NE10 Preview Week 11

November 14th, 2019 3:00am

NE10 Preview Week 11

It is the final weekend of football in the NE10.  It is time to crown a champion most likely through the tiebreaker scenario.

 

American International (4-5, 3-4 NE10) @ Bentley (5-4, 5-2 NE10)

When:  November 16th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series:  Bentley leads the series, 14-12-0

Thoughts:  AIC won 28-25 back on September 14th.

American International defeated St. Anselm 39-19.  The Yellow Jackets ran the ball with ease and were able to make some plays on the defensive side.  They also had their highest winning total in four years.  For the Yellow Jackets to win on the road, they will need to continue their offensive output.  The backs will need to grind out the yards to open up the passing game.

Bentley easily defeated Franklin Pierce 70-0.  The Falcons rushed the ball and was just the better team during the afternoon. The defense was solid again and did not let the Ravens move the ball at all.  For the Falcons to win on their home turf, they will need to repeat the formula of the past several weeks.  Get the ball into the hands of the playmakers and let them make plays.  The defense will need to limit the big play and force turnovers.

Bentley will avenge their earlier loss to finish in a tie for first place.

Prediction:  Bentley 27 American International 17

 

 

Pace (5-4, 4-3 NE10) @ Southern Connecticut (2-7, 2-5 NE10)

When:  November 16th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series:  Southern Connecticut leads the series, 21-3-0

Thoughts:  Pace won 31-14 over SCSU back on September 13th.

Pace fell on the road to Stonehill 34-22.  The Setters came out fast once again but were not able to sustain the good times for 60 minutes.  They have struggled the past couple of weeks after pulling out that huge win over Assumption.  For the Setters to win on the road, they will need to play consistently for 60 minutes.  They need to make plays on each down and forgot about the past couple of weeks.

Southern Connecticut had the week off after losing two weeks ago at Stonehill 41-20.  The Owls got some rest and time to fix their mistakes for the final weekend of the season.  For the Owls to win on their home turf, they will need to play mistake-free on both sides of the ball.  The offense needs to move the ball through the air and the defense will need to bottle up the rushing attack of Pace.

Pace will find a way to finish the season on a high note.

Prediction:  Pace 34 Southern Connecticut 24

 

Stonehill (6-3, 5-2 NE10) @ New Haven (6-3, 5-2 NE10)

When:  November 16th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series:  New Haven leads the series, 9-2-0

Thoughts:  New Haven won 31-9 over Stonehill on September 14th.

Stonehill defeated Pace 34-22 to keep their championship hopes alive.  The Skyhawks have been the surprise team of 2019 as they have defied the preseason polls.  They have the hottest running back in the league and will see what he can do against a solid defense.  For the Skyhawks to win on the road, they will need to continue to ride the hot hand of their offensive catalysts.  The defense will need to pressure the quarterback into making bad decisions.

New Haven came back to defeat Assumption 34-33 last Saturday afternoon.  The Chargers rallied in the fourth quarter and proved to themselves that they are capable of winning on the road against good teams.  For the Chargers to win on the blue turf, they will need to put the Assumption victory behind them.  They need to find a way to bottle up the Stonehill offense and then make plays when they have the ball.

This game will live up to the billing and Stonehill will make a late play to steal the road victory.

Prediction:  Stonehill 38 New Haven 35

 

Assumption (6-3, 5-2 NE10) @ St. Anselm (3-7, 3-4 NE10)

When:  November 16th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series:  Assumption leads the series, 16-5-0

Thoughts:  Assumption won 54-23 over St. Anselm on September 14th

Assumption lost a tough one to New Haven 34-33.  The Greyhounds were not able to close the game out defensively and lost their best shot at the playoffs and an outright league title.  It is the second time this year that they allowed a touchdown in the final minute to lose a league game.  For the Greyhounds to win on the road, they will need to come out fast and score early. The offense needs to click on their first drive and the defense needs to make plays on third down to get off the field.

St. Anselm fell on the road to American International 39-19.  The Hawks rallied in the second quarter to make it close but were not able to generate enough plays to win the game.  They have lost two straight after riding a three-game winning streak.  For the Hawks to win at home, they will need to find the magic that carried them to victories earlier.  They need to move the ball and get their own defense to force turnovers.

Assumption will take care of business on the road.

Prediction:  Assumption 38 St. Anselm 20

 

Franklin Pierce (1-9, 0-8 NE10) @ Merrimack (4-5, 0-0 D1 NEC)

When:  November 16th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series:  First Meeting

Thoughts:  Old vs New

Franklin Pierce fell in their final home game to Bentley 70-0.  The Ravens were not able to match the size of the Falcons on the line and struggled to stop the rushing game.  For the Ravens to win on the road, they will need to find a way to make plays against a Division I school.  They will need to overcome the size and experience difference and exceed their own expectations.

Merrimack is coming off a 42-14 loss two weeks ago at Rhode Island.  They have had mixed results in their first year at the Division I level.  They have competed in some games and been overmatched in others.  Their experience is not much different from the team that they are lining up against.  For the Warriors to win on their home turf, they will need to take control of the game early.  They need to make plays on their first couple of drives and then let the defense bottle up the Raven attack.

Merrimack will win this game.

Prediction:  Merrimack 45 Franklin Pierce 7