FB: Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference

[Boxer7806]

TeddyWestside's week 7 predictions

20-6 overall

UMASS Dartmouth vs Bridgewater State- Both teams having been playing their opponents tough BSU has been the less lucky of the 2. I think this is going to be a good match-up teams will be evenly matched. Will BSU be able to handle the atmosphere of a friday night game at Cressy Field?? My pick for this game is UMASS DARTMOUTH.

Framingham State vs Plymouth State- MASCAC Game of the week IMO. Both teams are playing great football with FSU taking the edge being undefeated. FSU's defense had a monster game last week behind JaQuan Harris' 5 INT's. I think the only way Plymouth can knock off the MASCAC leaders is if Plymouth themselves can create some turnovers. Not only creating turnovers but Mitch Banuskevich NEEDS to have another game like he did vs BSU with 168 yards rushing and another 40 receiving. I think Plymouth can make this game interesting but.. My pick for this game is FRAMINGHAM STATE.

Fitchburg State vs Westfield State- Congrats to Westfield for picking up a big win vs MMA. Westfield played a great game all around but I dont think they have enough in the tank to take down a very strong Fitchburg team. My pick for this game is FITCHBURG STATE.

Mass Maritime vs Western Connecticut- Tough loss last week to Westfield for MMA this game vs West Conn isnt coming at a good time for the bucs. West Conn bounced back big last week with their win vs Worcester. I predict a huge game for Quinn Fleeting and the Colonials. My pick for this game is WESTERN CONNECTICUT.

Good luck too all the teams playing this week

Mid season power rankings coming soon...

Bridgewater State beats UMASS D. Other than that I agree with em' all Teddy. Bridgewater is better than people think. I think every team they have played up to this point is better than UMASS D. Call me a homer, but its my upset special of the week.

[D3MAFAN]

TeddyWestside's week 7 predictions

20-6 overall

UMASS Dartmouth vs Bridgewater State- Both teams having been playing their opponents tough BSU has been the less lucky of the 2. I think this is going to be a good match-up teams will be evenly matched. Will BSU be able to handle the atmosphere of a friday night game at Cressy Field?? My pick for this game is UMASS DARTMOUTH.

Framingham State vs Plymouth State- MASCAC Game of the week IMO. Both teams are playing great football with FSU taking the edge being undefeated. FSU's defense had a monster game last week behind JaQuan Harris' 5 INT's. I think the only way Plymouth can knock off the MASCAC leaders is if Plymouth themselves can create some turnovers. Not only creating turnovers but Mitch Banuskevich NEEDS to have another game like he did vs BSU with 168 yards rushing and another 40 receiving. I think Plymouth can make this game interesting but.. My pick for this game is FRAMINGHAM STATE.

Fitchburg State vs Westfield State- Congrats to Westfield for picking up a big win vs MMA. Westfield played a great game all around but I dont think they have enough in the tank to take down a very strong Fitchburg team. My pick for this game is FITCHBURG STATE.

Mass Maritime vs Western Connecticut- Tough loss last week to Westfield for MMA this game vs West Conn isnt coming at a good time for the bucs. West Conn bounced back big last week with their win vs Worcester. I predict a huge game for Quinn Fleeting and the Colonials. My pick for this game is WESTERN CONNECTICUT.

Good luck too all the teams playing this week

Mid season power rankings coming soon...

Bridgewater State beats UMASS D. Other than that I agree with em' all Teddy. Bridgewater is better than people think. I think every team they have played up to this point is better than UMASS D. Call me a homer, but its my upset special of the week.

Doing pretty good there Teddy with the predictions. Regarding the Rams vs. Ply State game, I am a little wary about this game. Outside of the West Conn game, Ply state has played great on defense. Last week we need every bit of those interceptions from Jaquan to keep the game out of reach. Our QB play has to step up big time and we have to do a better job on our RB rotation, I felt we killed the MO at times by switching out. Special teams will be a big part and we didn't look good last Friday. The Rams have to do better playing away this week.

