It is the final week of the season for nine NE-10. It appears that the winner of the championship game will get a playoff slot and a chance to representative the league in the Division II playoffs. The seeds next to everyone's name are the spot that they finished in the regular season after tie breakers were considered.

Congratulations to all of the seniors who will be playing their final game of their career on Saturday.

# 10 Pace (0-10, 0-9 NE-10) @ # 7 LIU Post (4-6, 3-6 NE-10)

When: November 16th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: LIU Post leads the series, 18-3-0

2013 Result: @LIU Post 58 Pace 0

My Thoughts: Both teams had higher hopes for 2013.

Pace finished their second consecutive winless regular season after falling to St. Anselm 63-33. They turned the ball over seven times in the loss despite gaining over 500 yards of offense. The Setters struggled on the defensive side of the ball again as they allowed at least 42 points in each of their league games this year. For the Setters to win on the road, they will need to play mistake free and find a way to slow down the weapons of Post.

LIU Post struggled in their return to the NE-10 as they dropped their final regular season game at Assumption by the score of 37-27. They fell behind early, rallied but were not able to overcome the deficit. The Pioneers had hoped to compete for the title but injuries and inconsistency doomed them all season long. For the Pioneers to win the game, they will need dominate the line of scrimmage and not allow Pace to feel comfortable at any point of the game.

This game will go much like the first match up. Post is bigger and stronger in the trenches and should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage.

Prediction: Post 45 Pace 7

# 9 St. Anselm (1-9, 1-8 NE-10) @ #6 Bentley (5-5, 4-5 NE-10)

When: November 16th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 13-0-0

2013 Result: @Bentley 32 St. Anselm 27

My Thoughts: Another match up of teams that hoped for better results this year.

St. Anselm won their first game of the year last weekend as they beat Pace 63-33. Yianni Gavalas was nearly perfect in the game as only two of his 30 passes were incomplete. He had six touchdown passes and helped the Hawks to their best offensive effort of the year. The defense forced seven turnovers despite giving up over 500 yards of offense. For the Hawks to win on the road, they will need to move the ball and get it into the hands of the play makers. They will also need to limit the big play capability of Bentley.

Bentley dropped three of their final four games with the latest defeat at the hands of New Haven by the final of 54-10. The Falcons were dominated in all facets of the game as they allowed over 500 yards of offense, a punt return for a touchdown and turned the ball over twice in the loss. For the Falcons to win the game, they will need to find the early season magic that had them at a 4-2 record. The duo of Danny Guadagnoli and Jeff Hill need to stretch the field and the defense will need to limit the St. Anselm offense.

This game will be won by Bentley but expect a lot of points to be scored like the first match up.

Prediction: Bentley 45 St. Anselm 35

#8 Southern Connecticut (3-7, 3-6 NE-10) @ # 5 Merrimack (6-4, 5-4 NE-10)

When: November 16th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 9-7-0.

2013 Result: @Southern Connecticut 40 Merrimack 34

My Thoughts: This match up is always fun and exciting.

Southern Connecticut dropped their fifth consecutive game as they fell on the road to AIC 33-14. The Owls were playing well in September but the last two months have been tough for them. Injuries and inconsistent play has seen them struggle in the last five weeks to finish under .500 for the second straight year. For the Owls to win on the road, they will need to find a way to slow down Joe Clancy and his weapons. The offense will also need to play like they did in the first match up and get the ball into the end zone.

Merrimack was held to their lowest offensive output of the season as they lost to Stonehill 26-14. They dug themselves into an early hole and just when they were ready to rebound, Stonehill responded. The Warriors were hoping for a better performance in front of their home crowd on senior day but were frustrated by the Stonehill game plan. For the Warriors to win the game, they will need to put the struggles behind them and play like they did for the previous several weeks. Clancy will need to establish his rhythm and move the offense up and down the field.

One offense is explosive and the other is struggling. That usually means a lopsided victory for the explosive offense.

Prediction: Merrimack 45 Southern Connecticut 17

# 4 Assumption (6-4, 6-3 NE-10) @ # 3 New Haven (7-3, 7-2 NE-10)

When: November 16th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 3-2-0

2013 Result: New Haven 21 @ Assumption 18

My Thoughts: Two teams that did not think they would be in this position.

Assumption is the second biggest surprise this year as they finished out a perfect road record in the NE-10 with a 37-27 victory at LIU Post. The Greyhounds won tough road games including at AIC in September. They are not a fluke and deserve to be at this point of the season. First year head coach Bob Chesney has done a great job at getting his team to believe that they could win and they did. For the Greyhounds to win on the road, they will need to win in the trenches against a bigger New Haven team. The offense will need to play mistake free and capitalize on turnovers when given the chance.

New Haven is not playing for a league title for the first time since 2009. It is foreign territory for the Chargers after they defeated Bentley 54-10 last Saturday. Mike DeCaro was explosive as usual with 151 yards rushing and a punt return for a touchdown. New Haven has built a tradition of playing for league titles and will use this season as motivation to get back their next season. For the Chargers to win the game, they will need to move the ball and not turn the ball over. The defense will need to stop the running game and not allow Assumption to find seams down the field.

These teams have played very close and competitive games the past couple of seasons. This game will be no different but the home team will find a way to win the game late.

Prediction: New Haven 24 Assumption 20

# 2 Stonehill (8-2, 8-1 NE-10) @ # 1 American International (8-2, 8-1 NE-10)

When: November 16th, 2:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 17-0-0

2013 Result: AIC 31 @ Stonehill 10

My Thoughts: This game has the makings of an epic battle.

Stonehill finished their storybook season by holding the best quarterback in the league to just 251 yards and two touchdowns in their 26-14 victory over Merrimack. The Skyhawks are playing very good football right now and have rebounded nicely from their 31-10 beating at the hands of AIC on October 5th. The biggest question mark for Stonehill is the health of Logan Meyer. He injured his right shoulder in the Pace victory and was forced to sit out the regular season finale against Merrimack. Head coach Rob Talley feels that he will be ready to play in the championship game. If he is ready to play, it will be a huge boast for the Skyhawks and their offense. Joe Della Vacchia filled in admirably for him against Merrimack but a Meyer led offense is very dangerous. For the Skyhawks to win the championship, they will need # 12 under center. They will need all of their weapons ready to go against a very good AIC defense. They will also need a game plan to slow down the AIC offense and keep them from making big plays.

AIC won their sixth consecutive game last weekend with a 33-14 victory over Southern Connecticut. The Yellow Jackets have been a different team since they faltered late and lost to Assumption on September 27th. They have been playing with a purpose to return to the NE-10 championship game and prove that their preseason ranking of number one was worthy. Kevin Arduino has been solid in leading the offense and just finds new people to spread the ball around to. The AIC defense is very talented and allows no team to feel comfortable on the field. They swarm the ball and are very solid in everything they do. For the Yellow Jackets to win the championship, they will need to play disciplined and not allow their emotions to get the best of them. AIC will need to dominate the line of scrimmage. Arduino will need to play mistake free and move the ball against the Stonehill defense like the first match up.

I am reminded of Super Bowl XXXVI with this match up. Two teams that met in the regular season and the result was one-sided. The loser of the initial match up makes a bunch of changes to their game plan and upsets their heavily favored opponent. I see the same thing on Saturday as Stonehill will find a way to slow down AIC and win the NE-10 championship. Plus Logan Meyer wears # 12, the same as Tom Brady who was injured in the game before and returned to lead the team to a game winning field goal as time expires.

Prediction: Stonehill 20 AIC 17