Football season is back. Teams have had nine months to prepare for this weekend. The players are ready to hit someone else and prove that they are ready to compete for the league title. Plus we start the season on a Thursday night with an intriguing league game.

Week 1

American International (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Assumption (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 4th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 14-3-0

My Thoughts: Thursday night football to kick off the season. Does it get any better?

American International was the top team in 2013 and is the preseason favorite to repeat in 2014. They have a lot of talent back on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Kevin Arduino will be the focal point of the offense. He has Terrell Williams in the backfield as well as the always physical and strong offensive line. The typical Yellow Jacket defense will be all over the field and hitting people hard. Jaquawne Simpkins looks to continue his dominance on the defensive side of the ball.

Assumption surprised a lot of people last year as they finished fourth in the league. They were the only NE-10 team to beat AIC and also finished undefeated in regular season road league games. The Greyhounds lost some key players to graduation but have new faces ready to keep them in contention this year. Derrick Mann will spend a lot of time in the backfield from his defensive line position. Matt Heriveaux will look to run wild from his backfield position.

Assumption is expecting a large crowd for their first home game of the season. But AIC is the deeper and more experienced team. They will take control of the game in the second half and win the game.

Prediction: AIC 31 Assumption 14


Alderson Broaddus (0-0, 0-0 D2 Ind) @ Pace (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 6th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Alderson Broaddus leads the series, 1-0-0

My Thoughts: Two schools that are looking for better results in 2014.

Alderson Broaddus is in their third season of resurrecting their football program. They have seen good and bad times since they restarted the program. They have built a new football program and are looking to continue their rise.

Pace has a new head coach and a new attitude. They are working on their home field so all of their home games will be played at a nearby school. But that should help the Setters rally. New head coach Andy Rondeau brings experience to Pace and has the team feeling better about themselves. It is now time to see how it transfers to the field against an opponent.

They played a close game last year with A-B winning the game 31-28. Is this the time for Pace to end their losing streak?

Prediction: Alderson Broaddus 24 Pace 20


Mercyhurst (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) @ Bentley (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 6th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 1-0-0

My Thoughts: This is the first of many PSAC/NE-10 match-ups in the opening weekend.

Mercyhurst was picked fourth in the always competitive PSAC West. They were 7-4 last year after dropping three of their first four games including a loss at Bentley. The Lakers will rely on running back Brandon Brown-Dukes to lead the offense. Colin Kimball is the leader of the defense from his secondary position.

Bentley has a new coach but a lot of familiar faces back. Bill Kavanaugh is no stranger to Bentley as he spent four years playing defensive line and is now back to lead his alma mater back to the top. Quarterback Danny Guadagnoli will rely on his experience and his favorite target, Jeff Hill to lead the Falcon offense. Blaine Hopwood will be the vocal leader of the defense.

They played a close game last year and we can expect more of the same this year. Both teams have strong defenses but the Bentley offense will win the game on a late drive.

Prediction: Bentley 27 Mercyhurst 23


Southern Connecticut (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Gannon (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)

When: September 6th, 12:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: Another intriguing PSAC/NE-10 matchup to open the season.

Southern Connecticut has a new coach with Tom Godek and is looking to get the Owls back into the winning column. John Moscatel is back and is expected to see his number called often. Southern will need to find a quarterback who can minimize mistakes and move the ball. The defense will need to find a way to make plays and get off the field.

Gannon was picked to finish fifth in the PSAC West this year. The Knights have 18 starters back from a team that finished 6-5. Liam Nadler is back as the quarterback for the third consecutive season. On the defensive side, their top seven tacklers are back led by linebacker Luke Rankie.

Both teams would like to start the season off with a win. The Owls need to develop that winning formula again but will take a step in the right direction. Gannon is just more experienced right now.

Prediction: Gannon 17 Southern Connecticut 14


Merrimack (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Bryant (0-0, 0-0 NEC D1 FCS)

When: September 6th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 6-5-0

My Thoughts: These teams always played entertaining games when Bryant was a part of the NE-10 years ago.

Merrimack opened their season by beating Division 1 FCS member Wagner on the road last year. The Warriors have a lot of key players back but will have a new signal caller. Jere Brown will be the main target for the new quarterback. There are plenty of targets on the outside. Merrimack's defense will be anchored by Chris Unis and Ben Polci.

