For those who are interested - here's my selection of picks tomorrow's Patriot League football games being played. You already know my Lehigh/Drake prediction: let's see the rest. (more)
Howard at No. 25 Holy Cross. Sure, the Crusaders may have to undertake some growing pains to break in starting quarterback junior QB Ryan Taggart. But the Bison, who haven't had a seven win season in twelve years, don't seem to be the sort of team to give them a lot of pain to worry about.
Taggart's Team 35, Bison Sliders 7
Monmouth at No. 23 Colgate. The Hawks will bring a tough defense, led by senior LB Jose Gumbs, up to Hamilton to take on the Raiders. Interestingly, head coach Kevin Callahan's group will headline a mammoth, experienced "O" line to go up against Colgate's relatively inexperienced "D". While Colgate junior RB Nate Eachus should still pile on the yards, this looks like a real chance at a trap game for the Raiders. Give me a low-scoring, tight affair where experience wins out. That spells a Monmouth victory.
"I'm Jose Gumbs, Dammit!" 16, Very Red, Bruised Raiders 13
Fordham at Bryant. In ways, the Bulldogs and Rams are very similar beasts - rebuilding teams, who are getting used to a word of full football scholarships. And yet - looking at the rosters, Fordham seems to have so much more of a headstart than Bryant does. A 35-7 flattening last year by the Rams over the Bulldogs also helps. Give me senior RB Xavier Martin - and the boys from Rose Hill.
The Rose Hill Gang 28, The Killer B's 13
Georgetown at Davidson. How much will a new offensive coordinator and a new attitude on defense make a difference at Georgetown? They'll be facing off against a Davidson team that will feature a lot of newness of its own - notably, a new quarterback in sophomore QB Chris Cochorane. This has all the makings of a tight, sloppy game - that a hungry team will win. No team in the Patriot League is hungrier than senior LB Nick Parrish and Georgetown.
Hoya-And-Shoot 20, Whimpering Wildcats 13
Bucknell at Duquesne. Speaking of newness, head coach Joe Susan of Bucknell - and former head coach at Davidson, where he went 10-0 - puts his perfect head coaching record on the line when he takes on the Dukes. He might have a rough go with Duquesne, who has a fairly solid defense with senior LB Nathan Totino and will be going against Bucknell's brand-new pro style offense. Expect the growing pains to be evident - and Duquesne victory.
The Pizza Man Cometh 28, "Don't Call Me Susan!" 6
Howard at No. 25 Holy Cross. Sure, the Crusaders may have to undertake some growing pains to break in starting quarterback junior QB Ryan Taggart. But the Bison, who haven't had a seven win season in twelve years, don't seem to be the sort of team to give them a lot of pain to worry about.
Taggart's Team 35, Bison Sliders 7
Monmouth at No. 23 Colgate. The Hawks will bring a tough defense, led by senior LB Jose Gumbs, up to Hamilton to take on the Raiders. Interestingly, head coach Kevin Callahan's group will headline a mammoth, experienced "O" line to go up against Colgate's relatively inexperienced "D". While Colgate junior RB Nate Eachus should still pile on the yards, this looks like a real chance at a trap game for the Raiders. Give me a low-scoring, tight affair where experience wins out. That spells a Monmouth victory.
"I'm Jose Gumbs, Dammit!" 16, Very Red, Bruised Raiders 13
Fordham at Bryant. In ways, the Bulldogs and Rams are very similar beasts - rebuilding teams, who are getting used to a word of full football scholarships. And yet - looking at the rosters, Fordham seems to have so much more of a headstart than Bryant does. A 35-7 flattening last year by the Rams over the Bulldogs also helps. Give me senior RB Xavier Martin - and the boys from Rose Hill.
The Rose Hill Gang 28, The Killer B's 13
Georgetown at Davidson. How much will a new offensive coordinator and a new attitude on defense make a difference at Georgetown? They'll be facing off against a Davidson team that will feature a lot of newness of its own - notably, a new quarterback in sophomore QB Chris Cochorane. This has all the makings of a tight, sloppy game - that a hungry team will win. No team in the Patriot League is hungrier than senior LB Nick Parrish and Georgetown.
Hoya-And-Shoot 20, Whimpering Wildcats 13
Bucknell at Duquesne. Speaking of newness, head coach Joe Susan of Bucknell - and former head coach at Davidson, where he went 10-0 - puts his perfect head coaching record on the line when he takes on the Dukes. He might have a rough go with Duquesne, who has a fairly solid defense with senior LB Nathan Totino and will be going against Bucknell's brand-new pro style offense. Expect the growing pains to be evident - and Duquesne victory.
The Pizza Man Cometh 28, "Don't Call Me Susan!" 6
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