NCAAF PREVIEW – Week 4: Penn Kicks off Their Football Season at No. 20 Delaware
For the first time in 2019, all three Division 1 football programs in Philadelphia will be playing on the same day. Penn finally kicks off their football season as they take on No. 20 Delaware who is coming off a drubbing from No. 1 North Dakota State.
Temple is feeling good after taking down No. 21 Maryland at the Linc. They take on the defending MAC-East division winner Buffalo. The Bulls are still searching for their first FBS win of 2019.
No. 18 Villanova opens CAA play with a tough road test at No. 5 Towson who is guided by NFL quarterback Joe Flacco’s younger brother Tom Flacco.
Pennsylvania at No. 20 Delaware
The Penn Quakers are finally starting their season, and they’ll be opening with a tough opponent. The Blue Hens are in the midst of quarterback and running back controversy as Delaware natives: quarterback Nolan Henderson, and running back Will Knight have outperformed starting quarterback Pat Kehoe and Penn State transfer running back Andre Robinson. If there is shuffling at the QB and RB positions for Delaware, Penn might be able to take advantage. To win, Penn will need to start fast as Delaware has been a strong second-half team this season. In the end, a lack of game-time experience may doom Pennsylvania.
Prediction: Delaware 26, Pennsylvania 25
Temple at Buffalo
Buffalo is not off to the kind of start that they’ve hoped for. A team that finished 10-4 a season ago has yet to win an FBS game this year. The Owls, on the other hand, are coming off of a gritty performance against previously ranked Maryland. Temple’s defense stimied the Terps offense that was No. 1 in the country in points per game. If they play with that same fire and determination that grounded Maryland’s rushing attack, they should fare well against Buffalo.
Prediction: Temple 34, Buffalo 18
No. 18 Villanova at No. 5 Towson
Both the Wildcats and the Tigers are off to 3-0 starts in what may be the FCS match of the week. Villanova has yet to face a CAA opponent, however, their quarterback Daniel Smith has been a touchdown machine with 11 in three contests. Towson is led by Rutgers transfer Tom Flacco. He’s helped the Tigers knock off two ranked opponents: No. 12 Maine, and No. 25 The Citadel. Expect a battle between these two quarterbacks as both can score through the air and on the ground, but Smith will pull off the upset with a long scamper to set up the game-winning score.
Prediction: Villanova 27, Towson 26
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