NEC Pick'em Week 4

[danefan]

Direct link to online video of the Albany @ Duquesne game

http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-duquesne.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CoachL]

Albany @ Duquesne - "Homer" pick inasmuch as the Duquesne team is vastly improved over 2009's injury-riddled squad. I'm not sure that Albany has the means this year to completely shut down: 1.) the best receiver corps in the NEC - Conner Dixon (Michigan State transfer, now fully recovered from the flu from which he was suffering during Delaware week) 7 catches for 79 yards, Dave Williams (Michigan State transfer - preseason All-NEC pick) 3 catches for 106 yards and 1 TD, Sean Bunevich (fully-healed 2007 All-MAAC and 2008 All-NEC TE), Akeem Moore (possibly our biggest receiver threat - hopefully back from ankle sprain suffered against Dayton) 1 catch for 45 yards, Joe Cangilla (15.6 ypc average so far this year), and RB's coming out of the backfield who can catch and have fine yac stats; 2.) a strong and mobile QB in Sean Patterson, 242 passing yards; 3.) 2009's top freshman RB in the FCS, Larry McCoy, who is out to prove that his sub-par 59 yards against Albany last year was an aberration. 123 yards rushing and 2 TDs

Duquesne's defense (while it still needs a bit of work) is 100% better than the 2009 version. Delaware ran the ball at will against the Dukes, but I don't see Albany's OL coming anything close to Delaware's, and Albany does not have Andrew Pierce . 208 total yards for Albany - 92 yards rushing and 116 passing

55-10 was last year. I don't believe that Albany's team is as good as their 2009 team; Duquesne is vastly improved; and the game is on The Bluff. Advantage: Duquesne

[DetroitFlyer]

So.... What do the Albany fans and fans of the NEC think of Duquesne? Maybe the NEC's first automatic bid to the FCS playoffs will go to a Pittsburgh team, Duquesne or Robert Morris. Kind of looks like Duquesne has snuck up on the NEC this year. Still can't believe my Flyers could not hang on for a win, but with Duquesne defeating Albany rather soundly, it kind of looks like the Dukes are the real deal this season.... The Duquesne / Robert Morris game could really be even more interesting this year....

[danefan]

Duquesne has some good receivers but honestly all but one of the big pass plays were broken coverages more than great plays. Connor Dixon made a great catch to set up the last TD. I'm more impressed with the defense then the offense.

The NEC is hard to pick now. Duquesne is good. RMU is good. CCSU is good. Bryant is good despite today's result. And if we can get our offense in gear we still have a chance to run the table. You just never know.

[UAalum72]

Sacred Heart missed a 38-yard FG wide left with 0:44 left to lose to Dartmouth 21-19.

[aceinthehole]

The NEC is hard to pick now. Duquesne is good. RMU is good. CCSU is good. Bryant is good despite today's result. And if we can get our offense in gear we still have a chance to run the table. You just never know.

Agreed! At this point, I like RMU, the Dukes and CCSU - each has quality QB play and can run as well. Albany, Bryant and Wagner are still good very good teams and can beat anyone in the NEC, but I feel they each have a fatal flaw.

[aceinthehole]

Sacred Heart missed a 38-yard FG wide left with 0:44 left to lose to Dartmouth 21-19.

That is a killer for the NEC. A SHU win would have been good as it would have shown that the bottom of our leage is better than the bottom of the Ivy/PL.

We've already proved that top 3/4 of the league is worthy of the AQ and can compete across FCS.

[danefan]

Sacred Heart missed a 38-yard FG wide left with 0:44 left to lose to Dartmouth 21-19.

That is a killer for the NEC. A SHU win would have been good as it would have shown that the bottom of our leage is better than the bottom of the Ivy/PL.

We've already proved that top 3/4 of the league is worthy of the AQ and can compete across FCS.

Meh...that's pretty much even for me with SHU and Dartmouth. A last second field goal was the difference.

Despite our fatal flaw (bad QB play), I'm still taking Albany over Yale by a TD at least next weekend.

[aceinthehole]

That is a killer for the NEC. A SHU win would have been good as it would have shown that the bottom of our leage is better than the bottom of the Ivy/PL.

We've already proved that top 3/4 of the league is worthy of the AQ and can compete across FCS.

Meh...that's pretty much even for me with SHU and Dartmouth. A last second field goal was the difference.

Despite our fatal flaw (bad QB play), I'm still taking Albany over Yale by a TD at least next weekend.

Yeah, SHU played with them for the game, that's a positive.

I'm picking UA over Yale next week (and will take Wagner over Georgetown in a few weeks). I just meant I think the flaw may stop a team like UA, Wagner or Bryant from winning the NEC AQ, but they are all very good teams.