CAA Predictions Week 9

[BDKJMU]

1st, to sum up: the playoff picture:

Towson: 1-6/0-4: Eliminated from playoff consideration
URI____: 2-5/1-3: Eliminated from playoff consideration
Maine__: 3-5/2-3: Eliminated from playoff consideration

7 Contenders for the likely 4, maybe 5 spots
UR: (4-3/2-2)
10/30 @ Nova
11/6_: JMU
11/13: URI
11/20: @ W&M

UMass: (4-3/2-2)
10/30: @ JMU
11/6_: Maine
11/13: UD
11/20: @ URI

UNH: (5-3/3-2)
10/30: Bye
11/6_: W&M
11/13: @ Nova
11/20: Towson

JMU: (4-3/1-3)
10/20: UMass
11/6_: @ UR
11/13: W&M
11/20: @ Maine

W&M: (6-1/3-1)
10/30: @ UNC (on the heels of UD)
11/6_: @ UNH (UNH has bye week week prior)
11/13: @ JMU (W&M AD ought to be fired)
11/20: UR

UD: (6-1*/4-1) (*vs Div I)
10/30: Bye
11/6_: Towson
11/13: @ UMass
11/20: Nova

Nova: (5-2/3-1)
10/30: UR
11/6_: @ URI
11/13: UNH
11/20: @ UD

2 of the 7 contenders, UD and UNH, have byes. 4 of them play each other, with UMass @ JMU and UR @ Nova. Remaining W&M is @ UNC.

[BDKJMU]

Game of the Week has to be UR @ Nova

UR (4-3/2-2) @ Nova (5-2/3-1) by 7-14 points. Even without Szczur, Nova wins at home to remain tied with UD and W&M in 1st place.

UMass (4-3/2-2) @ JMU (4-3/1-3) 17-13. Both teams have dropped back to back CAA games, but at least JMU was competitive in both. JMU, despite missing 7-8 starters from Aug, holds on at home.

W&M (6-1/3-1)@ UNC (4-3/2-2): by 7-14 points. Before the season started I would have said UNC by 21-35, with W&M probably unable to score on UNC through 3+ qtrs. UNC was set to return 10 starters from the nations 6th ranked defense. Most of the draft “experts” projected UNC with a ½ doz defensive players being drafted in the 1st 2 rounds, with an unheard of 4-5 in the 1st round. Their defense was going to be absolutely sick. With a mediocre offense, still a good shot to win the ACC. Now that was before the double digit # of suspensions. This report shows 10 players suspended as of a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/story/8435223/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mel Kiper had:
-No. 1 DT Marvin Austin- ruled permanently ineligible
-No 1 DE Robert Quinn- ruled permanently ineligible
- No. 1 ILB Quan Sturdivant
-No. 1 OLB Bruce Carter
-No. 2 S Deaunta Williams
-No. 3 TE Zack Pianalto –out with injury

-UNC’s star receiver Greg Little, a sure draft pick, also ruled permanently ineligible.

URI (2-5/1-3) @ Towson(1-6/0-4) by 1-7 points. Have to go with the home team here. After the JMU game I said Towson was going to win at least 1 CAA game, and this is their best chance.

Home teams sweep this weekend....

[TribeFanInNC]

W&M: (6-1/3-1)
11/13: @ JMU (W&M AD ought to be fired)

Why? Do you think it was also our choice to play 3 New England teams on the road? The league office did that.

[Chemhen]

UD is 7-1, 6-1 vs Div I.

[89Hen]

W&M: (6-1/3-1)
11/13: @ JMU (W&M AD ought to be fired)

Why? Do you think it was also our choice to play 3 New England teams on the road? The league office did that.

UNC is a New England CAA team?

[kdinva]

Villanova 26, UR 13
JMU 22; UMass 10
UNC 33; W&M 17
URI 24; Towson 22

[GannonFan]

UD is 7-1, 6-1 vs Div I.

DI vs DII won't matter - if UD gets one more win (and Towson is still on the schedule), they're in the playoffs. An 8 win (regardless of division) UD team hasn't been kept out of the playoffs since they went to 16 teams, and it won't happen in an enlarged playoff field. With that said, I don't really expect UD to just have 8 wins come playoff time anyway, but just a clarification.

[TribeFanInNC]

Why? Do you think it was also our choice to play 3 New England teams on the road? The league office did that.

UNC is a New England CAA team?

Where did I make that claim? The UNC game was moved from Labor Day so the Tarheels could get a big TV paycheck against LSU. Most of the schedule this year was essentially out of W&M's control. We didn't even get a cupcake for the homecoming game--perhaps you were at the game on Saturday?

