We hit the halfway point last week and now enter the second half of the season. Games are bigger and teams need to play their best if they are going to have a chance at hoisting the trophy in November.


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

When: October 9th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Series tied at 4

My Thoughts: First place is on the line.

New Haven stumbled at home to Merrimack by the score of 14-10. The Chargers came out flat again and this time, it stuck around for the entire game. The defense allowed a late touchdown drive that was the difference in the game. For New Haven to win on the road, they will need to play 60 minutes. The Chargers will need to play from the opening whistle to the final one. The ground game will need to control the clock and the defense will need to make stops on third down.

Assumption played their most complete game of the season as they defeated St. Anselm 51-19. All three phases of the game were solid for the Greyhounds as they making plays all game long. The offense started quick and the special teams picked them up all afternoon long. For Assumption to win the game, they will need to continue their momentum and start the game off solid. They will need to limit the New Haven running attack and continue to move the ball with ease when they are on offense.

One team that has matched up well with New Haven since they entered the NE-10 six years ago is Assumption. They have been able to handle the size and speed of New Haven each year. And 2015 will be no difference. The Greyhounds are peaking right now and will win this game.

Prediction: Assumption 35 New Haven 17


Pace (1-4, 0-4 NE-10) @ Southern Connecticut (1-4, 1-3 NE-10)

When: October 10th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 18-1-0

My Thoughts: Both teams have very different results last weekend.

Pace lost in the rain to Bentley 15-13 in the first ever night game at Pace Stadium. The running game was solid for the Setters as they found seams in the Bentley defense. A safety at the end of the first half was the difference in winning and losing for Pace. For Pace to win on the road, they will need to continue their ground attack and have the offensive line dominate in the trenches. The defense will need to make plays and limit the passing attack of Southern Connecticut.

Southern Connecticut pulled off the biggest upset of the season when they defeated previously unbeaten Stonehill 28-17. The Owls were the better team the entire night to grab their first victory of the season. They held Stonehill in check and forced five turnovers in their most complete game of the season. For Southern Connecticut to win at home, they will need more of the same that occurred in the Stonehill game. The offense will need to move the ball through the air and grind out first downs. The defense will need to be all over the field and make stops on third down.

Southern Connecticut finally showed that they are capable of competing in the league. They will use that momentum and take care of business against Pace.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 27 Pace 13


Saint Anselm (2-3, 2-2 NE-10) @ Bentley (2-3, 2-2 NE-10)

When: October 10th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 14-1-0

My Thoughts: First battle of teams to stay over .500 in the league.

St. Anselm struggled last Saturday in their loss to Assumption 51-19. Nothing bounced the right way for the Hawks as they seemed to be ready to make a run in the league. Special teams made every imaginable mistake and it cost them. Injuries are also taking a toll on the depth for the Hawks. For St. Anselm to win on the road, they will need to play smart and not make mistakes. The offense needs to move the ball and control the clock as they wear down the Bentley defense.

Bentley escaped a rainy Pace Stadium with a 15-13 victory last Friday night. The Falcons had just seven yards passing in the rain but the running game did the job as they grinded all game long. The defense came up with late stops and held off any sort of rally. For Bentley to win the game, they will need to move the ball on offense with their type balanced attack. The defense will need to make tackles and not allow the St. Anselm to move the chains and tire out the Falcon defense.

This game will be a defensive struggle as both offenses are not at the top of their games right now. But a late play by St. Anselm will be the difference in escaping with their first win at Bentley.

Prediction: St. Anselm 20 Bentley 17


Merrimack (2-3, 2-2 NE-10) @ LIU Post (3-2, 2-2 NE-10)

When: October 10th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: LIU Post leads the series, 9-2-0

My Thoughts: Second battle of teams trying to stay over .500.

Merrimack had a late scoring drive in defeating New Haven 14-10. The Warrior defense played well the entire game and limited the usually strong New Haven running attack to just 95 yards in the game. The offense was clicking on the final drive that won the game after struggling in the middle stanza of the game. For Merrimack to win on the road, they will need to continue that momentum from the final drive. They will need to limit turnovers and move the chains. The defense will face a similar offense to what they see in practice each day so they will be well prepared.

LIU Post lost their second straight game, this time on the road at AIC by the score of 44-17. The Pioneers were not in the game at all and need to find out what they are made of. The offense struggled and was not able to generate anything all game long. Post allowed too many big plays and were not able to recover. For LIU Post to win at home, they will need to bury the tape of the last two games and treat this game as the season opener. Everyone needs to forget the past and just look forward.

This game has the makings of being a barn burner. Both offenses are capable of scoring early and often. But Post will make a late scoring drive that will be the difference in the game.

Prediction: Post 38 Merrimack 34


American International (2-3, 2-2 NE-10) @ Stonehill (4-1, 3-1 NE-10)

When: October 10th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: American International leads the series, 19-0-0

My Thoughts: Which teams will show up?

American International played like the team that most expected in their 44-17 victory over LIU Post. The defense contributed to the scoring with a pair of pick sixes. The offense made big plays and seemed to move the ball up and down the field with ease. That is the type of effort that the Yellow Jackets are accustomed to and expect week in and week out. For American International to win on the road, they will need to replicate that performance on the road. They have not played well away from Springfield this year and will need a complete effort.

Stonehill was stunned at home to previously winless Southern Connecticut 28-17. The Skyhawks struggled all game long and were not able to do anything right. They turned the ball over five times and just made too many mistakes to win the football game. The magic of Long Island is a distant memory right now. For Stonehill to win the game, they will need to play well out of the locker room. No need to wait until the final two minutes of the game to play their best. A full 60 minute effort is required to win in this league.

Stonehill will bounce back and beat American International for the first time ever.

Prediction: Stonehill 28 AIC 20