It is that time of the year again, football season. The teams have been on campus for a couple of weeks now and are preparing for the 2017 season.
It all kicks off on August 31st when Bentley travels to West Chester and St. Anselm plays at Wagner.

Here is my pick for #7 in the league in 2017:

American International College Yellow Jackets (4-7, 3-6 NE-10)

Coach: Art Wilkins, 24th year (144-96)

Opening Game: September 2nd @ Shippensburg

2017 Schedule

2016 Stats

2017 Roster

Game to Watch: September 22nd against Southern Connecticut State

This is one of the top rivalries in the NE-10 and always a tough, physical game when the teams play each other. It is a chance for the Yellow Jackets to show that they are ready to compete for the title as they have a more favorable schedule in the first half of the season before playing the top teams later in the season.

Player to Watch: Devonte Dillion, CB

Dillion made a one-handed interception against Pace last year that went viral on social media. He was also one of the top corners in the league as he led the Yellow Jackets with 14 pass break ups and picked off five passes. The senior is ready to pick up where he left off in 2016 and lead an always talented defensive backfield for AIC.

Unit to Watch: Offense

The defense is always solid for AIC as they allowed a mere 16 points per game last year. But the offense struggled to find the end zone and has not been the same since the graduation of Kevin Arduino several years ago. They will need to find a quarterback capable of moving the chains and getting the ball into the hands of the skill players. The skill players will need to find holes and make some plays. If they can improve upon their 12 points per game last year, AIC can play with the upper echelon of the league week in and week out.

Outlook:

Twenty-four-year head coach Art Wilkins has seen his team struggle the past two years and he hopes that they will improve this year. The defense will be strong because they always are. He needs to find some offensive playmakers that can find the end zone and make plays when called upon. If the offense improves, it will aid the always strong defense and they might have a chance to be in the mix for the title at the end of the season.