CAA Forecast - New Hampshire

[jstclmet]

The Pluses:
1. 8 starters return on Defense - losses are 2 LB's & DB.
2. Relatively young def last year only gave up 135 RYPG, 224 PYPG, & 23.5 PPG.
3. Playmakers @ QB & TE return.
4. 1 lone starting Off lineman (C Neil 6'4 285) will be helped by fellow Sr. Larkin who was a backup RG, 6'4, 290.

The negatives:
1. Lost promising WR Fox for a year.
2. OL decimated by graduation. Looking for a bunch of RSO's to step up.
3. There are about 4 RB's competing for the starting job. TBD in Aug.

The Schedule:

9/5 vs St. Francis. The Wildcats get out of the gates a little sluggish with virtually a new "O", but is strong enough to wrestle out a 27 - 13 win @ home.

9/12 @ Ball St. Not quite ready for prime time, the Cats cannot keep up with the strength of Ball St and falls 7 - 24.

9/19 Bye

9/26 vs Darthmouth. The Cats rebound big against Darthmouth while trying to build on their running game. Cats win 28 - 6.

10/3 @ Towson. The Cats mix pass & run to race past the Tigers 31 - 10.

10/10 vs Villanova. The Home Cats OL is tested often by the Blitzing Cats from the South. TO's give Nova a 14 - 3 HT lead. The Durham Cats fight back to come up short 20 - 28.

10/17 @ UMass. In a nip & tuck battle, The Cats kick a FG as time expires to win 17 - 14 on the road.

10/24 @ Hofstra. In another grind it out game in Long Island, this time the Cats fall as HU kicks the winning FG as time expires. UNH 17 - HU 20.

10/31 vs Northeastern. The Cats push NU all over the field before the home crowd for a convincing 35 - 13 win.

11/7 vs Rhode Island. Using it's Air game, the Cats tests URI's secondary early and often to a 44 - 21 W.

11/14 @ William & Mary. Facing another ranked opponent from the South, the Tribe proves to be too much for the Cats, as the Cats fall 24 - 28.

11/21 vs Maine. In what will most likely be considered a "Play-In" game, the Cats backs are against the wall. With time remaining for one possession, the Cats march 80 yds, and scores the TD to come from behind and steal the win 21 - 20.

CAA 5 - 3, Overall 7 - 4

[dbackjon]

I would go with 8-3

[houndawg]

Eight wins or more in the regular season riding the defense. Less offense than last year catches up with them in the playoffs.

[Rob Iola]

3 losses to Ball St/Nova/W&M plus at least 1 more to UMass/Hofstra/Maine plus some anxious moments at Towson cuz they were looking past them to Nova after a comfortable win over Dartmouth.

At best 8 wins and a trip to Boone or Cedar Falls or Richmond...

[UNI88]

3 losses to Ball St/Nova/W&M plus at least 1 more to UMass/Hofstra/Maine plus some anxious moments at Towson cuz they were looking past them to Nova after a comfortable win over Dartmouth.

At best 8 wins and a trip to Boone or Cedar Falls or Richmond...

I think they have a shot against Ball St and/or W&M so 9-2 is possible.