NEC Pick'em Week 1

[Original_RMC]

Week 1 Games
Albany @ Maine (Thurs Game)
Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery

Bye Week
Wagner

[danefan]

Albany @ Maine (Thurs Game) - can't go with the Danes in good conscience. new QB. new RB. new defense. Turcotte back for Maine. And a little revenge game in Orono.

Bryant vs. Fordham - Fordham is in for a bad year without the elder Skelton. 63 scholarships or not, Bryant's defense will stifle them. 10-7 win for Bryant.

CCSU @ New Hampshire - UNH is still a national title contender. CCSU without Mallory is not.

Duquesne vs. Bucknell - Duquense at the middle of the NEC is better than the bottom of the PL.

Monmouth @ Colgate - this will be a tight one but Sullivan is too much.

RMU @ Dayton - RMU is my favorite to win the NEC. It will be a good game as Dayton is pretty athletic, but I think RMU will be too much.

Sacred Heart @ Marist - Pillow fight. Revenge from last year.

SFPA @ Libtery - This could get ugly.

[andy7171]

Albany @ Maine - Maine
Bryant vs. Fordham - Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire - CCSU
Duquesne vs. Bucknell -Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate - Monmouth
RMU @ Dayton - RMU
Sacred Heart @ Marist - Marist
SFPA @ Liberty - Liberty

[Dane96]

Albany @ Maine (Thurs Game)
Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery

[CoachL]

Albany @ Maine - Not this year

Bryant vs. Fordham - I'd like to believe that Bryant has improved this much, but...

CCSU @ New Hampshire - A stronger CCSU team lost at Butler last year.

Duquesne vs. Bucknell - A weaker Duquesne team beat Bucknell last year.

Monmouth @ Colgate - I'd like to believe that Monmouth is not weaker this year, but...

RMU @ Dayton - This year's Gridiron Classic?

Sacred Heart @ Marist - I really like Marist, but...

SFPA @ Liberty - Props to St. Francis for putting this one on the schedule. I hope the payday is substantial.

[danefan]

Albany @ Maine - Not this year

Bryant vs. Fordham - I'd like to believe that Bryant has improved this much, but...

CCSU @ New Hampshire - A stronger CCSU team lost at Butler last year.

Duquesne vs. Bucknell - A weaker Duquesne team beat Bucknell last year.

Monmouth @ Colgate - I'd like to believe that Monmouth is not weaker this year, but...

RMU @ Dayton - This year's Gridiron Classic?

Sacred Heart @ Marist - I really like Marist, but...

SFPA @ Liberty - Props to St. Francis for putting this one on the schedule. I hope the payday is substantial.

Any further word on the Gridiron Classic this year? Right now it would be the 2nd place NEC team versus the winner of the PFL right?

[CoachL]

Any further word on the Gridiron Classic this year? Right now it would be the 2nd place NEC team versus the winner of the PFL right?

It has been my understanding that the Gridiron Classic is done.

Personally, I would not want to see the PFL Champion play the NEC runner-up. The PFL should simply wait for their auto-bid, which I believe will come sooner than later.

[danefan]

Any further word on the Gridiron Classic this year? Right now it would be the 2nd place NEC team versus the winner of the PFL right?

It has been my understanding that the Gridiron Classic is done.

Personally, I would not want to see the PFL Champion play the NEC runner-up. The PFL should simply wait for their auto-bid, which I believe will come sooner than later.

I agree. I would imagine the PFL would be looking at its AQ come 2012 or 2013. No real reason to delay it any further.

[aceinthehole]

Albany @ MAINE(Thurs Game) - Albany has some holes to fill from last year. Week 1 on the road vs a solid, but not spectacular CAA team, so I'll take the Black Bears in a close one.

Bryant vs. FORDHAM - Skelton is once again too much for the vastly improving Bulldogs.

Central Conn. St. @ NEW HAMPSHIRE - Central will attempt to run and grind their way to a win, but will come up short. Wildcats prevail, but gain some respect for an old New England foe.

DUQUESNE vs. Bucknell - Dukes won this matchup last year and seem to be headed in the right direction, while the Bison are just beginning to rebuild.

