FB: Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference

[ECoastFootball]

Agree to disagree, I guess...

Fair Enough.

I think it's fair to say that Western Connecticut is both getting better and facing easier competition. We predicted the Colonials would go 6-3 this season based on those factors and I think that's still possible.

Agreed.

[Yanks 99]

I think it's fair to say that Western Connecticut is both getting better and facing easier competition. We predicted the Colonials would go 6-3 this season based on those factors and I think that's still possible.

I think they are going 8-1.  Who else is going to beat them?

[Pat Coleman]

I suppose it's possible Mass Maritime or Worcester could outscore them.

[Yanks 99]

I suppose it's possible Mass Maritime or Worcester could outscore them.

I guess it could happen...and those were the two teams I thought MIGHT have a shot...but after West Conn absolutely destroyed Bridgewater...I don't think anyone else will come close.

[Bombers798891]

Look, West Connecticut might be better than William Patterson this year, but quibbling over that point to ignore the larger facts is ridiculous.

West Conn went 1-28 over the last three years.

West Conn in conference play, 2012: Scoring margin, -24 points
West Conn in conference play, 2013: Scoring margin, +17 points

Yes, teams can improve and make a leap in one year. But I'm not sure exactly how we're supposed to interpret a team making a six-touchdown turnaround as not being about the quality of competition. Teams improve, but by six touchdowns?

On the road, it's even worse:

West Conn on the road in conference play, 2012: Scoring margin, -41 points
West Conn on the road in conference play, 2013: Scoring margin, +27 points

So in other words, Western Connecticut is nearly 10 touchdowns better on the road in conference play in 2013 than 2012, and there's actually debate that this isn't a function of the respective conferences they're in?

West Conn may be better. How much better? Who knows? But if you're going to claim this isn't "Norwich, 2011" all over again, please provide some actual evidence. Because right now, all I see is another instance of a doormat becoming a power overnight upon jumping to one of these newly-formed conferences.

[ECoastFootball]

Post-Week 5 - MASCAC POWER RANKINGS

1.     (LW # 1) Framingham State (4-1, 3-0)
Framingham was taken to the wire against UMD, placing their NCAA at-large chances in jeopardy up until a late fumble caused by the Defensive Player of the Week Chevere Archer. Framingham State needs to play a much better 4 quarters on the road @ Westfield this weekend, as WeSU may be their toughest test the rest of the way.

2.     (LW # 3) West Conn (2-1, 3-1)
West Conn may be terrible, but not as terrible as the MASCAC. Their win over Bridgewater confirms what we have all been thinking; the NEFC, MASCAC and ECFC should break off and start their own Division IV. The following schools will also be invited to D-IV, in honor of their losses to an NEFC, MASCAC or ECFC member in the last 3 seasons: Catholic, Hartwick, Merchant Marine, Montclair State, Rochester, Springfield, St. Lawrence, Union and William Paterson. It is unclear how many colleges will accept the invitation.

3.     (LW # 5) Westfield State (3-1, 2-0)
After blanking Plymouth State and handling UMD and WNE with similar ease, we will give these owls their due. Using the familiar formula of a stout defense and potent running attack, the Owls looked especially dangerous last week when they added 245 passing yards. If they can run the ball consistently against Fram, they may have a chance.

4.     (LW # 2) Bridgewater State (3-2, 2-1)
Inexcusable loss this weekend. To lose is one thing, but to continually turn it over and allow 6 every time is another. Bridgewater is going to have to pound their old rival UMass this Friday night if they want to salvage this season, but they should be playing a UMD team that thinks they can win.

5.     (LW # 4) Worcester State (3-1, 1-1)
The Fightin' Bumpuses (Actually not a bad nickname IMHO) were off this week following their ridiculous 64 point explosion the week before. They take on a suddenly dangerous young Fitchburg team on the road in a game that now means a lot in the hierarchy of the league.

6.     (LW # 9) Fitchburg State (2-3, 1-2)
I said Fitch needed to find their O v MMA and they did not disappoint. That being said, I didn't know that 40 points and 540 yards were possible. The Freshmen Dellechiaie went 17-22 for 169 and Teague added 175 yards to ensure the route was balanced. The young Falcons look to be putting it together as they have more time to gel.

7.     (LW # 7) UMass Dartmouth (1-3, 1-2)
UMD stood toe-to-toe with Framingham for the entire 60 minutes, which must have been a great experience for their young team. The Corsairs held the ball for half of the TOP and even answered a potential back-breaking FSU TD that put the game at 21-7 in the 3rd, with a 7.5 minute, 12 play, 76 yard drive to pull back to 21-14. All things considered, UMD must think they have a shot w/BWater this week.

