Editor’s Note:
Below is the weekend preview for this week. Colby Morris wrote the bulk of this article, but Pete Lindholm added in the section about the Tufts-Trinity game. If you’re looking for more in-depth analysis of this game (our pick for this week’s game of the week), check it out here. After two weeks of our writers making predictions before each weekend, here is how everyone stacks up:
Rory Ziomek: 9-1
Pete Lindholm: 9-1
Liam O’Neil: 9-1
Colin Tiernan: 9-1
Colby Morris: 9-1
Sid Warrenbrand: 9-1
Nick DiBenedetto: 9-1
Pretty boring that everyone is on the same page, but the field should start to separate after this weekend. Now, on to Colby and Pete’s analyses…
Middlebury at Williams, 1:30 PM, Williamstown, MA
Let’s look at the positives for Williams going into this weekend: It’s a home game. It’s a blunt and harsh analysis, but there aren’t many highlights so far for the Ephs. Their best game was a 9-7 loss to Colby and now they go home to face the hottest team in the ‘Cac. The Panthers had a statement win over Amherst last weekend – especially impressive due to their superb special teams play – eliminating the last weakness in an already strong team. At 3-0 Middlebury should waltz to a win as Williams is on par with both Bowdoin and Colby, whom Midd beat handily. This will be another tough test for rookie QB Jansen Durham ‘20 as he looks to find Adam Regensburg ‘18 through the solid Midd secondary. Regensburg, listed as a DB, is a special teams and offensive weapon, and might just hurt his back trying to carry the team in Williamstown. Prove me wrong Williams.
RZ: Middlebury – 45, Williams – 7
PL: Middlebury – 38, Williams – 10
LO: Middlebury – 40, Williams – 14
CT: Middlebury – 45, Williams – 3
CM: Middlebury – 34, Williams – 3
SW: Middlebury – 38, Williams – 10
ND: Middlebury – 38, Williams – 10
Editor’s Note: I never seen a more popular 38-10 score prediction in my life.
Bowdoin at Hamilton, 12:00 PM, Clinton, NY
This has the makings for one of the most competitive games going into the weekend, as each 0-3 team vies for their first win. While Pete picked Hamilton to beat Wesleyan during week two, Hamilton got dominated, as they are on the wrong side of a cumulative score of 105-12 through their first three contests. Unlike Hamilton’s experience thus far, Bowdoin’s 0-3 record doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Sure, they got blown out by Middlebury in week one, but then didn’t do quite as badly against Amherst week two, only losing by three possessions to a great team. Last week against Tufts, the Polar Bears’ offense showed some real prowess, as RB Nate Richam rushed for his first career touchdown. If it wasn’t for an ugly third quarter, the Polar Bears would’ve had a real shot. Granted their defense has been prone to allowing huge offensive days out of opposing teams thus far, but Bowdoin should be able to hold off Hamilton’s weak attack. I’m predicting that the Polar Bears will find their way into the warm, sunny win column.
RZ: Bowdoin – 17, Hamilton – 20
PL: Bowdoin – 10, Hamilton – 20
LO: Bowdoin – 17, Hamilton – 24
CT: Bowdoin – 16, Hamilton – 13
CM: Bowdoin – 24, Hamilton – 7
SW: Bowdoin – 21, Hamilton – 13
ND: Bowdoin – 28, Hamilton – 13
Wesleyan at Bates, 1:00 PM, Lewiston, ME
The Bobcats finally made their jump into the win column last weekend against Williams, thanks to a big breakout performance by Sandy Plashkes ‘19. For the first time he showed that he can throw the ball pretty well, quadrupling his previous two games’ passing yards by going 10-24 for 240 yards and 4 TDs. He already showed us that he can fly, breaking off a big 57 yard run against Trinity, and had another 27 yard run last weekend, emerging as a dual threat QB. While their win against Williams doesn’t prove much, they had a similar outcome against Tufts that Wesleyan did, showing that they should be able to compete well this weekend. Wesleyan has rattled off two dominant wins in a row, and Nate Taylor ’18, who broke out with two picks, will be ready to pounce again on Saturday. Wesleyan has only allowed 213 yards per game this year, and with their streaking offense led by team passing and rushing leader Mark Piccirillo ’19, they should be able to hold off the dangerous Bates team. Wesleyan shouldn’t struggle to score, and if they can contain Plashkes, they should come out on top.
RZ: Wesleyan – 27, Bates – 21
PL: Wesleyan – 17, Bates – 13
LO: Wesleyan – 27, Bates – 10
CT: Wesleyan – 33, Bates – 17
CM: Wesleyan – 20, Bates – 17
SW: Wesleyan – 28, Bates – 17
ND: Wesleyan – 28, Bates – 17
Colby at Amherst, 1:00 PM, Amherst, MA
Coming off of their first loss in three years, I do not expect Amherst to waste any time in starting a new streak. They are going to be angry and determined to keep the NESCAC crown, and with only one loss, it’s still possible for them. This means bad news for the visiting Mules as they roll into away territory riding a two game losing streak, after an important, albeit shaky, season opening win against Williams. Jabari Hurdle-Price ‘17 is one of the bright spots for Colby as both a rushing and receiving threat, leading the team with 440 all purpose yards on the year. If Colby is going to make this close, which would be a small miracle, they will need to see some more INT’s from their DB’s Will Caffey and Ian Dickey like in week one. It is bad news for the Mules that third stringer turned starter Nick Morales ‘19 did as well as he did last weekend, and if not for a late pick vs. Middlebury, he would’ve had a flawless day. Jack Hickey ‘19 continued to show that he is a TD machine, making me wish that he was on my fantasy team instead of the disappointing Lamar Miller of the Texans. If Colby can’t stop him, Amherst will surely roll to another blowout win in their quest to climb back up the NESCAC standings.
RZ: Colby – 3, Amherst – 30
PL: Colby 3, Amherst – 45
LO: Colby 7, Amherst – 42
CT: Colby – 14, Amherst – 27
CM: Colby – 6, Amherst – 35
SW: Colby – 7, Amherst – 42
ND: Colby – 7, Amherst – 34
Tufts @ Trinity, 1:30 PM, Hartford, CT
For a longer preview of this game, check out Rory’s piece. It’s not better written or particularly well-researched, but it is longer and does exist (Editor’s note: Pete is just jealous that I actually have a stake in this game). Anyway, the Bantams’ eyes lit up last weekend when Middlebury ended Amherst’s reign of terror atop the league. Trinity has flown under the radar this year as Middlebury and Amherst have battled at the top of the league, but the boys from Hartford have been as impressive as either of those two squads. Quarterback (and rejected Godfather character name) Sonny Puzzo ‘18 leads the offense, with heavy aid from running back Max Chipouras ‘19. Of course, it’s important to note that Trinity has played three of the worst teams in the league thus far. Tufts is far from that ignominious status. The Jumbos also come in at 3-0, with a quality win over Wesleyan under their belts. However, they barely eked out a 12-7 win over Bates, whom Trinity put in their front pouch like a mother kangaroo to the tune of 38-7. Tufts’ offense is dominated by rushing duo Chance Brady ‘17 and Ryan McDonald ‘19, who have scored six of Tufts’ eight touchdowns. However, Trinity’s more balanced offense and stout defense should be able to overcome that attack. Look for the Bantams to win handily.
RZ: Tufts – 13, Trinity – 21
PL: Tufts – 14, Trinity – 28
LO: Tufts – 24, Trinity – 26
CT: Tufts – 23, Trinity – 24
CM: Tufts – 10, Trinity – 31
SW: Tufts – 16, Trinity – 14
ND: Tufts – 10, Trinity – 31