FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

The #802 · **Today** at 09:46:06 AM

Strength of Schedule - Opponents Combined Record
Bates: 22-3
Colby: 21-4
Ham : 18-7
Bow : 15-10
Midd : 14-11
Tufts: 11-14
Trin : 8-17
Will : 7-18
Wesl : 6-19
Amher: 3-22

Strength of Remaining Schedule
Amher: 17-3
Wesl : 14-6
Will : 14-6
Trin : 12-8
Tufts: 11-9
Bow : 10-10
Midd : 9-11
Ham : 6-14
Colby: 4-16
Bates: 3-17

I can easily see a scenario where Amherst finished 5-4.

TheJeff · **Today** at 11:10:48 AM

Could Amherst go 5-4? Yes, but I don't think they've played their best football yet.

The offense is yet to piece together a complete game and Marek Hill has proved to be a legit QB with serious weapons at receiver. I felt offensive play calling restricted him vs Colby as they never went for the deep shots like they did in Middlebury. The lack of run game will hurt them against teams like Trinity and Wesleyan, but I think they can manage against Williams and Tufts.

The defense has been great to the run for the most part and seems more susceptible to the pass (concerning with Wesleyan on the horizon). As an alum, I trust Coach Mills and Coach Bussard will be able to game plan for the stronger offenses the next few weeks. With all that being said, I don't see Amherst winning a rock fight in the back half of their schedule.

Overall, they have not played a complete game on their way to 5-0. Question is: can they? Time will tell... my prediction is 7-2

Nescacman · **Today** at 11:31:18 AM

Quote from: TheJeff on Today at 11:10:48 AMCould Amherst go 5-4? Yes, but I don't think they've played their best football yet.

The offense is yet to piece together a complete game and Marek Hill has proved to be a legit QB with serious weapons at receiver. I felt offensive play calling restricted him vs Colby as they never went for the deep shots like they did in Middlebury. The lack of run game will hurt them against teams like Trinity and Wesleyan, but I think they can manage against Williams and Tufts.

The defense has been great to the run for the most part and seems more susceptible to the pass (concerning with Wesleyan on the horizon). As an alum, I trust Coach Mills and Coach Bussard will be able to game plan for the stronger offenses the next few weeks. With all that being said, I don't see Amherst winning a rock fight in the back half of their schedule.

Overall, they have not played a complete game on their way to 5-0. Question is: can they? Time will tell... my prediction is 7-2

Very fair and balanced assessment of the Lord Mammoths. We concur.

NM

Nescacman · **Today** at 11:51:14 AM

For those of you that missed them, at the historical mid way point of the NESCAC season, here are the NESCACMAN midseason grades:

Wesleyan-Grade of "A": Offense has played well behind a much improved offensive line. Other than a hiccup against the HAM offense, which has some talent, the defense has been solid as well. Big games ahead.

Hartford State-Grade of "A": Probably has been the best all around team in the NESCAC through 5 games. Last game's turnovers are a bit concerning, but we will give them some wiggle room on an otherwise great start to their season. Leading the league in point differential doesn't hurt.

Amherst-Grade of "B+": 5-0 despite 2 near losses. Could easily be 3-2 at this point in the season. Still, compared to the past few years, we're sure the Lord Mammoths faithful are happy where they sit right now. As noted on the Boards, they have a tough back-end to their schedule.

Williams-Grade of "B+": Only blemish was to an undefeated Hartford State squad. Now that they have seemingly found their future at QB, they could make things interesting over the next 4 weeks. Still in the hunt for a NESCAC title and a play-off birth.

Tufts-Grade of "B": Inconsistent. They will beat the weaker teams in the conference but struggle against the upper echelon.

Middlebury-Grade of "C+": We feel like this team should be better. At the onset of the season, we were concerned about the QB and the passing game but that has been fine. Defense needs to be better.

Hamilton-Grade of "C": Oh, if only they had a defense. One of the best (and most exciting) offenses in the league. We're sure lots of teams wish they had Luke Kurzum and his cast of receivers.

Colby-Grade of "D+": After last season's 6-3 campaign, expectations were probably unrealistically high. Still trying to figure out how to play offense (that seems to be a theme in Maine).

Bowdoin-Grade of "D": A mess off the field (and on offense). Fortunately, their defense has stepped up. If only they could combine with Hamilton. What a team that would be!

