Week 5 CAA Game Breakdowns
Even though this is the first real week of action in the Colonial Athletic Association, there are a few games involving non-conference opponents. Two games highlight the seven on the schedule, including a big showdown between a CAA veteran and a team new to the league this year. Let’s take a look at the fifth week of the CAA schedule:
#12 New Hampshire at Lehigh, Saturday, 12:30 pm
Is this the year the long Lehigh losing streak finally ends? New Hampshire has won the last nine meetings against Lehigh, but its Patriot League foe is second in the FCS in pass offense and sixth in total offense. QB Brandon Bialkowski threw for 430 yards in Lehigh’s come-from-behind 29-28 win over Princeton. New Hampshire has a balanced rushing and passing attack, but Lehigh’s nearly decade-long futility may come to an end and trigger a celebration in Bethlehem, Pa.
Projected Score: Lehigh 30, New Hampshire 17
Central Connecticut State at Rhode Island, Saturday, 1:00 pm
Keep an eye on the first quarter of this game, because Rhode Island has allowed three points all season in the opening quarter. Defense could be the key, as LB Andrew Rose has 40 tackles this season. Central Connecticut State RB Rob Holloman racked up 254 yards against Albany, but the team still needed a last-second field goal to score a 20-17 win for its first victory of the season. It is a meeting of two 1-3 schools, and Rhode Island has won both previous meetings. Make it 3 for 3.
Projected Score: Rhode Island 37, Central Connecticut State 10
Maine at #25 Richmond, Saturday, 4:00 pm
Well, so much for Maine pulling off the upset against a Big Ten opponent, although Maine outgained Northwestern in the Wildcats’ 35-21 win. TE Justin Perilb’s eight catches and 81 yards gave the veteran Maine receiver 1,000 career yards. Richmond is allowing just 14 points per game this fall, good for ninth overall in the FCS, and the Spiders have an interception in 14 straight games. Richmond holds a 12-11 edge in the overall series, and this game will be very close either way.
Projected Score: Maine 24, Richmond 21
Penn at #19 Villanova, Saturday, 5:00 pm
A Philadelphia-area college football battle has Villanova coach Andy Talley seeking his 200th career win at the school. He may very well get it, especially if Villanova’s offense allows no turnovers once again like it did against Stony Brook last week. Penn, from the Ivy League, is coming off a 27-21 win over Lafayette. Villanova has won the last 12 meetings after five straight Penn victories. In this case 13 will be a lucky number and even more so if Villanova QB John Robertson lets his feet and hands do the talking.
Projected Score: Villanova 34, Penn 13
Albany at #13 Old Dominion, Saturday, 6:00 pm
Poor Albany… its adjustment to CAA football has not been smooth so far, although in fairness the Great Danes have only one CAA game under their belt. Albany gave up 10 unanswered points against Central Connecticut State and lost despite a 119-yard effort from RB Omar Osbourne. Old Dominion, which is playing Albany for the first time, is coming off a wild 59-58 win over The Citadel in a game where QB Taylor Heinecke threw for 363 yards. This game won’t be that wild, but Albany may drop to 1-4.
Projected Score: Old Dominion 40, Albany 24
#3 Towson at Stony Brook, Saturday, 6:00 pm
Towson has made history as the school, which formerly was not a football powerhouse, improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 1986 season. Towson’s stingy rushing defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown all season and has given up just 53 yards a game on the ground. Stony Brook WR Malcolm Eugene has 12 catches and 184 yards, and that is a good thing because the passing game may have to carry the day. This top-25 matchup should be a close contest.
Projected Score: Towson 27, Stony Brook 24 (OT)
James Madison at Delaware, Saturday, 7:00 pm
The 20th meeting between these programs pits two 3-1 schools against each other. James Madison had 522 total yards last week against Charlotte; that number should come down because Delaware is a pretty potent first-half team (42 points last week against Wagner). Delaware QB Trent Hurley has completed three-fourths of his passes, and that should give Delaware enough oomph to push past a determined James Madison squad.
Projected Score: Delaware 42, James Madison 30
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