Week 7 in the NE-10. The second half of the season is here, and it is time to separate the contenders from the pretenders.


New Haven (4-1, 4-0 NE-10) @ American International (0-4, 0-4 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 17-7-0

My Thoughts: Teams going in different directions.

New Haven defeated Bentley 31-27 two weeks ago and is looking to make some noise in the second half of the season. They were in a similar position last year and were not able to take advantage. The Chargers need to come into this game and take the lead early and never look back.

American International fell to Assumption 54-9 on the road and have lost all four of their games this year. They have had trouble being consistent and need to find a way to put everything together. The Yellow Jackets need to play beyond their years and make plays on both sides of the ball.

New Haven will win the game easily on the road.

Prediction: New Haven 45 American International 10


St. Anselm (1-3, 1-3 NE-10) @ LIU Post (5-0, 4-0 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: LIU Post leads the series, 14-0-0

My Thoughts: Last ever matchup between these teams.

St. Anselm lost to Southern Connecticut 43-7 two weeks ago. They were not able to control the running game of the Owls and their own offense struggled the entire afternoon. 80 of their 214 total yards of offense were on the final drive of the game. The Hawks need to come out and play well from the first snap of the game. They need to play mistake free and put LIU Post back on their heels.

LIU Post stayed undefeated as they beat Shippensburg 41-39 on a last second field goal. The game was a back and forth roller coaster as both teams exchanged the lead in the second half. It was going to be a game in which whoever had the ball last won and that was the case for Post. The Pioneers will need to score early and often in order to have St. Anselm play from behind the entire afternoon.

Post is the better team and will keep their perfect record intact.

Prediction: Post 38 St. Anselm 14


Pace (3-2, 2-2 NE-10) @ Bentley (1-4, 1-3 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 15-4-0

My Thoughts: Records are usually reversed.

Pace defeated Stonehill 51-30 and is above .500 entering October for the second straight season. They jumped out early, fell behind in the third quarter and then stepped on the gas to win the game. They are playing solid on both sides of the ball and might have found one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league. The Setters will need to keep their discipline on the road and play mistake free as well as letting Carlton Aiken make plays with his arm and legs.

Bentley lost to New Haven 31-27 on the road two weeks ago. They were in the game all day long and just could not make enough plays for the upset. It might have been a different result if they had a healthy kicker, but it was a much better effort overall. The Falcons need to move the ball and not feel the pressure of the Pace defensive line. The defense will need to contain Aiken and keep the running game in check.

Pace is a more mature team than a year ago and has played well on the road this year.

Prediction: Pace 24 Bentley 17


Southern Connecticut (3-2, 2-2 NE-10) @ Assumption (4-1, 4-0 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 10-6-0

My Thoughts: Going to be a tough, physical game.

Southern Connecticut won their second straight game as they defeated St. Anselm 43-7. They jumped out early and never looked back. The running game was solid once again and the defense made all of the necessary plays. The Owls will need to find a way to slow down the playmakers of Assumption and not allow them to make big plays. They will need to run the ball and control the clock.

Assumption won their fourth straight by defeated American International 54-9. Cody Williams had his best statistical game of the season as he spread the ball all over the field with ease. The defense did their job and did not allow the Yellow Jacket offense to feel comfortable at any point of the game. The Greyhounds need to jump out quickly and continue their dominance on both sides of the ball. They will need to stuff the run and force the Owls to throw the ball.

Assumption will have their first test in a while and prepare for a huge game next weekend.

Prediction: Assumption 34 Southern Connecticut 24


Merrimack (1-4, 1-3 NE-10) @ Stonehill (1-4, 1-3 NE-10)

When: October 13th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 12-11-0

My Thoughts: Two teams looking for a win.

Merrimack finished their killer schedule with a loss to LIU Post 37-20. They played all of the top teams in the league and were riddled with injuries. The Warriors will use the bye week to heal up a little and then need to play a solid road game. The offense needs to be balanced and the defense needs to bottle up the Stonehill running game.

Stonehill fell on the road to Pace 51-30 and in the middle of a three-game losing streak. They led in the third quarter, but the defense was not able to contain the Pace offense. The Skyhawks need to get the ball into Andrew Jamiel's hands so that he can help stretch the field. The defense will need to pressure the quarterback and cause some turnovers.

This will be a close game and come down to a late field goal as the difference.

Prediction: Stonehill 23 Merrimack 20