Eastern Collegiate Football Conference

[H.C.Mosely1895]

Weekend Picks:

Anna Maria 0 @ Husson 48 
Gallaudet 13 @ Norwich 41 
Becker 13 @ Mount Ida 17
SUNY 31 @ Castleton 21

Edit:

Just looked back at d3fan's post. I think we're on the same page. 

Game Predictions:
Anna Maria at Husson....Husson 49 Anna Maria 0
Gallaudet at Norwich...Norwich 24 Gallaudet 6
Becker at Mount Ida...Mount Ida 20 Becker 13
Maritime at Castleon...Maritime 27 Castleton 17

[NED3Guy]

Weekend Picks:

Anna Maria 0 @ Husson 48 
Gallaudet 13 @ Norwich 41 
Becker 13 @ Mount Ida 17
SUNY 31 @ Castleton 21

Edit:

Just looked back at d3fan's post. I think we're on the same page. 

Game Predictions:
Anna Maria at Husson....Husson 49 Anna Maria 0
Gallaudet at Norwich...Norwich 24 Gallaudet 6
Becker at Mount Ida...Mount Ida 20 Becker 13
Maritime at Castleon...Maritime 27 Castleton 17

Looks like weather could be a factor in all four games tomorrow. Not sure it has a game changing impact in the Norwich or Husson outcomes; but I think it will in the SUNY v Castleton and Ida v Becker games.

Husson 42 - Amcat U 7
Husson just has better guys. Nothing too creative to say about this one

Norwich 28 - Gall U 14
Norwich is starting to figure it out. Weather will keep this one somewhat close early, but better players prevail.

Becker 21 - Ida 14
Points will be hard to come by in this one. Ida O has struggled significantly at times this year year, and didn't move the ball much vs Gall U. Mother nature will contribute to those struggles tomorrow and Becker will squeak this one out late.

SUNY 30 - Castleton 17
Weather may make Castleton one dimensional....if the early season is an indication a one dimensional Spartan offense will struggle vs the SUNY D. SUNY kicking makes the difference in this one.

[d3fan142511]

I think the Becker game will come down to if their QB is back from Injury....Should be a Good crowd at Mount Ida it is homecoming and family weekend.

[H.C.Mosely1895]

AMC 0  Husson 42

Total yardage: Husson 708 AMC 37

Gallaudet 6 Norwich 27

Norwich completes only 3 passes (on just 10 attempts) while running for nearly 300 yards. While I'm glad they've returned to their identity, a little diversification is going to be needed in the coming stretch verse the top 3 teams in the conference.

Becker 19 Mount Ida 23

Becker just 4 - 17 on pass attempts. That QB injury is costly.

Maritime 31 Castleton 32

For all the talk of the Spartans' back, they still prefer to air it out. 50 pass attempts for Castleton in this one. Still, incredibly even match up. Total yards: Castleton 324 Maritime 326

[d3fan142511]

ECFC Power Rankings
1. Husson 4-0 6-1.....708 to 37 Total Yards says it all
2. Castleton 3-1 3-4....Big Win over SUNY to stay in a Tie for Second. If they can win out a Bowl game is a possibility.
3. Mount Ida 3-1 3-4.....Defense played well and Offense came alive in 4th to steal a must win....Anna Maria and SUNY left to have a chance for Championship game final week of year vs Husson.
4. Norwich 3-1 3-4.....exploded in 2h vs Gallaudet...Team is starting to come together
5. SUNY 2-2 4-3.....Tough loss to Castleton....They can win out the rest of the year.
6. Becker 1-3 2-5.....Offense is a mess without their QB
7. Gallaudet 0-4 1-6....Came out strong vs Norwich collapsed 2H
8. Anna Maria 0-4 0-7....37 Total Yards!?!? Husson 2nd string might have won this game

Game Predictions:
Husson at Becker- Husson 42-6....Becker will struggle remaining of the year without their QB....Husson will dictate the score.
Castleton at Gallaudet-  Castleton 24-10...Gall will come out strong and Castleton might start slow with the long travel but will open game up in 2H
Mount Ida vs Anna Maria-Ida 24-7..  Mount Ida cannot look ahead to SUNY as they are still alive for a chance for ECFC showdown final week of the year.

Game of the Week
Norwich at SUNY- Norwich is still aiming for a chance to play for ECFC title and this win will set up a huge game against Husson next week. SUNY going for a 7-3 season and possible bowl bid. I think the home team will prevail and take the W in a shootout. SUNY 38 -34

[NED3Guy]

AMC 0  Husson 42

Total yardage: Husson 708 AMC 37

Gallaudet 6 Norwich 27

Norwich completes only 3 passes (on just 10 attempts) while running for nearly 300 yards. While I'm glad they've returned to their identity, a little diversification is going to be needed in the coming stretch verse the top 3 teams in the conference.

