FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Yes the Tufts broadcasts and productions are very good- the best in the league.

They do a good job at Wesleyan but the play by play guy puts me to sleep with the slow cadence monotone.

The Middlebury cast on Saturday was the worst I've seen in quite some time but they might have been substitutes..... the kid who was doing the play by play was doing his best be he had no idea what was going on with the game.

Bowdoin does a good job with 2 locals in the booth as well.

[Charlie]

After watching many NESCAC games this year it is clear and evident that in my opinion the real offensive MVP is not a player but the OC of Trinity College. I will grant you the entire Coaching staff at Trinity does an amazing job of recruiting and Coaching. I watched the Bowdoin game and was amazed how the OC has transformed this team. In past years you had Girard , Reid , Clapp and a slew of TE that could get down the field for the home run ball.

After week one debacle against Colby where they were trying to adopt the same down field philosophy the OC has changed his philosophy. I have never seen more kids touching the ball in the passing game as well as rushing the ball. I have never seen so much talent on Offense from a team that is not loosing a talent for graduation. They have many 5 th year studs coming back and have shown that they can play any type of football long ball , ball control and ground and pound.

This coupled with a Defense that is young and gets everyone back in front 7 plus reserves. They average giving up 13 points per game and I think that is skewed. Several turnovers and special teams mistakes have put them in bad situations.

I think the real tell tale sign is the number of young players gaining valuable experience as Freshman unheard of before but with new limits and injuries have given players valuable field time and experience. This is really a solid program and not easy for Coaches to change their philosophy.

[Trin9-0]

While I (happily) underestimated the Bants up in Brunswick I'm feeling pretty good about where they stand with two games to go. Trin is alone atop the standings and leads the league in scoring offense and defense.

Amherst heads to The Coop on Saturday having lost two straight and while Marek Hill has been a revelation for the Mammoths he's coming off an underwhelming day against Wes where he completed just 51% of his passes along with 3 ints and took a pair of sacks. Trinity has the #1 pass defense in the NESCAC through 7 games.

Trin can clinch at least a share of the NESCAC title with a win on Saturday. It would be the 19th time the Bantams finished with the NESCAC's best record and their 12th official title.

[Trin9-0]

Latest SP+ ratings and NESCAC projections:

30. Trinity 24.4
57. Wesleyan 14.2
78. Williams 8.5
89. Middlebury 5.9
117. Tufts 2.3
121. Amherst 1.5
152. Colby -6.0
171. Bates -11.4
189. Hamilton -17.1
195. Bowdoin -17.8

Bates 24.4 Bowdoin 20.5
Middlebury 32.4 Hamilton 11.8
Trinity 34.7 Amherst  9.4
Tufts 25.2 Colby 14.4
Wesleyan 25.1 Williams 21.8

[Hunglikeamule]

While I (happily) underestimated the Bants up in Brunswick I'm feeling pretty good about where they stand with two games to go. Trin is alone atop the standings and leads the league in scoring offense and defense.

Amherst heads to The Coop on Saturday having lost two straight and while Marek Hill has been a revelation for the Mammoths he's coming off an underwhelming day against Wes where he completed just 51% of his passes along with 3 ints and took a pair of sacks. Trinity has the #1 pass defense in the NESCAC through 7 games.

Trin can clinch at least a share of the NESCAC title with a win on Saturday. It would be the 19th time the Bantams finished with the NESCAC's best record and their 12th official title.

Trinity isn't winning the league bud. Couldn't even beat my Mules week 1.

[muleshoe]

With two weeks left in the season - it's time to talk about the real possibility of a 5 way tie for the league championship, and I don't think it's that wild of a scenario:

1. Colby or Tufts win out. They play each other this weekend then have Bowdoin/Midd, respectively to close the year
2. Amherst Wins Out. Upset in the Coop then host the Ephs
3. Williams Beats Wes this weekend in Williamstown
4. Wes beats Trinity back-to-back for the first time since 1997-1998

Please check my math here, but I think we would have 5 at 6-3 if this plays out.