DURHAM, N.H. – It snowed in Harrisonburg last week. It’s 51 and sunny in New Hampshire today. The only thing tougher than predicting Colonial Athletic Association football games this year is forecasting the weather.
Maine, Towson and Old Dominion are looking like they’re headed for the Division I-AA playoffs, while Richmond and Villanova are still searching for their first CAA wins.
William & Mary and Rhode Island are trying to salvage their seasons, while James Madison and New Hampshire are hoping to stay on the right side of the playoff-eligibility ledger coming down the stretch.
Another unimpressive week (3-2) continues my slide into mediocrity. Last week, I had too match confidence in JMU on the road and too much confidence in Towson at home. My overall record now stands at 43-19.
Here are this week’s picks.
William & Mary at Rhode Island: William & Mary has been the league’s most disappointing team in 2011. Picked by many as a national title contender, the Tribe’s offense has been largely unimpressive, done in by inconsistent play from the quarterback spot.
The Rams have been the league’s second most disappointing team this season but – as Delaware learned – they can still be dangerous. Their offense has been energized by a new quarterback.
PICK: Rhode Island 24, W&M 17
Richmond at Old Dominion: The Spiders aren’t far behind William & Mary and Rhode Island on the disappointment meter. After opening 3-0 – with an upset of Duke – Richmond has found the conference schedule to be much tougher sledding.
ODU, meanwhile, has risen to prominence in just its first year in the league and third season overall. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke – subbing for the injured Thomas DeMarco – has been electric.
The Monarchs make big plays on offense and block kicks on special teams.
PICK: Old Dominion 30, Richmond 17
Villanova at UMass: Some might say the Minutemen have nothing to play for. A year away from moving up to Division I-A, they’re not eligible for the postseason or the league title.
To me, that means they should have plenty of motivation to win their remaining regular-season games.
UMass’s Jonathan Hernandez is the league’s top rusher. Villanova – amongst its many deficiencies – has the worst run-defense in the CAA. Enough said.
PICK: UMass 31, Villanova 10
Towson at Maine: Picked to finish at the bottom of the conference, these two teams are contenders to win a league title and go to the playoffs. Who would’ve thought a Towson-Maine game would have title implications?
The Tigers running game has been tops in the CAA this season and quarterback Grant Enders has proven to be a playmaker.
But plucky Maine seems to always find a way. And while far from a perennial power, the Black Bears have the edge because they’ve been in big CAA games before. Plus, they’re playing at home in November.
PICK: Maine 24, Towson 21
James Madison at New Hampshire: The Dukes lucked out with the weather. The forecast is calling for temperatures in the 50s and not much wind.
That’s the only luck JMU has had lately. It’s loss to ODU was marked by a flukey long touchdown and a bevy of injuries.
Quarterback Jace Edwards, running back Dae’Quan Scott and defensive end D.J. Bryant are among those playing in pain Saturday. The offensive line is minus its two starting tackles.
But a wounded animal is always dangerous. And so is a team desperate for a win. JMU embodies both clichés this weekend.
The Dukes have played well in November and have done a decent job containing UNH’s high-powered offense the last decade. They’ll have to do it again Saturday.
PICK: JMU 24, UNH 21
No comments:
Post a Comment