Eastern Collegiate Football Conference

[ExTartanPlayer]

Not trolling here, serious question: Is the ECFC going to do anything come playoff time? I thought that Gallaudet was legitimately a pretty solid team last season, and was hoping the conference was finally making some strides.

But it kind of seems like the conference has backslid a little bit, at least in looking at the schedule/results of Husson. What's the story with the conference this year?

I think it depends on the first-round draw.  The ECFC (much like the NEFC a couple of years ago) has a few just-short-of-good teams that could compete with the right playoff opponent.  For whatever it's worth, Norwich went 2-1 against the Liberty League (20-point loss to 4-4 RPI and a pair of 10-7 wins over 7-1 SLU and 3-5 WPI).  That probably doesn't have the East's top teams quaking in their boots but it shows they can compete with somebody outside of their league.  By extension, Husson beat Norwich, so I'd think they could also similarly compete with middling LL teams and others of that ilk.

If Husson/Norwich draws a Fisher or Hobart, they'll get the doors blown off.  But Husson and Norwich are probably capable of competing with an MIT, or Framingham State, or maybe even a Montclair State (despite their NJAC-front-runner status, they seem to be a bit Jekyll-and-Hyde).  I think back to Framingham State drawing Cortland State a few years ago...Melikke Van Alstyne went all Beast Mode and FSU came very close to beating Cortland, but if they'd drawn a better first-round opponent they would have lost by 60 and we'd all grumble about (then NEFC) teams getting an AQ.

(FWIW, Bridgewater State got a Pool C bid from the NEFC that year, and that was completely ridiculous)

[ECoastFootball]

I think it depends on the first-round draw.  The ECFC (much like the NEFC a couple of years ago) has a few just-short-of-good teams that could compete with the right playoff opponent.  For whatever it's worth, Norwich went 2-1 against the Liberty League (20-point loss to 4-4 RPI and a pair of 10-7 wins over 7-1 SLU and 3-5 WPI).  That probably doesn't have the East's top teams quaking in their boots but it shows they can compete with somebody outside of their league.  By extension, Husson beat Norwich, so I'd think they could also similarly compete with middling LL teams and others of that ilk.

If Husson/Norwich draws a Fisher or Hobart, they'll get the doors blown off.  But Husson and Norwich are probably capable of competing with an MIT, or Framingham State, or maybe even a Montclair State (despite their NJAC-front-runner status, they seem to be a bit Jekyll-and-Hyde).  I think back to Framingham State drawing Cortland State a few years ago...Melikke Van Alstyne went all Beast Mode and FSU came very close to beating Cortland, but if they'd drawn a better first-round opponent they would have lost by 60 and we'd all grumble about (then NEFC) teams getting an AQ.

(FWIW, Bridgewater State got a Pool C bid from the NEFC that year, and that was completely ridiculous)

Framingham also held Cortland to 300 yards that game, the defense was outstanding. I agree that Bridgewater absolutely should not have been in, but they drew a "much better" opponent and were down only 21-7 in the fourth before eventually getting blown out by 30. Seeing as how Framingham was up 14-0 at the half in their 16-0 win over Bridgewater (and held Bridgewater under 150 yards), I doubt Framingham would have been blown out by Widener, a team who made it to Mount before getting mount unioned. Again, I agree 100% that BWater had no business getting in as an at large, just disagree that Framingham would have been blown out with a tougher draw (unless of course they had played Mount in the first round).

[ExTartanPlayer]

I think it depends on the first-round draw.  The ECFC (much like the NEFC a couple of years ago) has a few just-short-of-good teams that could compete with the right playoff opponent.  For whatever it's worth, Norwich went 2-1 against the Liberty League (20-point loss to 4-4 RPI and a pair of 10-7 wins over 7-1 SLU and 3-5 WPI).  That probably doesn't have the East's top teams quaking in their boots but it shows they can compete with somebody outside of their league.  By extension, Husson beat Norwich, so I'd think they could also similarly compete with middling LL teams and others of that ilk.

If Husson/Norwich draws a Fisher or Hobart, they'll get the doors blown off.  But Husson and Norwich are probably capable of competing with an MIT, or Framingham State, or maybe even a Montclair State (despite their NJAC-front-runner status, they seem to be a bit Jekyll-and-Hyde).  I think back to Framingham State drawing Cortland State a few years ago...Melikke Van Alstyne went all Beast Mode and FSU came very close to beating Cortland, but if they'd drawn a better first-round opponent they would have lost by 60 and we'd all grumble about (then NEFC) teams getting an AQ.

(FWIW, Bridgewater State got a Pool C bid from the NEFC that year, and that was completely ridiculous)

Framingham also held Cortland to 300 yards that game, the defense was outstanding. I agree that Bridgewater absolutely should not have been in, but they drew a "much better" opponent and were down only 21-7 in the fourth before eventually getting blown out by 30. Seeing as how Framingham was up 14-0 at the half in their 16-0 win over Bridgewater (and held Bridgewater under 150 yards), I doubt Framingham would have been blown out by Widener, a team who made it to Mount before getting mount unioned. Again, I agree 100% that BWater had no business getting in as an at large, just disagree that Framingham would have been blown out with a tougher draw (unless of course they had played Mount in the first round).

Oh, we're in agreement on this.  Framingham could have competed with several teams in the field, not just Cortland.  I was referring to the Mount/Wesley strata (like Mount Ida getting curbstomped by Wesley in 2012). 

[d3fan142511]

If Mount Ida gets by (they should) Anna Maria this weekend. I think they are going to pull off the upset in the final week and beat Husson. The game would be at Mount Ida (Senior Day) and Mount has never lost to Husson since ECFC play started. That game could come down to special teams. I believe if the three teams all finish 5-1 Husson, Ida and Norwich ..Husson would still win the conference. I could be mistaken though.

