FB: Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference

[ECoastFootball]

Post-Week 3 - MASCAC POWER RANKINGS
1.   Framingham (2-1, 1-0)
The Rams have this spot on lock until they are beaten. Class of the league.
2.   Bridgewater (2-1, 1-0)
Spanked so called contender Worcester State 51-20 on Friday night. All eyes may want to move to Framingham on November 9th, but they would be wise not to over look West Conn's visit on October 5th.
3.   Mass Maritime (2-0, 0-0)
As expected, the Bucs put it on Maine Maritime this past weekend (52-18). Their game against Worcester State this week should be a good way to measure them against the Bears, who ran through Worcester this past week.
4.   West Conn (2-0, 1-0)
Two easy wins against two bad teams to start the season. 0 to 60 this week, as the Framingham State Rams come to town. A win here puts West Conn in the driver's seat of the whole damn MASCAC, while a competitive loss would still move them up the ladder in my eyes. If they get spanked, however, this would put their 2 easy wins in perspective. Many a team have run their stats up on Plymouth and Nichols the last few years. That being said, I expect a tight game here.
5.   Westfield (2-1, 1-0)
Their win over UMD was almost a carbon copy of their win over WNE. The Owl defense seems to be as stingy as it has been in the last 5 years.  Off this week, then should move to 3-1, 2-0 with a game against Plymouth.
6.   Worcester State (2-1, 0-1)
Worcester better hope Bumpus gets healthy. Their O looked anemic and their D looked overmatched vs. Bridgewater. MMA is not the team you want to see when you are having problems on D. Their O needs to put up some points if they want to compete this week.
7.   Plymouth (1-2, 0-1)
Plymouth ran into a buzz saw last week. This week, they travel down to UMD for an opponent much more their speed. Game should be very competitive.
8.   Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-1)
They did what a lot of teams in the MASCAC do when they travel to Framingham, got beat up. The issue here is a team that reportedly wanted to find its identity in running the ball has been living in the air. Falcons will be hard pressed to find another "W" this year if they can't learn to run the rock.
9.   UMass Dartmouth (0-2, 0-1)
Offense did not fare well against the Owls, but what's troubling for the Corsairs' is neither did their usually strong D. UMD has a must win game this week as PSU (their lone win last year) comes to town. An "L" to the Panthers would signal a very long year for the Corsairs.

Picks coming Thursday or Friday.

[d3fan142511]

5-0 last week missed on some scores.

Framingham-27
West Conn-21

Bridgewater-35
Fitchburg-17

Mass Maritime-31
Worcester-17

Plymouth-24
UMD-10

[ECoastFootball]

Picks for Week 4
5-0 last week brings me to 15-5 for the year

Framingham State (2-1, 1-0) – 35
@WESTERN CONNECTICUT (2-0, 1-0) – 21
Framingham travels to Danbury for West Conn's first test of the year. I think this will be a competitive game, but in the end, Framingham will be too much for the young newcomers.

Bridgewater State (2-1, 1-0) – 41
@FITCHBURG STATE (1-2, 0-1) – 10
Bridgewater has been rolling since their lost to Salve. Fitchburg is probably the least talented team they have played all year. Could get bad.

Mass Maritime (2-0, 0-0) – 31
@ WORCESTER STATE (2-1, 0-1) – 21
Is Bumpus healthy or out for the year? If he plays this is a coinflip shootout. If he doesn't, Maritime should control this game.

Plymouth State (1-2, 0-1) – 27
@UMASS DARTMOUTH (0-2, 0-1) – 10
Plymouth gets revenge from last year.

[D3MAFAN]

Framingham State barely survives a tough one against West Conn. However, a win is a win. Worcester State has big third quarter to help the comeback against Mass Maritime. Looking forward to the West Conn. vs. Bridgewater State game next week, this may be a close one as well.

[ECoastFootball]

