Week 9 in the Patriot League all boils down to the “Main Event”; Colgate and Georgetown. Can the non-scholarship Hoyas send shock waves throughout the Patriot League, and the entire FCS landscape for that matter, by taking down the 13th ranked Raiders on their home turf? The last time the Georgetown program had a game of this magnitude this late in the season was in 2011 (vs Lehigh). In Hamilton, late season games that have championship implications are the norm.
The Undercards
Lehigh (1-6, 0-2) at Holy Cross (1-6, 0-2) 1 P.M. Fitton Field Worcester, MA
Live Stream: Patriot League Network
The Pick: There’s no denying both teams have been struggling through ugly seasons. However, through seven games Holy Cross has shown more fight. The Mountain Hawks have suffered 4 straight embarrassing losses which has sparked considerable rumors regarding the future of Head Coach Andy Coen once the season concludes. In Worcester, first year Crusader Head Coach Bob Chesney needs continued improvement from the offense after the bye week. A 5-6 record and second place finish in the Patriot League is still there for the taken with more production from the QB position. That can be said about Lehigh too but watching them in recent weeks suggests the odds of a turnaround at this point are extremely long. Both offenses (HC 17.6 ppg LU 14 ppg) have struggled mightily to this point in the season but the Crusader defense has far and away been superior.
Holy Cross 27 Lehigh 14
Lafayette (2-5, 1-2) at Fordham (1-6, 1-1) 1 P.M. Jack Coffey Field Bronx, NY
Live Streaming: The Patriot League Network
The Pick: The records Lafayette and Fordham bring into this game aren’t pretty but that shouldn’t discount the fight both teams have shown in recent weeks. QB Sean O’Malley and the Leopard offense showed considerable promise against Bucknell’s stout defense in a 29-27 win. Had that level of play been put forth against Georgetown the previous week Lafayette would likely be on a 3 game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Rams are coming off of back-2-back 40 point games after managing a grand total of 47 points through their first 5 contests of the season. Fordham’s rushing attack finally seems to be hitting its stride with Tyriek Hokpins (176 yards 1 TD) leading the way. This is will be the best game of the weekend.
Fordham 30 Lafayette 26
The Main Event
Georgetown (4-4, 3-0) at #13 Colgate (6-0, 3-0) 12 P.M. Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY
Live Streaming: Patriot League Network
The Pick: Before the season started no one could have imagined the Colgate-Georgetown game set for the final weekend of October would be the “Patriot League Game of The Year” but amazingly that’s how things have played out. The Raiders were the prohibitive preseason favorite after earning a share of last year’s league title so this is right where they expected to be. Georgetown however, snapped a nearly three year conference losing streak against Fordham on October 6th then knocked off Lafayette and Lehigh to find themselves in a battle for first place. While the Hoyas have obviously played well in recent weeks to even their record at 4-4, it can’t go without saying that they’ve taken advantage of three league foes that are a combined 4-17. Georgetown has faced one Top 25 team already this year and it didn’t go well. The 41-0 shellacking at the hands of #21 Dartmouth back on September 15th is a good barometer of what Coach Sgarlata and his players should expect against a team of Colgate’s caliber.
As an added bonus for Hunt and his staff, Colgate had their bye last week so they figure to be rested and well prepared. Coach Hunt’s defense heads into their seventh game of the year having not allowed a touchdown since the season opener against Holy Cross. With a ridiculous streak like that it’s no surprise the Raider’s defense leads the country in ppg allowed, 3.8. Chris Wheeler and company have to feel confident in their ability to continue that trend with Georgetown’s 112th ranked scoring offense (15.9 ppg) rolling into Hamilton. The Hoya offensive line, which struggled against Lehigh last week, must play their best game of the season in order to give quarterback Gunther Johnson a chance to make plays with his arm and legs. It’s no secret that Johnson is going to need a career game in order for Georgetown to have a chance of pulling the upset.
The weather Saturday in Central New York (and the entire Northeast) is expected to be truly miserable with heavy rain and high wins forecasted for much of the day. While the elements can often be a great equalizer in football, it’s hard to see it changing the outcome in this one barring a complete turnoverfest by Colgate. For the Raiders this is just another Patriot League game that they need to win in order to repeat as champions and get back to the playoffs. For Georgetown this would be the biggest win in the program’s FCS history. The Hoyas will give it all they got but it won’t be nearly enough as the Raiders put forth another dominating performance. Should Georgetown win, it will be a Buster Douglas type upset.
Colgate 34 Georgetown 3