2008 Woodie Awards
This weekend's CAA football predictions
by Matt Gallo
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports
No. 12 Delaware 49 - Monmouth 0
Delaware's defense has been stellar during the first part of the season. The Hens need to pick up their first shut-out of the year against a weak Monmouth offense that has contributed little in its winless season (0-3). The Hens' defense has allowed 16 points in their past two games and should have no problem stopping an inexperienced offense that features five returning starters. Look for senior running back Omar Cuff to duplicate the performance he had against William & Mary in the first game of the season, when he ran for 244 yards on 30 carries. The Hawks will line up against Cuff and senior quarterback Joe Flacco with a defensive line that features no returning starters. The Hens' offense, ranked No. 2 in the CAA, will use this game to help prepare for New Hampshire and James Madison in the upcoming weeks.
No. 25 Richmond 45 - No. 11 New Hampshire 42
When these two Colonial Athletic Association foes line up Saturday afternoon at Richmond Stadium, it should be an old-fashioned shootout, which could possibly come down to who controls the ball on the last possession of the game. New Hampshire's senior quarterback Ricky Santos, who has complied 841 yards and thrown for seven touchdowns, looks to exploit a Richmond defense that has allowed 69 points in the first three games of the season. While Richmond sophomore quarterback Eric Ward has been less than impressive, look for senior running back Tim Hightower to slow down the tempo of the game and grind out first down after first down, keeping the ball out of Santos' hands. Hightower averages 10.8 yards per carry this season to go along with nine touchdowns. He will help carry his team in the upset.
Villanova 24 - No. 9 James Madison 17
Villanova rides a five-game conference win streak dating back to last season coming into Saturday's game at James Madison. The Wildcats should be able make it a sixth-straight CAA win by squeaking past a James Madison team that is undefeated at home this season. Villanova won the most-recent meeting 21-20 at home, after scoring on a 16-yard run with 1:21 left in the game. James Madison will turn to versatile junior quarterback Rodney Landers, who can not only hurt opposing teams in the air, passing for 627 yards with a 67.2 completion percentage, but can also scramble for extra yards on the ground. Landers has run for 369 yards on 59 carries. Look for Villanova's quarterback Antwon Young to carry the momentum of last week's 34-14 win over Penn into this weekend's game and pull out a win in what could be a CAA playoff preview.
William & Mary 31 - Towson 10
One of these teams will pick up its first CAA victory in a battle of winless conference teams Saturday. Look for William & Mary to surge by a Towson team that has trouble putting points on the board, scoring 68 points in its first four games. William & Mary junior quarterback Jake Phillips has helped his team put up at least 31 points in each of the first three games of the season, scoring a season-high 63 points in a victory over Virginia Military Institute. Phillips has thrown for 1,253 yards this season and is projected to compile 3,446 yards if he continues at this pace. Both teams struggle in the rushing department, so look for a plethora of interceptions thrown by Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer, who has already thrown eight this season.
No. 12(FBS) Boston College 51 - No. 2 Massachusetts 14
Boston College looks for its best start in 50 years, when it started 5-0 in 1954. This year's Eagles' offense, led by senior quarterback Matt Ryan, has put up at least 37 points in three of their last four games and has thrown for 1,341 yards on the season. The dual running back committee of the No. 2 Football Championship Subdivision Minutemen, led by senior Matt Lawrence and sophomore Tony Nelson, will have their work cut out for them this week against a Boston College defense that ranks third in the nation against the run, allowing 41.7 yards per game. The Eagles lead the all-time series between the two teams 16-5 and should easily be able to make it 17. The Minutemen will need a Syracuse-type upset to remain undefeated.
Rhode Island 38 - Brown University 3
Rhode Island will be able to end an early season slump Saturday at Brown after dropping consecutive games to CAA opponents. Rams' junior quarterback Derek Cassidy will finally be able to get back on track after only throwing for 425 yards and two touchdowns in their first four games. Rhode Island should be able to sack inexperienced Brown quarterback Michael Dougherty early and often, which will help gain strong field position for its struggling offense. Dougherty has already thrown four interceptions in the first two games. The Rams, who run a triple-option offense, anchored by Cassidy and running back Joe Casey, should cause fits for the Bears defense en route to a lopsided Rhode Island victory.
