Week 4 CAA FCS Football Game Breakdowns
An early-season showdown in the Philadelphia area dominates the week’s action in the Colonial Athletic Association, but don’t discount Maine as it makes a trip to the Chicago area for what could be an entertaining matchup with Northwestern. Meanwhile, Rhode Island is fresh off a big overtime win against Albany but it faces a strong conference foe. Here is a look at the week’s games:
#4 Towson at North Carolina Central, Saturday, 2:00
Not since 1984 has a Towson football team had a seven-game winning streak, and this is partially due to a 132-31 scoring advantage in the first three games and eight forced turnovers. North Carolina Central forced seven turnovers itself in a 40-13 win over Charlotte last week, and Michael Jones already has three interceptions. NC Central will make this game close and exciting, but Towson should improve to 4-0 with another win.
Projected Score: Towson 23, North Carolina Central 17
#19 Stony Brook at #21 Villanova, Saturday, 3:00
This is the second meeting between these two schools, with Stony Brook winning the previous meeting. The previous encounter saw Stony Brook win 20-10 in the 2012 FCS playoffs first round. Stony Brook nearly pulled off the upset last week, but it surrendered to Buffalo in five overtimes (the longest game in program history). Villanova’s main problem is seven turnovers in two games, which resulted in a pair of losses. Still, Villanova has national recognition, and this game could be closer than expected.
Projected Score: Stony Brook 31, Villanova 21
Maine at Northwestern, Saturday, 3:30
A pair of 3-0 teams face off in Evanston as the Black Bears look to extend their best start since 2002. If QB Marcus Wasilewski can match his four-touchdown performance of a week ago this game could be interesting. Wasilewski isn’t likely to do that as Northwestern’s defense is much harder than Bryant to permeate. Northwestern has a 15-game winning streak against non-league foes dating back to the 2007 season. I’m going to go out on a limb and call this a close game, but don’t be surprised if Northwestern opens it up.
Projected Score: Northwestern 28, Maine 24
Wagner at Delaware, Saturday, 6:00
It was not a good week for either team, so both schools are licking some wounds entering this matchup. Wagner’s 54-0 loss to Syracuse was its worst in four years, and Delaware is coming off a 51-7 drubbing at the hands of Navy. So what to expect here? It should be business as usual for Delaware as it attempts to restart an empty offense from a week ago. If Delaware can hold Wagner RB Dominique Williams to 34 yards like Syracuse did last week, Delaware should prevail big.
Projected Score: Delaware 40, Wagner 17
Charlotte at James Madison, Saturday, 6:00
There is a good reason why this is the first meeting between these two schools; Charlotte is a new football program in 2013. Charlotte is off to a 2-1 start, but that one loss was a one-sided 40-13 defeat to North Carolina Central. James Madison needed 21 second-half points to rally to a 24-20 win over St. Francis last week. It should not have that problem this week, especially if WR Dae’Quan can rattle off another 100-yard rushing game.
Projected Score: James Madison 45, Charlotte 10
Liberty at Richmond, Saturday, 6:00
Just like Andy Reid faced his former team Thursday night when the Kansas City Chiefs traveled to the Philadelphia Eagles, Richmond coach Danny Rocco goes up against his former team on Saturday. Liberty comes off a five-touchdown effort on the ground, and the Flames held a sixth straight opponent to under 20 points a week ago. Richmond’s 12-10 loss to Gardner-Webb broke its 17-game FCS non-conference win streak dating back to 2005. This will be an entertaining game.
Projected Score: Richmond 38, Liberty 35 (OT)
Rhode Island at William & Mary, Saturday, 7:00
Well, so much for me predicting an easy win for Albany against Rhode Island. Instead, Rhode Island shocked all of southeast New York when it defeated Albany in overtime. Linebackers Andrew Rose and Dave Zocco combined for 27 tackles in the win. After a narrow loss to West Virginia, William & Mary is on a two-game winning streak. William & Mary owns a 12-3 lead in the series, but Rhode Island’s surprise win could make this game a closer contest.
Projected Score: William & Mary 28, Rhode Island 20
Central Connecticut State at Albany, Saturday, 7:00
Albany left the Northeast Conference to join the CAA, but it is going back this week to face a former NEC foe. Central Connecticut State has given up over 50 points in each of the past two games. It won’t surrender that much here, but Albany is plenty steamed following its shocking loss to Rhode Island a week ago. RB Omar Osbourne should help Albany regain its footing and get back in the win column with a victory here.
Projected Score: Albany 40, Central Connecticut State 13