As far as Bridgewater State, I think they can bounce back and win a close one at UMD and I expect them to finish 5-5.

[The_MASCACman]

Not bad Teddy, not bad.... Seems like your secret recipe for success this year is picking against BSU every week, which has worked out well for you this season! Maybe Teddy has some inside information we aren't aware of... or maybe he is a Framingham Alum... but regardless I think we all thought BSU would be on the other side of some of these wins.

BSU vs. UMD- BSU (27-24)BSU FINALLY puts together 4 quarters of football and squeaks out a win against a physical UMD team. They have burned me all season, I'm hoping things are different this week.

Framingham vs. Plymouth- FSU 28-21 "Teddys Hot take" game of the week. I think this will be a tough matchup for FSU due to Plymouth matching up physically. IF Plymouth can slow down the running game of FSU and make them become pass first then i think they have a slight chance to upset them. 

Fitchburg St. vs. Westfield- Fitchburg 28-14- Fitchburg continues their up and down season with a strong win against Westfield (who is continuing to improve).

West Conn vs. MMA- West Conn 38-20- West Conn rolls and continues to tune up and prepare for the MASCAC title game vs Framingham coming up in a few weeks. This game is my lock of the week.

[Boxer7806]

Plymouth needs a big week of out of their tailback Banuskavich to win this game and I just don't see that happening. Framingham's  run defense has been fantastic all year, probably IMO the best one in New England. Plymouth has been having trouble running the ball consistently outside of Banusakvich's big game last week vs. Bridgewater. Plymouth has one weapon in Scluzich who they like to get the ball too, but do not have too much outside of him as big play options. Kelly has matched his catch totals, but isn't nearly as explosive as a downfield threat. I just don't see Plymouth having enough offense to win this game.

Dating back the past two years, Plymouth has only lost 5 games, all of them have been by once score or less except to.... you guessed it Framingham, who blasted them 41-7.
The year before, and a much worst Plymouth team, similar story with Framingham winning 34-3. Plymouth scored on a punt return last week, and I think are going to need some big special teams plays to gain an advantage on Framingham in this game.

Plymouth States defense has been tremendous this year, only allowing 10 points a game and holding teams to 79 rushing yards a game. Their giving up around 220 a game in the pass, but West Conn bloated that number when Fleeting put up 440 yards on them. Plymouth needs to hold Framingham State to under 21 points to win this game, and they have the statistics to prove they might be able to do it, but the eye test says they've played some really subpar offenses this year. The only plus offense they have faced is West Conn who hung 37 on them and threw up 550 yards of total offense.

I think this is going to be a really slow, prodding affair, where the defenses win the majority of the afternoon. I think Framingham is going to wear Plymouth down eventually. Framingham is tops in the league holding onto the ball for an average of 34 minutes a game and they lead the league with a 51% clip on third down conversions. I think this will take its toll on Plymouth as the game wears on because they have struggled in conference play at converting on third down at only 36%, and Framingham defense is going to be the best they have seen.

Plymouth IMO, has to think outside the box here, and do some things that haven't shown up on tape to gain some sort of traction on offense. Trick plays are one thing, but maybe using Edwards in the run game to gain an extra blocker up front, or some man beaters/pick plays to open up some more room underneath for the receivers. Plymouth has been very good at home, has been getting good crowds, so they need to take advantage of that buy making some noise offensively.

Final Score

Framingham 31
Plymouth 14

[D3MAFAN]

I think I am going to puke. The calls were so one-sided, I know we had multiple chances, but penalties kept us from gelling the whole game. There were some questionable play calling towards the end. We did have some turnovers early, but Ply did what they had to do, their defense is lights out, but we should have scored more than that, too many missed fgs and red zone woes. The passing plays were basic. Rams defense was outstanding despite the questionable penalties. This lost may have just ruined our playoff chances, although I think we are the better representative (IMHO). We have to be more discipline and can't allow referees to dictate our game. We should have put the game away after the late interception in the 4th qtr. No need to pass on 3rd and short, maybe add a fake jet sweep.