Bryant opened their season a week ago with a 13-7 victory at Stony Brook. The Bulldogs scored early in the third quarter to take the lead and their defense did the rest. Bryant has seen some success since moving to Division 1 in 2008. They have been .500 in their conference each of the past four seasons and is looking for more in 2014.

Merrimack will have their hands full in the trenches as Bryant is much bigger and stronger than them. But if the Warriors can find a little time to spread the ball around to their playmakers, it could be an entertaining game.

Prediction: Bryant 38 Merrimack 21


# 25 Bloomsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) @ Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 6th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bloomsburg leads the series, 2-0-0

My Thoughts: This is another good PSAC/NE-10 matchup to open the season.

Bloomsburg returns 13 starters from a team that made the playoffs last year. The Huskies were picked third in the PSAC East preseason poll. They are always solid on defense and will be anchored by linebacker Justin Shirk. The offense needs to replace a Harlon Hill winner but has plenty of players willing to step up.

Stonehill has used this matchup the past couple of years to gauge their team and they have liked what they have seen. The Skyhawk defense should be very solid this year led by linebacker Brian Harrington. The offense has Colin Markus and Nate Robitaille back but will have a new signal caller.

Bloomsburg has bigger and more physical players but Stonehill has been able to hang tough the past two years. This year will be no different.

Prediction: Bloomburg 24 Stonehill 13


St. Anselm (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Bowie State (0-0, 0-0 CIAA)

When: September 6th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bowie State leads the series, 1-0-0

My Thoughts: Both teams are looking to improve on their 2013 performances.

St. Anselm is looking to make the leap up in the NE-10. They always have talent on the offensive side of the ball as they can score points with anyone in the country. Quarterback Yianni Gavalas has plenty of receivers to get the ball led by Justin Bernard. The Hawks will need to have their defense make plays and stay off the field if they are going to be competitive.

Bowie State was picked to finish third in the Northern Division of the CIAA and sixth overall. The Bulldogs have 14 starters back from 2013 that saw them finished 5-5 overall, 3-4 CIAA. Keith Brown will be the focal point of the offense from his running back position. Defensive lineman Anthony McDaniel will lead the defense for Bowie State.

This game should be competitive and feature a lot of points. But the advantage goes to the home team as they didn't have to deal with a 10 hour bus ride.

Prediction: Bowie State 45 St. Anselm 35


# 11 West Chester (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) @ New Haven (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 6th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 8-4-1

My Thoughts: This matchup was very one sided last year.

West Chester manhandled New Haven in the opening game and then dominated the PSAC and SR1 region in the playoffs. The Rams are expecting more of the same in 2014 as they have many key players back. Linebacker Ronell Williams will anchor the defense that is one of the top units in the country. The offense looks to continue their scoring spree as they have several top players back in the fold.

New Haven was 8-3 last year and that was considered a failure. The Chargers have a new coach in Chris Pincince who replaces Pete Rossomando. They will have an experienced defense led by Herbens Antenor. The offense for New Haven has a lot of new faces. Joey Bradley is expected to be the quarterback after seeing limited time last year.

This is a good first test for the Chargers to see if they are ready for 2014. They will battle West Chester for the first three quarters but the Rams will pull away late.

Prediction: West Chester 31 New Haven 21


East Stroudsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) @ LIU-Post (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 6th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: ESU leads the series, 8-5-0

My Thoughts: The last of the PSAC/NE-10 matchups is a rematch of an old PSAC East rivalry.

East Stroudsburg is picked to finish second in the PSAC East as they have a lot of key players back from 2013. 16 starters are back from a 2013 team that finished 7-4. Matt Soltes is back under center for the Warriors and is expected to lead the high powered offense. Defensive lineman Bryan Thompson will the leader of the defense.

LIU-Post had a tough return to the NE-10 and is hoping that 2014 treats them better. The Pioneers have a bunch of key players back on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Steve Laurino will see the majority of the snaps and has key players surrounding him. Defensive lineman David Sumter will wreak havoc in the backfield of opposing offenses.

This game will feature both teams that can score a lot of points. But a key defensive stand will the difference for East Stroudsburg to emerge with the victory.

Prediction: East Stroudsburg 35 LIU Post 31