Here's my weekly predictions of other games in the I-AA world this week. Isn't it great that I share with the world how awful I've been in picking I-AA games this year? I've been 66% on the year picking the I-AA Top 25, and even worse if you factor in Patriot League games. It's a good thing I'm not a betting man.
(No TV broadcast of today's game. You can listen to the game on AM 1230/1320 in the Lehigh Valley, or listen to the live feed at lehighsports.com - that's my plan.)
Patriot League:
Davidson at Georgetown. Georgetown is greatly improved, and should make their home finale a win the program should cherish. G'Town 30, Davidson 10.
Bucknell at Colgate. Colgate's still very much alive for the Patriot League title, and that alone should be enough to get the win. Colgate 27, Bucknell 7.
Lafayette at Holy Cross. Holy Cross had the title to lose against Colgate, and couldn't consummate a come-from-behind win against Colgate. Fordham then stomped a Steve Silva-less squad to put a dagger through their playoff hopes. Lafayette, on the other hand, will be looking to win and to put to power of prayer to the test for a defense of their title, or at least a co-championship. The trouble with the Crusaders is that they don't match up well with Lafayette. The trouble with the Leopards is that they haven't been able to finish teams off, though they've been very close. What does that mean? The Leopards stay alive in OT. Lafayette 23, HC 20, OT.
I-AA Top 25:
Iona at #1 New Hampshire. The Wildcats, just to make the game more even, should announce on the scoreboard the plays that they're going to call as they line up at the line of scrimmage, to make the game more enjoyable for the shivering fans in attendance. Maybe even announce over the intercom, "You make the call! Should the Wildcats select A) pass over the middle, B) QB rollout to the right, or 3) power run over the middle?" Even with this advantage, Iona wouldn't come withing sniffing distance. UNH 70, Iona 0.
#2 Montana at Sacramento St. Governor Schwarzenegger won't be the only big loser in Sacramento this weekend. Montana 45, Sac St. 10.
#3 Southern Illinois at #13 Northern Iowa. It's really do-or-die time for both the Salukis and Panthers this weekend. The winner of this game will take the Gateway title outright, basically, and if UNI manage the trick it will be with 2 league losses. Both teams are red-hot with big wins against league rivals Western Kentucky and Youngstown St. Who takes it? The key has got to be the home field advantage. The Panthers nab the title, barely. UNI 31, SIU 28, OT.
Florida A&M at #4 Hampton. I refuse to be taken into picking a Hampton upset for a third week in a row. The Pirates coast, yet still don't win impressively, infuriating AGS posters for weeks to come. Hampton 28, FAMU 3.
Western Carolina at #5 Appalachian St. The "Battle for the Old Mountain Jug" is a huge game for the Mountaineers, who could find themselves out of the running for the I-AA playoffs with a loss, while the Catamounts' miniscule playoff hopes would get a boost. Trouble is, App St. embarassingly lost the jug last year, and losing it at home in Boone doesn't seem like an option (as much as at-large teams may be wishing this to happen). App St. 38, WCU 3.
#6 UMass at Army (I-A). Normally, this would be a money game for the Minutemen, where they take their lumps and come back next week versus Hofstra. But this is a game with huge implications for UMass. If they get the win against the Knights, their at-large qualification for the I-AA playoffs is all but sealed in stone. If they lose, they're forced to win at Hofstra to qualify for the postseason. Army, after a rough start, has won their last two games, including a huge win versus Air Force, and seem to be hitting their stride. I think Army wins this game, and makes for a nervous week in Amherst. Army 27, UMass 17.
Wofford at #7 Furman. Hard to picture Furman losing a must-win game at home versus the Terriers. Could it happen? I'm thinking Furman cements their at-large credentials this week, leaving no doubt that they're in the field. With plenty to play for, the Paladins roll. Furman 38, Wofford 14.
#8 Texas St. at Stephen F. Austin. God, I hope I'm wrong about this game. Texas St. 48, SFA 24.
Morehead St. at #9 Georgia Southern. I won't be wrong about this tarring and feathering. GSU 56, MSU 7.
#10 Montana St. at #20 Eastern Washington. A Big Sky game which has lost much of its luster due to the Eagles' 4-loss plateau. The Eagles are out of the playoff hunt, while the Bobcats are fighting to stay alive in the race. I think Montana St. takes care of business here. MSU 34, EWU 20.
Southern Utah at #11 Cal Poly. The 'Stangs will have the gloves off, looking to impress the I-AA playoff committee fotr an at-large bid, so this game should be incredibly ugly. Cal Poly 49, SUU 15.
