Games to watch for 2007
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So without further ado, here’s the Top 10 games you should see this season, in chronological order:
1. Carnegie Mellon at Rochester, Sept. 1, noon
Even though CMU is in the South Region, this first game could mean a lot for both teams to get off on the right foot for their seasons. CMU needs to start strong before getting into their main schedule and Rochester needs to rack up wins if they want a chance at a playoff bid. Losing here doesn’t spell the end of the road for either team, but it’s a huge confidence booster for the winner.
2. Alfred at Thiel, Sept. 8, 1 p.m.
This game, much like CMU-Rochester, gives two teams in different regions (Thiel resides in the South region) a chance to face off. Thiel fell off recordwise a ton from 2005 to 2006, from 11 wins to five, and Alfred has been in the top tier of the Empire 8 for the past few years, scoring six to eight wins in each season. Don’t let the numbers fool you, however. This is should be a good out-of-region matchup.
3. Salisbury at Brockport State, Sept. 8, 1 p.m.
This early-season matchup between Atlantic Central Football Conference members will probably decide who finishes second in the conference. Last year, both teams finished 2-2 in conference, tied for second between national semifinalist Wesley, so the winner here will get a leg up on the other right out of the gate. This is also the last time that these two will face off as conference opponents, as Brockport State becomes a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference in 2008.
4. Springfield at Union, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.
This is one of the biggest non-league games not only in the East Region, but throughout the country as well. Both teams have an excellent chance to win their respective leagues (Springfield -Empire 8; Union- Liberty League) and earn a bid into the NCAA playoffs. A loss doesn’t mean the season’s over, but whoever wins will be getting a big boost of confidence, a strong win for playoff criteria and more publicity from poll voters. Springfield won last year’s game on the turf at Benedum Field, 38-30, and now the Pride have to travel to Schenectady to face the Dutchmen at Frank Bailey.
5. Rowan at Wilkes, Sept. 15, 1 p.m.
After an 11-1 season and an undefeated 9-0 slate in Middle Atlantic Conference play in 2006, Wilkes invited traditional power Rowan in for a non-league tilt on the 15th. The two teams faced off last year, with Rowan winning 21-14 in the playoffs. Wilkes plays two other NJAC opponents to open its season -- William Paterson and Montclair State -- so this should be an interesting matchup. For Rowan, after a 9-3 record last year, including a 21-0 loss to D-I FCS Robert Morris, the Profs play all D-III opponents this year. A win against Wilkes could vault back into another good playoff run.
6. RPI at Hobart, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
The terrific slate of East Region games continues into Week 4 when two of the top teams in the Liberty League face off. This game serves as the first chance for these two teams to prove themselves worthy of being league champion. The winner here will have the upper hand to winning the Liberty League championship. RPI plays Utica at home at '86 Field the week before, so the Engineers need to be careful about overlooking the Pioneers on their way to playing Hobart. Coach Joe King won’t let that happen.
7. Susquehanna at St. Lawrence, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
With Susquehanna joining the Liberty League this year, this will be the Crusaders’ first league test in their new surroundings. They have to travel a long way -- 352 miles and 6 hours and 14 minutes, according to Mapquest -- for it. Can Susquehanna handle the Liberty League after struggling in the MAC for the last couple years? That question will have part of the answer after this game. Also, St. Lawrence can’t take the Crusaders lightly. St. Lawrence could be in position for a playoff spot, so they need to win as many games as they can. A must-win game in Week 4.
8. St. John Fisher at Ithaca, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
Just call this one The Battle at Butterfield. Fisher is the favorite to win the Empire 8 title and the East Region again -- and they will be until they are knocked off the pedestal. This game is the first good shot to knock them off. (Sorry, Rochester.) In 2005, Ithaca won 41-35 in overtime the last time the game was played at Butterfield. In the game, linebacker Bill Struzzi returned a Rob Suchyna pass 91 yards for a touchdown. Last year, when the game was at Growney Stadium at St. John Fisher, Ithaca took a 10-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, but was rolled after that, letting up 34 unanswered points as Fisher won 34-10. What kind of game will we see this year? The fans will definitely benefit from the results.
9. Utica at Alfred, Oct. 13, 1 p.m.
For the past six years, Utica has tried to break through into the top tier of the Empire 8, but as stacked as the conference is, it’s definitely a tall order. After securing the program’s first winning season in 2005, the Pioneers struggled in 2006. If UC wants to make a bid to become a top tier team in arguably the toughest division in DIII college football, here’s the team they have to beat. They’ve never beaten the Saxons, coming closest in 2002 in a 10-0 loss. Coach Mike Kemp and his team could take a big step forward with a win over Alfred. (And start your “You’re such a homer” e-mail... now.)
10. St. John Fisher at Springfield, Oct. 20, 1 p.m.
This will be the third meeting in the past two seasons between these two. Springfield won the regular season meeting 55-38 when Springfield quarterback Chris Sharpe scored a school-record seven touchdowns and ran for 280 yards. Fisher, however, won the elimination game, beating the Pride 27-21 in the playoffs at Springfield’s home turf, a game in which it held Sharpe to 69 rushing yards. Can SJF hold down Sharpe or will he cut up Fisher again? We’ll have to wait and see.
These are my choices. I’m sure you readers have yours. E-mail me at adam.samrov@d3football.com with your opinion.