FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[formerbant10]

Offensive player of the year looks pretty clear:  (1) McGrath  (2) Forde  (3) McKillop  (4) Morrissey, depending on what happens the final few weeks ... defensive player of the year, on the other hand, seems pretty wide open.  I guess Eck if healthy has to be ROY favorite ...

Seems like a bit of a down year for quarterbacks -- look at the interception totals for McKillop (10) and McGrath (7). Forde's a better OPOY pick.

I'd question as to whether Forde is the clear cut POY on his team 1st.....no doubt that he is talented, but he's not a 1 man show.

[nescac87]

obviously no one in this league is a one man show, but I think Forde has to be the POY on his squad. Who else would even be in consideration?

[formerbant10]

Tufts has a receiver who is not so bad either.  Most receiving touchdowns in a season and career for the Jumbos and leads all players with total touchdowns.
Makes Forde being POY a little less clear cut.

[TheHerst2and4]

Tufts has a receiver who is not so bad either.  Most receiving touchdowns in a season and career for the Jumbos and leads all players with total touchdowns.
Makes Forde being POY a little less clear cut.

any relation?

[formerbant10]

Indeed there is.

[Trin9-0]

formerbant - Welcome back! Where ya been?

The plug for your cousin is shameless (yet somehow understandable). Will you be making it to Homecoming this year?

Speaking of which, TheHerst, what do you think of the Jeff's chances Saturday? The Amherst athletic page gives a great preview of the match-up.

The most telling line is "Since 2002, Trinity has posted a record of 44-4 and averaged more than 30 points per contest while allowing only 8.4. Amherst has given the Bantams a run for their money during this stretch, losing by seven or fewer points on three occasions."

Indeed Amherst-Trinity have had some very tightly contested games in recent memory. There were two blow-outs however, in '04 & '06 and both games were played in The Coop.  Ironically, the two closest games '03 & '07 were seasons in which the Jeffs finished 4-4. Also, since 2002 Amherst has entered week 6 at 5-1 four times.

Despite Trin's recent success against 'Herst this match-up is a scary one. The Jeff defense allows a scant 41 rush yards per game! Midd was able to put up points against Amherst despite rushing for only 91 yards but the Bants will need Starnes and Jackson to have a big game.

Amherst has experience at every position besides sophomores at WR and QB (who have also played well). But I like McGrath to bounce back from a subpar week and throw a few TD passes and hopefully no ints.

[formerbant10]

Trin:

Still in the ROC, laying low on the football boards because I haven't seen a single game. 
A shameless plug would be if he didn't play...the fact that he leads the entire 'CAC in TD's should be argument enough.
Keep in mind, I was saying that Forde is not as clear cut a POY as people think because of a certain receiver.  Never said he wasn't deserving as I have not seen him play.  What I have heard from very reliable sources is that Forde is very, very, very good and most likely should be POY.

Side note:  I will not be in the Hart for homecoming, unfortunately.  I promise I will make it to another in the next 4 years though.

[TheHerst2and4]

Can't say I've seen Trin this year,
If Amherst can put together two halfs and can force some turnovers on defense, this year's contest should be a good one. In their losses in the last couple years they seem to be two different teams in each half.
Trinity's tough
No one on the Amherst team has beaten Trinity, we'll see what happens at the Coop

[nescac1]

To answer my own question, I read that Nick Caro broke his leg last week and is obviously out for the season.  Given that he was the most productive receiver in the conference before that injury, obviously a huge blow for Williams (and for Nick).  Hopefully he will be able to come back healthy next year.  Ephs really getting pounded by injuries, and unfortunately, they are hitting them hardest at the positions they are really thin to begin with: LB, WR, DL ... projected starters at all three are out for the year, and some of the other guys have been pretty banged up as well. 

[Trin9-0]

I've been hesitant to weigh-in on POY because there is still plenty of football to play but my top picks would be:

1. McGrath

- Positive - Leads the league in TD passes and his leadership is unmatched. One of the most clutch NESCAC player in recent memory and nobody means more to their team. 5 second half come from behind wins, including final minute TD drives to beat Hamilton and to force OT in a win over Tufts.

-Negative - Has thrown 11 interceptions. As good as he's been in the 4th quarter, at times he's been equally bad early in games.

