College Sports Journal Northeast Conference Previews: Week of 9/14/2019
Things pretty much played out as expected when the teams of the NEC stepped up in class, losing some games against tough competition. It was the losses to D-II squads that were an issue, with Wagner and Robert Morris losing some bad games against sub-D-I competition. This week, the NEC has another mixed back of play-up and play-down competition.
BYE: LIU
Fearless Predictions
Merrimack (1-1) at St. Francis (PA) (1-1), Saturday September 14th, Noon, DeGol Field, Loretto, PA, NEC Front Row
This should be a close game between transitioning Merrimack and the Red Flash. I think St. Francis guts this out at home. St. Francis (PA) 20, Merrimack 17
Sacred Heart (1-1) at Lafayette (0-2), Saturday September 14th, 12:30pm, Fisher Field, Easton, PA, Lafayette Sports Network, Patriot League Network
The Leopards are 0-2, but they seem a lot closer to figuring things out after narrow losses to William and Mary and Monmouth. The Pioneers will be a really good test of where they are at. At home, they do finally get their first win Lafayette 24, Sacred Heart 21
Fordham (0-2) at Bryant (0-2), Saturday September 14th, 1:00pm, Bulldog Stadium, Smithfield, RI, NEC Front Row
Like Sacred Heart/Lafayette, this is a battle between a couple of teams that will be a litmus test to where they are at. Bryant’s offense will score more than the 13 they’ve scored in two games, but Fordham’s development is further along and should win handlily. Fordham 45, Bryant 27
Central Connecticut State (2-0) at Valparaiso (0-1), Saturday September 14th, 2:00pm, Brown Field, Valparaiso, IN, ESPN+ (subscription req’d)
The Blue Devils, who early on look like they’re going to be a force in the NEC this season, should have way too much for rebuilding Valpo. CCSU 38, Valparaiso 10
Duquesne (1-0) at Youngstown State (2-0), Saturday September 14th, 2:00 pm, Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH, ESPN+ (subscription req’d)
Could the NEC be smelling upset here? The Penguins could be overlooking the Dukes, which could mean a great result for the NEC. Duquesne 27, Youngstown State 21
Dayton (1-0) at Robert Morris (0-2), Saturday September 14th, 3:00pm, Joe Walton Stadium, Moon Township, PA, NEC Front Row
The Flyers head into Moon Township on a huge high after their stunning upset of nationally-ranked Indiana State last week. They’ll have no problem with a rebuilding Robert Morris squad. Datyon 41, Robert Morris 6
Wagner (0-2) at Stony Brook (1-1), Saturday September 14th, 6:00 pm, Kenneth P. Lavalle Stadium, Stony Brook, NY, SNY, FLO Sports ($$/subscription req’d)
Wagner nearly beat FBS UConn and then lost to a DII team. Stony Brook has lost a lot on offense but still brings a stingy defense to the field. Look for the Seawolves to cruise in this one. Stony Brook 27, Wagner 10
Chuck has been writing about Lehigh football since the dawn of the internet, or perhaps it only seems like it. He’s executive editor of the College Sports Journal and has also written a book, The Rivalry: How Two Schools Started the Most Played College Football Series.
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