Post-Week 4 - MASCAC POWER RANKINGS

1.   (LW # 1) Framingham (3-1, 2-0)
Close call this week as they defeated West Conn on the road 14-12. Van Alstyne got his 100 yards, but was held to only 1 TD and a long of only 14 yards. Most likely back to business this week as Framingham hosts what should be an over matched Dartmouth team.
2.   (LW # 2) Bridgewater (3-1, 2-0)
Controlled most of the game after a slow start. Playing in the Game of the Week as West Conn comes to town on Friday. Winner of this game has the track at the #2 spot and an ECAC postseason bid.
3.   (LW # 4) West Conn (2-1, 1-1)
Proved more in their loss to Framingham than they did in their wins over inferior opponents (UMD pounded Plymouth just as bad as West Conn did, and Nichols is Nichols). Can still cap off an impressive start if they can knock off Bridgewater.
4.   (LW # 6) Worcester State (3-1, 1-1)
Bumpus came in and saved the day. I had written "if Bumpus plays this game will turn in to a coin flip shootout," and the kid made me a prophet. Trailing 41-14, Bumpus came off the bench with 5 minutes left in the first half to lead the Bucs to an unbelievable 64-63 victory.
5.   (LW # 5) Westfield (2-1, 1-0)
After an off week Westfield should be able to move to 3-1, 2-0.
6.   (LW # 3) Mass Maritime (2-1, 0-1)
Maritime scores, we knew that, but if you can't play defense you are in trouble. Going up 41-14 and losing is inexcusable. If they don't iron out the D, they could see themselves finish below .500 this year.
7.   (LW # 9) UMass Dartmouth (1-2, 1-1)
UMD's offense stunned Plymouth this weekend. I don't know where these kids came from, but it looks like the Corsairs have multiple guys with breakaway speed. If they can get these guys the ball in space, they may be able to surprise some people in the MASCAC. My guess would be they really wish they had another shot at mighty Mt Ida, they really should be 2-1 right now. Unfortunately for whatever momentum they built, this week calls for a trip to Framingham.
8.   (LW # 7) Plymouth (1-3, 0-2)
Plymouth has Westfield coming to town this week. If the Panthers want to save their season, they need to surprise the owls. Plymouth went into Dartmouth expecting to get to 2-2 and 1-1 in the league, and were probably shocked when they could not move the ball. Many a team has slept walked through a half after the long trip up to New Hampshire. Foglia needs to have a day, and Westfield needs to start slow.
9.   (LW # 8) Fitchburg State (1-3, 0-2)
Fitch heads to Buzzards Bay this week to take on Mass Maritime. If there ever was a week to find their offense, this is it. Their next two games have them playing teams that gave up a combined 127 pts last week. A big part of their slow start could be having to see Bridgewater and Framingham, but I still can't shake the loss they had to Becker.

Picks coming Thursday or Friday

[D3MAFAN]

Post-Week 4 - MASCAC POWER RANKINGS

1.   (LW # 1) Framingham (3-1, 2-0)
Close call this week as they defeated West Conn on the road 14-12. Van Alstyne got his 100 yards, but was held to only 1 TD and a long of only 14 yards. Most likely back to business this week as Framingham hosts what should be an over matched Dartmouth team.
2.   (LW # 2) Bridgewater (3-1, 2-0)
Controlled most of the game after a slow start. Playing in the Game of the Week as West Conn comes to town on Friday. Winner of this game has the track at the #2 spot and an ECAC postseason bid.
3.   (LW # 4) West Conn (2-1, 1-1)
Proved more in their loss to Framingham than they did in their wins over inferior opponents (UMD pounded Plymouth just as bad as West Conn did, and Nichols is Nichols). Can still cap off an impressive start if they can knock off Bridgewater.
4.   (LW # 6) Worcester State (3-1, 1-1)
Bumpus came in and saved the day. I had written "if Bumpus plays this game will turn in to a coin flip shootout," and the kid made me a prophet. Trailing 41-14, Bumpus came off the bench with 5 minutes left in the first half to lead the Bucs to an unbelievable 64-63 victory.
5.   (LW # 5) Westfield (2-1, 1-0)
After an off week Westfield should be able to move to 3-1, 2-0.
6.   (LW # 3) Mass Maritime (2-1, 0-1)
Maritime scores, we knew that, but if you can't play defense you are in trouble. Going up 41-14 and losing is inexcusable. If they don't iron out the D, they could see themselves finish below .500 this year.
7.   (LW # 9) UMass Dartmouth (1-2, 1-1)
UMD's offense stunned Plymouth this weekend. I don't know where these kids came from, but it looks like the Corsairs have multiple guys with breakaway speed. If they can get these guys the ball in space, they may be able to surprise some people in the MASCAC. My guess would be they really wish they had another shot at mighty Mt Ida, they really should be 2-1 right now. Unfortunately for whatever momentum they built, this week calls for a trip to Framingham.
8.   (LW # 7) Plymouth (1-3, 0-2)
Plymouth has Westfield coming to town this week. If the Panthers want to save their season, they need to surprise the owls. Plymouth went into Dartmouth expecting to get to 2-2 and 1-1 in the league, and were probably shocked when they could not move the ball. Many a team has slept walked through a half after the long trip up to New Hampshire. Foglia needs to have a day, and Westfield needs to start slow.
9.   (LW # 8) Fitchburg State (1-3, 0-2)
Fitch heads to Buzzards Bay this week to take on Mass Maritime. If there ever was a week to find their offense, this is it. Their next two games have them playing teams that gave up a combined 127 pts last week. A big part of their slow start could be having to see Bridgewater and Framingham, but I still can't shake the loss they had to Becker.