UBates-Grade of "D": Almost an incomplete grade. Tons of injuries have hobbled the Kitties. Another team that has to figure out the QB position.

lumbercat · **Today** at 01:01:53 PM

Quote from: TheJeff on Today at 11:10:48 AMCould Amherst go 5-4? Yes, but I don't think they've played their best football yet.

The offense is yet to piece together a complete game and Marek Hill has proved to be a legit QB with serious weapons at receiver. I felt offensive play calling restricted him vs Colby as they never went for the deep shots like they did in Middlebury. The lack of run game will hurt them against teams like Trinity and Wesleyan, but I think they can manage against Williams and Tufts.

The defense has been great to the run for the most part and seems more susceptible to the pass (concerning with Wesleyan on the horizon). As an alum, I trust Coach Mills and Coach Bussard will be able to game plan for the stronger offenses the next few weeks. With all that being said, I don't see Amherst winning a rock fight in the back half of their schedule.

Overall, they have not played a complete game on their way to 5-0. Question is: can they? Time will tell... my prediction is 7-2

Pretty easy schedule so far for Amherst. They were lucky to beat Bates and Bowdoin. Williams is the better team but anything can happen in The Game. If Shapiro is healthy they will struggle with Tufts.
By the way, what happened to Coach Ballard?

Former CAC Coach · **Today** at 02:12:18 PM

Coach Ballard and his family moved to Cape Cod, and is now on the coaching staff at (the undefeated) Massachusetts Maritime.

TheJeff · **Today** at 03:18:39 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on Today at 01:01:53 PM
Quote from: TheJeff on Today at 11:10:48 AMCould Amherst go 5-4? Yes, but I don't think they've played their best football yet.

The offense is yet to piece together a complete game and Marek Hill has proved to be a legit QB with serious weapons at receiver. I felt offensive play calling restricted him vs Colby as they never went for the deep shots like they did in Middlebury. The lack of run game will hurt them against teams like Trinity and Wesleyan, but I think they can manage against Williams and Tufts.

The defense has been great to the run for the most part and seems more susceptible to the pass (concerning with Wesleyan on the horizon). As an alum, I trust Coach Mills and Coach Bussard will be able to game plan for the stronger offenses the next few weeks. With all that being said, I don't see Amherst winning a rock fight in the back half of their schedule.

Overall, they have not played a complete game on their way to 5-0. Question is: can they? Time will tell... my prediction is 7-2

Pretty easy schedule so far for Amherst. They were lucky to beat Bates and Bowdoin. Williams is the better team but anything can happen in The Game. If Shapiro is healthy they will struggle with Tufts.
By the way, what happened to Coach Ballard?

Amherst had no trouble on defense against Bates and Bowdoin. Let's keep in mind, Amherst had to start their backup QB against Bowdoin and started off down 10-0 minutes into the first quarter. Props to the backup, Livatino, for filling in, but let's not act like it wouldn't have been a different game with Hill. I have acknowledged their easy schedule thus far.

Williams will always be a tough game, but I can't agree that Amherst will have trouble with Tufts just because of Shapiro. Their run defense is #1 in the league (easy schedule, top 3 regardless) and I don't see them having trouble scoring on Tuft's defense. Shapiro was a non-factor against Amherst last year and if he's already dealing with injuries, I think they can contain him.

lumbercat · **Today** at 04:26:33 PM

Shapiro is probably one of 2 or maybe 3 of the most explosive offensive weapons in the league. He makes a huge difference in that offense when healthy. They are different team with him.
Not sure of the extent of his current injury.

Ephsfan1 · **Today** at 05:41:54 PM

Why have we not seen Patrick Miller at QB for Colby this year? Led the Mules to a few wins at the end of the season last year and was efficient in doing so. Thought he looked solid through the air and added an aspect of fear through the running game that Colby could certainly use. Maybe I'm overlooking something, but I can't find a reason as to why he's not QB1 for the Mules, especially after a disastrous start to the season.

lumbercat · **Today** at 05:58:32 PM

Colby took 2 QB transfers in the off season. One from Trinity (Tx.) and one from D1 FCS Monmouth (NJ), both felt to be better than Miller. Believe Miller has been converted to WR.

3 Milton Ma QB's who were/are all good QBs have been converted to other positions in the Nescac this year. Miller WR at Colby, McHugh WR at Williams and Chase Vaughn DB at Wes.