It is football season. The season opens on Thursday night with three games.

Let the fun begin!!


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

When: August 30th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: West Chester leads the series, 2-0-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part I

West Chester was picked to win the PSAC East by the coaches. They have the majority of their defense back from a year ago as they advanced to the second round of the playoffs. The Golden Rams are always solid on both sides of the ball and are hoping to make a deeper run this year in the region.

Bentley saw a young team mature beyond their years last season. They were the only team to defeat LIU Post and Assumption in the league and are poised for a solid 2018. Young playmakers on both sides of the ball should make the Falcons competitive week in and week out.

This match-up was close in 2016 and not so much in 2017. West Chester is the more experienced team but Bentley will find a way to grind out a late victory at home.

Prediction: Bentley 27 West Chester 21


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

When: August 30th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Gannon leads the series, 4-1-0

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part II

Southern Connecticut finished 2017 strong and hopes to continue that into 2018. The Owls have a number of key positions to fill for the season but also have some solid returners back to pick up where they left off. They are going to be a young team and need to gel in a hostile environment.

Gannon was picked fifth in the PSAC West Coaches Poll. The Golden Knights have 19 starters back from last year and are looking for big things in 2018. They have playmakers on both sides of the ball and are ready to compete with the iron of the PSAC West.

It is going to be a long night for Southern Connecticut if they play slow and sloppy. Gannon is the better team on paper and should have no problem on their home turf.

Prediction: Gannon 34 Southern Connecticut 7


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

When: August 30th, 7:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part III

Pace had the tale of two seasons in 2017. It started with a victory over Millersville and then continued with a 3-2 record at the midway point of the season. But the Setters were not able to keep the momentum going and lost five straight to end the season. They need to get out of the gate fast and keep it going for 10 weeks.

Millersville was picked to finish sixth in the PSAC East by the coaches. The Mauraders have a new coach and some starters back from 2017. They will have their work cut out for them as the new coaching staff was not in place until after spring ball. But with their quarterback back in the fold, it should help to stabilize the situation.

This is a good opening matchup for both schools. They have a lot to prove and need to open the season on the right foot. It will be a close game, but the home team will make a play late to win the game.

Prediction: Millersville 17 Pace 13


Fairmont State (0-0, 0-0 MEC) @Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: August 31st, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs MEC Part I

Fairmont State is a big unknown for fans of the NE-10. The Falcons were picked to finish second in the Mountain East Conference by the coaches. They have been a solid team the past two seasons as they made the playoffs in 2016 and just edged out in 2017. Fairmont State has several key players back including an All-American in the secondary.

Stonehill is always a tough draw out of conference. They played toe to toe with Bloomsburg over the past several years including winning on the road twice. The Skyhawks will find a way to slow down the offensive attack of Fairmont State and will need to put points on the board.

This game will be a low scoring affair as both defenses are good. It will come down to a late field goal for the visitors to escape with the win.

Prediction: Fairmont State 13 Stonehill 10


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

When: September 1st, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part IV

Kutztown was slated for third in the PSAC East by the coaches in the preseason poll and even grabbed a first-place vote. The Golden Bears have a good number of their starters back from a team that finished 8-3 a year ago. They will be in the mix in their division and pose a tough matchup for any team this season.

Assumption is a favorite once again to win the NE-10 but have one major chance, a new head coach. But he inherits a ton of talent that is used to winning and playing deep into the season. The Greyhounds have set themselves up as one of the top programs in the region and are ready once again to prove the naysayers wrong.

Kutztown will take an early lead in this game before the power and fury of the Assumption offense is unleashed to win the game.

Prediction: Assumption 38 Kutztown 28


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

When: September 1st, 2:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: NE-10 vs PSAC Part V

Merrimack is no stranger to playing well in out of conference games and even pulled out a victory years ago against Wagner. The Warriors will need to play well early on as they might have the toughest stretch of football ever to open the season.

Bloomsburg was picked to finished fourth in the PSAC East in the coaches' poll. The Huskies are no strangers to the NE-10 as they have matched up with Stonehill over the years to open the season. They have several key members back on both sides of the ball.

Bloomsburg is a running team and Merrimack will need to find a way to stop them in the trenches. The Huskies will find a way to control the line of scrimmage and pick up the win.

Prediction: Bloomsburg 24 Merrimack 14


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

When: September 1st, 3:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My Thoughts: Throwback type of game.

New Haven is always up for a battle. The Chargers schedule out of conference games to be well prepared for the league schedule and this game is no different. If they were both in the NE-10, this is a game to circle on the calendar year in and year out.

Bryant has had success since moving to Division I and always seems to rekindle its rivalry with former NE-10 foes to open the season. They are coming off a 6-5 season and were picked third in the preseason coaches' poll. The Bulldogs have several key players back including the defensive player of the year for their league.

This will be a physical battle and not the pushover that Bryant hoped for. New Haven will hold their own for three quarters, but Bryant will find a way to emerge victorious.

Prediction: Bryant 28 New Haven 17