| Subject: Predictions for Duquesne-Robert Morris & Albany-Sacred Heart Games |
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Always a Duke
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Date Posted: Thursday, November 17, 03:30:14pm
Sean Shapiro, FCS Assistant, of the Sports Network (TSN) provided these predictions for Saturday's two most important games in the NEC:
Robert Morris Colonials (3-7, 2-5 NEC) at Duquesne Dukes (8-2, 6-1), noon
Series record: Tied, 6-6
Last meeting: at Robert Morris 34, Duquesne 11 (Oct. 30, 2010)
What to know: Duquesne would clinch a share of the Northeast Conference title with a victory, but still needs outside help to reach the playoffs. Due to a midseason loss to Albany, the Great Danes would get the automatic bid with a victory against Sacred Heart this week.
Ohio State transfer defensive lineman Dorian Bell had a big game in Duquesne's 29-15 win against Sacred Heart last week. He earned NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his eight tackle performance.
In a disappointing season for Robert Morris after reaching the playoffs last year, the Colonials have struggled on both offense and defense. Other than a brief two-game winning streak in October, Robert Morris' offense has averaged just 16.5 points per game.
Prediction: Duquesne 27, Robert Morris 18
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Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-5, 3-4 NEC) at Albany Great Danes (7-3, 6-1), 1 p.m.
Series record: Albany leads, 11-2
Last meeting: Albany 35, at Sacred Heart 23 (Nov. 6, 2010)
What to know: It's as simple as "win and you're in" for the Great Danes. Thanks to a victory against Duquesne on Oct. 8, Albany can clinch the NEC's automatic playoff bid, which would be the first in school history.
Albany running back Andrew Smith is coming off an outstanding performance in a 41-24 win against Monmouth. Not only did Smith carry the ball 14 times for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the junior also tossed a 44-yard touchdown pass, his third completion and touchdown of the season.
Earlier this season, it looked like the Pioneers would possibly challenge for the NEC title after a four-game winning streak to improve to 4-2. However, Sacred Heart has stumbled since then and lost three of its last four, including a bad, 29-15 loss to Duquesne last week.
Prediction: Albany 35, Sacred Heart 17
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Remember Duquesne fans, upsets can and do happen. So let's hope Sacred Heart puts it all together & upsets the Great Danes by a late game field goal: Sacred Heart 31- Albany 28.
Note that Sagarin favors the Dukes by nearly 18 points and RealTime RPI.com gives the Dukes an even bigger spread over Bobby Mo. Try 28 points! Five of the previous 12 games between the Dukes and Colonials over the years have been by 7 pts. of less. I'm predicting a 31 to 13 win for the Dukes this weekend. The Dukes' tough defense will give up no more than one TD to Bobby Mo's struggling offense. Bobby Mo had to rely on its two freshmen QBs in its last game due to an injury to junior starting QB Jeff Sinclair in the game against Central Conn. State. I don't believe that Sinclair will be able to play, and the Colonials will be dependent on its two frosh. Not likely a recipe for victory for them!
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