[BDKJMU]

Since I included CAA playoff picture in this thread, everyone keeps talking about at least 4, maybe 5 CAA teams getting in. IF the rest of the CAA games played out according to who was favored as of this week, you would likely have:
-UNH losing to W&M and @ Nova, finishing 6-5
-JMU losing @ UR and to W&M, finishing 6-5
-UMass losing @ JMU and to UD, finishing 6-5
-UR losing @ Nova and to W&M, finishing 6-5.

That would only leave 3 teams in: UD, Nova, and W&M all finishing 10-1 to 8-3. Of course I don't expect it to break that way. Just saying, it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Since I included CAA playoff picture in this thread, everyone keeps talking about at least 4, maybe 5 CAA teams getting in. IF the rest of the CAA games played out according to who was favored as of this week, you would likely have:
-UNH losing to W&M and @ Nova, finishing 6-5
-JMU losing @ UR and to W&M, finishing 6-5
-UMass losing @ JMU and to UD, finishing 6-5
-UR losing @ Nova and to W&M, finishing 6-5.

That would only leave 3 teams in: UD, Nova, and W&M all finishing 10-1 to 8-3. Of course I don't expect it to break that way. Just saying, it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

My CAA standings projections are:
UD 7-1,10-1
'nova 6-2, 8-3
JMU 5-3, 8-3
UNH 5-3, 7-4
W&M 5-3, 7-4

UR & UMass outside looking in. Of course JMU's gotta play out of their minds for this to happen.
I guess UNH is technically 3rd on head-to-head. Not a comfortable spot for the Tribe.

[kdinva]

Since I included CAA playoff picture in this thread, everyone keeps talking about at least 4, maybe 5 CAA teams getting in. IF the rest of the CAA games played out according to who was favored as of this week, you would likely have:
-UNH losing to W&M and @ Nova, finishing 6-5
-JMU losing @ UR and to W&M, finishing 6-5
-UMass losing @ JMU and to UD, finishing 6-5
-UR losing @ Nova and to W&M, finishing 6-5.

That would only leave 3 teams in: UD, Nova, and W&M all finishing 10-1 to 8-3. Of course I don't expect it to break that way. Just saying, it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

IF that does happen, Mr . Yeager will be looking for a tall cliff.........or bridge.

[89Hen]

UNC is a New England CAA team?

Where did I make that claim? The UNC game was moved from Labor Day so the Tarheels could get a big TV paycheck against LSU. Most of the schedule this year was essentially out of W&M's control. We didn't even get a cupcake for the homecoming game--perhaps you were at the game on Saturday?

Lighten up, I gave you the . The original post came while showing your next three games (all away) and you said three New England CAA teams on the road, referring to a game earlier in the season.

[urmite]

Since I included CAA playoff picture in this thread, everyone keeps talking about at least 4, maybe 5 CAA teams getting in. IF the rest of the CAA games played out according to who was favored as of this week, you would likely have:
-UNH losing to W&M and @ Nova, finishing 6-5
-JMU losing @ UR and to W&M, finishing 6-5
-UMass losing @ JMU and to UD, finishing 6-5
-UR losing @ Nova and to W&M, finishing 6-5.

That would only leave 3 teams in: UD, Nova, and W&M all finishing 10-1 to 8-3. Of course I don't expect it to break that way. Just saying, it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

My CAA standings projections are:
UD 7-1,10-1
'nova 6-2, 8-3
JMU 5-3, 8-3
UNH 5-3, 7-4
W&M 5-3, 7-4

UR & UMass outside looking in. Of course JMU's gotta play out of their minds for this to happen.
I guess UNH is technically 3rd on head-to-head. Not a comfortable spot for the Tribe.

If I read it correctly, then masseyratings.com agrees with you.

[TribeFanInNC]

Where did I make that claim? The UNC game was moved from Labor Day so the Tarheels could get a big TV paycheck against LSU. Most of the schedule this year was essentially out of W&M's control. We didn't even get a cupcake for the homecoming game--perhaps you were at the game on Saturday?

Lighten up, I gave you the . The original post came while showing your next three games (all away) and you said three New England CAA teams on the road, referring to a game earlier in the season.

I need to get my eyes checked. I saw your and thought it was a
Let's go with the alternative answer, then:
Don't be silly. Everyone knows UNC is in the Big Sky!

[Mvemjsunpx]

Richmond @ Nova
UMass @ JMU
W&M @ North Carolina
Rhody @ Towson

[jd of de]

Home teams sweep. Towson gets their CAA win.

