTS

Wesleyan picks up what is sadly its last win of the season.

Trinity played better than Middlebury last week and if they carry that momentum to Vermont I don't see them losing.

It's just a question of whether Hamilton's defense can prevent this one from being a blowout vs. Williams.

In the Toilet Bowl (as termed in the Bates student paper this week, don't hate on me) Bates finally gets their win.

The Amherst-Tufts game is a tough one, and I was almost willing to call it a pick 'em and live off the vig...but I will base this off last week's relative performances.  I'd have more confidence if Tufts hadn't beaten Trin at home.

[Trin9-0]

The biggest factor in this week's games is going to be the weather. It's supposed to rain all over New England on Saturday so teams that can run and stop the run are going to have a big advantage.

I think Trinity, Williams, and Amherst will cover. Bates will win but not cover and I'm going with Bowdoin to upset the Cards in Brunswick.

[fells]

The Middlebury/Trinity game can be heard live on ESPN 1490 starting at 12:35 or on the web at www.wfad1490.com with the broadcast team of me, myself and I.

Game time temperature is expected to be in the low 60's, slight wind and about an inch of rain expected throughout the day today.

Update: There are thunderstorms in the area and lightning has been spotted so there could be a delay.

[fells]

Lightning delay in Middlebury. End of one, Trinity 14 Middlebury 7. Joe Clark with two receptions for 105 yards and two TD's.

[speedy]

Bowdoin 14 Wesleyan 14

at the half and in the rain in Brunswick . .

[fells]

Weather delay number two.....Middlebury and Trinity tied at 14.

[redtail]

any score - williams/hamilton

[mariner75]

Jumbos beat Amherst 29-3........one of the best games I've seen Tufts play in quite some time.  Solid effort from start to finsih in all phases.

[cruiser]

colby back in the W column. beat bates 20-13. colby was up 20-6 late in the fourth but bates put on a furious rally that ended with colby batting down a pass in the end zone as time expired to hold on for the win. huge game by colbys reciever #18 justin candon.

[speedy]

I'm surprised no one has posted this final score:

Middlebury 23 Trinity 14

[Trin9-0]

With all apologies to Hamilton and Colby... Middlebury Tufts are going to play for the title on November 10th. What a wild season in the NESCAC.

[bant551]

Nice to see a (likely) new champion in town.  Easier to take than being beat out by Willy or Amherst.  At least for me, someone who in the absence of a rooting interest is all about the underdog.

[Col. Partridge]

In the seven years since NESCAC began to keep standings, Middlebury at least shared the 2000 title in a three-way tie, while Tufts has nothing.

[nescac1]

A few random thoughts.  First, not from NESCAC, but folks, you have to watch this, absolutely insane (incredible that there was no penalty on this play):

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3083220&categoryId=2564308&n8pe6c=2&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos1

Second, even thought the race for conference champion is pretty open, I'd say the races for player of the year are almost wrapped up.  Lucey will be OPY unless Morrissey beats him out with an insane last few weeks (McGrath probably lost his chance with saturday's effort), dark horse is the Tufts QB, but if you discount Lucey's first game of the season, which he gutted out, injured, after not practicing for two weeks, his stats are absolutely insane and he has dominated the competition.  Speaking of Morrissey, how could he not have been at least co-player of the week, rushing for 160 plus yards, 3 TD's, in the mud against the best rushing D in the conference?  

As for defensive player of the year, Woodring has it all but locked up, unless D.J. Lanz has an insane last few weeks and Midd collapses.  ROY is obviously McKillop.  

Hard to believe that Tufts -- Midd would be fighting it out, especially Middlebury after losing its QB, two defensive stars, and top offensive weapons from last season.  McKillop must be pretty damn good to play this way as a frosh, Midd should be a force with him at the helm for the next few years.  Although I didn't think Midd would be this good this soon with all they lost, their success does coincide with the theory I said pre-season that almost all NESCAC schools embarking on in fundraising campaigns seem to perform particularly well.  Amherst, which will soon announce a huge campaign, is next on deck and I predict strong teams for both Amherst and Midd the next 3-4 years (Amherst has a very young team this season, but has a lot of talent in the frosh / sophomore classes).   Has any recent NESCAC QB had as good a frosh season as McKillop?  

Shocked that Trinity is a missed extra point by Williams away from being .500, considering how many stars they have in their senior class.  With almost the entire offensive and defensive lines departing, as well as some key skill position guys, it seems unlikely that Trinity will return to the dominant form of the Priore years anytime soon.  Perhaps his coaching accumen did not receive enough credit on this board ... it doesn't seem as if Trinity is substantially less talented than the undefeated squads (except, as I've mentioned before, at RB, but that is balanced by stronger passing game), but obviously they aren't achieving the same level of success.  

Congrats to Midd and Tufts on expected great seasons ... good to see NESCAC becoming a lot more balanced, even as a Williams fan, it's not good for the league when Williams or Trinity dominate everyone else ...