FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Well, per the Berkshire Eagle the Ephs have finally narrowed it down to ... four potential QBs.  Tomorrow should be interesting! Although it may just end up being Johanssen and a lot of running the ball.

The preview also mentioned that the Ephs' most talented receiver Brady Stahelski is injured, not great for an already-thin position.  I expect we will see if Holden Gehring can actually be closer to a full time two-way player this year.  The OL is dealing with some injuries as well.

Defense seems deeper and healthier, and with fewer question marks, led by a loaded sophomore class.

That's consistent with what Coach Raymond discussed with us this week on the 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast. 2025 Ephs...."Three yards and a cloud of dust"!

[Nescacman]

As NESCAC fans, we highly encourage you to watch the "In the Huddle D3 Football" podcast featuring Wesleyan  Coach Dan DiCenzo. Great job by him representing the conference and Wesleyan.

https://x.com/FrankRossi/status/1966544946996854889

[Nescacman]

2025 Week 1 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's Week #1 "in the league where they pay to play"...hard to believe this is our 12th season predicting NESCAC games...this week features a game that could once again have league championship ramifications as the Wesleyan Cardinals host the Middlebury Panthers at historic Andrus Field. Here we go!

Hartford State College at Colby College:  Mules played Hartford State tough last year in the Coop. New QB for the Bants while Mules feature returning starter Miles Drake who will have Rookie of the Year Jack Nye to throw to. We expect to see more of "ground and pound" offensive scheme from the Bants featuring All-NESCAC RB Tyler Dinapoli. Colby will be challenged to generate enough points to keep up with the Bants offense. We expect Hartford State to come out strong to send a message to the league. This game will not be as close as last year's game in Hartford. Colby is well-coached and will be ready to go, but they are undermanned and will have a tough time keeping up with the Bants. Colby hasn't beaten Hartford State since 1995. Hartford State going away.

Hartford State 31 Colby 7
Point Spread: Hartford State -21
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Overcast. High around 70F.

Amherst College at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus): This game is a match-up between 2 teams headed in opposite directions. UBates is a team on the rise while the Lord Mammoths are a shadow of their former glorious selves. UBates will be celebrating 150 years of football in Lewiston so we expect a big crowd at Garcelon Field. If UBates expects to turn the corner on the rebuild in 2025, this game is a must-win for the Kitties. Word out of Amherst is they will be running the triple option at least some of the time led by QB Marek Hill. NESCAC rushing champ RB Ryan Lynskey and WR Sergio Beltran are players to watch for the Kitties. For Amherst to have a chance, they will need to improve on offense. Amherst DB/LB Luke Harmon is a must-see for the Lord Mammoths. We think the Kitties' run game is too much for the LMs and HCOF Coyne turns some heads with a resounding opening win at home against the Lord Mammoths.

UBates 24 Amherst 7
Point Spread: UBates -3
Weather: Overcast. High 72F.

Williams College at Hamilton College: Both teams come into this game with question marks. Who's the Williams QB playing for injured starter Owen McHugh? How will the rebuilt Hamilton offensive line perform? Will Hamilton be able to run the ball? Hamilton returns experience at QB with 2023 NESCAC Rookie of the Year Luke Kurzum. HAM trying to rebound after a 1-8 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, Williams will feature a power running game behind Jon Oris. They will need to throw the ball  to keep the HAM defense honest. HAM will also try to run the ball behind RB Nate Wildman. For Hamilton to have a shot, they will have to stop the Williams ground game. WR/DB Holden Gering is a player to watch for Williams. The Ephs have too much talent to lose an opener against Hamilton. Should be a defensive battle between two similar teams, but we think the Ephs pull it out.

Williams 20 Hamilton 10
Point Spread: Williams -7
Weather: Mainly cloudy. High near 75F.

Tufts University at Bowdoin College (3:00 PM kick): Tufts is coming off Coach Civetti's 3rd 7th win season. He faces the high-pressure Bowdoin defense with a new QB for the first time in 4 years. The Polars will also feature a new starter at QB. Bowdoin will miss Koy Price. Tufts will welcome back RB Chartellis Reece, who is back after not playing last year. Bowdoin needs to keep the game low scoring to have a shot to win at home. We expect Tufts to rely on their 3-prong running attack. Last two teams to open the season with the late start.  We think the Jumbo's have enough talent on offense to figure out a way to win behind their running game.

Tufts 28 Bowdoin 14
Point Spread: Tufts -14
Weather: Mainly cloudy. High near 70F.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Middlebury College at Wesleyan University: Our first GOTW in 2024 features our #2 and #3 ranked teams and the winners of the last 2 NESCAC Championships. Wesleyan has won 4 of the last 5 games played in Middletown including the last 3 in a row. Wesleyan will have a new starting QB losing incumbent Nico Candido to graduation. Middlebury has the benefit of perhaps the best returning QB in the league in Brian Moran. The Pants will feature a bevy of RBs including Conner McClellan. For Wesleyan to win, they will need to run the ball effectively. Will be interesting to see how Middlebury's new offensive and defensive lines perform. DB Dylan Connors is a player to watch for Wes. If Wesleyan's O-line opens the holes, we expect them to run the ball effectively. This should be a very competitive, close game but we like Wes to pull out another win in Middletown.

Wesleyan 24 Middlebury 21
Point Spread: Middlebury -3
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. High 76F.

Good luck to all the student-athletes and coaches this Saturday!

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2024 Season: 38-7 (.844 winning percentage)
2023 Season: 31-14
2022 Season: 31-14
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0 (COVID)
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 361-114 (.760 winning percentage)

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[CWM_42]

It appears Trinity's message to the league is they need some D1 transfers on the offensive line.  Credit Colby's injury-depleted defense with the win.