[fulbakdad]

I caught the second half of the Plymouth Framingham game.  I didn't pick up any slew of bad calls by the refs.  What I did see was the Plymouth QB being marginal at best.  Seemed to just throw the ball up and hope for the best.  I thought Framingham was good on defense, but could have even been better being able to focus more on just stopping the run.

I agree with you that Framingham should have put them away with that last interception in the 4th.  But Plymouth Defense and special teams played big and pushed it to OT.

BTW, not  Plymouth fan, they are just up the road from me and I had seen they had this big game yesterday.  I had lost the feed to the team I follow out west.  lol.

[Boxer7806]

Plymouth definitely deserved to win this game and it was an awesome game to watch. The Plymouth announcers were pretty good IMO, which is bonus when compared to most MASAC games.  Plymouth wasn't the most talented team, but they were without a doubt the more mentally tough and disciplined team. I said Plymouth would have to win the special teams battle to win and they certainly did with 3 blocked FG's and a huge return to set up their second TD of the day. Plymouth got a huge push up the middle consistently on every FG attempt, Even on the second extra point for Framingham, they motioned the wing to the right side, I'm guessing to help with an  extra edge rusher from Plymouth and the edge rusher on the left side, with no one else even next to him inside almost blocked the extra point because no on from Fram. touched him!  They also went down and tackled on Kick Off forcing Framingham to drive the field, for the most part which they did.

Framingham committed some really bad penalties as well, I think they must of had 3 dead ball personal fouls, one that kept Plymouth's second TD drive of the day alive. They committed one on a careless cheap shot crack block after the whistle on a huge screen play of 20 something yards on offense They had a huge fumble which deep in their territory to lead to Plymouth's first TD and another in the red zone. You can't beat good teams with stupid penalties and turnovers like that.

Fulbakdad brought up Plymouth being able to run the ball in the second half, but in all honesty, Plymouth couldn't run the ball at all most of the game. I think they averaged or were at 2 yards a carry for the game. They hit a HUGE screen on 4th and 1 in which the QB did just wing it out there as he got crushed and the Framingham linebacker looked to misplay what could of been an easy pick, that led to a huge TD to answer a Framingham TD in the second half. Again that was set up because of dead ball personal foul on Framingham on 2nd or 3rd and long.

DMA3Fan brought up the penalties against Framingham and I'm guessing he was upset about the holding call on third and long and the PI on 3rd and long, both on passes that were just thrown up there for grabs and quite frankly, might not even have been catchable. Both calls I would agree were a little ticky tack, especially in the situation, but they didn't lead to Plymouth scores. In fact, on replay both were the correct calls. #9 definitely grabbed jersey and he most certainly didn't have to. #37 definitely wrapped his arm up around the WR early and REALLY DIDN'T have to. If he kept his feet and undercut the pass its probably a PICK 6. Again, I thought those were undisciplined penalties, both well short of the sticks on third down, that didn't need to be committed.

In terms of the playcalling mentioned, I thought Framingham called the correct plays. Plymouth was in a 42 front playing off Cover 1, so Framingham attacked underneath and made Plymouth tackle them, which Plymouth most certainly did. Plymouth wanted to make Framingham drive down the field and do it through quick throws and that's what exactly happened. Wright had 3 carries for -3 yards in the first half, which makes me think Framingham didn't think they could pound it inside anyways and the quick screen and pass game was the option all along. Wright did have I believe 6 carries for 48 yards or something in the second half, and was really bouncing the ball on his inside runs late in the game for some good success. I'm surprised Fram. did try to challenge Plymouth outside more in the run game, especially when Wright had some success bouncing some. The only playcall that was puzzling was the reverse, but they ended up convereting a 3-21 after that debacle anyways so it didn't matter.

