This weekend will start a four-week dash to see who the top two seeds in the NE-10 are going to be and face off in the first championship game on November 10th.

Week 7 Capsules

Merrimack (3-2, 2-2 NE-10) at Stonehill (3-3, 3-2 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 11-5-0

My thoughts: This match-up is always very entertaining.

Merrimack had the weekend off after they scored a lopsided victory at Pace. The Warriors have played well at times this year and struggled at others. The week off was a good thing for Merrimack to rest and reload. Joe Clancy has been very good and will need to continue making smart decisions against a good Stonehill defense. The Warriors will need to be balanced offensively if they are going to win on the road. The defense will also need to play the way they did in the second half against Southern Connecticut.

Stonehill has struggled the past two weeks as they have played two of the better teams in the league. The tough stretch for the Skyhawks continues as they will need to find a way to stop the losing streak. Jessie Hunt played most of the game at quarterback last Friday night and will need to find a way get the offense moving. They only amassed 136 total yards at AIC and that will need to improve against the Merrimack defense. The Stonehill defense will also need to find a way to keep Clancy and company off the field and out of the end zone

This game seems to feature a lot of scoring and excitement for the fans. An offensive shootout favors Merrimack as they have more weapons than most teams.

Prediction: Merrimack 42 Stonehill 31

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

When: October 13th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: St. Anselm leads the series, 8-6-0

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

Pace scored the most points in a game since 2010 as they fell to Southern Connecticut 47-26. Jordan Raynor returned to his quarterback position and threw four touchdowns. The offense also amassed 343 yards of total offense and will need some of that same success this weekend. The Setters will face a challenge in slowing down the spread offense of St. Anselm. They will need to get the Hawks to go three and out often and take advantage of their chances when they get them.

St. Anselm lost to Bentley 38-28 but seemed to gain some confidence with their second half effort last Saturday night. They were able to punch the ball into the end zone four times against a defense that entered the game allowing just under 10 points per game. Andrew Murphy continued his run at quarterback with 293 passing yards and two scores. Head coach Pat Murphy was pleased with his freshmen quarterback's performance but as soon as Stephen Cuipa is healthy, he will be back under center. St. Anselm will need to move the ball offensively and not allow Pace to move the ball if they are going to win their first game of the season.

St. Anselm has the home field advantage and has a four game winning streak over Pace. The Hawks should be to move the ball against the Pace defense and grab their first victory of the season.

Prediction: St. Anselm 31 Pace 21

AIC (4-1, 4-0 NE-10) at Southern Connecticut (2-4, 2-2 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 31-21-3

My thoughts: This rivalry game is also hard fought and not decided until the final seconds.

AIC enters the game on a four game winning streak after beating Stonehill 28-17 last Friday night. The Yellow Jackets used their running game and hard nosed defense to stay undefeated in league play. Another second half comeback also was part of the story for AIC. If they are going to keep the winning going, they are going to have to find a way to slow down the suddenly hot offensive attack of Southern Connecticut. Kevin Arduino will also need to play mistake free and get the ball into the hands of his play-makers.

Southern Connecticut handled Pace on the road last Saturday 47-26. Jacob Jablonski set a career record with 337 passing yards and found his favorite target Willie Epps twice for long touchdowns. The Owls scored the first 27 points in the game and never looked back. They will need more of the same this weekend against the strong AIC defense. Southern will need to keep the AIC on their heels with a balanced offensive attack and take advantage of any AIC mistakes.

Southern Connecticut has played well the past two weeks and that will help them early in the game. But AIC will take control of the game in the second half to stay undefeated in the league.

Prediction: AIC 34 Southern Connecticut 21

# 6 New Haven (5-0, 4-0 NE-10) at Bentley (5-0, 4-0 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 2-1-0

My thoughts: First place and a potential tie breaker is on the line when these undefeated teams play.

New Haven prepared for the big game with a 65-7 thumping of Assumption. Ronnie Nelson had a career day with six touchdown passes and everything went the Chargers' way. They took advantage of five Assumption turnovers and never looked back. The question will be the health of Ryan Osiecki. If he is healthy to go, he will start the game and Nelson will be back to his spot play. For New Haven to win on the road, they will need to play mistake free and not let the Bentley defense force them into turnovers.

Bentley enters the game after a shaky second half effort at St. Anselm in their 38-28 victory last Saturday night. The Falcons scored the first 24 points of the game but then struggled after that. The usually solid defense allowed big plays and did not have an answer for the spread offense of St. Anselm. For Bentley to beat New Haven, they are going to have to find a way to slow down all of the weapons that they have. The Chargers are a bigger team so both lines will need to step up their game.

Bentley will prove that they are not a pushover to New Haven but the Chargers are a deeper and more physical team than the Falcons. The game will be won in the trenches and that is an advantage for New Haven.

Prediction: New Haven 28 Bentley 20