NEC Kickoff 2012

[aceinthehole]

TV matchups to be announced soon, preseaon poll and all-NEC selections come out Thursday, August 2nd.


Somerset, NJ - There should be no shortage of excitement come Week 1 of the 2012 Northeast Conference football schedule.

All nine NEC teams will take to the gridiron during that first week of college football, and six of them will face either a FBS opponent or a FCS program that found itself ranked in the AFCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll at the conclusion of the 2011 campaign.

Stiff competition is not something NEC teams will face only in Week 1.

In addition to the always-intense intra-league matchups that ultimately decide the recipient of the NEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs, the 2012 schedule contains a healthy number of premium out-of-conference opponents. One-third of the non-conference opponents NEC teams will face this fall either have FBS status or finished no lower than 16th in the final 2011 AFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll.
...
The NEC will once again sponsor a five-game football television package that will guarantee all nine teams at least one exposure. The 2012 NEC Football Television schedule will be unveiled in the coming days.

The league will host its annual preseason media teleconference to preview the upcoming season on Thursday August 2. In addition to the announcement of the preseason coaches’ poll results, the teleconference will also feature Q&A segments with each of the conference’s nine head coaches. Media members can e-mail [email protected] for log-in information.

Fans won’t be able to dial into the call and hear their favorite team’s coach speak live, but they do have the opportunity to pose questions via Twitter. Fans can tweet questions @NECFootball and/or @NECralph. A number of the best questions will be posed to the NEC head coaches during the call and their responses will be tweeted for all to see.
http://www.northeastconference.org/news/2012/7/30/FB-skedpreview-12.aspx

[dgreco]

Im looking forward to the pre-season poll and all-team selections.

[Original_RMC]

Im looking forward to the pre-season poll and all-team selections.
Agree and I ready to start talking some NEC football.

[BisonFan02]

Hey Robert Morris.....
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http://legacy-cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/042011/soon-bear.jpg

:D

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Looking forward to Lehigh's opener against Monmouth!! I hope Colvin and the offense comes out and makes a statement like Lum and Co. did last year down by the beach....

[Bogus Megapardus]

Agree and I ready to start talking some NEC football.

Hey - we're playing you guys this season. First time ever. It's at your place, too.

[Original_RMC]

Hey - we're playing you guys this season. First time ever. It's at your place, too.

It will be a great game being that it will be Homecoming.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

It will be a great game being that it will be Homecoming.

RMU scheduling Lafayette as a homecoming opponent? Ouch!!!

[Original_RMC]

RMU scheduling Lafayette as a homecoming opponent? Ouch!!!

I know...you might think its a slap in the face to Lafayette but trust me...it's not. RMU likes to have local teams for Homecoming so they can have a night game.

[blackbeard]

Can't wait. How about some conference predictions? Looking for my Pioneers to continue the positive progress made last year.

[Original_RMC]

http://robertmorris.rivals.com/
Andrew is breaking down the Colonials positions along with their opponents.

I think once he finishes that and some pre-season stuff comes out we will be ready to talk about the season.

And yes...I will be doing the NEC Pick'em contest again

[aceinthehole]

NEC teleconference going on now. Follow on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NECsports).

NEC 2012 Preseason Coaches' Poll:
1. Albany
2. Duquesne
3. Bryant
4. CCSU
5. Monmouth
6. Robert Morris
7. Wagner
8. Sacred Heart
9. Saint Francis (Pa)

[Dane96]

Man...they must know something we dont. I have ua at 3

[aceinthehole]

Yea, lots of respect for the defending champ. I agree, they might not be #1 heading into the season, but they are one of the top contenders for sure.


Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Albany received six first place votes...one for Duquesne and two for Bryant. #PreAllNEC

[DFW HOYA]

Question: how does St. Francis get out of the bottom tier?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Initial thought that the separation between #1 and #6 is very small. And is Doscher still at Wagner? Add #7 to that list, too, if so.

[Dane96]

By dropping the program.

No seriously...i like them...they work hard...but they in an awful place to recruit too...have a tiny stadium. they really are in a tough spot.

Every time they seem to break out...they fall backwards.

[Dane96]

Initial thought that the separation between #1 and #6 is very small. And is Doscher still at Wagner? Add #7 to that list, too, if so.

Separation b/w 1-4 yes. I think there is a distinct 2nd group in the 5-6 slots.

[aceinthehole]

Question: how does St. Francis get out of the bottom tier?

Honestly, not sure if they can. The previous young, energetic coach was getting a few quality recruits. After a family tragedy he stepped down, and the new guy is doing a great job as well. So I don’t think it is coaching.

I just don't know how they ever get the depth they need - partly because of the lower scholly count and because it is very hard to recruit to that school. RMU and Duquesne are already mining Western PA for local talent and I think Saint Francis is stuck with what is left over.

I don't have a solution on how a relatively unknown school, in a somewhat undesirable rural location, with a minuscule enrollment and limited financial resources, can compete at the FCS level, especially with strong local competition for recruits.

[aceinthehole]

Separation b/w 1-4 yes. I think there is a distinct 2nd group in the 5-6 slots.

Agreed. The NEC champ will almost certainly be one of the top-4 teams from that poll.