Monmouth @ COLGATE- Without Sinisi to pound the ball this year, you have to give the Raiders their due at home.

ROBERT MORRIS@ Dayton - Expectations are high in Moon Township and a win on the road vs the Flyers would certainly be a quality start to the season.

SACRED HEART @ Marist - SHU has a QB that can put up the points, so if their defense holds, they can trap the Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie.

Saint Francis @ LIBERTY– A more disciplened Red Flash team looks to puts up a respectable effort.

[89Hen]

Albany @ Maine
Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery

Bye Week vs Wagner

Hey, do you have the standings from last year?

[danefan]

Bryant vs. FORDHAM - Skelton is once again too much for the vastly improving Bulldogs.

Hey Ace, you know the Skelton at QB is gone right (Arizona Cardinals I think)? HIs younger brother is still there at TE, but I'm not sure Fordham has anyone to throw him the ball.

[dgreco]

Albany @ Maine -Albany lost too much to win on the road the first week.
Bryant vs. Fordham - Bryant is usually strong at home and during openers. I think they squeak it out.
CCSU @ New Hampshire - still one of the top CAA teams, too much for CCSU
Duquesne vs. Bucknell - just picking the NEC team here.
Monmouth @ Colgate - Monmouth didn't impress that much and I'm not sure they have improved.
RMU @ Dayton - Dayton usually starts off strong, RMU had a rough start last year...
Sacred Heart @ Marist - were better than their record last year.
SFPA @ Liberty - to me, Liberty is clearly the better team and should win easy at home.

[aceinthehole]

Bryant vs. FORDHAM - Skelton is once again too much for the vastly improving Bulldogs.

Hey Ace, you know the Skelton at QB is gone right (Arizona Cardinals I think)? HIs younger brother is still there at TE, but I'm not sure Fordham has anyone to throw him the ball.

Thanks Dane. Honestly, I was a little confused. I saw the TE is back who caught 2 TDs last year vs Bryant, and did assume the QB had left. FU with a new QB is certainly a step back from last year, but Bryant was just ahead of SFPA in NEC offense. The Bulldogs strength is Defense, and I'm not sure they have enough offense to win this opener vs. a deeper (and likely more talented) team.

That being said, its probably the toughest game to call on paper (too many unknowns) in week 1. The rest of the games were a little bit more straightforward, although I still woudn't bee too suprised if Albany, Monmouth, or even CCSU pulled off an upset -I'm just not ready to make that call yet from what I see on paper.

I'll be interested to see what the Vegas (online) points are for these games.

[S F State Gaters]

Week 1 Games
Albany @ Maine
Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery

Bye Week
Wagner

[Seahawks]

Albany @ Maine (Thurs Game)
Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery


Gridiron Classic is over.

[S F State Gaters]

should this get pinned to the top by an admin so people join/don't forget>?

[CoachL]

Gridiron Classic is over.

Just so that there is no misunderstanding...

This is why I posted that the RMU vs. Dayton game might be this season's version of the discontinued "Gridiron Classic" game. I suspect that RMU and Dayton might end up being their respective conference/league champions in 2010. Thus, the 2010 version of the "Gridiron Classic"?

[CoachL]

RMU @ Dayton - Dayton usually starts off strong

September 12, 2009:

(Division II) Urbana 13 - Dayton 10

[MUHAWKS]

Albany @ Maine -- would love to take Albany, but just do not think it happens.
Bryant vs. Fordham -- Bryant is not bad , not sure what to think about Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire -- would love to have CCSU-- will be closer than people think, within two scores.
Duquesne vs. Bucknell -- no comments
Monmouth @ Colgate -- yes this is my team, but I asm telling you they are the surprise team in the NEC this yr. I think this could be their best all around "team" since 2006 (when they also beat Colgate) NFL talent in #28 Jose Gumbs at Safety , a very talented QB, a solid and deep RB corps, a great O line, 14 starters back in all, 9 on D ..really few weaknesses. Do not sleep on the Hawks this yr. I am thinking MU 23, Colgate 19
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery

[bobcat7]

Albany @ Maine (Thurs Game)
Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Liberty

I would comment, but based upon last year, I am not worthy.

