D3-CFB Game Preview: Middlebury Panthers (1-1) vs. Colby Mules (1-1)

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Venue & Logistics

Location: Seaverns Field at Harold Alfond Stadium, Waterville, Maine (home of Colby College Mules)

Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT)

Conference: New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)

Weather Forecast (Waterville, ME)

Temperature: ~66°F (19°C) at kickoff

Conditions: Partly cloudy with light winds (5–8 mph)

Precipitation: ~15% chance of light showers

Impact: Mild fall conditions, no major disruptions expected

Injury Report (as of latest updates)

Middlebury Panthers: No major reported injuries; offensive line depth remains a watchpoint after a physical game vs. Bowdoin.

Colby Mules: No confirmed long-term absences; defensive backfield rotation expected after conceding 38 to Williams.
(Note: NESCAC programs often release limited injury details, so official confirmations may be sparse.)

Key Player Matchups

Quarterback Play:

Middlebury: QB has been efficient, leading a 31–17 win over Wesleyan (Sept 13, 2025) and a 31–10 win over Bowdoin (Sept 20, 2025).

Colby: QB struggled in a 38–0 loss to Williams (Sept 20, 2025) after managing a 13–6 win over Trinity (Sept 13, 2025).

Running Game:

Middlebury: RB corps has been steady, producing multiple TDs in both wins.

Colby: Ground game was effective in the Trinity upset but stifled by Williams’ defensive front.

Defensive Edge:

Middlebury: Defense has forced turnovers in both wins, holding Bowdoin to 10 points.

Colby: Defense has been inconsistent, stout vs. Trinity but overwhelmed by Williams.

Recent Team Form

Middlebury Panthers (2–0 in 2025)

W 31–17 @ Wesleyan (Sept 13)

W 31–10 vs. Bowdoin (Sept 20)

Momentum: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense

Colby Mules (1–1 in 2025)

W 13–6 vs. Trinity (Sept 13)

L 0–38 @ Williams (Sept 20)

Struggles: Offense inconsistent, defense vulnerable against top-tier opponents

Series History

All-time head-to-head: Middlebury has dominated recent meetings

2024: Middlebury 24 – 16 Colby

2023: Middlebury 35 – 28 Colby

Trend: Middlebury has won the last two meetings, both by one-score margins.

Betting Trends

Middlebury is 2–0 ATS (against the spread) in 2025

Colby is 1–1 ATS this season

The Under has hit in 2 of Middlebury’s last 3 games

Colby has failed to cover in 4 of its last 6 NESCAC games

Middlebury has covered in 5 of its last 7 NESCAC games

Historical Betting Results

2024: Middlebury (-6.5) covered in a 24–16 win (Total: Under 47.5)

2023: Middlebury (-3.5) covered in a 35–28 win (Total: Over 49.5)

Totals: Split results – one Over, one Under in the last two years

Game Odds

Middlebury Panthers     – 10

Colby Mules                       47

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025