NCAAF (Philly) PREVIEW – Week 11: Don’t Panic Yet, but Villanova Is in Trouble
Up 20-7 at halftime against New Hampshire, Villanova blew another two-touchdown lead to lose their third straight.
The Wildcats have led in every game they’ve played this season, but CAA play is beginning to wear down on them.
Elsewhere in the CAA, the Blue Hens season is officially a waste. Head coach Danny Rocco has lost his touch and hasn’t recognized the talent on his young Delaware squad. He has failed to utilize running back Will Knight who is averaging over eight yards per touch.
The Blue Hens ought to take a step back from scheduling tough and take a page out of Villanova’s book and schedule lite nonconference games to rack up the FCS wins necessary to reach the playoff.
Temple and Penn are now in spoiler roles with an opportunity to ruin other postseason hopes.
Cornell at Pennsylvania
After dispatching last-place Brown, the Quakers will have an opportunity to get back to .500 against a 2-5 Cornell team. The Big Red have kept games low scoring, while Penn has been participating in shootouts. Penn’s offense can hit gears that Cornell can’t keep up with. If the Quakers can find the endzone three times, it will be enough to get past the Big Red.
Prediction: Pennsylvania 24, Cornell 17
Albany at Delaware
Ding ding, the bell has rung and the Blue Hens playoff hopes have been KO’d. Despite having a better roster than Albany, head coach Danny Rocco won’t utilize running back Will Knight who might be the best athlete in the conference. If he was the Hens primary back, Delaware would win this game, but because he will be sharing a crowded backfield, the Hens scoring will come up short.
Prediction: Albany 30, Delaware 25
Temple at South Florida
FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS! This is a game that Temple should win… But so was Buffalo. After two straight blow out losses, it appears the wheels have fallen off the wagon in Philadelphia. On a Thursday night in Tampa, the Owls might just be happy with getting out of their chilly home in North Philadelphia. The Owls are the better team, and in a game that mattered, the outcome might be different, however, Temple’s lack of focus will cost them this one.
Prediction: South Florida 28, Temple 27
Richmond at No. 18 Villanova
Villanova started the season looking like an FCS Championship contender. After six straight wins to start the season, the Wildcats are now beginning to worry if they’ll even make the FCS postseason. Another tough task stands in their way as Richmond is on a rebound to save their season, and currently, they stand at 4-1 in the CAA. Before anyone panics… In Villanova’s three defeats, they’ve led and looked dominant until late in the second half. The Wildcats will fix their second half blunders at home, and get back on track this weekend to save their season.
Prediction: Villanova 42, Richmond 20
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