With just four weeks left in the regular season, all games from here on out are important and nobody can afford a misstep if they want to win the title or play in the postseason.

Week 8 Capsules

Bentley (4-3, 3-2 NE-10) at New Haven (6-1, 4-0 NE-10)

When: October 22nd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Series tied at one

My thoughts: Another huge October game in the NE-10.

Bentley has fallen upon hard times in the past two weeks. They have only lost by a total of six points in both games but both were within reach at the end. The issue has been the second half in each of the losses. They were held scoreless against Merrimack and waited too late at home against Southern Connecticut before getting things going. And now they face their toughest test of the season; a long trip to New Haven to play a solid team. Bryant Johnson is going to need to play mistake free and help the Falcons move the ball up and down the field for 60 minutes. The Bentley defense is going to need to find a way to slow down the Charger offense and keep them on the sidelines as much as possible.

New Haven had some letdown on Saturday as they were not as crisp as they were against Southern Connecticut. It is natural that against a rival that you are amped up and let down the following week. But the Chargers were down enough to still defeat a good team by 14 points. New Haven knows that they can not let down against a solid quarterback or they will be in big trouble. They will need to have a balanced offensive attack and try to keep Johnson and his weapons on the sideline.

It is not very often that a Bentley team loses three games in a row but I feel that New Haven is playing very well right now and will find a way to get more points on the scoreboard than the Falcons.

Prediction: New Haven 35 Bentley 30

Stonehill (2-5, 1-3 NE-10) at Merrimack (4-2, 3-1 NE-10)

When: October 22nd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 9-5-0

My thoughts: Both teams switched roles last weekend as Stonehill had the juggernaut offensive unit and Merrimack struggled to move the ball.

Stonehill head coach Robert Talley had been waiting a while for the effort that the Skyhawks turned in last Saturday against Pace. They marched the ball up and down the field and were able to stop the opposing offense. The Skyhawks ran the ball well as they had 376 yards on the ground and scored seven times. Jermetrius Troy scored four times in the first 19 minutes and Jamal Johnson added two more before the half. Stonehill will need the same effort this weekend against Merrimack if they are going to pull the upset on the road. They will need to find a way to keep the Merrimack defense off balance and pressure the duo of Suozzo and Clancy just like Assumption did.

Merrimack picked a bad time to struggle at Assumption. Their passing game was off due to a pretty good Greyhound defense. The Warriors also had trouble with the Assumption offense and their offensive line. They will need to have James Suozzo bounce back and help lead the offense up and down the field. The defense will also need to bounce back and make sure that the Stonehill running game is not making big plays like they did last week. Merrimack will also need to play mistake free and not look past this game.

Merrimack is always good at home. They need to get back on track with a solid effort this week and then focus on the next challenge.

Prediction: Merrimack 42 Stonehill 17

St. Anselm (0-6, 0-4 NE-10) at Pace (1-5, 0-4 NE-10)

When: October 22nd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Pace leads the series, 7-6-0

My thoughts: One of these teams will get their first league win of the season.

St. Anselm had a forgettable trip to New York to play D1 FCS member Stony Brook. They were down early and often. They will make another trip to the same state this weekend, looking for a completely different result. The Hawks will need to find a way to move the ball behind quarterback Michael Pierce. He will need to spread the ball around to all of his receivers and limit the number of mistakes. The St. Anselm defense will also need to find a way to slow down the big play ability of Jordan Raynor. If they are able to contain Raynor and stretch the field with their receivers, they should be able to put one in the win column.

Pace has been struggling and last weekend was no different. They were not able to slow down the running game of Stonehill and fell for the fifth time this season. Except for the win over Stonehill in week two, the Setters have lost the rest of their games by an average of 48 points. They have scored just 17 points in four league games and have been shutout in two of them. They will need to find a way to slow down the St. Anselm offense and not let them make too many big plays. Pace will also need to find a way to establish some offensive rhythm and convert on third downs.

Both teams need a win in this game but only one of them will get it. St. Anselm has a better offense and should be able to score enough points to sneak out of Pace with the win.

Prediction: St. Anselm 24 Pace 13

Southern Connecticut (5-2, 4-1 NE-10) at AIC (4-3, 3-2 NE-10)

When: October 22nd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 30-21-3

My thoughts: A classic rivalry is renewed again.

Southern Connecticut had a bit of a hangover from their loss to New Haven in the first half on the road at Bentley. But a big second half surge and a stopped two point conversion helped Southern Connecticut stay in the hunt for the NE-10 title. The Owls played 28 solid minutes in the second half and will easily forget the final two. Kevin Lynch came alive to help lead the offense up and down the field. Rashaad Slowley visited the end zone three more times in the win and the Owl defense held Bryant Johnson in check most of the afternoon. Southern will need another solid effort against the AIC defense. Slowley will need to continue his dominant play and the defense will need to step up and play well against the AIC running game.

AIC was the latest victim of the New Haven juggernaut and will look to bounce back against Southern Connecticut. The Yellow Jackets were able to slow down the Charger offense but not able to keep them out of the end zone when they needed to. AIC will need to sow down the Owl offense and not let their playmakers run wild. Kevin Arduino will also need to play mistake free and make sure that the Owls' defense is on their heels when he is on the field.

This game is always physical and heated. The game will be close but Southern Connecticut has a couple of more playmakers and will find a way to win for the second consecutive week on the road.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 28 AIC 24