Two weeks are left in the regular season and everyone is placing for third place right now. The championship game participants are set but the location has still yet to be determined.

Week 9 Capsules

AIC (6-1, 6-0 NE-10) at St. Anselm (1-7, 1-6 NE-10)

When: October 26th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 12-3-0

My thoughts: Is this a trap game for AIC?

AIC had another comeback last weekend as they rallied to beat Bentley to clinch a spot in the NE-10 championship game. The Yellow Jackets continue their trend of falling behind in the second half before they make a comeback to win the game. Kevin Arduino continues to play well at quarterback for AIC. He has been moving the offense up and down with ease and seems to play better when the situation is bigger. The defense continues to be the hallmark of the team. Markell Rice has two interceptions and a kickoff return for a touchdown. For AIC to win on the road, they will need to play their game. Run the ball effectively and the defense needs to shut down the opposing offense. It has been a recipe for success for the Yellow Jackets thus far.

St. Anselm was on the wrong end of a 81-35 score at Merrimack last Saturday. The Hawks' defense yielded 801 yards of offense and had no answer in the game. They will need to play better on the defensive side of the ball if they are going to defeat AIC. Andrew Murphy had a solid second half in scoring 28 points after his team was down big. He continues to play well when he has had the chance to play for St. Anselm. For the Hawks to pull off the upset, the defense will need to play outstanding and not allow AIC to run the ball. Plus Murphy will need to play mistake free and get the ball into the hands of his playmakers.

AIC is a big and stronger team than St. Anselm. They should be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to win the game on the road.

Prediction: AIC 45 St. Anselm 14

Pace (0-7, 0-6 NE-10) at Assumption (2-5, 2-4 NE-10)

When: October 27th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Pace leads the series, 11-8-0

My thoughts: Is it possible for Pace to pull off the upset on the road?

Pace had the weekend off and had a chance to get extra practice time in for their young team. The Setters lost two weeks ago at St. Anselm and are still looking for their first win of the season. Brian Beeker has lined up all over the field this year and led Pace in rushing in their last game. For Pace to win on the road, Jordan Raynor will need to play well and not make too many mistakes with the ball. The Setter defense will also need to find a way to slow down the Assumption running game.

Assumption finally had their signature game of the season. They played flawlessly in beating Southern Connecticut on the road for the first time in school history. Despite an early injury to Matt Pedone, the running game clicked and they took advantage of all of the Southern Connecticut turnovers. The defense also pitched a shutout and allowed just 83 yards of offense in the victory. For Assumption to win in consecutive weeks, they are going to need to establish their running game early and often to control the time of possession. The defense will also need to continue their dominating performance of a week ago and limit Pace to three and outs.

Assumption should be able to control the ball and keep their defense on the sidelines for long periods of time.

Prediction: Assumption 38 Pace 7

Southern Connecticut (2-6, 2-4 NE-10) at # 6 New Haven (7-0, 6-0 NE-10)

When: October 27th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 15-6-1

My thoughts: Rivalry games are always filled with emotion. Is this the game for Southern Connecticut to salvage a lost season?

Southern Connecticut is in the middle of one of their worst seasons in many years. The latest struggles last Friday night saw them manage only 83 yards of total offense and give the ball away too many times. The Owls have struggled the entire season and have not had too many bright spots. With the potential return of Magee and Cunningham, they will get back some playmakers but the biggest question for the Owls is at the quarterback position. Michael Eckrote will start at quarterback after seeing some time for the Owls last week against Assumption. He is the third different quarterback to start this season and will hope to fare better than his predecessors. For Southern Connecticut to win the game on the road, they are going to play well beyond their years. They will need to keep control of the ball and not allow New Haven to score with ease.

New Haven was on the ropes last Thursday night before they rallied for the victory. The Chargers were down 10 in the fourth quarter before two late scoring drives got them on the positive side of the scoreboard. The last drive was one that might go down in New Haven history as one of the best if the Chargers win the league and make a run in the playoffs. Ryan Osiecki looked good in his first action in four games. He missed a couple of throws deep with his receivers but appeared to have a nice rhythm for most of the game. The front four of the defense continued their solid play but the secondary struggled. New Haven was very aggressive in bringing pressure and it forced the secondary to play a lot of one on one and they were not able to step up. For New Haven to win the game, they will need to continue their balanced offensive attack and get the ball into the end zone when they have the chance.

This game is for bragging rights in the city of New Haven and I don't expect Southern Connecticut to roll over and give the game to New Haven. But the Chargers have more experience and skill than the Owls this year and will take control of the game.

Prediction: New Haven 42 Southern Connecticut 13

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

When: October 27th, 2:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 11-7-0

My thoughts: What happens when a good offense faces a good defense?

Merrimack rewrote the NE-10 record book during their 81-35 victory over St. Anselm last weekend. Joe Clancy and Isaiah Voegeli continue to add their names to the record book at Merrimack and the league. They connected 10 times for 269 yards and are one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the country. The Merrimack offense will face one of their tougher tests against a solid Bentley defense. They will need to find some holes and probably not have as easy of a time that they had last Saturday. For Merrimack to win on the road, their defense will be the key for victory. They will need to find a way to stop the balanced Bentley offense and not be on the field for extended periods of time.

Bentley had another tough loss to AIC on the road. They led early in the third quarter before the offense struggled to move the ball and then struggled to hold onto the ball. It was the second straight week for the Falcons to loss a tough game as they fell to New Haven at home the previous weekend. It cost them a shot at the NE-10 championship game but they still have a chance to finish out the season strong. The defense will face their toughest challenge of the season with all of the options that Merrimack brings. For Bentley to win the game, they will need to find a way to contain Clancy and Voegeli and not allow them to find holes in the secondary. The Falcons will also need to find the holes in the Merrimack defense and keep them on the field with their balanced attack.

Merrimack will have some success throwing the ball but the Bentley defense will step up inside the red zone. The Falcons will also find a way to keep the Warrior defense on the field for long periods of time to stop their losing streak.

Prediction: Bentley 34 Merrimack 31