[LeadBolt]

Richmond @ Nova - UR has a lot of heart but VU has a better team at this point
UMass @ JMU - Bridgeforth is rockin' while the Minutemen take a knockin'
W&M @ North Carolina - Head over heart. Hope it is as close as last time, but expect first team to get a lot of rest this week before the stretch run.
Rhody @ Towson - URI has improved more than Towson, but both are better than last year.

[SpeedkingATL]

Villanova vs UR - Richmond has displayed incredible fortitude in overcoming injurys but Nova is just too good to overcome this week. Nova 21 Spiders 7.

JMU vs UMass - This should be a fun game to watch and critical for both teams. The Dukes just can't score enough against UMass to win this one. UMass 17 JMU 14

UNC vs W&M - Butch Davis has done a credible job of keeping UNC focused and playing well despite the loss of so many key players. I thing W&M will give them a game for a half but will get worn down by the 4th quarter as often happens in FCS vs FBS matchups. Give em hell Tribe UNC 28 W&M 17

URI vs Towson - Someone's got to win. I predict it's Towson. Towson 28 URI 27

[ChoppinBroccoli]

My CAA standings projections are:
UD 7-1,10-1
'nova 6-2, 8-3
JMU 5-3, 8-3
UNH 5-3, 7-4
W&M 5-3, 7-4

UR & UMass outside looking in. Of course JMU's gotta play out of their minds for this to happen.
I guess UNH is technically 3rd on head-to-head. Not a comfortable spot for the Tribe.

If I read it correctly, then masseyratings.com agrees with you.

Well, I'm basing it on 3 things:
JMU looked worse last year, then ran off 4 straight to end the year.
UNH is undefeated at home, and W&M has looked bad on the road.
Richmond doesn't upset any of the "playoff" CAA teams, although they are very capable of it.

[billsheets]

Villanova 21 richmond 10 james madison 17 umass 13. North carolina 35 william&mary 24. Towson 23 uri 21

[bluehenbillk]

'Nova 24 UR 10
JMU 10 UMass 9
UNC 31 W&M 14
URI 30 Towson 21

[BDKJMU]

Game of the Week has to be UR @ Nova

UR (4-3/2-2) @ Nova (5-2/3-1) by 7-14 points. Even without Szczur, Nova wins at home to remain tied with UD and W&M in 1st place.

UMass (4-3/2-2) @ JMU (4-3/1-3) 17-13. Both teams have dropped back to back CAA games, but at least JMU was competitive in both. JMU, despite missing 7-8 starters from Aug, holds on at home.

W&M (6-1/3-1)@ UNC (4-3/2-2): by 7-14 points. Before the season started I would have said UNC by 21-35, with W&M probably unable to score on UNC through 3+ qtrs. UNC was set to return 10 starters from the nations 6th ranked defense. Most of the draft “experts” projected UNC with a ½ doz defensive players being drafted in the 1st 2 rounds, with an unheard of 4-5 in the 1st round. Their defense was going to be absolutely sick. With a mediocre offense, still a good shot to win the ACC. Now that was before the double digit # of suspensions. This report shows 10 players suspended as of a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/story/8435223/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mel Kiper had:
-No. 1 DT Marvin Austin- ruled permanently ineligible
-No 1 DE Robert Quinn- ruled permanently ineligible
- No. 1 ILB Quan Sturdivant
-No. 1 OLB Bruce Carter
-No. 2 S Deaunta Williams
-No. 3 TE Zack Pianalto –out with injury

-UNC’s star receiver Greg Little, a sure draft pick, also ruled permanently ineligible.

URI (2-5/1-3) @ Towson(1-6/0-4) by 1-7 points. Have to go with the home team here. After the JMU game I said Towson was going to win at least 1 CAA game, and this is their best chance.

Home teams sweep this weekend....

Nova 28, UR 7 (ok, I'd predicted Nova by 7-14 points)
UMass 21, JMU 14
UNC 21, W&M 17 (way to keep it closer than most thought it would be W&M).
URI 30, Towson 20 (I really thought Towson was turning the corner).

Week 4: 6-1 (Missed TU/Columbia)
Week 5: 4-2 (missed JMU/UD and W&M/Nova)
Week 6: 4-0
Week 7: 2-2 (missed JMU/UNH and UR/UMass)
Week 8: 2-3 (missed W&M/UD, UNH/UMass, Maine/URI)
Week 9: 2-2 (missed JMU/UMass and URI/Towson)