CAA Weekend Preview, October 16, Week 7

12:00 pm, #6 Villanova (3-2, 1-1 CAA) at Maine (2-4, 1-2 CAA)  
TV: CSN-NE
This will be the Wildcats first game since losing to William & Mary on October 2. Nova will be looking to bounce back against a Maine team that was unable to stop the Pat Devlin and Andrew Pierce last week. Villanova standout wide receiver/ kick returner and CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Matt Szczur, is questionable for Saturday's game. Without Szczur the Wildcats will be much more limited in what they can do on Saturday and this will definitely give Maine a better chance at puling off an upset. I still think that Villanova will pull through and win this one.

3:30 pm, Rhode Island (2-3, 1-1 CAA) at #2 Delaware (6-0, 3-0 CAA)
Rhode Island has definitely improved this season... but not enough to beat the Blue Hens. URI has some stand out players on defense and they have a strong defensive line. It will be interesting to see how Delaware running back Andrew Pierce will fair against the URI's defense. Delaware will win this one easily.

3:30, #20 Richmond (2-3, 0-2 CAA) at #8 UMass (4-1, 2-0 CAA)
Richmond punter Nick Hicks will be starting at quarterback this Saturday against UMass. With the Spiders offense in complete disarray, UMass should be able to completely shut them down. There are rumors that the Spiders could implement the triple option on Saturday, by having their running back under center. The Spiders defense will have their hands full, as the UMass offense has been averaging more than 440 yards of total offense per game. If Hicks can avoid throwing another five interceptions they might be able to stay close,but in the end, this game will belong to UMass.

3:30, #16 New Hampshire (3-3, 1-2 CAA) at #7 James Madison (4-1, 1-1 CAA)
TV: CSN-NE
This should be one of the more competitive games of the week. James Madison won a close game at Towson last weekend and UNH is coming off a big Homecoming win over Richmond. James Madison is looking to avoid losing two straight games at home while UNH will be looking to avoid a demoralizing, 1-3 start in the CAA. Last weekend the UNH defense had six interceptions and linebacker Mike Evans recorded 12 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. I think the UNH defense will carry the momentum into Harrisonburg, Virginia and pull off the upset.