[Original_RMC]

Albany @ Maine (Thurs Game)
Maine return 17 starters and 2008 All-American RB Jared Turcotte returns after missing the 2009 season and he gets to run behind an OL returning 4 starters. As 'danefan' pointed out, too many 'new' faces for Albany this year. I believe Albany will keep it close but Maine turns it on in the 2nd half and their rushing attack is too much for Albany
Maine 35-13

Bryant vs. Fordham
Big time TE talent on display for this game with Matt Tracey from Bryant & Stephen Skelton from Fordham. Everyone in the NEC has now realized that Bryant is extremely tough at home. This will not be an easy game for Fordham but I think at the end of the day...Fordham just has a little more than Bryant. Fordham escapes Bulldog Stadium with a closer than expected victory.
Fordham 21-17

CCSU @ New Hampshire
The Wildcats return a lot of talent this year will could challenge for the CAA title. This is the perfect game for CCSU if they still had James Mallory because he would probably get about 40 carries. I think UNH will strike early and often but I have to continue to remind myself that this is not the same CCSU program I played against. CCSU will battle the entire game and they will make final score look closer than what it really is.
UNH 42-28

Duquesne vs. Bucknell
If the Dukes can stay healthy this season, I see them as the team that makes a lot of noise in the NEC. Everyone has been waiting for the Dukes to bring over their MAAC dominance to the NEC but that has yet to happen. Injuries killed the Dukes last year. It seems that Sean Patterson takes over at QB being that Connor Dixon is now a full time WR. But the Dukes already return 2 talented WRs from injuries in Moore & Williams....well enough about the Dukes pre-season breakdown.
Dukes at home win this one.
Dukes 28-13

Monmouth @ Colgate
Monmouth has the talent to win this game but the Hawks are 4-13 in season openers including a 2-11 mark on the road. Colgate is the pre-season favorite in the Patriot League this year. Colgate is going to run and run the game and really challenge the Hawk's D.
If this game was at home for Monmouth I would pick them but since it's not....and this will be a game by mid-season the Hawks will look back at this game as one they should have won.
Colgate 23-21

RMU @ Dayton
The Flyers return 10 starters on Offense including QB Steve Valentino who seemed to give everyone fits last year. The Colonials also return 10 starters on Offense and have one of the best RBs in the program's history in Myles Russ. The Colonials D has a lot of depth and is fast. They are quick to the ball and if DiMichele is there one on one, you are getting tackled. I could spend more time on the Colonials and breaking down more of their O but don't want to bore others.
Dayton is really the only program that has dominated the Colonials. Dayton holds a 10-2 record but that changes at Welcome Stadium behind the kicking of Garret Clawson.
RMU 31-28 (OT)

Sacred Heart @ Marist
Sacred Heart will be looking to avenge the 31-14 beat down Marist gave them last year. Marist will need to decide on a QB to throw to James LaMacchia. I think Sacred Heart has been waiting for this game and they want to start their season off right plus everyone in the NEC seems to forget about their QB Dale Fink but this game will open up some eyes.
Sacred Heart 31-20

SFPA @ Liberty
SFPA has a very tough road game against a ranked opponent. Liberty will just be too much for the Red Flash but I think as the year progresses you will see that this is a different Red Flash program under Coach Villarrial.

Liberty 49-10

Bye Week
Wagner

[CoachL]

Albany 3 - Maine 0

I don't feel so bad. No one picked Albany in this one, not even the Albany folks!

Congratulations Danes!

[BobbyMo]

Sorry I missed the first game, hope its not to late to join.

Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Libtery

[jmg1mon]

Bryant vs. Fordham
CCSU @ New Hampshire
Duquesne vs. Bucknell
Monmouth @ Colgate
RMU @ Dayton
Sacred Heart @ Marist
SFPA @ Liberty

Forgot first game

[aceinthehole]

FYI - Saint Francis at Liberty is on TV live at noon on MASN (DTV ch. 640)