Plymouth legit runs lead iso and inside zone over and over again. I saw it in the Bridgewater game, but it just seemed much more prevalent in this game since Plymouth was struggling to run the ball unlike v. Bridgewater.  I was waiting for Plymouth did hit them with a playaction on first down almost the entire game, and they did once which led to their first TD. But man O man, Plymouth just loves to run lead power, zone, iso over and over again. I had more of an issue with their playcalls because they were having a tough time moving the ball and didn't really change it up, at all. Regardless, the screen call was clutch, and finally outside the box, as well as the roll out pass for their second TD. I was surprised with the success of those plays, we didn't see more of them or different variations of those calls.

Sorry for the long post, but it was a great game and we finally have some talk going on this board about specific games.

[D3MAFAN]

Plymouth definitely deserved to win this game and it was an awesome game to watch. The Plymouth announcers were pretty good IMO, which is bonus when compared to most MASAC games.  Plymouth wasn't the most talented team, but they were without a doubt the more mentally tough and disciplined team. I said Plymouth would have to win the special teams battle to win and they certainly did with 3 blocked FG's and a huge return to set up their second TD of the day. Plymouth got a huge push up the middle consistently on every FG attempt, Even on the second extra point for Framingham, they motioned the wing to the right side, I'm guessing to help with an  extra edge rusher from Plymouth and the edge rusher on the left side, with no one else even next to him inside almost blocked the extra point because no on from Fram. touched him!  They also went down and tackled on Kick Off forcing Framingham to drive the field, for the most part which they did.

Framingham committed some really bad penalties as well, I think they must of had 3 dead ball personal fouls, one that kept Plymouth's second TD drive of the day alive. They committed one on a careless cheap shot crack block after the whistle on a huge screen play of 20 something yards on offense They had a huge fumble which deep in their territory to lead to Plymouth's first TD and another in the red zone. You can't beat good teams with stupid penalties and turnovers like that.

Fulbakdad brought up Plymouth being able to run the ball in the second half, but in all honesty, Plymouth couldn't run the ball at all most of the game. I think they averaged or were at 2 yards a carry for the game. They hit a HUGE screen on 4th and 1 in which the QB did just wing it out there as he got crushed and the Framingham linebacker looked to misplay what could of been an easy pick, that led to a huge TD to answer a Framingham TD in the second half. Again that was set up because of dead ball personal foul on Framingham on 2nd or 3rd and long.

DMA3Fan brought up the penalties against Framingham and I'm guessing he was upset about the holding call on third and long and the PI on 3rd and long, both on passes that were just thrown up there for grabs and quite frankly, might not even have been catchable. Both calls I would agree were a little ticky tack, especially in the situation, but they didn't lead to Plymouth scores. In fact, on replay both were the correct calls. #9 definitely grabbed jersey and he most certainly didn't have to. #37 definitely wrapped his arm up around the WR early and REALLY DIDN'T have to. If he kept his feet and undercut the pass its probably a PICK 6. Again, I thought those were undisciplined penalties, both well short of the sticks on third down, that didn't need to be committed.

In terms of the playcalling mentioned, I thought Framingham called the correct plays. Plymouth was in a 42 front playing off Cover 1, so Framingham attacked underneath and made Plymouth tackle them, which Plymouth most certainly did. Plymouth wanted to make Framingham drive down the field and do it through quick throws and that's what exactly happened. Wright had 3 carries for -3 yards in the first half, which makes me think Framingham didn't think they could pound it inside anyways and the quick screen and pass game was the option all along. Wright did have I believe 6 carries for 48 yards or something in the second half, and was really bouncing the ball on his inside runs late in the game for some good success. I'm surprised Fram. did try to challenge Plymouth outside more in the run game, especially when Wright had some success bouncing some. The only playcall that was puzzling was the reverse, but they ended up convereting a 3-21 after that debacle anyways so it didn't matter.

Plymouth legit runs lead iso and inside zone over and over again. I saw it in the Bridgewater game, but it just seemed much more prevalent in this game since Plymouth was struggling to run the ball unlike v. Bridgewater.  I was waiting for Plymouth did hit them with a playaction on first down almost the entire game, and they did once which led to their first TD. But man O man, Plymouth just loves to run lead power, zone, iso over and over again. I had more of an issue with their playcalls because they were having a tough time moving the ball and didn't really change it up, at all. Regardless, the screen call was clutch, and finally outside the box, as well as the roll out pass for their second TD. I was surprised with the success of those plays, we didn't see more of them or different variations of those calls.