Becker 19 Mount Ida 23

Becker just 4 - 17 on pass attempts. That QB injury is costly.

Maritime 31 Castleton 32

For all the talk of the Spartans' back, they still prefer to air it out. 50 pass attempts for Castleton in this one. Still, incredibly even match up. Total yards: Castleton 324 Maritime 326

Castleton was without top back, and last years' ECFC Rookie of the Year, Moe Harris against SUNY. Not sure his status, but he did not see the field (or at least he did not record a single stat) on Saturday. Makes the win vs SUNY even more impressive to be without that big of a weapon and still come out with the W.

[NED3Guy]

Always fun at the midway point to talk about who is in the running for ECFC awards....

POTY is obviously going to Smith from Husson. Any discussion about this one would be a waste of energy, but what about the others?

From a statistical standpoint you would argue that the DPOTY award goes to one of the Castleton LB's who sit atop the league in tackles, but you can't overlook the Husson LB, Throckmorton. He doesn't have the stats that other guys have, but from all accounts he's a guy you gameplan to avoid...will the coaches see it the same way? I do, and I say Throckmorton gets it.

SUNY and Ida are both having rebound seasons after struggles last year. I think either of those coaches would be in the Coach of the Year talks.

Special Teams Player of the Year will probably come down to Norwich Kicker / Punter and SUNY Kicker. SUNY guy has better kicking numbers, but Norwich guy also punts...could go either way; I'll say coaches go with SUNY kid.

Norwich RB Brown seems to be the rookie who is impacting a winning team the most. Typically that is where the ROTY award ends up going, so I gotta think he is the front runner. 

A lot of games left to be played, but its a slow Monday at the office. Thoughts?

[d3fan142511]

Offense Player of Year-
1. Smith - Husson RB ..(Not that 2 and 3 matter but for top 3 sake)
2. Soren Pelz Walsh - Castleton WR
3. Brandon- Husson QB

Defense Player of Year
1. Callen- Castleton LB
2. Washburn- Husson DE
3. Chinova- Ida LB

Coach of the Year
1. Husson
2. Castleton
3. Ida

Special Teams Player of Year
1. Maritime Kicker
2. Norwich Kicker

Rookie of the Year- Do not know enough about the teams.

I do not see this happening but how great would it be if the final week of the year has the below matchups to determine ECFC championship.

Husson 5-1 at Mount Ida 5-1
Norwich 5-1 at Castleton 5-1

Side note if Norwich wins 1 more game they will have finshed their ECFC career as the only team to not have a losing record in conference in any of the years. Ida was the last team standing with that until last year.

[H.C.Mosely1895]

Castleton was without top back, and last years' ECFC Rookie of the Year, Moe Harris against SUNY. Not sure his status, but he did not see the field (or at least he did not record a single stat) on Saturday. Makes the win vs SUNY even more impressive to be without that big of a weapon and still come out with the W.

That is rather impressive. I doubted Castleton at the beginning of the year due to their quarterback transition and have been impressed with their competitiveness so far. Seems like they were more able to reload as opposed to rebuilding. For that reason, I think Coach Valpone should be a contender for COY.

But if voting were done today I'd vote for Coach Landers of Mt. Ida. Half way through the conference year the Mustangs have gone from being completely uncompetitive last year (blown out by every team besides AMC and Gall by an average of 24 pts) to contenders this year. They have a chance to go 2-1 down the stretch (though I think they'll go 1-2  with a win over AMC and losses to Maritime and Husson), and if they do that then they would flip their conference record from 2-5 last year to 5-2 this year. That would return them to their historic level of competitiveness in this conference, which is a huge accomplishment since last year it looked like they might fade into irrelevance.

[d3fan142511]

Coach Landers has had a tremendous year (and career)so far with Mount Ida..They were a blocked PAT away from beating Plymouth and being 4-3.

In the previous 7 years in ECFC play. Ida has won or "played" the championship game 4 out of 7 years

09- Played in Championship Game
10- Lost to SUNY by 3 last week of the year in winner take all championship (win that game they are ECFC Champs)
12- Won ECFC
14- Lost to Husson last week of year in winner take all championship

With a very small number size roster and alot of players from the 2-8 team last year , to a possibility in two weeks playing for a conference title is incredible.

I am rooting for Ida to win next two to set up the championship game in Newton in three weeks.

[H.C.Mosely1895]

Weekend Picks
Husson 35 @ Becker 9
Castleton 38 @ Gallaudet 13
Mount Ida 20 @ Anna Maria 7
Norwich 13 @ Maritime 24

It's my head v. my heart in the last one, but Maritime's D has done a great job against the run so far this year and Norwich has shown a complete inability to throw the ball. That works against the bottom of the conference, but until they show the ability to diversify their offense with the pass to help open up the run game then I think they may struggle against the better teams. Hope I'm wrong. Go Cadets.

