We are already looking at Week 8 in the NE-10. The season is moving along at a frantic pace but we still have a lot to decide. Big games this weekend that will go along way to determining the top two teams that will square off for some hardware on November 14th.


Southern Connecticut (2-5, 2-4 NE-10) @ St. Anselm (2-5, 2-4 NE-10)

When: October 24th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 12-3-0

My Thoughts: Both teams enter the game off of tough losses.

Southern Connecticut played well and led Assumption into the fourth quarter before dropping the game. The Owls scored 50 points and had over 600 yards of total offense. The defense was strong for the first three quarters and deserved a better fate for their effort. For Southern Connecticut to win on the road, they will need to need to bottle their offensive attack from Saturday night and repeat it. The defense will need make plays on the outside and not allow St. Anselm to find open field.

St. Anselm fell on the road to Merrimack 41-16. The Hawks were not able to slow down the Merrimack offense and their offense struggled to move the ball. St. Anselm is showing their youth right now and struggling to overcome adversity. For St. Anselm to win the game, they will need to take care of the ball and move the chains. The defense will need to make plays and not allow Southern Connecticut to control the clock.

Southern Connecticut will use their offense to their advantage and exact some revenge from last year.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 31 St. Anselm 21


Bentley (4-3, 4-2 NE-10) @ Stonehill (4-3, 3-3 NE-10)

When: October 24th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 21-7-1

My Thoughts: Two teams headed in opposite directions.

Bentley won their third straight game as they defeated American International 10-6. The Falcons were strong on defense and frustrated AIC all afternoon long. The offense made enough plays to win the game and the Falcons are now in the middle of the NE-10 championship game mix. For Bentley to win on the road, the defense will need to make life tough for Stonehill and continue their stellar play. The offense will need to drive the ball down the field and score when they have the ball in the red zone.

Stonehill dropped their third straight game, this time to New Haven 28-14. The Skyhawks fell behind early and were never able to recover. The offense is battling injuries to key players and it is starting to show in the results. They will need to get healthy quickly if they are going to stop the losing streak. For Stonehill to win the game, they need to put the past struggles away and focus on the next game. The offense needs to move the ball and find their groove early. The defense will need to make stops and not allow Bentley to move the ball with ease.

This game is a rivalry game and both teams hate to lose to the other. Bentley is the better team right now and will win the game.

Prediction: Bentley 24 Stonehill 13


Pace (1-6, 0-6 NE-10) @ Merrimack (3-4, 3-3 NE-10)

When: October 24th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 14-0-0

My Thoughts: Another two teams headed in opposite directions.

Pace lost to in-state rival LIU Post 30-7. The Setters were not able to overcome the homecoming feeling in dropping their sixth straight game. They struggled to move the ball as well as controlling the Post offense. For Pace to win the game, they will need to stop the Merrimack offense and not allow them to make big plays. The offense will need to grind out yards and control the clock.

Merrimack easily defeated St. Anselm 41-16 last Saturday. The Warriors were led by Nick Davis as the sophomore quarterback continues to make solid decisions with the ball. They took advantage of several St. Anselm mistakes and made the most of them. Merrimack has now won two of the last three games. For Merrimack to win the game, they will need to continue to play mistake free and allow Davis to create with the ball. The defense will need to stop the Pace ground game and not allow them to move the ball.

Merrimack should be able to win in the trenches and control the game.

Prediction: Merrimack 38 Pace 10


Assumption (6-1, 5-1 NE-10) @ American International (3-4, 3-3 NE-10)

When: October 24th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: American International leads the series, 15-3-0

My Thoughts: National Division II Game of the Week on ESPN 3.

Assumption defeated Southern Connecticut 60-50 in a game that they trailed for three quarters. The Greyhounds used a 34 second span in the fourth quarter to grab the lead and never looked back. The running game made huge plays and the defense made a couple of plays when they needed it the most. For Assumption to win on the road, they will need to make plays early and often. The defense will need to continue to frustrate the AIC offense and their own offense needs to play mistake free.

American International fell on the road 10-6 at Bentley. The Yellow Jackets struggled offensively again as they have not been able to make plays consistently. The defense was strong as usual as they have allowed just 16 points in the past two games. For American International to win the game, the offense will need to be much improved. They will need to make plays and not be three and out on the majority of the drives. The defense will need to pick up the offense and make plays to limit the high powered Assumption offense.

Assumption is the better team right now and will make more plays to win on the road.

Prediction: Assumption 27 American International 10


LIU Post (5-2, 4-2 NE-10) @ New Haven (4-3, 4-2 NE-10)

When: October 24th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Post leads the series, 5-1-0

My Thoughts: The real game of the week.

LIU Post took care of business with a 30-7 victory over Pace. The Pioneers used a balanced attack to win for the second straight week and are tied for second place. They control their own fate as they play the other teams tied with them down the stretch. For LIU Post to win on the road, they will need to play mistake free and control the clock with their offense. The defense will need to pressure the quarterback and not allow him freedom to make plays.

New Haven defeated Stonehill 28-14 and is right back in the middle of the championship game discussion. The Chargers started fast and the defense was all over the field. They controlled the flow of the game and looked like a different team. New Haven scored when they had the ball in the red zone. For New Haven to win the game, they will need to have another fast start and play with the lead. The defense will need to continue their solid play and limit the big play ability of Post.

This game will be very highly contested with a lot on the line. Both defenses will play strong but New Haven will make a late drive that will be the difference.

Prediction: New Haven 24 LIU Post 20