FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Col. Partridge]

From at least one of his responses, I almost get the sense Mr. McEntegart on SI.com reads this board?

I did the same Google search Trin 8-0 did, and I came accross one NESCAC Post Pattern poster who spoke out against ESPN's presence on a different message board (hint: he uses his real name on all boards).  He is right that if Jim Ostendarp was still the Amherst coach, ESPN would not be involved this weekend.

[hickory_cornhusker]

this has nothing to do with football but i was watching Jaws and i noticed this for the first time. does trinity hold ths movie in high regard since Tom Cassidy (the guy who tries to go swimming with Chrissy Watkins in the beginning) says he goes there in the movie?

[Trin9-0]

That's actually the first thing, then Trinity President, Evan Dobell said to my freshman class at matriculation ceremonies.

It's no wonder Speilberg has all those Oscar's... his depiction of Tom Cassidy as the typical preppy Trinity student is dead-on.

[cheerboyscheer]

GameDay live from the 'Biggest Little Game in America' is outstanding from the perspective of any NESCAC fan.  I think Coach Dick Farley used to say, when asked whether he thought his teams should be playing in the NCAA playoffs, that after playing in the Amherst / Williams game, that any playoff game would be a let down.  That speaks to the magnitude of the game for the two teams and its great to see ESPN recognize that.

The biggest NESCAC game of the weekend, however, is not in beautiful Williamstown, but all the way at the other end of Route 2 in not so beautiful Medford, MA.  Someone earlier said that this was the biggest Middlebury game since 1972 (the last undefeated season) but I'd argue that this is the biggest game for the program since 1991 - the last year of the Norwich rivalry.  Its pretty clear that by not being able to participate in the Norwich game, the Panthers are the team most hurt by the limited 8 game Nescac schedule - but I guess that's a totally different issue.

Who do you guys like in this one? Middlebury has been playing pretty well over the last couple of weeks, but they are playing on the road with the pressure squarely on them since Tufts already lost last week.  I'd pick the Panthers but not by any more than a touchdown. 

Last note: Middlebury's kicker from last year is having as good an NCAA DI season as any kicker in the nation playing for NC State. Last week, he kicked 4 field goals including a 42 yarder in OT to beat Miami and got carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates.  Pretty cool stuff.

http://www.charlotte.com/colleges/story/347755.html

[Col. Partridge]

The computer tells me Tufts is a different animal at home this year.

Any injury reports?

[met_fan]

Is the producer for Gameday an Amherst or Williams alum?

[Trin9-0]

One thing is for certain; Lee Corso is going to pick Amherst to win over Williams.

Why?

Because to my knowledge there is no Eph mascot. On the other hand, Amherst will surely be willing to lend the Lord Jeff head to the College Gameday analyst to make his final prediction.

[Col. Partridge]

Because to my knowledge there is no Eph mascot. On the other hand, Amherst will surely be willing to lend the Lord Jeff head to the College Gameday analyst to make his final prediction.

There is a Purple Cow, however.   That would get more laughs.   

I personally wouldn't mind him picking Amherst and wrapping himself in a smallpox infested blanket in honor of Lord Jeff, but that's just me...

[Trin9-0]

There is a Purple Cow, however.   That would get more laughs.  

I stand corrected... thanks Capt. I'm now certain that Corso will go with the Eph head (and I think he'll be right too).

[Col. Partridge]

Captain's Week 8 Picks
Home team in CAPS.

Last week's favorites covered 3 times and did not cover in 2 games.  For the season, the favorites covered 18 times, did not cover 13 times, and there have been 4 pushes. 

FAVORITE   Spread   UNDERDOG

TRINITY      13.5      Wesleyan HAMILTON     6       Bates

WILLIAMS     0.5     Amherst

Middlebury     3       TUFTS

BOWDOIN      1        Colby

This week we have 3 natural rivalries and 2 not-so-natural season ending games.

I wish I could narrow the spread for the old alma mater, but last week's performance was not encouraging,   but Trinity has not always been firing on all cylanders this season.

I'd love to give Bates a W this week, but Hamilton will not lose the final game at home.  This is a long trip by NESCAC standards.  Do they fly?

In the Biggest Little Game in America, I think Corso will put on the purple cow head. Williams is a better team, but you throw out the proverbial record book for this one. 

In the unofficial league championship game, Middlebury wins despite Tufts impressive  play at home this season.  With the exception of the Williams game, the Panthers have played consistently well this year, and they deserve this.

In Maine, both teams are coming off impressive wins.  I think the Polar Bears recover a little of that Williams game magic and take this one.

[Trin9-0]

Capt: nice work as always.

I'm going with Hamilton and Bowdoin to cover at home. I also think Williams wins BIG over Amherst. I know it's a rivalry game and anything can happen. But the Ephs haven't lost at home to the Jeffs since 1985.

The College Gameday hype will have the fans rowdy and on the field the Williams defense will shutdown the Amherst running game and Lucey will have a big game as the Ephs by at least 2 TDs.

Logic tells me that Midd will handle Tufts and win the title outright, but I'm going to go with the Jumbos in a mild upset and an improbable 4-way tie atop the NESCAC final standings.

I think Wes will give Trinity a good game. They played the Bants tough in their preseason scrimmage (though most of the Trin starters played very little) and they are a much improved team, as their record indicates. 13.5 seems like too many points but I think Trin will play an outstaning game, especially on defense, and with a possible share of the title on the line will wear-down the Cards late and win by 14.


I'm excited to see all the Bantams back in Hartford for Homecoming weekend. It should be a great weekend here and throughout the NESCAC.

[bant551]

Matt Casey's column for NBC Sports

(Williams grad, my friend, please check it out):

Click here


Modified to fit screen.  Thanks.

[met_fan]

I'm guessing 99% of the people who read that column couldn't name another NESCAC school, or even know what NESCAC is.

[frank uible]

A little sad but probably true if the number were 98%.

[cruiser]

wow. the mules getting no love despite big win over tufts last week. gonna disagree with the rest of you here and say that colby will beat bowdoin.