[H.C.Mosely1895]

Norwich and Maritime tied at 7 at half. Norwich doing everything it can to keep from taking the lead - a plethora of penalties including one that negated a 70 yard touchdown run, two missed field goals from the reigning special teams player of the week, and an overthrown wide open WR inside the five.

NU's backup QB is in after the starter went out on the first drive, and the Cadets are trying with some success at incorporating the pass more. It's evident that Norwich has some of the top receivers in the conference  (3 spectacular catches so far), they just need someone who can get them the ball.

[H.C.Mosely1895]

Norwich 17 Maritime 14 OT
Husson 45 Becker 14
Mount Ida 55 Anna Maria 14

Upset Special:
Castleton 17 Gallaudet 21

[d3fan142511]

Husson and Ida took care of business this weekend...Great game in NY with Norwich picking up a big win and secured over .500 record every year it was in the conference. HUGE HUGE upset in DC with Gallaudet beating the Spartans. Possibly Paves the way for an Ida vs Husson Championship game in Newton in two weeks?!?!

Power Rankings:
1. Husson 5-0 7-1.....Easy work with Becker...Looking for payback against Norwhich
2. Mount Ida 4-1 4-4......Easy work with Anna Maria.....Home game vs SUNY up next
3. Norwich 4-1 4-4...Big win vs SUNY...Big game vs Husson this week.
4. Castleton 3-2 3-5......Disappointing loss vs Gallaudet
5. SUNY 2-3 4-4.....Back to back tough losses
6. Gallaudet 1-4 2-6.....Good win going for number 2 this week
7. Becker 1-4 2-6.....going be tough couple weeks to close out the year

Game Predictions:
Gallaudet at Anna Maria- Gallaudet 24-10- Will be nice for GU to get win number 2 in the conference
Castleton at Becker- Castleton 27-14- Bounce back win for the Spartans

Game of the Week Part 1: SUNY at IDA- HUGE game in Newton for Ida. IF Ida can win this game it will set up a championship game vs Husson the final week of the year. SUNY is battle tested and have played two tough games last two weeks. I am going to go with a defensive battle. First to 17 points wins? I am taking Ida at home to keep there dreams alive.

Ida 17-13

Game of the Week Part 2: Norwich at Husson....All Husson will be thinking about is last year and looking for payback against Norwich who stole the conference championship from Husson last year. Husson will be at home (Senior Day) and if they win and an Ida Loss will lock up the conference championship. Norwich has played well of late but have not seen a Offense like this is a while

Husson BIG 34-14

[H.C.Mosely1895]

Power Rankings:
1. Husson 5-0 7-1.....Easy work with Becker...Looking for payback against Norwhich
2. Mount Ida 4-1 4-4......Easy work with Anna Maria.....Home game vs SUNY up next
3. Norwich 4-1 4-4...Big win vs SUNY...Big game vs Husson this week.
4. Castleton 3-2 3-5......Disappointing loss vs Gallaudet
5. SUNY 2-3 4-4.....Back to back tough losses
6. Gallaudet 1-4 2-6.....Good win going for number 2 this week
7. Becker 1-4 2-6.....going be tough couple weeks to close out the year

I'd flip Castleton and SUNY in these power rankings. I think losing to Gallaudet is more significant than a one point win at home over SUNY. Otherwise, I think it's accurate.

I'll wait to make my picks, but I think there are some keys (or at least some observations) for the two big games this week.

First, I'm really interested to see how SUNY is going to bounce back. They've lost the past two games by a combined 4 points, including an OT loss at home on Senior Day. That's heartbreaking and it will be very easy for them to get discouraged and down. This week's game v. Ida will really show their character.

Side note, speaking of SUNY, a few notes from the broadcast this weekend. First, I really enjoyed their broadcast team and thought their announcers did a terrific job. Only complaint is that they make you pay $8.00 if you want to watch the HD broadcast. I'm not sure who is going to pay that when you can still get the low-def broadcast for free. Otherwise, I'm sure everyone who watches a SUNY home game realizes it, but what a spectacular setting. Right on the banks of the East River, between the bridges, with the entire Manhattan skyline in the distance. Simply awesome.

Anyways, as for the second big game, Husson obviously comes in as a big favorite. However, this is where the Cadets' OOC schedule really pays off. Getting their teeth knocked in by the likes of RPI and St. Lawrence serves to prepare them for this game. While the focus on Norwich has been on the early struggles and recent progress of their offense, their defense often gets overlooked in the discussion. They're averaging just 11 pts against in conference games. On the flip side, Husson's defense is equally as impressive allowing just 12.6 pts a game in conference. So as a Cadets fan, my concern is more with the Eagles defense being the best Norwich has faced in awhile as opposed to their offense. The wild card is the Cadets discipline, as anecdotally this is the most penalized Norwich team I can remember and it really cost them this past week against Maritime. I think this game will be closer than the experts think (and by experts, I mean us, because I'm not sure who else talks about the ECFC on a weekly basis).