Sorry for the long post, but it was a great game and we finally have some talk going on this board about specific games.

Well on to next week....

[The_MASCACman]

What a weekend for the MASCAC!

Plymouth State is BACK! Huge win against Framingham on Saturday. Framingham now has only a slim chance to win the conference and advance to the playoffs. If West Conn can win out they will be the AQ but they still have to get past Bridgewater, Fitchburg, and Framingham. Plymouth State has a much easier schedule left as they have already played West Conn, BSU, and Framingham. IMO i think it is now Plymouth's Championship to lose. West Conn is on the road at BSU for homecoming this week and then on the road against Framingham in November. I'm not sure they are consistent enough to win all four of their remaining games. The MASCAC is very interesting this year and it seems that anyone can beat anyone. Things are really heating up and I am looking forward to the BSU v. West Conn game on Saturday! Any chance BSU knocks off West Conn this week? (McLaughlin and Garrett both left the game w/ injuries and did not return against UMD friday night)

Hats off to Plymouth who have managed to completely turn their program around in only 2 years. It has been a while since the MASCAC has had 3 horses left in the race this late in the season, looking forward to seeing how it plays out, and how a team other than Framingham or Bridgewater can perform in post season play?

Power Rankings and Predictions coming later this week...

[TeddyWestside1642]

Mascac Man you said it What a weekend!!

Congrats to Plymouth on a HUGE win and completely shaking up the MASCAC. On the other side of it this loss is a bad one for Framingham I predicted an undefeated season for the rams and what was looking like a home playoff game... now it's looking like they'll be playing for the at large bid.
Don't forget about West Conn though I'll be looking forward to their match-up vs. Framingham that has huge implications now.
I'll have to say I've been a Plymouth fan as of late with how they've turned their program around in a short amount of time. I'm rooting for them to win their first MASCAC Championship.

TeddyWestside's power rankings after this crazy weekend.

1) Framingham- Power rankings doesn't mean mascac standings I believe the Rams are still the strongest team in the conference just had an unfortunate loss to a very strong team.
2) Plymouth- My pick for mascac champs after an impressive win over framingham they still need to play good football the next 3 weeks.
3) West Conn- They are right in the hunt for the conference title they have a must win game vs framingham coming up to determine their season.
4) Worcester- Still up here with a high scoring offense and losses to some good teams like West Conn and Plymouth. still have a few more tests this season to see if they stay this high.
5) Bridgewater- Slowly climbing up the ladder with a nice win vs UMD and very close losses vs good teams. They have a big match-up this week against West Conn for Homecoming.
6) Umass Dartmouth- Dropped a close one vs BSU other than that very solid team they have 3 more weeks to climb up the board.
7) Fitchburg- Loss to Westfield drops them IMO. Tough schedule the rest of the way too with plymouth west conn and umd.
8) Westfield- Stringing together some quality wins. A lot of people counted them out myself included but this team stepped up and made sure they weren't at the bottom of the league.
9) Mass Maritime- Have yet to win a mascac game maybe they're waiting for the Cranberry bowl...

[fulbakdad]

Don't think Framingham would get an at large bid........

[The_MASCACman]

I agree it's not likely that Framingham would receive an at large bid, even if they end up going 9-1, but maybe they should be considered?

It will definitely help their odds if Cortland finishes towards the top of the E8, which they are 3-1 in right now (4-2 overall), but it hurts them that Endicott is struggling at 1-5 in the newly developed commonwealth coast league. In 2012 when Bridgewater State received an at large bid, OOC they had beat Springfield who was 8-3 in the Liberty League and Endicott who was 9-2 in the NEFC, with their sole loss being to then league champs Framingham State (16-0) who lost to Endicott early that season. I think in order for someone to receive a at large bid in the MASCAC you would have to have beat two non-conference championship contenders in higher ranked leagues to have a high enough SOS to be considered.