2. Morrissey

-Positive - More rushing yards, total yards and TDs than Forde (and the rest of the league for that matter). He also leads the NESCAC in scoring. Surprised he's not getting more POY hype.

-Negative - Was outplayed by Forde in their head-to-head matchup. Morrissey did gain 107 total yards but didn't score, meanwhile Forde racked up 166 total yards and a TD.

3. Ford

-Positive - Definitely one of the most dangerous players in the league; leads the NESCAC in yards per carry and has the longest run from scrimmage this season 70 yards and has two 30yard+ TD runs.

-Negative - Was completely taken out of the Amherst game rushing for only 36 yards. Has only 7 receptions on the year for 48 yards.

4. McKillop

-Positive- His passing yardage and efficiency numbers are gaudy and he leads the league in both categories as well as total offense. Operates a unit that leads the NESCAC in almost all offensive categories.

-Negative - Has thrown more interceptions (13) that TDs through the first 6 games. It's also important to note when the picks have come. 5 INTs in a 5 point loss to Williams and 3 INTs in a 3 point loss to Trinity. Those are devastating losses to a .500 team. If he had played better against the two NESCAC powerhouses Midd could be 5-1.

[met_fan]

Anyone else see the brief sidebar college game previews in the Globe today?  Hamilton was the Colonials and Trinity became a member of the Little Three. 

[Col. Partridge]

Captain's Week 7 Picks
I just realized I don't actually make picks, but merely provide spreads, but whatever...

Home team in CAPS

FAVORITE          SPREAD           UNDERDOG                             


TUFTS                   3.5                Colby                                 

Bates                pick 'em             BOWDOIN

Middlebury            3                  HAMILTON
                               
TRINITY                2                   Amherst
                                 
WILLIAMS             4                   Wesleyan

As I've said before, there is a lot of parity this year and it difficult calling these games each week.  Fewer blowouts than most years, too.

Tufts should win at home, although Colby will come out angry after getting embarassed last week.

The computer program tells me Bowdoin should be favored, but as 8-0 pointed out, Bates steps up its game in CBB games.

As I said last week, Amherst didn't overly impress me in person, but with one exception they have found a way to win, and that is all that is important.  If this game was at Amherst I might have them as the favorite, but bet against Trinity at home at your peril.

In the first leg of the Little Three (ahem, Boston Globe...is this Peter Larson writer a Trinity grad?), I unfortunately can't see the Cards taking this game given the way this season has played out.  Wouldn't be surprised to see Wes have a lead at the half, though.

[bant551]

I was part of the Trinity team (2002 season) that seemed like it was NEVER going to beat Midd, Amherst or Williams.  Funny how a few years changes things.  We beast Midd and Amherst that year, then the 2003 season saw Williams fall.

Prior to those games, it felt like clockwork losing to those teams.

[nescac87]

who are the top rookies of the year for 2008?

[Trin9-0]

Capt, I'm devastated to learn that your point spreads are (at least in part) determined by a computer.  Have we learned nothing from the BCS? 

I wish someone would actually take these bets because I'd be willing to wager Bant551's salary that Bowdoin easily wins at home over Bates (the Polar Bears always play much better at home and the Bobbies are sure to have a let down. Also, despite the fact that Wesleyan has played close games all season I can't imagine them being within two TDs of the Ephs in Williamstown.

Put me down for Tufts over the Mules. I personally think Colby should have an asterisk next to their schedule every year because they either don't play Trin or don't play Williams (therefore their 3-3 record is much less impressive than Tufts. Also, I just think the Jumbos are a better team and will get back above .500 at home.

I can't wait to see what happens between Hamilton's stingy defense and Middlebury's high powered offense. The Panthers likely have too much for the young Continentals/Colonials/Colonels.

No surprise that I'm taking the Bants to win the NESCAC championship game in Hartford. This Bantam team isn't as good as the recent undefeated teams, and to be honest they may not even be as good as some of the 7-1 or even 6-2 Trinity teams... BUT... I guarantee they don't care even a little bit. This team has outstanding leadership and they know how to win games. After all they've been through this year I'd be shocked if they let this one slip away.

The Jeffs will certainly be ready. They have a ton of seniors who have never beaten Trin and would love to keep their dreams alive to win the NESCAC title. However, I think Trinity will once again do just enough to pull out a squeaker in The Coop, much to the delight of what should be a rowdy Homecoming crowd.

GO BANTS!