We have crossed the halfway mark of the season. There are plenty of big games left in the season and this week has its fair share.

Assumption (2-3, 2-2 NE-10) @ St. Anselm (0-5, 0-4 NE-10)

When: October 11th, 7:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: Two teams that are trying to bounce back from tough losses.

Assumption played toe to toe with New Haven last Friday night before they fell 21-18. The Greyhounds were without starting running back Matt Pedone but found a capable fill in with Matt Heriveaux who ran for over 100 yards. The defense was also solid in holding the New Haven offense to just 21 points after the Chargers entered the game averaging 49 per game. For the Greyhounds to win on the road, they will need to have their balanced offensive attack in sync early. Bobby Jordan needs to play mistake free and get the ball into the hands of his skill players. The defense will also need to limit St. Anselm and not allow them to run their high tempo offense.

St. Anselm nearly pulled off a major upset as well but eventually fell short at Bentley by the score of 32-27. The Hawks had the lead late in the game but allowed a touchdown in the final minutes to drop their fifth straight game. The offense of St. Anselm was held to just 213 yards and had the ball for just over 19 minutes. That is not the winning formula for the Hawks and they need to establish their tempo. For the Hawks to win the game, they will need to find a way to jump start their offense. Andrew Murphy will need to distribute the ball to the play makers and allow them to make some plays. The defense will also need to stop Assumption on third down and get off the field when given the opportunity.

Assumption is already 2-0 on the road on Friday night. They have beaten Bentley and AIC so the stage is perfect for them. They have more talent on both sides of the ball and should have not problem controlling the game in Manchester.

Prediction: Assumption 34 St. Anselm 21

Bentley (3-2, 2-2 NE-10) @ Pace (0-5, 0-4 NE-10)

When: October 12th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 11-3-0

My Thoughts: Two teams with different paths to this game.

Bentley had signs of good and bad last weekend when they defeated St. Anselm 32-27. They took a commanding lead in the second half before giving it back. Danny Guadagnoli scored a late touchdown to win the game. It capped a up and down performance for the Falcons who evened their league record at 2-2. The defense was solid as they allowed just 213 yards of offense. The defense has been solid all season long for Bentley and will need to continue their style of play. For the Falcons to win on the road, they will need to play mistake free and take advantage of Pace turnovers. Guadagnoli will need to move the offense up and down the field and make plays when they are needed.

Pace dropped their fifth straight game last Friday night to Southern Connecticut on the road 47-18. The Setters were competitive in the first half before allowing 21 points in the third quarter and were not able to recover. Delaney Wallace had another good game out of the backfield by averaging over four yards per run and finding the end zone. For the Setters to win the game, the defense will need to find a way to limit Bentley from the big play. They have allowed too many yards and too many points to win games. The offense will also need to help the defense by making long drives and controlling the clock.

Bentley will win the game but Pace will hang around for a while. The Falcons will make the long trip worthwhile for their fans but will give them some anxious moments.

Prediction: Bentley 31 Pace 17

New Haven (4-1, 4-0 NE-10) @ Merrimack (3-2, 2-2 NE-10)

When: October 12th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 3-1-0

My Thoughts: Points, points and some more points.

New Haven is the lone undefeated team in the league and faces another tough road game. The Chargers were held out of the end zone by Assumption well under their typical average. Ronnie Nelson and Mike DeCaro came up with big plays when they needed to. The New Haven defense was solid and the front line was in the backfield when they need to be. For the Chargers to win on the road, they will need to play disciplined. They will need to limit their penalties and not turn the ball over. The defense will also need to find a way to pressure Joe Clancy and not allow him to feel comfortable in the pocket.

Merrimack traveled back to New York and escaped LIU Post with a well deserved victory. The Warriors scored early and the defense made a lot of plays in the fourth quarter. They shut down the Pioneers over their final three drives and did not allow them to move the ball with ease. Joe Clancy and the offense played well by scoring when they had the chance. For the Warriors to win the game, the defense will need to play 60 minutes and limit New Haven all game long. Clancy will also need to take advantage of Charger defensive mistakes and make them pay when the chance is given.

Expect a lot of points to be scored on Saturday. Both teams have explosive offensive units and should have not problem moving the ball. New Haven has the better defense and they will make a play down the stretch that will help them escape with another tough road win.

Prediction: New Haven 45 Merrimack 38

Stonehill (3-2, 3-1 NE-10) @ Southern Connecticut (3-2, 3-1 NE-10)

When: October 12th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 16-1-0

My Thoughts: Not too many people thought that the winner of this game would be 4-1 in the league this late in the season.

Stonehill had a game to forget on Saturday. They allowed the opening kickoff to be returned for a touchdown and it was all down hill from there. The offense struggled and were held under 200 yards in the game. The defense was not able to make any big stops and give the offense a chance. It was an overall struggle for the Skyhawks and they face tough tests on the road in the next two weeks. For the Skyhawks to win on the road, they will need to put the bad game behind them. Logan Meyer will need to find his magic of the previous three weeks and move the offense up and down the field with ease. The defense will also need to contain the Southern Connecticut running game and not allow them to grind out first downs on the ground.

Southern Connecticut took care of business against Pace and look forward to making some more noise in the league. John Moscatel continues his solid season with another 100 yard game and finding the end zone four times. The running game of the Owls has been unstoppable the past three weeks and credit the offensive line. They are always strong but are playing extremely well right now. The Southern Connecticut defense has also risen to the occasion as they have been unheralded most of the season. For the Owls to win the game, they will need to pressure Meyer and force him into bad decisions. The offense will also need to run the ball to set up the pass and grind out the clock with first downs.

This game was supposed to be between two teams struggling but both teams have exceeded expectations in the first half of the season. Southern Connecticut has two winnable games before a tough stretch to close out the season. They need to take advantage now to set them up for that run.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 34 Stonehill 24

LIU Post (2-3, 1-3 NE-10) @ American International (3-2, 3-1 NE-10)

When: October 12th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 14-12-0

My Thoughts: Two preseason favorites that are headed in opposite directions.

LIU Post lost their third straight game as they fell at home to Merrimack 26-21. The Pioneers have not been able to find the magic since they struggled in the fourth quarter at Bentley in mid-September. They will need to get back to playing good football by establishing their running game and making stops on defense. For the Pioneers to win on the road, they will need to play like they did over the first two weeks of the season. The running game will need to grind out the yards and the defense will need to make some plays. Post will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

AIC played a complete game last Saturday when they dominated Stonehill on the road last Saturday. The Yellow Jackets were outstanding in winning the game. The defense was nasty as they controlled the line of scrimmage and allowed Stonehill to do nothing. Kevin Arduino continued his good play at quarterback and helped them to several scoring drives. For the Yellow Jackets to win the game, the defense will need to continue their dominating style of in your face defense. The offense will need to move the ball and punch the ball into the end zone when they are in the red zone.

This game has the makings of a blow out. Two teams headed in opposite directions with the struggling team on the road. If the AIC defense plays the same way as last week, it will be a one sided affair.

Prediction: AIC 35 Post 10