8.        (LW # 6) Mass Maritime (2-2, 0-2)
If you don't play defense you can't win, but when your "high-powered-O" only puts up 17 then you're really in trouble. MMA only put up 7 points in the final 3 quarters, and lost the TOP battle 2-to-1. I'm sure a 40-17 drubbing was not what the BUCS had in mind when they scheduled this as their Homecoming Game. Maritime now heads to WConn in what is suddenly a must-win game if they want a shot at an ECAC game. A loss may condemn them to the MASCAC basement if the team isn't mentally tough enough.

9.        (LW # 8) Plymouth State (1-4, 0-3)
The bye could not have come at a better time. The Panthers head into the off week licking their wounds, fresh off back to back to back beat downs that were not expected. Plymouth needs to regroup as it doesn't get any easier following the break, Bridgewater comes to town.


Picks coming Thursday or Friday

[jknezek]

2.     (LW # 3) West Conn (2-1, 3-1)
West Conn may be terrible, but not as terrible as the MASCAC. Their win over Bridgewater confirms what we have all been thinking; the NEFC, MASCAC and ECFC should break off and start their own Division IV. The following schools will also be invited to D-IV, in honor of their losses to an NEFC, MASCAC or ECFC member in the last 3 seasons: Catholic, Hartwick, Merchant Marine, Montclair State, Rochester, Springfield, St. Lawrence, Union and William Paterson. It is unclear how many colleges will accept the invitation.

Agree, disagree I don't care. That's just well done and funny. +K

[lewdogg11]

I'll clear this all up...


The MASCAC does not deserve a Pool C this year, it's bad enough they are soon getting an A.  However, if Framingham were to win out and Rowan is to win out, Framingham will likely get a Pool C nod.  What is scary is that Framingham AND Western CT could finish with 1 loss(Western CT 1 less game).  Crazier things have happened.  Hopefully the NCAA will ignore both but if Fisher wins the E-8, that likely puts 2nd place there with 2 or 3 losses.  LL shouldn't get a Pool C(unless somehow St. Lawrence beats Hobart).  That said, maybe the East gets ZERO Pool C bids this year under those circumstances.

[Pat Coleman]

I am not sure they would get a C but they are far more likely to get a Pool B bid.

[lewdogg11]

I am not sure they would get a C but they are far more likely to get a Pool B bid.

I never know the difference.  I thought they did away with one of them. 

[jknezek]

I am not sure they would get a C but they are far more likely to get a Pool B bid.

I never know the difference.  I thought they did away with one of them.

B's are for independents or non-AQ conference members. Since the MASCAC, SAA, UAA, SCAC and some others do not yet qualify for A bids, they are thrown into the B lists. C's are historically for teams in AQ conferences that didn't win the AQ. This year, based on the historic ratios, there might be 5 Pool B teams simply because there are so many Pool B qualifying schools. Last year when there were fewer Pool B qualifying teams there was only 1 Pool B bid (Wesley). A pool B team that does not get a Pool B bid is eligible to compete in the Pool C process. So A's are automatic, B's are decided amongst a small pool, and anyone who didn't get an A or B is eligible to come to the table for a C.

To sum it up, this year there will be a bunch more B bids and a corresponding lower number of C bids. Over the next two years, many of those B bids will be converted to A bids, and there will still be a correspondingly lower number of C bids. So we continue to move closer to a system with fewer second chances for good teams that screw up. In other words... win your conference if you want to go to the playoffs.

[AUKaz00]

3 Pool B and 4 Pool C selections in 2013.

[Pat Coleman]

Should be three and five.

[jknezek]

Should be three and five.

Pat, I just dug out the post I had where you corrected me a couple weeks ago. 3 Pool Bs and 5 Pool Cs according to the traditional math. Unless they change something if/when the handbook comes out (it might be out, I have no idea when these things happen).

At least I got the 5 right this time. I just applied it the wrong way. Regardless, at some point the MASCAC and SAA will get AQ bids going forward, so a max 5 Pool Cs, down from last year, is most likely here to stay. Which goes back to my original summary... win your conference if you want to go to the playoffs.

If the SCAC gets a few more members, or the CAC figures out football, you could see another drop. Although at some point it would make sense to fold the Bs into the Cs, that would still only earn you 1 at large back.

[D3MAFAN]

Should be three and five.

Pat, I just dug out the post I had where you corrected me a couple weeks ago. 3 Pool Bs and 5 Pool Cs according to the traditional math. Unless they change something if/when the handbook comes out (it might be out, I have no idea when these things happen).

At least I got the 5 right this time. I just applied it the wrong way. Regardless, at some point the MASCAC and SAA will get AQ bids going forward, so a max 5 Pool Cs, down from last year, is most likely here to stay. Which goes back to my original summary... win your conference if you want to go to the playoffs.

If the SCAC gets a few more members, or the CAC figures out football, you could see another drop. Although at some point it would make sense to fold the Bs into the Cs, that would still only earn you 1 at large back.

I hope in the future that we can have every team in conference competing for a Pool A bid, then we could have 6 at-large bids, then teams will have to schedule stronger teams and perform well in order to get that at-large bid.