September 1st, 2021 5:00am
After two years, it is finally football season. Three straight days of NE10 football. Sit back and enjoy it for the next 11 weeks of the regular season.
American International College (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at Millersville (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East)
When: September 2nd, 7:00 PM
All-Time Series: Millersville leads the series, 4-0-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs PSAC Part I
American International has a new coach and plenty to prove. The defense is always strong and will bring pressure to the opposing quarterback. The Yellow Jackets will need to get their offense rolling. They have struggled for the past several seasons and will need to establish the running game to open the field for the receivers.
Millersville had a new coach in 2018 that is starting to lay the groundwork for the program. Just like AIC, the Marauders are stacked on the defensive side. They have most of their defensive starters back and it will be the offense that will be the unit to watch.
This game will be a defensive battle. Both teams are strong on the defensive side of the ball so it will come down to field position. Millersville will use their home-field advantage to squeak out the victory.
Prediction: Millersville 13 American International 9
Pace (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at East Stroudsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East)
When: September 2nd, 7:00 PM
All-Time Series: East Stroudsburg leads the series, 2-0-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs PSAC Part II
Pace has been a team on the rise for the past several years. Gone are the days of them losing by 50 points 10 years when they last faced East Stroudsburg. The Setters have an experienced quarterback that has the ability to score points every time he is under center. The key will be for the defense to slow down a very good offense on the other side of the ball.
East Stroudsburg was picked to finish towards the bottom of a pretty good PSAC East. They have a lot of offensive weapons back and should be able to score points with ease. The Warriors will look to improve on a defense that gave up a lot of yards in 2019.
This game will feature a lot of points as both teams have good quarterbacks and strong offensive units. Pace will have the ball late and score to take a road victory.
Prediction: Pace 38 East Stroudsburg 34
Southern Connecticut (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at Central Connecticut (0-0, 0-0 NEC)
When: September 3rd, 6:00 PM
All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 36-17-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs NEC Part I
Southern Connecticut is hoping for a strong rebound in 2021. They have not been the usual Owls in recent memory but are hoping that a young team is ready to make some waves. The offense has several key players back in the mix and hoping to pick up where they left off. The defense is always swarming the field and looking to slow down their cross-state rival.
Central Connecticut is the favorite to win the NEC title in 2021. The Blue Devils have built a solid program that has been in the FCS playoffs several times in the past couple of years. They have playmakers on both sides of the ball and will look to use their experience to make a long run this year.
Central Connecticut has a deep and more talented roster. They will win this game going away.
Prediction: Central Connecticut 38 Southern Connecticut 10
West Chester (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) at Bentley (0-0, 0-0 NE10)
When: September 3rd, 6:00 PM
All-Time Series: West Chester leads the series, 4-0-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs PSAC Part III
West Chester is once again a favorite to contend for the PSAC East crown. The Golden Rams are coming off a playoff appearance in 2019 and that is becoming the standard for the program. The defense will be strong as they pressure the quarterback and limit the big play. The offense will grind out yards on the ground and stretch the field when needed.
Bentley was picked second in the NE10 coaches’ poll and is the reigning champ for the league. The Falcons have a lot of weapons back on the offensive side of the ball. An experienced quarterback will help after a long layoff with no football last year. The defense is always aggressive and will look to make plays just like they did in 2019.
This might be the pick of the weekend as both teams have solid rosters and plenty of returning players. West Chester will take a close road game.
Prediction: West Chester 24 Bentley 17
Assumption (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at Kutztown (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East)
When: September 4th, 12:00 PM
All-Time Series: Assumption leads the series, 3-2-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs PSAC Part IV
Assumption is looking to rebound from a tough ending to 2019. The Greyhounds were in a position to win the league, but two late losses cost them the title and then left a sour taste in their mouth that lasted longer with the events of 2020. They have several key players back in the fold and will look to be competitive week after week.
Kutztown was the surprise of the PSAC East in 2019, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. The Golden Bears have graduated a lot of talent but were picked to be in the mix for the league title. The defense has the most players back and they will look to lock down the opposing offense. Their own offense will need to shake off the rust and settle in quickly.
This game has the makings for an upset. Kutztown is good but has a lot of new faces on the field. Assumption will find a way to make more plays and have a good bus trip home.
Prediction: Assumption 27 Kutztown 23
Franklin Pierce (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at New Haven (0-0, 0-0 NE10)
When: September 4th, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 1-0-0
My Thoughts: Non-conference league match-up.
Franklin Pierce is in their second year of Division II football. The Ravens are in the middle of building their program and made strides in their inaugural season. The team is young and still learning the difference of playing at the collegiate level.
New Haven is a perennial favorite to win the NE10. The Chargers have plenty of solid players back on both sides of the ball. They will look to pressure the quarterback and then allow their offense to move the ball up and down the field.
New Haven will use their first game of the season to work out the kinks.
Prediction: New Haven 45 Franklin Pierce 7
St. Anselm (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at Merrimack (0-0, 0-0 NEC)
When: September 4th, 1:00 PM
All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 15-6-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs NEC Part II
St. Anselm had a strong finish to the 2019 season and looking to continue that success. The Hawks have a young team that is hungry to win games and continue to surprise their opponents. The defense might be ahead of the offense, but the team will improve as the season progresses.
Merrimack played a shortened spring season and is looking to continue their improvement at the Division 1 level. The Warriors have always been known for their high-powered offense and will look to have their defense settle in.
Merrimack has more experience and is the better team at the moment.
Prediction: Merrimack 38 St. Anselm 13
Bloomsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) at Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE10)
When: September 4th, 2:30 PM
All-Time Series: Bloomsburg leads the series, 4-3-0
My Thoughts: NE10 vs PSAC Part V
Bloomsburg was picked to finish fourth in the PSAC East. The Huskies have a new coach and are looking to impress him. The offense has their quarterback back, but they will look to pound the ball on the ground. The defense returns some key players and will look to stuff the opposing offense.
Stonehill was the surprise team of 2019 and picked to compete for the league title this year. The Skyhawks have the top running back in the league and a quarterback that emerged two years ago. The defense is always playing well and hoping to continue their play-making abilities.
The road team has won the last five matchups. But it is time to break the home curse. Stonehill will find a way to win this game.
Prediction: Stonehill 24 Bloomsburg 14