Week 8 CAA Game Breakdowns
We have come to the end of the second month of the Colonial Athletic Association schedule, and it is a bye week for three teams (Delaware, James Madison and Stony Brook). As a result this week’s schedule is lighter and highlighted by a game that could go a long way toward deciding the CAA champion for 2013. Let’s take a look at this week’s schedule:
#6 Villanova at New Hampshire, Saturday, 12:00 pm
Just when you thought Towson was going to run away with the CAA, along comes Villanova. The Wildcats jumped out to a 38-14 lead on the way to a 45-35 victory that ended Towson’s 10-game winning streak. The series between these teams is tied at 11-11, and this is the start of a four-game road trip for Villanova. New Hampshire racked up 333 rushing yards when it beat Rhode Island last week. Villanova comes in with a 3-0 CAA record and New Hampshire is 1-1. Villanova should prevail but it will be close.
Projected Score: Villanova 42, New Hampshire 28
William & Mary at Maine, Saturday, 12:00 pm
Although Maine comes into this game with a 5-1 overall record and 2-0 mark in the CAA, William & Mary has the nation’s top scoring defense at 11.8 points per game. Maine won’t be held to 12 points, but a higher-scoring team will have its offense slightly dented. Maine QB Marcus Wasilewski leads the league in passing offense at 295.2 yards per game. However, William & Mary RB Mikal Abdul-Saboor averages 100 yards per game on the ground. It should be entertaining, but William & Mary should bring Maine back to the pack.
Projected Score: William & Mary 31, Maine 23
Richmond at Rhode Island, Saturday, 1:00 pm
Richmond was caught by surprise last week when it lost to James Madison 38-31. It was only the seventh time since 2004 that Richmond had scored 30 points and still lost a game. QB Michael Strauss attempted 61 passes and completed 41 of them, both of which were school records. WR Reggie Diggs had a career-high eight catches and 136 yards last week. This is the first of two back-to-back games at home for Rhode Island, but Richmond has won 15 of the 20 games in the series.
Projected Score: Richmond 28, Rhode Island 17
#7 Towson at Albany, Saturday, 3:30 pm
You have to imagine Towson is licking its wounds a bit following last week’s shocking loss to Villanova. However, Towson can’t lick its wounds too long as it has to get back on the horse and ride into the next game. Albany leads the overall series 2-1, and this is the team’s first home game in four weeks. Albany nearly took down Delaware a week ago but Delaware recovered for a 33-30 victory. Towson should win this game, if only because it has a lot to prove following last week’s defeat.
Projected Score: Towson 38, Albany 27
