Week 12 CAA Game Breakdowns
With the season winding down in the next couple weeks, Maine is on the verge of doing something it has not accomplished in over a decade. If Maine wins at home against Rhode Island, the Black Bears will be Colonial Athletic Association champions for the first time since 2002. This game and the game between Towson and William and Mary, are the two biggest contests on the five-game CAA schedule for the week. Let’s take a look at the matchups:
Richmond at Delaware, Saturday, 12:00
The first game of the day has Delaware fighting to stay in the postseason football hunt. Richmond (4-6, 2-4) wants to extend its two-game winning streak and win a second straight road game, not to mention give coach Danny Rocco his 20th win in November. Rocco is 5-0 at Richmond in games played during November, but this streak may come to an end on Saturday. Richmond will face a Delaware team coming off a loss to William and Mary, and the Blue Hens may be loaded to go on a Spider hunt, if you know what I mean.
Projected Score: Delaware 42, Richmond 20
Rhode Island at Maine, Saturday, 12:30
This is a huge game for the Black Bears, who can improve to 7-0 and win its 12th conference championship with a victory on Saturday. A win would give the Black Bears 12 straight Football Championship Series victories as well. Senior QB Marcus Wasilewski has not thrown an interception in five games for Maine, which has a 54-34-3 lead in the overall series. Rhode Island has lost to Maine in 11 of the last 12 meetings. Senior Robbie Jackson has 59 receptions and five TD catches for Rhode Island, which simply wants to end its season on a high note and finish 4-8 overall. Won’t happen. Maine wins the CAA on Saturday.
Projected Score: Maine 37, Rhode Island 17
#14 Towson at #16 William & Mary, Saturday, 1:30
This game pits a pair of teams that are 4-2 in CAA play against each other, but William & Mary has more to lose here. Towson is 8-2 overall and a ninth win would look good on a potential playoff resume. Towson has won nine straight games on the road and this game takes place in Williamsburg. Towson has the CAA’s best scoring offense (40.3) and overall offense (489.5 yards), but William & Mary is a dangerous opponent. The Tribe has the best scoring defense in the league and has allowed just one offensive touchdown during a three-game winning streak. The Tribe leads the overall series 7-2, and for that reason I pick William & Mary to win in a close call.
Projected Score: William & Mary 27, Towson 24 (OT)
New Hampshire at Albany, Saturday, 3:30
Could New Hampshire spoil Bob Ford’s final home game? Could and would is the answer. Ford is retiring after more than 40 years at the helm of Albany football, and the game is being played at the field named after him. Four of Albany’s losses have come by six points or less. New Hampshire has 451.9 yards per game on offense and a 60-percent rate on fourth-down conversions, which is second in the conference. New Hampshire has won four of the past five games and its only meeting with Albany.
Projected Score: New Hampshire 40, Albany 24
Stony Brook at James Madison, Saturday, 3:30
This is the first meeting overall between these two programs, and the statistics favor James Madison walking away as the winner. James Madison is 3-3 in CAA play and 6-4 overall, and all six wins have come at home. The Dukes continue to lead the CAA in rushing defense (98.2 yards per game), while Stony Brook has allowed a combined 168 rushing yards over the last two games. This will be a low-scoring contest in favor of James Madison.
Projected Score: James Madison 17, Stony Brook 13
