The Colonial Athletic Association comprises half of the quarterfinal field for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs this weekend, but only one of them will be playing at home.

That’s the one involving two CAA teams, when Villanova (10-2) visits top-seeded James Madison (11-1), winners of 11 straight. It’s also a rematch of the Oct. 25 thriller at Villanova, where Rodney Lander’s 35-yard prayer at the horn was answered when the ball was tipped by a Wildcat defender in the end zone and Bosco Williams caught it to give JMU a 23-19 victory.
Expect another close one in Harrisonburg, but the Dukes should have a little too much firepower for Villanova, and prevail in what could be a high-scoring shootout similar to last week’s 38-35 JMU win over Wofford.

The University of Richmond (10-3) must travel to Boone, N.C., where second-seeded Appalachian State (11-2) has been all but invincible in the playoffs. The Mountaineers whipped the Spiders 55-35 a year ago in the semifinals but UR should make it closer this time and might be able to pull it out if they can keep quarterback Armanti Edwards from exploding for 313 yards rushing like he did in 2007. Easier said than done.

The other CAA member has a tough task, too, with New Hampshire (10-2) going to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to battle third-seeded Northern Iowa (11-2) inside the UNI Dome. QB R.J. Toman has his work cut out for him against the Panthers, but the Wildcats have already won once on the road (beating Southern Illinois last week) and they could do it again.

Posted by John Packett in • College Sports • FCS
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