[d3fan142511]

All 4 favorites won this weekend.....Ida had to hang on vs Anna Maria....two big games next week that will determine championship...

Hudson at Ida
Castleton at Norwich

Husson will win conference with win
Ida needs to win and have Castleton beat Norwich
Norwich needs to win and have Ida beat husson...I believe they win tiebreaker then

[D3MAFAN]

All 4 favorites won this weekend.....Ida had to hang on vs Anna Maria....two big games next week that will determine championship...

Hudson at Ida
Castleton at Norwich

Husson will win conference with win
Ida needs to win and have Castleton beat Norwich
Norwich needs to win and have Ida beat husson...I believe they win tiebreaker then

Big games indeed D3fan, I think Husson will prevail in a close one against Ida. As far as the Castleton vs. Norwich, I think this comes down to capitalizing on turnovers, whichever team takes advantage will win.

[Boxer7806]

All 4 favorites won this weekend.....Ida had to hang on vs Anna Maria....two big games next week that will determine championship...

Hudson at Ida
Castleton at Norwich

Husson will win conference with win
Ida needs to win and have Castleton beat Norwich
Norwich needs to win and have Ida beat husson...I believe they win tiebreaker then

Big games indeed D3fan, I think Husson will prevail in a close one against Ida. As far as the Castleton vs. Norwich, I think this comes down to capitalizing on turnovers, whichever team takes advantage will win.

Never thought that the Husson game would have such big ramifications on a national level. I don't think the brackets really change if you have Husson or Norwich make it to the playoffs, because their will be travel restrictions either way. But if Ida gets in, you get more traditional seeding and most likely another trip to Wesley. The ECFC, MIT, and Framingham are probably hoping Husson wins because the chances are decent they draw them for a first round game.

[d3fan142511]

I was just reading around the region for northeast and the writer said the winner of Husson Ida gets the playoff berth is that true? Can someone confirm that or does Ida need to win and have Norwich lose as I thought that is what was needed?

[Saxon73]

I was just reading around the region for northeast and the writer said the winner of Husson Ida gets the playoff berth is that true? Can someone confirm that or does Ida need to win and have Norwich lose as I thought that is what was needed?

It appears to me that you are correct.  These things do get confusing. Norwich beat Mt Ida, so they should have to lose a second game for Mt Ida to win the bid with only one loss.

[ECoastFootball]

I was just reading around the region for northeast and the writer said the winner of Husson Ida gets the playoff berth is that true? Can someone confirm that or does Ida need to win and have Norwich lose as I thought that is what was needed?

It appears to me that you are correct.  These things do get confusing. Norwich beat Mt Ida, so they should have to lose a second game for Mt Ida to win the bid with only one loss.

The head to head would essentially be wiped out because 3 teams would be 5-1, with Norwich beating Ida, who beat Husson, who beat Norwich. So NU's head to head win wouldn't be the deciding factor, just like Husson's head to head win over Norwich would not be. They would all be 1-1 against each other.

[NED3Guy]

The Around the Region writer was somewhat incorrect in saying that Mount Ida will win the tie breakers for the ECFC auto bid. Ida would hold the tie breaker over Husson if they are the only teams at 1 loss in league, by virtue of head to head. However, if Norwich beats Castleton (who will certainly give them a battle) things get more complicated...


Three or More Teams

1) Best Record Among Tied Team (in this step, only contests among the tied schools will be used).
2) Comparison of results against conference opponents one team at a time starting with the highest ranked team and continuing in downward rank order until the tie is broken.
3) Results against non-conference common opponents (in this step, only opponents who competed against all tied schools will be considered).
4) Opponents Winning Percentage (OWP) for all Division III opponents as determined by the NCAA system (both in and out of region are used in this calculation).
5) Overall Winning Percentage for all games against NCAA Division III opponents.
6) Coin Toss.

Looking at that, it appears that Norwich would win the three team tie breakers by virtue of the #4. (1-3 will be equal of non-applicable).

I haven't crushed the numbers for non-conference opponents yet, but both Ida and Husson have one or two win teams on their out of league schedule (Plymouth / Alfred State). Norwich had three solid LL teams, including 7-2 St. Lawrence.

With all that being said, I think Husson beats Ida in a close one and wins ECFC outright.

[d3fan142511]

Thanks for the Clarification. You are right Norwich would come in first then Mount Ida then Husson according to that tiebreaker.

[jmcozenlaw]

Last Updated - November 12, 2014

Regional Rankings

EAST         
1 Delaware Valley 9-0 9-0     
2 Hobart 9-0 9-0     
3 Widener 9-0 9-0     
4 Framingham State 8-1 8-1     
5 Ithaca 7-2 7-2     
6 St. John Fisher 6-2 7-2     
7 MIT 8-0 8-0     
8 St. Lawrence 7-2 7-2     
9 Rowan 6-3 6-3     
10 Husson 6-1 7-1

[Teamski]

I am thrilled to see Husson in the playoffs. After traveling to Maine with Wesley several years ago and watching the Wolverines play a hapless Husson team that maintained an amazing attitude throughout the stomping they got really endeared me to the team. Good luck Husson!

-Ski

[NED3Guy]

Husson makes the 5th different team to reach the NCAA tournament from the ECFC in five years.

2010 -SUNY (as an undefeated pool B I think)
2011 -Norwich(AQ)
2012 -Mount Ida (AQ)
2013 -Gallaudet (AQ)
2014 -Husson (AQ)

Norwich remains the only two time champ in league history (won inaugural season in 2009 when ECFC had a championship game).

Say what you will about the quality of the league vs out of conference opponents, but to have a league that as enough parity at the top to send 5 different teams to the NCAA's in 5 years; certainly makes for some fun football being played in the ECFC.