Game Day: Rhode Island vs Massachusetts Saturday, September 19, 2009

So, I have an hour or so to kill before I make the 2 hour drive out the Amherst to see the Massachusetts Minutemen (1-1, 0-0 CAA) open up the conference schedule with the Rhode Island Rams (1-0, 0-0).

URI is terrible. If the CAA was playing Survivor against another conference, it would be a coin toss as to who would be voted off first, URI or Northeastern. My money would personally be on URI, as Northeastern is CAA for all sports so the full CAA members would probably keep them.

Traditionally, URI has run an option offense which can be to their advantage this week. UMass has trouble with the option and more specifically, with quarterbacks who can run the ball. However, as URI has always lacked talent in the past, they're brilliant use of the option against a team weak in defending it has never even come close to working, well...not without the help of a monsoon anyway, but I digress.

It looks like they've picked up a transfer from Rutgers to play qb, Chris Paul-Etienne. He threw for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns in Rhody's win over Fordham to weeks ago. Also, from reading the review of the first game, I've found out they have a new head coach too, Joe Trainer. I don't know if this will switch their offensive strategy at all, but I doubt either of them can turn the program around so quickly. I'm predicting UMass will win this one easily, 35-7.

ESPNboston has recognized BC isn't the only division 1 football program in Massachusetts. Here, they preview both the Eagles game against Clemson and the Minutemen against the Rams. It's pretty balanced, 30 seconds for each team. They predict Kyle Havens will be the difference in the game. Take that Rhode Island! Our junior college guy is better than your FBS guy!