This topic makes me think about the comparison between the Empire Eight and the MASCAC. Which also makes me think that if FSU does go 9-1 that maybe they should be considered for an At Large bid. In 2016 on D3football.com the E8 was ranked 3rd in conference rankings and the MASCAC 23rd. Below I will list the most recent MASCAC vs. E8 matchups and you tell me if you think there is that much of a discrepancy between the two? Is the MASCAC better than they get credit for? Or is the E8 down or overrated as of late?

Framingham St.(5-1) Vs. Cortland(4-2)- Framingham -29-14
Western Connecticut(5-1) Vs. Hartwick(3-4)- Western Connecticut- 48-47
BSU(2-5) vs. Buffalo State (4-2) - Buff State- 20-19
BSU (8-2)vs. Alfred(10-0) in 2016 Playoffs- Alfred 33-27 OT

[D3MAFAN]

I agree it's not likely that Framingham would receive an at large bid, even if they end up going 9-1, but maybe they should be considered?

It will definitely help their odds if Cortland finishes towards the top of the E8, which they are 3-1 in right now (4-2 overall), but it hurts them that Endicott is struggling at 1-5 in the newly developed commonwealth coast league. In 2012 when Bridgewater State received an at large bid, OOC they had beat Springfield who was 8-3 in the Liberty League and Endicott who was 9-2 in the NEFC, with their sole loss being to then league champs Framingham State (16-0) who lost to Endicott early that season. I think in order for someone to receive a at large bid in the MASCAC you would have to have beat two non-conference championship contenders in higher ranked leagues to have a high enough SOS to be considered.

This topic makes me think about the comparison between the Empire Eight and the MASCAC. Which also makes me think that if FSU does go 9-1 that maybe they should be considered for an At Large bid. In 2016 on D3football.com the E8 was ranked 3rd in conference rankings and the MASCAC 23rd. Below I will list the most recent MASCAC vs. E8 matchups and you tell me if you think there is that much of a discrepancy between the two? Is the MASCAC better than they get credit for? Or is the E8 down or overrated as of late?

Framingham St.(5-1) Vs. Cortland(4-2)- Framingham -29-14
Western Connecticut(5-1) Vs. Hartwick(3-4)- Western Connecticut- 48-47
BSU(2-5) vs. Buffalo State (4-2) - Buff State- 20-19
BSU (8-2)vs. Alfred(10-0) in 2016 Playoffs- Alfred 33-27 OT

I think we would have to go back at least 4 to 5 years to value the progress, showing how the recruiting changed within the conference. Again, playing close games doesn't really prove anything unless its for final rankings that current season. There are many occasisions where a team(s) or conference could be really good for one year and be bad for many others. I do believe the MASCAC is getting better, however, our playoff representative has to win games in the playoffs and we have to win games early in the OOC scheduling against tougher leagues.

[TeddyWestside1642]

Forgot to post my predictions this week so here's TeddyWestside's quick predictions...

Framingham vs Westfield- Framingham will bounce back strong and look to take out their frustrations with last weeks loss on Westfield. My pick is FRAMINGHAM STATE.

Plymouth vs Mass Maritime- Plymouth is riding high after their huge win last week they will continue to keep it rolling vs MMA as they look to win the MASCAC in a couple of weeks. My Pick is PLYMOUTH STATE.

Umass Dartmouth vs Worcester- This is a toss up game for me both teams have won some impressive games and lost others they are also both hot and cold at times. I think this will be a fun game to watch. My pick is UMASS DARTMOUTH.

West Conn vs. Bridgewater- Great win for BSU last week vs UMD however I don't see them being able to contain West Conn as they also are battling for the MASCAC crown. My pick is WEST CONN

Good luck to all the teams playing this weekend!

[D3MAFAN]

Will be watching online today. Hoping that the RAMS can bounce back and dominate and finish drives. We have to put last week behind us and learn.