It is finally here. Football season kicks off and the teams will be ready for opening weekend. The NE-10 has seven games against the PSAC, two against D1 FCS schools and one against the CIAA. It is a challenging slate for the NE-10 before the league schedule kicks off September 9th.


St. Anselm (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Wagner (0-0, 0-0 NEC)

When: September 1st, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: First meeting

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

St. Anselm has a new coach and a new scheme for the 2016 season. They have plenty of solid players back, looking to compete for the title. The team will look to move the ball efficiently and score when they are in the red zone. The defense will need to make stops and get off the field when they have the opportunity.

Wagner was picked for last place in the Northeast Conference. Alex Thomson is back at quarterback and will look to get the ball to Brandon Peoples and Ryan Owens. Najee Harris and Jordan Baskerville will anchor the defense for the Seahawks.

Several NE-10 teams have defeated Wagner to open their season but I think that the depth and size of a Division I team will win out in the end.

Prediction: Wagner 31 St. Anselm 10

Pace (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Millersville (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East)

When: September 1st, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: First meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part I

Pace enters the 2016 season looking to start the same way that did last year. They have some key players back but have a young team. Pace will need to move the ball on the ground and grind out first downs to control the clock. The defense will need to make plays on third down and get off the field when they have the opportunity.

Millersville was picked for seventh in the PSAC East. JJ Paige is back at quarterback and will try to get the ball to his favorite target, Kevin Wiggins. The strength of the Marauders will be on the defensive side as they welcome back seven of their top 10 tacklers from last year.

This game is a good match-up for both teams to see how they will fare in 2016. But the home team has the advantage and will find a way to earn the victory.

Prediction: Millersville 20 Pace 10


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

When: September 2nd, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bloomsburg leads the series 3-1-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part II

Bloomsburg was picked to finish third in the PSAC East. They welcome back all-league running back Lawrence Elliott Jr and he will be the focal point of the offense. The defense is strong and talented as they have six starters back from a team that won seven games in a season for the 17th consecutive season.

Stonehill has a new head coach but much of the rest is the same. They will be a strong defensive team that will fly to the ball and limit the big plays. Matt Foltz is back as the quarterback and will look to build upon his success in 2015. The Skyhawks have the talent to challenge for the NE-10 title.

This game will be very close and come down to the final minutes. Stonehill will make a late defensive stand to win the game.

Prediction: Stonehill 24 Bloomsburg 21


West Chester (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) @ Bentley (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 3rd, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part III

West Chester is the favorite to win the PSAC East. The Rams have 14 starters back from 2015 and look to defend their conference title. The defense will be anchored by Ralph Reeves and Josh Ganzelli. The offense had plenty of position battles in the preseason and seems to be deep at each position.

Bentley looks to make some noise in 2016. They have finished below .500 the past two years and would like to improve this year. They have some key defensive players back which will help stop the opposing offense. They will need to get some productive from their offense and keep their defense off the field.

West Chester opens the season with a strong running game and controls this game.

Prediction: West Chester 38 Bentley 17


Shippensburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) @ American International (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 3rd, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part IV

Shippensburg was picked to finish second in the PSAC East and welcomes back a lot of key players from a solid 2015 season. Nine defensive starters return and will be anchored by Allen Holman. The offense is balanced and will be led by quarterback Ryan Zapoticky. The Red Raiders also welcome back their entire offensive line which will bode well for their early games.

American International is looking to reverse their fortunes in 2016. Last year, they struggled on offense and will need to move the ball consistently and not turn the ball over. The defense has some key players back and will look to play physical.

Shippensburg will be strong in all phases of the game and win this game.

Prediction: Shippensburg 31 American International 10


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

When: September 3rd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Gannon leads the series, 2-1-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part V

Southern Connecticut looks to get back on the winning side of the legend more often than not. They have struggled the past couple of years but appear to be poised to win more games this year. They welcome back several key players from last year and might have the best QB/WR duo in the conference.

Gannon was picked to finish 5th in the PSAC West. They lost several key players from last year and will look to find a new quarterback. They have nine starters back on both side of the ball and have several key roles to be filled in the preseason.

Gannon has the home field advantage but I think that Southern will finish the game strong and steal a road victory.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 24 Gannon 23


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

When: September 3rd, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part VI

Kutztown is expected to finish 4th in the PSAC East based on the coaches poll. They have 16 starters back on both sides of the ball. Kellen Williams will be the target down the field, hoping to improve on his 62 catch, nine touchdown season in 2015. The defense will be anchored by Tajier Jefferson and look to continue his strong freshman campaign.

Assumption is the team with the target on their back in the NE-10. They won the league title in 2015 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. They have several key players back and have high hopes for 2016. They will need to take each week as it comes up and not look ahead. If they stay healthy and focused, they will be one of the top teams in the region this year.

Assumption is ready to pick up where they left off in 2016. They will move the ball efficiency and make key stops on the defensive side.

Prediction: Assumption 35 Kutztown 24


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

When: September 3rd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 3-1-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part VII

New Haven is looking for big things in 2016. After making the NE-10 title game last year, they are looking to erase that bitter taste of defeat. The Chargers have several key players back on both sides of the ball and look to use their experience to play better in the first half of the season. Tyler Condit will be all over the field and Andre Anderson will get his usual yards on the ground.

Slippery Rock returns 12 starters from a team that made the quarterfinals last year. They are picked to finish 2nd in the PSAC West and have several key defenders back. The defensive line of Cody Conway, Joe Phillips and Marcus Martin are one of the top units in the country. Shamar Greene will be the focal point of the offense and see the ball frequently this year.

This game will be a tough, hard fought battle on both sides of the field. Both teams are strong and physical but Slippery Rock will find a way to eke out a victory.

Prediction: Slippery Rock 27 New Haven 21


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

When: September 3rd, 3:00 PM

All-Time Series: Series tied at 6-6-0

My Thoughts: Former foes in the NE-10.

Merrimack was the surprise team in the league last year and will look to continue to build upon that success. They have several key players back this year and will look to make a run at the league title. The offense is always explosive and the defense continues to get better each year.

Bryant is a former member of the NE-10 that made the jump to Division 1 FCS in 2008. They have been picked fourth in the NEC and have several key members back on both sides of the ball. They have traditionally scheduled NE-10 opponents to open the season.

This is a good opening test for both schools. As in years past, Bryant will pull away with the win in the second half.

Prediction: Bryant 27 Merrimack 10


LIU Post (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) @ Virginia Union (0-0, 0-0 CIAA)

When: September 3rd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs CIAA

LIU Post opens the season on the road as they look to get back to the top of the NE-10. They have a solid nucleus back and are expected to have a solid season. The offense is stacked with playmakers and should be able to put up a lot of points. The defense is hoping to stay healthy and avoid the injury bug that plagued them in 2015.

Virginia Union is coming off a playoff appearance last year and looking for more success in 2016. They were picked second in the Northern Division of the CIAA and have several key players back in the fold. They have seen success in the past couple of years after several seasons of struggling.

This is a great match up for both teams before they head into league play. It will be a very close game but I think that Post will make a late drive to escape with the victory.

Prediction: LIU Post 31 Virginia Union 30