RFC Small College Preview: New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)

New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) 

2015 Football Standings - NESCAC

2016 NESCAC Schedule

Looking back: 2015 was a "tale of two divisions" for the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC): a top division, and a bottom division. Let's quickly explain. The five teams that finished the season at the top of the standings all finished with winning records, while the five teams that finished at the bottom of the standings all finished with losing records. Four of the bottom five squads all finished with 2-6 marks, while the fifth squad finished at 1-7. Weird, huh?

In the end, however, it was Amherst that finished the 2015 campaign undefeated at 8-0, outlasting Trinity (Conn.), 16-7, to claim their fifth title in the last seven years. Last fall, the Purple & White won all of their games by at least nine points or more.

Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if it comes down to Amherst and Trinity for the NESCAC title again in 2016.

Predicted order of finish (2015 overall record in parentheses):

1. Amherst (8-0): The Purple & White will not only look to make it six titles in eight years this fall, but also try for their eighth undefeated season in program history.

2. Trinity (Conn.)--(7-1): The Bantams, though, are likely to have other ideas, as they'll try to win their first NESCAC title since 2012.

3. Tufts (6-2): The Jumbos had their best season since 2001, when they also finished 6-2 overall. Now they head into the 2016 hoping to win that elusive NESCAC championship.

4. Middlebury (5-3): The Panthers have won 25 games over the past four years under veteran head coach Bob Ritter. It's a trend that they hope to build on this fall.

5. Wesleyan (5-3): After back-to-back seven-win seasons, the Cardinals will look to rebound in 2016 under second-year head coach Dan DiCenzo.

6. Bates (2-6): The Bobcats were one of four teams to finish in a four-way tie for sixth place in the NESCAC, with just two wins in 2015. However, they did sweep their respective archrivals in Bowdoin and Colby to win the "mythical" CBB title last fall.

7. Bowdoin (2-6): The Polar Bears enter their second season under head coach J.B. Wells looking for their first winning season since 2005, when they finished 6-2 overall.

8. Hamilton (2-6): The Continentals will look to put a disappointing 2015 season behind them in 2016.

9. Williams (2-6): The same situation applies for the Ephs, who are looking to rebuild under new head coach Mark Raymond.

10. Colby (1-7): The Mules face a long, tough climb out of the NESCAC cellar after yet another rough season.

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