Delaware's defense has been stellar during the first part of the season. The Hens need to pick up their first shut-out of the year against a weak Monmouth offense that has contributed little in its winless season (0-3). The Hens' defense has allowed 16 points in their past two games and should have no problem stopping an inexperienced offense that features five returning starters. Look for senior running back Omar Cuff to duplicate the performance he had against William & Mary in the first game of the season, when he ran for 244 yards on 30 carries. The Hawks will line up against Cuff and senior quarterback Joe Flacco with a defensive line that features no returning starters. The Hens' offense, ranked No. 2 in the CAA, will use this game to help prepare for New Hampshire and James Madison in the upcoming weeks.
No. 25 Richmond 45 - No. 11 New Hampshire 42
When these two Colonial Athletic Association foes line up Saturday afternoon at Richmond Stadium, it should be an old-fashioned shootout, which could possibly come down to who controls the ball on the last possession of the game. New Hampshire's senior quarterback Ricky Santos, who has complied 841 yards and thrown for seven touchdowns, looks to exploit a Richmond defense that has allowed 69 points in the first three games of the season. While Richmond sophomore quarterback Eric Ward has been less than impressive, look for senior running back Tim Hightower to slow down the tempo of the game and grind out first down after first down, keeping the ball out of Santos' hands. Hightower averages 10.8 yards per carry this season to go along with nine touchdowns. He will help carry his team in the upset.
Villanova 24 - No. 9 James Madison 17
Villanova rides a five-game conference win streak dating back to last season coming into Saturday's game at James Madison. The Wildcats should be able make it a sixth-straight CAA win by squeaking past a James Madison team that is undefeated at home this season. Villanova won the most-recent meeting 21-20 at home, after scoring on a 16-yard run with 1:21 left in the game. James Madison will turn to versatile junior quarterback Rodney Landers, who can not only hurt opposing teams in the air, passing for 627 yards with a 67.2 completion percentage, but can also scramble for extra yards on the ground. Landers has run for 369 yards on 59 carries. Look for Villanova's quarterback Antwon Young to carry the momentum of last week's 34-14 win over Penn into this weekend's game and pull out a win in what could be a CAA playoff preview.
William & Mary 31 - Towson 10
One of these teams will pick up its first CAA victory in a battle of winless conference teams Saturday. Look for William & Mary to surge by a Towson team that has trouble putting points on the board, scoring 68 points in its first four games. William & Mary junior quarterback Jake Phillips has helped his team put up at least 31 points in each of the first three games of the season, scoring a season-high 63 points in a victory over Virginia Military Institute. Phillips has thrown for 1,253 yards this season and is projected to compile 3,446 yards if he continues at this pace. Both teams struggle in the rushing department, so look for a plethora of interceptions thrown by Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer, who has already thrown eight this season.
No. 12(FBS) Boston College 51 - No. 2 Massachusetts 14
Boston College looks for its best start in 50 years, when it started 5-0 in 1954. This year's Eagles' offense, led by senior quarterback Matt Ryan, has put up at least 37 points in three of their last four games and has thrown for 1,341 yards on the season. The dual running back committee of the No. 2 Football Championship Subdivision Minutemen, led by senior Matt Lawrence and sophomore Tony Nelson, will have their work cut out for them this week against a Boston College defense that ranks third in the nation against the run, allowing 41.7 yards per game. The Eagles lead the all-time series between the two teams 16-5 and should easily be able to make it 17. The Minutemen will need a Syracuse-type upset to remain undefeated.
Rhode Island 38 - Brown University 3
Rhode Island will be able to end an early season slump Saturday at Brown after dropping consecutive games to CAA opponents. Rams' junior quarterback Derek Cassidy will finally be able to get back on track after only throwing for 425 yards and two touchdowns in their first four games. Rhode Island should be able to sack inexperienced Brown quarterback Michael Dougherty early and often, which will help gain strong field position for its struggling offense. Dougherty has already thrown four interceptions in the first two games. The Rams, who run a triple-option offense, anchored by Cassidy and running back Joe Casey, should cause fits for the Bears defense en route to a lopsided Rhode Island victory.
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