#14 Western Kentucky at #19 Youngstown St. It's almost as simple as "the winner is in", though the Hilltoppers would need to win at I-A Florida International next week to seal the deal. But the loser is definitely out, which makes this the biggest game of the week. Both have lost their last two games against Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois, and both seem like almost mirror images. Both have a tough I-A loss. Both managed to beat tough Illinois St. Western Kentucky may be a tiny bit more tested with a win against Eastern Kentucky to their credit as well. I think Youngstown gets exposed here, and it's the Hilltoppers that keep their hopes alive. WKU 34, YSU 17.
Mansfield (D-II) at #15 Coastal Carolina. Why are there so many bad matchups this time of year? I've heard the excuses of good teams backing out of games, but come on, Mansfield? CCU 43, Mansfield 6.
#16 Richmond at Towson. Okay. Raise your hand if you thought that this game would have ANY meaning for the A-10 title and playoff positioning in September. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Incredibly, the winner keeps alive in the at-large playoff chase (and Richmond has an outside chance at the outright A-10 title), and the loser pats themselves on the back and say, "nice year!" Get used to saying, "nationally-ranked Richmond" one more week. (I'm still not used to it.) Richmond 38, Towson 10.
South Dakota St. at #17 North Dakota St. This budding rivalry for the "Dakota Marker" promises to be a great rivalry, and a great game. The Bison should be able to bring home the marker this year, making the year a complete success for them. NDSU 34, SDSU 23.
Dartmouth at #18 Brown. Maybe RB Nick Hartigan should interview for his Rhodes Scholarship this week - the Bears won't even need him to wallop Dartmouth. Brown 38, Dartmouth 3.
Tennessee Tech at #21 Eastern Illinois. The Panthers continue the drive to their championship game versus Jacksonville St, and the Eagles should only be a speed bump. EIU 38, TTU 3.
Concordia (D-II) at #22 Grambling. Speaking of speed bumps... Grambling 70, Concordia 0.
Delaware at #24 William & Mary. Preseason, this was seen as a rematch of the second round of the I-AA playoffs last year. This year, it's the "Bowl of Tears". Bill & Mary should win this one at home. W&M 25, Delaware 15.
Indiana St. at #25 Illinois St. The Redbirds shouldn't be in the playoff discussion, but they'll hope a monster win against the 0-10 Sycamores will put them in the discussion. ISU 63, ISU 8.
(No TV broadcast of today's game. You can listen to the game on AM 1230/1320 in the Lehigh Valley, or listen to the live feed at lehighsports.com - that's my plan.)
Patriot League:
Davidson at Georgetown. Georgetown is greatly improved, and should make their home finale a win the program should cherish. G'Town 30, Davidson 10.
Bucknell at Colgate. Colgate's still very much alive for the Patriot League title, and that alone should be enough to get the win. Colgate 27, Bucknell 7.
Lafayette at Holy Cross. Holy Cross had the title to lose against Colgate, and couldn't consummate a come-from-behind win against Colgate. Fordham then stomped a Steve Silva-less squad to put a dagger through their playoff hopes. Lafayette, on the other hand, will be looking to win and to put to power of prayer to the test for a defense of their title, or at least a co-championship. The trouble with the Crusaders is that they don't match up well with Lafayette. The trouble with the Leopards is that they haven't been able to finish teams off, though they've been very close. What does that mean? The Leopards stay alive in OT. Lafayette 23, HC 20, OT.
I-AA Top 25:
Iona at #1 New Hampshire. The Wildcats, just to make the game more even, should announce on the scoreboard the plays that they're going to call as they line up at the line of scrimmage, to make the game more enjoyable for the shivering fans in attendance. Maybe even announce over the intercom, "You make the call! Should the Wildcats select A) pass over the middle, B) QB rollout to the right, or 3) power run over the middle?" Even with this advantage, Iona wouldn't come withing sniffing distance. UNH 70, Iona 0.
#2 Montana at Sacramento St. Governor Schwarzenegger won't be the only big loser in Sacramento this weekend. Montana 45, Sac St. 10.
#3 Southern Illinois at #13 Northern Iowa. It's really do-or-die time for both the Salukis and Panthers this weekend. The winner of this game will take the Gateway title outright, basically, and if UNI manage the trick it will be with 2 league losses. Both teams are red-hot with big wins against league rivals Western Kentucky and Youngstown St. Who takes it? The key has got to be the home field advantage. The Panthers nab the title, barely. UNI 31, SIU 28, OT.
