The final weekend of the regular season is upon us. This season has flown by and teams are positioning themselves for championship weekend.

Assumption (5-4, 5-3 NE-10) @ LIU Post (4-5, 3-5 NE-10)

When: November 9th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Post leads the series, 8-1-0

My Thoughts: Both teams figured to be in different positions this year.

Assumption enters the game off of a tough 31-21 loss at home to Merrimack. The offense struggled to move the ball but was only able to score once. Defense and special teams combined for more touchdowns than the offense with a blocked field goal return and a pick six. The Greyhounds were not able to slow down Joe Clancy and face another dynamic quarterback this weekend. For the Greyhounds to win on the road, they will need to play solid football. Making stops on defense and grinding out yards on the ground are key for Assumption.

LIU Post escaped their trip St. Anselm with a last second 41-40 victory. Steve Laurino found Sean Binckes for their fourth touchdown of the game with 24 seconds left to win the game. Laurino had 429 yards passing to go along with a team best 101 yards on the ground. The Pioneers had a season best 681 yards of total offense as they ran 93 plays. For the Pioneers to win the game, they will need to play mistake free. They will also need to establish their running game to stretch the field and allow their receivers some space down the field.

Assumption has thrived on the road this year and this game will continue that trend.

Prediction: Assumption 28 Post 24

St. Anselm (0-9, 0-8 NE-10) @ Pace (0-9, 0-8 NE-10)

When: November 9th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: St. Anselm leads the series, 9-6-0

My Thoughts: Someone has to win this game.

St. Anselm was seconds away from their first victory of the season but Post scored late to win the game 41-40. The Hawks had 565 yards of offense but the defense allowed 681 in the loss. Yianni Gavalas started his second consecutive game at quarterback and played well enough to win the game. He spread the ball around to several different receivers including Justin Bernard and Keith Charles both of whom had 10 catches and over 160 yards receiving. For the Hawks to win on the road, they will need to move the ball and not turn the ball over. The defense will also need to get stops and not allow Pace to establish their running game.

Pace fell at Stonehill 42-14. The Setters had no answer for the Stonehill offense and now have one final shot at not finishing the regular season winless. Antwan Washington returned under center and threw for 214 yards. He was picked off twice and was also the leading rusher for Pace. Brian Beeker was the leading receiver after spending the past couple of weeks as the quarterback. For the Setters to win the game, they will need to move the ball offensively and not allow St. Anselm to control the clock with their offense. The defense will also need to get stops and get off the field quickly.

This game has been the battle of winless teams in the NE-10 for the past couple of seasons. Both teams need the victory to grab some momentum going into the NE-10 championship weekend.

Prediction: St. Anselm 34 Pace 17

Stonehill (7-2, 7-1 NE-10) @ Merrimack (6-3, 5-3 NE-10)

When: November 9th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 11-6-0

My Thoughts: This match up is always intense and decided late in the fourth quarter.

Stonehill took care of business last Saturday with their victory over Pace and clinched a berth in the NE-10 championship game. The Skyhawks continue their amazing season and now look forward to playing for the trophy. The biggest question mark will be the health of Logan Meyer. They don't need him to play this week but need him for the next game. But the motto of Stonehill this year has been next man up. For the Skyhawks to win on the road, they will need to limit Joe Clancy and his big play potential. The offense will need to move the ball and score in the red zone.

Merrimack defeated Assumption on the road last Saturday and have won five of their last six games. The Warrior defense has played much better as the season has progressed. They limited Assumption to just 249 yards and only one offensive touchdown in the game. Joe Clancy continued his record setting pace as he tossed another four touchdowns to raise his season total to 42. For the Warriors to win the game, they will need to slow down the Stonehill balanced offensive attack. Clancy will need to spread the ball around to his weapons and let them find seams in the defense.

The status of Meyer will have a huge impact of this game. If he is ready to go, Stonehill will win the game. If he is not able to play, the Skyhawks will need to rely on their backup, Joe Della Vecchia.

Prediction: Merrimack 34 Stonehill 28

Bentley (5-4, 4-4 NE-10) @ New Haven (6-3, 6-2 NE-10)

When: November 9th, 12:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: Both teams have struggled to live up to preseason predictions.

Bentley did enough to defeat Southern Connecticut last weekend by the score of 24-19. The duo of Danny Guadagnoli and Jeff Hill continued their solid play as they hooked up for two scores and 178 yards of offense. Guadagnoli also scored the winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Bentley defense held on late as Southern had a couple of chances to take the lead. For the Falcons to win on the road, they will need to make plays on both sides of the ball. The defense will need to contain the New Haven weapons and score when given the chance.

New Haven dropped their second straight home game as AIC rallied for a 43-34 victory. The Chargers are out of the running for the NE-10 title this year as the final five minutes of the first half doomed their fate. Penalties and turnovers hurt them and let AIC back in the game. The defense was unable to get a stop when they needed one in the second half and allowed 27 points. For the Chargers to win the game, they will need to play disciplined football. The young team needs to control their emotions and do their talking with plays on the field.

This game has the chance to be a shootout as both offenses have the ability to score early and often. That type of game favors New Haven as they have a couple of more play makers than Bentley.

Prediction: New Haven 45 Bentley 35

Southern Connecticut (3-6, 3-5 NE-10) @ American International (7-2, 7-1 NE-10)

When: November 9th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 31-22-3

My Thoughts: These rivals have taken different paths over the past several years.

Southern Connecticut dropped a tough road game at Bentley by the score of 24-19. The Owls have now lost four straight games but seemed to play better last weekend. Brandon Basil is starting to get comfortable running the offense. The running game was solid but three turnovers doomed Southern Connecticut late in the game. For the Owls to win on the road, they will need to play mistake free. The running game will need to establish their presence and the defense will need to contain the AIC play makers.

AIC won the right to play in the NE-10 championship game as they defeated New Haven 43-34. The Yellow Jackets rallied for a 21-3 deficit in the first half to storm back for the victory. Kevin Arduino was unstoppable as he was the leading rusher and also had plenty of time in the pocket to find receivers down field. For the Yellow Jackets to win the game, they will need to continue their dominant style of offense and defense. They will need to take care of business on the field and focus on this game.

AIC is playing very well right now. They were the coaches' pick to win the league and we are seeing why right now.

Prediction: AIC 45 Southern Connecticut 17