#19 New Hampshire (1-1/3-2) at #24 William & Mary (2-1/3-2)
The Wildcats of UNH are coming off a bye week. Giving coach Sean McDonnell two weeks to prepare for an opponent is almost like money in the bank. Two weeks ago UNH took out Elon at home, 37-14. The UNH Cats are averaging 28ppg on offense and giving up 22ppg. In 2014 UNH won this game at home over the Tribe, 32-3.
The Tribe got back into the Top 25 with their upset win over Villanova on the road last week, 38-16. The Tribe is averaging 29ppg and on defense a CAA best of just 16ppg. The winner of this game gets the upper hand for an at-large invite to the FCS playoffs. Huge game for both teams!
It's going to be close but I think there are more weapons on the W&M team and they remember the beat down from last year. Tribe 24 and UNH 21.
UNH plays at Delaware next week and W&M hosts MEAC Hampton.
Towson (0-2/2-3) at #42 Stony Brook (1-2/2-2)
The Tigers gave it as good as a shot as any last week against JMU but could not stop Vad Lee and his boys and lost, 51-30. The Tigers average 25ppg and give up 28ppg.
The Seawolves had a bye last week and last played at JMU two weeks ago where they lost, 38-20. Stony Brook is known for their defense giving up only 19ppg while scoring 22ppg. Stony Brook won this game at Towson last year, 14-3.
Should be a Seawolves win on Saturday, 28-21.
Towson hosts Villanova next week and SB travels to Maine.
#5 JMU (3-0/6-0) at Elon (1-2/2-4)
Got to witness the JMU vs Towson game last week and boy is this team built on speed. Villanova should take note. The Dukes of JMU average almost 50ppg and give up 24 a game. Their defense may be the only thing that prevents them from a FCS Championship this year. Last year JMU almost put up 60 on Elon (59-27).
The Phoenix came back down to earth after getting their 1st CAA win three weeks ago over Towson with losses at New Hampshire and last week at Richmond, 27-14.
A walk in the park for JMU with a 49-21 win over the Phoenix.
JMU hosts Richmond next week and Elon gets their bye week before taking on Stony Brook on the road.
#13 Richmond (2-0/4-1) at Rhode Island (1-2/1-5)
The Spiders could get sloppy in this game looking ahead to JMU for next week. Richmond is coming off a 27-14 home win over Elon. They are averaging 34ppg and give up 24ppg. Last year the Spiders defeated the Rams 37-0.
The URI Rams are ecstatic this week with their first win of the season last week by upsetting the Blue Hens of Delaware, 20-0 and knocking the Hens out of the playoff picture for the 5th year in a row. Hopefully, our Cats don't give them win #2 but let's worry about that on November 7. The Rams improved to 14ppg on the offensive side of the ball but give up 32ppg.
Spiders to win, 31-10.
Richmond travels to JMU next week and URI has a bye before traveling to New Hampshire.
#25 Villanova (1-1/2-3) at Albany (1-2/2-4)
OK, here's Albany's resume this year: at 2-3 MAC Buffalo, 14-51, Rhode Island, 35-7, at JMU, 28-42 (not bad Albany Great Danes), 4-2 Northeast Conf. Duquesne, 17-14, at 2-3 Patriot Holy Cross, 0-37 and Maine, 7-39. What's up with those last two games and scoring only 7 points? Let's hope their offensive woes continue this week against the 'Nova D. Coach Greg Gattuso was the surprise of the CAA last year by going 7-5 after taking over for coach Bob Ford who had been the Albany headcoach since 1973 - 40 years! This game will feature two offenses who can't produce. Both teams average 17ppg. Albany ranks 10th in the CAA in rushing offense, Villanova, 5th. Albany ranks 7th in passing offense, Villanova, 6th. In total offense Albany is 10th and Villanova 8th. On defense Albany gives up 32ppg and the Cats 22ppg. Rushing defense = Albany 9th and Villanova 5th. Pass defense = Albany 10th and the Cats 3rd. Both teams have no kicking game but where Albany beats Villanova is with their O line - the Cats are dead last in allowing sacks on their QB. The Cats rank 10th in turnover margen while Albany is 3rd. The Red zone offense for Villanova is 9th but Albany ranks 3rd.
It's hard to win on the road in the CAA and it's hard to pick a Villanova win when their new QB has only put up games of 13 points and 16 points. However, I'm going to bank on the Villanova defense and the overall talent on the Mainline. A big key to the game will be the turnover margen. Somehow, Villanova has to win this statistic. Cats 21 and Albany 20.
Villanova travels to Towson next and Albany has a bye before traveling to Richmond.
GO CATS - BEAT ALBANY!
Eric Watkins @VUSportsdotcom 20m20 minutes ago
Josh Verlin @jmverlin 20m20 minutes ago