Picks coming Thursday or Friday

You were definitely right about that. +K!

[D3MAFAN]

Out of curiosity, did we have a team of the week for Week 3?

[Pat Coleman]

Yes. The Team of the Week page has links to past weeks.

[Yanks 99]

Out of curiosity, did we have a team of the week for Week 3?

It has to be West Connecticut.

Even though the MASCAC is amazingly weak, and I absolutely hate that it was formed in an effort to get a Pool A bid without ever really having to beat anyone of any significance, this is a team that went 5-44 over the past four years (.102 winning percentage).  To still be sitting at 2-1, and coming within a 2-point conversion of evening up the score with Framingham State  (who went to the NCAA's last year) in the fourth quarter, after the first 3 weeks...they are the team of the week.

Seriously...what are they looking at...8-2 at worst, maybe 7-3?

[D3MAFAN]

Yes. The Team of the Week page has links to past weeks.

Thanks!

[D3MAFAN]

Out of curiosity, did we have a team of the week for Week 3?

It has to be West Connecticut.

Even though the MASCAC is amazingly weak, and I absolutely hate that it was formed in an effort to get a Pool A bid without ever really having to beat anyone of any significance, this is a team that went 5-44 over the past four years (.102 winning percentage).  To still be sitting at 2-1, and coming within a 2-point conversion of evening up the score with Framingham State  (who went to the NCAA's last year) in the fourth quarter, after the first 3 weeks...they are the team of the week.

Seriously...what are they looking at...8-2 at worst, maybe 7-3?

I think that they are playing very well now and you would be correct in your assessment, but I think they only play nine games this year with only 1 OOC game.

[Yanks 99]

Out of curiosity, did we have a team of the week for Week 3?

It has to be West Connecticut.

Even though the MASCAC is amazingly weak, and I absolutely hate that it was formed in an effort to get a Pool A bid without ever really having to beat anyone of any significance, this is a team that went 5-44 over the past four years (.102 winning percentage).  To still be sitting at 2-1, and coming within a 2-point conversion of evening up the score with Framingham State  (who went to the NCAA's last year) in the fourth quarter, after the first 3 weeks...they are the team of the week.

Seriously...what are they looking at...8-2 at worst, maybe 7-3?

I think that they are playing very well now and you would be correct in your assessment, but I think they only play nine games this year with only 1 OOC game.

You are probably right about the 9-game schedule...for whatever reason, I have had a tough time the last three days getting into the team schedules page on D3football (it is an issue with my computer/access at home, and not a site issue).

I hope the MASCAC gets better quickly...I seriously do.  Someone will have to correct me, but I believe that the MASCAC does not get a Pool A bid this year...but that they will starting next year.  You cannot have a league where a team like West Conn can win all of 5 games over a five year period in one league, move to another league, and immedaitely win more games in one season than they did over the last half decade, while becoming a major player for the league title.  Not at the expense of other Pool C contenders throughout D3. 

I mean you can...looking at you Norwich/ECFC...but it just waters down the whole product and leaves a bad taste in almost everyone's mouth...

[D3MAFAN]

Out of curiosity, did we have a team of the week for Week 3?

It has to be West Connecticut.

Even though the MASCAC is amazingly weak, and I absolutely hate that it was formed in an effort to get a Pool A bid without ever really having to beat anyone of any significance, this is a team that went 5-44 over the past four years (.102 winning percentage).  To still be sitting at 2-1, and coming within a 2-point conversion of evening up the score with Framingham State  (who went to the NCAA's last year) in the fourth quarter, after the first 3 weeks...they are the team of the week.

Seriously...what are they looking at...8-2 at worst, maybe 7-3?

I think that they are playing very well now and you would be correct in your assessment, but I think they only play nine games this year with only 1 OOC game.

You are probably right about the 9-game schedule...for whatever reason, I have had a tough time the last three days getting into the team schedules page on D3football (it is an issue with my computer/access at home, and not a site issue).

