It is finally football season. Teams are ready to go and the next three months will determine a champion for the league. Let's talk football and not off the field issues. Is it Thursday night yet?


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

When: September 3rd, 7:00 PM

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

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

LIU- Post is the defending NE-10 champion and has plenty of weapons back to defend their title. They will have a new quarterback but the majority of their playmakers are back. The defense is solid and features many returners that are ready to repeat.

East Stroudsburg was picked for a tie of third in the PSAC East preseason poll. They are loaded on the offensive side of the ball with the return of quarterback Matt Soltes. He has plenty of returnees surrounding him but the success of the Warriors will hinge on their defense.

This game has the ability to either a high scoring affair or a close nail biter. I think that the Post defense will slow down the offense and make a play late to win the game.

Prediction: Post 28 ESU 24


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

When: September 5th, 12:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part II

Bentley will need to find some early consistency from the new faces on the offensive side of the ball. The Falcons defense returns a lot of solid players and will need to carry the team early on as the offense gets their feet wet.

Mercyhurst was picked third in the PSAC West and welcomes back several familiar faces. Senior running back Brandon Brown-Dukes will be the focal point of the offense and grind out yards on the ground. The Lakers are also strong on the defensive side of the ball.

This game will be a defensive battle as both teams feature strong defensive units. Mercyhurst will find a way to eke out a close game at home.

Prediction: Mercyhurst 13 Bentley 10


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

When: September 5th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Series tied 1-1-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part III

Gannon is the favorite in the PSAC West in 2015. Seven offensive and nine defensive starters are back from last year. The Golden Knights now have a target on their back but are well prepared for the upcoming season. They have talent and depth to compete in the PSAC West.

Southern Connecticut has a new attitude for 2015. Head coach Tom Godek is ready for the Owls to compete in the NE-10 again and is deciding to put his own stamp on the program. He recruited hard in the offseason and is ready to get this team on the field against an opponent.

Gannon is the stronger team and should be able to control the game.

Prediction: Gannon 35 Southern Connecticut 10


Ave Maria (0-0, 0-0 Sun Conference) @ Pace (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 5th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: The first look at the new Pace stadium and roster.

Ave Maria is a member of the NAIA and the Sun Conference. They finished 5-6 last year and finished the season on a three game winning streak. They will pass the ball more than run it and the defense will need to improve on their 30 points given up per game last year.

Pace is looking to continue their improvement under head coach Andy Rondeau. They are recruiting quality players and looking to build depth on the roster. The Setters have a lot more confidence heading into this season as they have some experience and players that are ready to compete each week.

Pace will use their first game as a way to kick off the season in style.

Prediction: Pace 28 Ave Maria 23


Bowie State (0-0, 0-0 CIAA) @ Merrimack (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 5th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: Both teams have a lot to prove in 2015.

Bowie State struggled in the first half of 2014 but seemed to turn the corner in the second half. They finished 5-5 overall but won five of their last six games. The Bulldogs welcome back 37 players from last year's team and is looking to make some noise. Bowie State was picked to finish fifth in the CIAA.

Merrimack is looking to start the season on a positive note. The Warriors welcome back several key playmakers. They have to be more healthy than last year when they lost key players all season long. Merrimack will need to get their offense clicking early and not hang their defense out to dry with a lot of third and outs.

Bowie State has played St. Anselm the past two years so they are familiar with the league. They will make the long trek to Andover a good one.

Prediction: Bowie State 35 Merrimack 24


Slippery Rock (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West) @ New Haven (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 5th, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part IV

Slippery Rock is picked second in the PSAC West and looking to improve upon their 2014 season. The Rock welcome back 20 starters and are ready to win the league and make the playoffs again. Slippery Rock has been a solid team for the past several years and has higher hopes in 2015 to make a deep playoff run.

New Haven always schedules a tough non-conference slate and this year is no exception. The Chargers will need to find a quarterback that is consistent and comfortable with the offense. They will have plenty of weapons to distribute the ball to. The defense will be strong and face one of their toughest tests in this opening weekend.

Slippery Rock is the more experienced team and will pull away late in the game.

Prediction: Slippery Rock 31 New Haven 20


Assumption (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Kutztown (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East)

When: September 5th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part V

Assumption enters the 2015 season with hoping of winning the NE-10 title and has several key players back in the fold. The Greyhounds have been a solid road team over the past several years. They seem to like to travel to play games and have had a lot of success especially within the NE-10.

Kutztown is picked to finish fifth in the PSAC East preseason poll. The Golden Bears have 15 starters back from a team that finished 6-5 overall in 2014. They will try to move the bar via the air and try to improve upon their 33.5 points per game last year.

This is a good first test for both teams. They are hoping for solid 2015 campaigns and a win should propel either team. But a road tested Assumption team will find a way to squeak out a victory.

Prediction: Assumption 27 Kutztown 23


Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ # 14 Bloomsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East)

When: September 5th, 2:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bloomsburg leads the series, 3-0-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part VI

Stonehill has played Bloomsburg tough over the years but the results don't show favorably for them. The Skyhawks will need to move the ball and not turn it over. The defense will need to stop the running game and limit the big play capability of Bloomsburg.

Bloomsburg is the favorite for the PSAC East and a perennial playoff contender. The Huskies seem to reload each year and find new weapons to replace the graduated ones. Bloomsburg is solid in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Bloomsburg will again wear down the Stonehill lines and continue their winning streak in this matchup.

Prediction: Bloomsburg 35 Stonehill 17


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

When: September 5th, 3:00 PM

All-Time Series: American International leads the series, 7-3-0

My Thoughts: This is an old EFC and NE-10 rivalry.

American International fell short of their goal last year but return key members of the 2015 team. The defense is always strong and will be called upon to carry an offense that needs some time to gel. The Yellow Jackets love to play Division 1 FCS teams as it helps them prepare for the NE-10 season.

Bryant is picked to win the Northeast Conference title this year after their best season at the Division 1 FCS level. They return several key players that kept them in the hunt for the league title and are finally eligible for the postseason. The Bulldogs are primed for a solid 2015 season.

This game will feature two physical defenses that will punish anyone with the football. But the Bryant offense is more established and will be the difference in the game.

Prediction: Bryant 24 American International 10


St. Anselm (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Sacred Heart (0-0, 0-0 D1 FCS NEC)

When: September 5th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: Another Division 1 FCS against NE-10 game.

St. Anselm enters this year off of their best season in a long time. They have several key players back and are looking to build upon that success. Head coach Patrick Murphy has gotten his team to finally believe in his philosophy and the 2014 results speak for themselves.

Sacred Heart is coming off two consecutive trips to the FCS playoffs. They were picked third in the NEC coaches' poll and return several weapons on both sides of the ball. The Pioneers still have a lot to prove and now are looking to make a deep run in the FCS playoffs.

Sacred Heart has a deeper and more physical roster than St. Anselm and should be able to win this game.

Prediction: Sacred Heart 38 St. Anselm 10