I do think any team team from 5-7 can knock off a top-4 team in the league on AGS, but I don't think they can do it for the entire season. The entire league is making strides and every week is a battle.


Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Ford on what it means for NEC to have FCS playoff bid: "Everyone in conference is reaching up. We're putting a better product on field."

Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Fine on the upcoming season: "We think we're slowly getting better...I think it's a really good league." #PreAllNEC

Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Duqesne's Jerry Schmitt: "It's been a long process of developing our program in the NEC. Every week it is such a battle." #PreAllNEC

Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Schmitt on premium placed on #NECFB gms: "It's a very challenging league. That's what makes it so great. Have to prevent having down week."

Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Schmitt on program: "The biggest thing that we face here is developing depth. That's what we're continuing to work on." #PreAllNEC

Northeast Conference ‏@NECsports
Callahan on 20th yr of MU FB: "It's a milestone. 20 yrs ago when we started, to look back at it now, you see the journey & progress made."

[blackbeard]

Hope everyone keeps overlooking SHU. Returning 13 starters, all specialists and several more part time starters. All that youth playing time last season is going to pay big dividends this Fall.

[hidalgo]

They are probably "overlooking them" because they gave up 180 points in the last 6 games including 45 to a awful St.Francis team. Just because you play young kids dosent mean that your good..........might mean your older guys arent very good.

[dgreco]

I think the battle for the top 4 is going to be close, like the top 2 was last year. Hopefully, Bryant can earn the playoff spot in its first year

[Dane96]

If not...you will soon earn one. If UA leaves like speculated, it will be a strong top 3 of Bryant, CCSU and Duquense the following year.

[blackbeard]

They are probably "overlooking them" because they gave up 180 points in the last 6 games including 45 to a awful St.Francis team. Just because you play young kids dosent mean that your good..........might mean your older guys arent very good.

Is that the same St Francis team that also scored 45 on Monmouth, 34 on Bryant and beat CCSU?

[aceinthehole]

The NEC will announce its 5 game television package, featuring all 9 teams, on Monday.

Also, in 2 weeks the NEC will go live with its new online digital network - NEC Front Row.

Pack Network has outfitted the league’s schools with video equipment and software, and will provide institutions a home for their webstreams. In 2012-13, every NEC basketball and football game will air at no charge on the Front Row portal. Each institution will have its own co-branded page on the site, where fans will be able to access live events, highlights, coaches shows, features, etc. Front Row will also incorporate social media, seamlessly interfacing with Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

[downbythebeach]

Saint Francis is getting better all around as a program, but very gradually. The admin is taking the sport more seriously and doing a better job of advertising and promoting. Their coach is pretty young and has a lot of potential and will possibly be there for some time I would imagine. He is pretty well connected and respected and obviously knows the game as an 11 year nfl vet. SFU gets picked last every year but manages to win usually two or three games a year. I would be disappointed if they didn't win three this year. We have 19 starters returning and a pretty solid passing game and our leading rusher returning. Our biggest issue was our defensive backfield last year which killed them throughout the season. Offense will not be a problem, and is just as good as anyone else in the league....defense though......I dunno.

[hidalgo]

you asked the question as to why??? the answer is plain and simple 180 points in 6 games. Seems pretty obvious.

[busybee14]

Initial thought that the separation between #1 and #6 is very small. And is Doscher still at Wagner? Add #7 to that list, too, if so.

Dosch is still on the hill,but watch out for Kramer Berg. Gunslinger from jc in Minn. This team has some real talent this year and all bias aside they will shock some folks.Some key guys/transfers who sat out last year are active and Coaching staff has been tweaked with Hall back at DC.Lombardo at LB is a true pro prospect and Dom is 100%runnin the Rock.WR corp is stocked and upgraded.Gettin pumped for FAU !!!

[DetroitFlyer]

Saint Francis is getting better all around as a program, but very gradually. The admin is taking the sport more seriously and doing a better job of advertising and promoting. Their coach is pretty young and has a lot of potential and will possibly be there for some time I would imagine. He is pretty well connected and respected and obviously knows the game as an 11 year nfl vet. SFU gets picked last every year but manages to win usually two or three games a year. I would be disappointed if they didn't win three this year. We have 19 starters returning and a pretty solid passing game and our leading rusher returning. Our biggest issue was our defensive backfield last year which killed them throughout the season. Offense will not be a problem, and is just as good as anyone else in the league....defense though......I dunno.

Just going from memory, but did not the Red Flash hire a new defensive coordinator recently? If SFU could just play decent defense, they could contend for the league title given the potency of the offense.

[blackbeard]

you asked the question as to why??? the answer is plain and simple 180 points in 6 games. Seems pretty obvious.

Never asked why....just stated an opinion

[hidalgo]

well thats why people keep overlooking them.

[hidalgo]

Wagner can beat FAU..........they are a bad FBS team I wouldnt be surprised if they upset them.

[Dane96]

They are not a bad FBS tteam. They were young. Wagne r loses by 15~

[hidalgo]

They are as bad as it gets 1-10....coach fired???? Wagner has some experienced guys. Not saying it is gonna happen for sure but they have a shot.....I think wagner underrated in conference pre-season poll.