I hope the MASCAC gets better quickly...I seriously do.  Someone will have to correct me, but I believe that the MASCAC does not get a Pool A bid this year...but that they will starting next year.  You cannot have a league where a team like West Conn can win all of 5 games over a five year period in one league, move to another league, and immedaitely win more games in one season than they did over the last half decade, while becoming a major player for the league title.  Not at the expense of other Pool C contenders throughout D3. 

I mean you can...looking at you Norwich/ECFC...but it just waters down the whole product and leaves a bad taste in almost everyone's mouth...

I also have been having problems at my computer, something about the video is making my adobe script run slower. However, the MASCAC does not get an automatic bid this year, they are in Pool B with a good amount of other teams. I believe they will only receive one bid and that team has to be 9-1, so I think this week game that has Bridgewater St. vs. Western Connecticut is a good game to watch. If Western Connecticut beats Bridgewater State and runs the rest of the table, I think they have a slim chance at making the playoffs. On the otherhand if Bridgewater State beats West Conn, then we may be looking at a de facto conference championship between Framingham State and Bridgewater on November 9th.

[AUKaz00]

I hope the MASCAC gets better quickly...I seriously do.  Someone will have to correct me, but I believe that the MASCAC does not get a Pool A bid this year...but that they will starting next year.  You cannot have a league where a team like West Conn can win all of 5 games over a five year period in one league, move to another league, and immedaitely win more games in one season than they did over the last half decade, while becoming a major player for the league title.  Not at the expense of other Pool C contenders throughout D3. 

I mean you can...looking at you Norwich/ECFC...but it just waters down the whole product and leaves a bad taste in almost everyone's mouth...

I also have been having problems at my computer, something about the video is making my adobe script run slower. However, the MASCAC does not get an automatic bid this year, they are in Pool B with a good amount of other teams. I believe they will only receive one bid and that team has to be 9-1, so I think this week game that has Bridgewater St. vs. Western Connecticut is a good game to watch. If Western Connecticut beats Bridgewater State and runs the rest of the table, I think they have a slim chance at making the playoffs. On the otherhand if Bridgewater State beats West Conn, then we may be looking at a de facto conference championship between Framingham State and Bridgewater on November 9th.

I think there is a 2 year waiting period to get a Pool A.  And there are no guarantees of a conference getting a Pool B.  The committee will pick the best 3 Pool B schools.  So, Wesley will presumably get one.  Then the MASCAC champ (and perhaps runner-up), will be compared against all other Pool B teams including Chicago (4-0) and the winner (and perhaps runner-up) of the SAA - Birmingham-Southern, Centre, Millsaps, Rhodes.  An undefeated team should get the nod like SUNY-Maritime in 2010, but a one-loss team faces more dodgy prospects.

[Yanks 99]

I hope the MASCAC gets better quickly...I seriously do.  Someone will have to correct me, but I believe that the MASCAC does not get a Pool A bid this year...but that they will starting next year.  You cannot have a league where a team like West Conn can win all of 5 games over a five year period in one league, move to another league, and immedaitely win more games in one season than they did over the last half decade, while becoming a major player for the league title.  Not at the expense of other Pool C contenders throughout D3. 

I mean you can...looking at you Norwich/ECFC...but it just waters down the whole product and leaves a bad taste in almost everyone's mouth...

I also have been having problems at my computer, something about the video is making my adobe script run slower. However, the MASCAC does not get an automatic bid this year, they are in Pool B with a good amount of other teams. I believe they will only receive one bid and that team has to be 9-1, so I think this week game that has Bridgewater St. vs. Western Connecticut is a good game to watch. If Western Connecticut beats Bridgewater State and runs the rest of the table, I think they have a slim chance at making the playoffs. On the otherhand if Bridgewater State beats West Conn, then we may be looking at a de facto conference championship between Framingham State and Bridgewater on November 9th.

I think there is a 2 year waiting period to get a Pool A.  And there are no guarantees of a conference getting a Pool B.  The committee will pick the best 3 Pool B schools.  So, Wesley will presumably get one.  Then the MASCAC champ (and perhaps runner-up), will be compared against all other Pool B teams including Chicago (4-0) and the winner (and perhaps runner-up) of the SAA - Birmingham-Southern, Centre, Millsaps, Rhodes.  An undefeated team should get the nod like SUNY-Maritime in 2010, but a one-loss team faces more dodgy prospects.

I don't think there is a chance in hell a one loss MASCAC team sniffs a Pool B...not after SUNY Maritime's performance against Alfred a few years back.