CAA Picks: Week 2

HARRISONBURG – It’s bounce back week for many of the teams in the Colonial Athletic Association. Six of the squads opened on the road at Division I-A teams, and five of them came up woefully short.

This week’s schedule is chock full of chances for those teams to get right, playing lesser teams.

I went 8-2 picking CAA games last week. I knew the league would score one I-A upset, but I picked Delaware to topple Navy instead of trusting Richmond to continue its mastery of Duke. Oh well. Still a respectable start.

Let’s keep the ball rolling…

Old Dominion at Georgia State: A year ago, ODU won this game 34-20 at home. This year’s installment is on the road but the Monarchs have a little extra motivation. Playing a full CAA slate, Old Dominion has to win its non-conference games to make a run at the postseason. Quarterback Thomas DeMarco threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, Georgia State wants to show it’s ready for CAA play. Could be a tight one.

PICK: ODU 30, Georgia State 17

New Hampshire at Lehigh: Quarterback Kevin Decker was effective in the Wildcats’ season-opening loss to Toledo. Moving back down into I-AA competition should give Decker the chance to be exceptional. UNH has a pair of studs on defense in defensive lineman Brian McNally and linebacker Matt Evans. But Lehigh is the preseason favorite to win the Patriot League and it’s playing at home, so this game could be close as well. Expect Decker to pull it out after the defense makes a late stand.

PICK: New Hampshire 24, Lehigh 17

Maine at Pittsburgh: Take the money and run, Maine. That’s exactly what the Black Bears are likely to do Saturday. First, they’ll run – run the ball and keep the clock moving – in an effort not to get their clocks cleaned by Pittsburgh. Then, they’ll get the money, a big day for playing a I-A squad. Yes, the CAA has pulled a number of upsets in recent years against top-division teams. It won’t happen in this one.

PICK: Pittsburgh 37, Maine 10

William & Mary at VMI: The Tribe are the league’s preseason favorite and a I-AA national title contender. Yes, they got walloped by Virginia in the opening week, but that doesn’t mean much. Neither will this week’s likely road romp of always-overmatched VMI. The biggest deal in this one will be how W&M quarterback Mike Paulus – who struggled last week – plays.

PICK: William & Mary 41, VMI 3

Rhode Island at Syracuse: Rhode Island could be a sleeper in the league this year. Quarterback Steve Probst is back to lead an offense that should put up plenty of points. How much will Coach Joe Trainer reveal against the I-A Orangemen? I’m guessing, not much.

PICK: Syracuse 24, Rhode Island 13

West Chester at Delaware: The Blue Hens won’t be continuing this lopsided series with Division II West Chester after next year. This year, Delaware gets to put its first W in the win column. Expect tailback Andrew Pierce – who rushed for over 100 yards against Navy – to put up big numbers while he’s in the game. New starting quarterback Trevor Sasek was injured in the opener and won’t play Saturday. It shouldn’t matter.

PICK: Delaware 44, West Chester 3

Wagner at Richmond: The Spiders’ home opener is sold out after the team – under interim coach Wayne Lineburg – upset Duke in its opener. Quarterback Aaron Corps appears recovered from the knee injury that sidelined him last year. And wide receiver Tre Gray has emerged as his top target. I doubted Richmond last week. I won’t make the same mistake this time.

PICK: Richmond 27, Wagner 13

Villanova at Towson: It is so tempting to pick the Tigers in this one. Villanova is so young and inexperienced. New starting quarterback Dustin Thomas did an awful job protecting the football in the season-opening loss to Temple. Towson’s new quarterback – Grant Enders – looks like a play maker and the Tigers are playing at home. Can I really predict Towson to beat Villanova. It’s tempting but, no. I can’t. The Wildcats aren’t going to have a good year, but it’s not going to be that bad. They pull this one out in too-close-for-comfort fashion.

PICK: Villanova 24, Towson 21

Central Connecticut State at JMU: For what its worth, Central Connecticut State is the preseason favorite to win the Northeast Conference – a limited-scholarship league that does get an automatic bid to the I-AA playoffs. The Blue Devils’ starting quarterback is dinged up and it’s unlikely the team will risk letting him play more than a half. JMU’s defense was embarrassed by giving up 42 points last week to North Carolina. Privately, the players are talking about a shutout. They’ll probably lose that late when the subs are in, but the Dukes should dominate in their home opener.

PICK: JMU 31, CCSU 6