Florida A&M at #4 Hampton. I refuse to be taken into picking a Hampton upset for a third week in a row. The Pirates coast, yet still don't win impressively, infuriating AGS posters for weeks to come. Hampton 28, FAMU 3.
Western Carolina at #5 Appalachian St. The "Battle for the Old Mountain Jug" is a huge game for the Mountaineers, who could find themselves out of the running for the I-AA playoffs with a loss, while the Catamounts' miniscule playoff hopes would get a boost. Trouble is, App St. embarassingly lost the jug last year, and losing it at home in Boone doesn't seem like an option (as much as at-large teams may be wishing this to happen). App St. 38, WCU 3.
#6 UMass at Army (I-A). Normally, this would be a money game for the Minutemen, where they take their lumps and come back next week versus Hofstra. But this is a game with huge implications for UMass. If they get the win against the Knights, their at-large qualification for the I-AA playoffs is all but sealed in stone. If they lose, they're forced to win at Hofstra to qualify for the postseason. Army, after a rough start, has won their last two games, including a huge win versus Air Force, and seem to be hitting their stride. I think Army wins this game, and makes for a nervous week in Amherst. Army 27, UMass 17.
Wofford at #7 Furman. Hard to picture Furman losing a must-win game at home versus the Terriers. Could it happen? I'm thinking Furman cements their at-large credentials this week, leaving no doubt that they're in the field. With plenty to play for, the Paladins roll. Furman 38, Wofford 14.
#8 Texas St. at Stephen F. Austin. God, I hope I'm wrong about this game. Texas St. 48, SFA 24.
Morehead St. at #9 Georgia Southern. I won't be wrong about this tarring and feathering. GSU 56, MSU 7.
#10 Montana St. at #20 Eastern Washington. A Big Sky game which has lost much of its luster due to the Eagles' 4-loss plateau. The Eagles are out of the playoff hunt, while the Bobcats are fighting to stay alive in the race. I think Montana St. takes care of business here. MSU 34, EWU 20.
Southern Utah at #11 Cal Poly. The 'Stangs will have the gloves off, looking to impress the I-AA playoff committee fotr an at-large bid, so this game should be incredibly ugly. Cal Poly 49, SUU 15.
#14 Western Kentucky at #19 Youngstown St. It's almost as simple as "the winner is in", though the Hilltoppers would need to win at I-A Florida International next week to seal the deal. But the loser is definitely out, which makes this the biggest game of the week. Both have lost their last two games against Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois, and both seem like almost mirror images. Both have a tough I-A loss. Both managed to beat tough Illinois St. Western Kentucky may be a tiny bit more tested with a win against Eastern Kentucky to their credit as well. I think Youngstown gets exposed here, and it's the Hilltoppers that keep their hopes alive. WKU 34, YSU 17.
Mansfield (D-II) at #15 Coastal Carolina. Why are there so many bad matchups this time of year? I've heard the excuses of good teams backing out of games, but come on, Mansfield? CCU 43, Mansfield 6.
#16 Richmond at Towson. Okay. Raise your hand if you thought that this game would have ANY meaning for the A-10 title and playoff positioning in September. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Incredibly, the winner keeps alive in the at-large playoff chase (and Richmond has an outside chance at the outright A-10 title), and the loser pats themselves on the back and say, "nice year!" Get used to saying, "nationally-ranked Richmond" one more week. (I'm still not used to it.) Richmond 38, Towson 10.
South Dakota St. at #17 North Dakota St. This budding rivalry for the "Dakota Marker" promises to be a great rivalry, and a great game. The Bison should be able to bring home the marker this year, making the year a complete success for them. NDSU 34, SDSU 23.
Dartmouth at #18 Brown. Maybe RB Nick Hartigan should interview for his Rhodes Scholarship this week - the Bears won't even need him to wallop Dartmouth. Brown 38, Dartmouth 3.
Tennessee Tech at #21 Eastern Illinois. The Panthers continue the drive to their championship game versus Jacksonville St, and the Eagles should only be a speed bump. EIU 38, TTU 3.
Concordia (D-II) at #22 Grambling. Speaking of speed bumps... Grambling 70, Concordia 0.
Delaware at #24 William & Mary. Preseason, this was seen as a rematch of the second round of the I-AA playoffs last year. This year, it's the "Bowl of Tears". Bill & Mary should win this one at home. W&M 25, Delaware 15.
Indiana St. at #25 Illinois St. The Redbirds shouldn't be in the playoff discussion, but they'll hope a monster win against the 0-10 Sycamores will put them in the discussion. ISU 63, ISU 8.
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