Sorry, Tom, but I've been jammed up at work but we're back...
New Hampshire (3-3/5-4) at Albany (2-4/3-6)
Although the UNH Wildcats have had 11 consecutive playoff appearances, I think they'll be on the outside looking in this year. They should finish at 7-4 but that's one loss too many. That 31-6 loss at 3-5 Stony Brook is coming back to haunt them. Since they never lose at home that's 5 wins right there. They just had to play .500 ball on the road but will fall one game short of it this year. Last week they upset Richmond at home, 30-25 to keep the post season flame flickering ever so slightly.
The Great Danes rank 9th in the CAA in run offense and pass offense and average just 16.6ppg. They also rank 9th in rushing defense and pass defense and give up 30.1ppg. They are 1-5 in their last 6 games, winning only at Delaware last week, 17-6.
Picking UNH to win, 27-17. UNH hosts Maine next week and Albany travels to Stony Brook.
Stony Brook (1-5/3-5) at Rhode Island (1-5/1-8)
The Seawolves have one of the best defenses in the CAA, they just can't score the ball. They rank 1st in run defense and 2nd in pass defense and give up only 18.5ppg. However, they only score 16.8ppg. SB is 1-5 in their last 6 games even losing at home to 3-6 Elon. Their only win in that streak came last week against 1-8 Howard, 14-9.
The Rams rank 11th in run and pass offense averaging just 13ppg. They give up 30.2 on the defensive side. Their only win of the year came at the expense of the Delaware Blue Hens, 20-0.
Stony Brook to win, 17-14. SB hosts Albany next week and the URI Rams play at Towson.
#26 Towson (4-2/6-3) at #7 William & Mary (5-1/7-2)
The Tigers have caught fire and are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 4 games. They are doing it with defense giving up only 20.4ppg. This has been a nice turnaround season from last year's disappointing 4-8 record. This game is huge for Towson. Win down in Williamsburg and the Tigers go to the playoffs.
The Tribe is playing like the best team in the CAA with a 5 game win streak. The offense is good but the defense (only 17.9ppg) is very good. The Tribe has a history of fading down the stretch and losing the big game but I don't think it will happen this year especially with Richmond as their last game.
A must win for both teams and the Tribe should defend their home turf at Zable Stadium. Tribe 28 and Tigers 17. Towson gets a breather next week with Rhode Island at home and the Tribe plays at Richmond.
Elon (2-4/3-6) at Maine (3-3/3-6)
The Phoenix have an anemic offense averaging only 12.2ppg. They are 1-4 in their last 5 games winning only at Stony Brook, 21-7 two weeks ago. The Phoenix have gone 3-8, 2-10, 1-11 since 2011. This year they have a slight chance at 5 wins which would make Phoenix fans absolutely ecstatic.
The Black Bears will throw a nice defense at you (only 20.9ppg) but have trouble scoring the ball (15.1ppg). Both teams really struggle running the ball (Elon 12th and Maine 10th). Maine has lost 3 of their last 4 and have scored a total of 20 points in those 3 losses.
Maine should keep the chill on the Carolina Phoenix and win, 21-13. Elon hosts Delaware next week and Maine plays at UNH.
#11 JMU (4-2/7-2) at Delaware (2-4/3-6)
It's a shame. JMU was headed to a Final Four type of season maybe even the Final Two and were undefeated at 7-0 before they lost their Walter Payton Award Candidate, QB Vad Lee for the season. The Dukes haven't won since he went out. Of course, those two losses were to the two other best teams of the CAA - Richmond and William & Mary. The Dukes average an incredible 48ppg and give up 28ppg.
I don't think anyone can figure out the Blue Hens. They should have beaten Villanova, almost played 8-1 North Carolina even for 3 quarters, upset William & Mary and UNH but gave Rhode Island their only win of the year and just lost to 3-6 Albany at home last week. Delaware has not scored a touchdown in 3 of their last 4 games inspite of having the 2nd best rushing offense (they are also dead last in pass offense). This is the 5th year in-a-row that the Hens haven't gone to the playoffs and Delaware fans are not happy.
JMU gets their mojo working again with a 38-21 win in Newark. JMU hosts Villanova and the Hens travel to Elon.
#9 Richmond (5-1/7-2) at Villanova (4-2/5-4)
The Spiders were a preseason pick for 5th and here they are tied for first in the last 2 weeks. They average 36.4ppg and 26.8ppg on defense. Their rushing offense is rated 4th, Villanova's 5th. However, their pass offense is rated 2nd, Villanova's 8th. Where Villanova has them is on defense. The Cats give up a CAA best of only 16ppg. The Spider run D is ranked 8th, Villanova 3rd. The Spider pass defense is rated 10th, Villanova's 1st. However, the Cat secondary will be tested with the CAA best receiver in Brian Brown and the 3rd best, Reggie Diggs. RB Jacobi Green is ranked 2nd in the CAA averaging 103 yards a game. The biggest difference in the game may lay at the most important position - quarterback. Kyle Lauletta is rated the 2nd best QB and Zach Bednarczyk, 10th. That is a deal breaker. Richmond's only two losses were to Maryland, 50-21 and at UNH, where no visitor wins. Villanova needs this win for a winning season, which would be nice after losing the FCS Nation's best player in John Robertson and having a freshman take over for him. Cats have won 2 in-a-row as the offense seems to have finally figured out their roles. But can a freshman win in a pressure-packed situation?
Richmond 28 and Villanova 17. Richmond vs W&M next and 'Nova at JMU.
GO CATS - BEAT THE SPIDERS!
