Bowdoin (0-4) @ Hamilton (1-3)
Bowdoin had another rough go of it last week, getting shut out by Tufts 28-0. Their offense was nearly nonexistent, only being able to total 230 yards on the day. Their rushing game continued to struggle heavily, with RB Brendan Ward being the top rusher who was only able to amass 38 yards. In the air QB Austin McCrum was able to pass for 162 yards but it took him 47 attempts to reach that number and he was only able to connect on 21 of those attempts. One positive that the Polar Bears can take away from last week is that they were able to force two turnovers on a very talented Tufts offense. Hamilton is a winnable game for Bowdoin, and they’re not going to have very many of those this year. If Bowdoin is able to go to New York and steal a win from the Continentals it will no doubt put them in the lead for the race for the CBB.
After a surprise win in week 3, week 4 looked very similar to the beginning of the season for the Continentals. They allowed Trinity to score 44 unanswered points to start the game and were only able to get on the board with a garbage time TD in the 4th quarter. Similar to Bowdoin vs. Tufts, Hamilton’s game versus Trinity was basically over before it started. They allowed over 500 yards of total offense to the Bantams while only collecting 213 themselves. There was a clear difference in quality between the two teams that we have seen many times this NESCAC football season. Although last week may have been rough for Hamilton, they have a golden opportunity this week. QB Kenny Gray has showed that he can dominate the lesser defenses in the league and that is exactly what they have in Bowdoin. Facing a team that can’t do much to slow down offense, or generate much of their own for that matter, I would expect Hamilton to come out and seize the opportunity to put big numbers up on the board.
Score Prediction: Hamilton 35 Bowdoin 10
Colby (0-4) @ Amherst (4-0)
Although it was their 4th loss in a row, the Mules made great progress as a team in their 28-20 loss to Wesleyan. Their offense appeared to have some life to it, being able to put up a season-high 344 yards of total offense. The majority of that offense came from Freshman QB Matt Hersch. Hersch looked extremely solid in his second every collegiate start, passing for 277 yards and 3 touchdowns. I can’t remember the last time that Colby’s passing game had some effectiveness to it, so these stats should be very exciting for Mule fans. RB Jake Schwern had a mediocre day, only being able to pick up 66 yards on 21 attempts. Additionally, this is the first time this season that the Colby defense was able to hold their opponent to less that 30 points. While that may not seem like a very impressive stat, progress is still progress. The Mules should look to build on their successes in week 4 in what will be a very tough road game against one of the best teams in the NESCAC.
Amherst kept their win streak going in a decisive 21-0 shoutout victory against Middlebury last weekend. Amherst’s defense was able to completely shut down Midd’s attack, barely allowing them into field goal range at any point in the game. Nobody on Midd was able to rush for more than 34 yards and it took QB Will Jernigan 32 attempts to amass a mere 133 yards. Offensively, once the Mammoths were able to get inside the redzone, they were able to punch it in with ease. RB Chase Trunell picked up the first two Amherst TDs on runs of only 2 and 3 yards. Their final TD came from their QB, Ollie Eberth, on a 15 yard run. Although their offense did not seem particularly overpowering, it was still more than enough to get the job done over a mid-tier team like Midd. Hosting an 0-4 team this week, look for more inflated numbers on offense and continued dominance on defense from Amherst.
Score Prediction: Amherst 28 Colby 7
Wesleyan (2-2) @ Bates (0-4)
Wesleyan was able to hold onto their early lead against Colby last week and snap their two game winning streak. It wasn’t a particularly pretty game, but a win is a win nonetheless. Once again QB Mark Piccirillo was the heart and soul of the Cardinal offense. He put Wesleyan on the board twice in the air to start the game and then added one on the ground for good measure. Out of Wesleyan’s 361 yards of total offense, Piccirillo accounted for 269 yards. RB Glenn Smith was also excellent for the Cardinals, he was on the receiving end of one of Piccirillo touchdown passes and then punched one in from the goalline late on to secure the Wesleyan win. Defensively, it was not the best showing by the Cardinals considering who their opponent was. Colby’s offense was able to make the game close at the end and seemed to fairly easily work their way through the Cardinal defense at point. Although they were still able to secure the win, it is clear that their defense is not at the same level as some of the more elite teams in the conference. This week’s matchup should be very similar to last week and if Wesleyan is able to avoid any major mistakes they should keep their win streak alive.
It was another tough week for the Bobcats as they were trashed by Williams 31-7. They allowed the Ephs to jump out to an early 17-0 lead in the first quarter and the game was basically over after that. QB Brendan Costa was not able to pass the century mark in the air, falling one short with 99 passing yards on the day. RB Liam Spillane was their top rusher, collecting 72 yards but it took him 24 attempts to do so. Overall, there was not much to write home about for Bates in week 4. There defense didn’t record a single turnover while their offense lost a fumble and Costa was picked twice. It seems as if Bates’ write ups are a broken record at this point. They just don’t seem to be in the same category as the teams they have played thus far and I don’t expect that to change here in week 5. Barring a miracle, it’s going to be another tough weekend in Lewiston.
Score Prediction: Wesleyan 31 Bates 10
Middlebury (2-2) @ Williams (4-0)
Middlebury has shown themselves to be the dictionary definition of a mid-tier team at this point in the season. Against the lesser teams, such as Colby and Bowdoin, they are able to fairly easily take care of business and pick up wins. Against the top teams in the conference, such as Amherst and even Wesleyan, they are overpowered and out matched. Last week’s shoutout loss was an example of the latter. Their offense was lifeless, as it took QB Will Jernigan 32 attempts to throw for a mere 133 yards. Of his 15 completions, none reached the end zone. Their run game was even worse, with 5 players combining to pick up 65 yards on 39 attempts. There was not a lot of upside offensively for the Panthers, but there were some solid takeaways on defense. Midd held Amherst to their second lowest scoring total of the year with 21 points. Additionally, they were able to force a turnover on an Amherst offense that does not give up possession very often. Midd have a tough task ahead of them if they want to stay a .500 team or better after this weekend. Williams is yet to be defeated and it starting to look like it’s going to take some serious luck to do so. Maybe the Middlebury Panthers can summon a little Dillon Panther magic this weekend and dethrone who appears to be the top dog in the CAC.
Another week, another win. That seems to be the motto for the Ephs thus far this season. Last weekend they were able to take the trek up to Maine and keep a winless Bates team at bay with ease. QB Bobby Mamarion was extremely efficient, only tossing the ball 19 times for 2 TDs. RB TJ Dozier ran wild, picking up 151 yards and 2 TDs of his own on only 12 attempts. Mamarion’s favorite target, WR Frank Stola, was able to get in on the fun too. Stola picked up 74 yards and a TD on only 5 catches. The Ephs are absolutely rolling on both sides of the ball and it seems as if nobody can stop them. A home game may as well be an automatic win at this point for Williams as they are 2-0, most notably with a win against defending champs Trinity. This week should be pretty cut and dry for the Ephs. Keep the same game plan and mentality and there should be no reason why they don’t walk away with their perfect record in tact.
Score Prediction: Williams 24 Midd 10