I would say this turned out to be a pretty good day for the ACFC. A pair of wins over the CC. The Gulls had a nice comeback from being down 17-0 at halftime.

This is now five consecutive postseason appearances for Salisbury but unfortunately three of the last four have been ECAC Bowl games. It is always nice for the seniors and the team to play an extra game but its a little bitter sweet when you're aiming for something greater. Either way it's great that SU is getting recognition enough to be invited to play in the bowl games.

I don't know too much about Moravian other than the fact they had a solid year in the Centennial Conference and they upset Muhlenberg in the final week of the season. This will be the second CC team that SU has faced in a bowl game (the other being Franklin & Marshall in 2005). I think it always favors Salisbury when they get to face a new team that hasn't seen the option attack. Hopefully the Gulls will be able to run the ball in chunks and come away with another ECAC Championship.

Last year M'berg handled the option very well but the respect the Mules gave the SU ground game allowed Salisbury to throw for over 200 yards. The Sea Gulls got caught late in that game running the option into a blitz and the rest is history. Anyway, this post isn't about last year's Muhlenberg-Salisbury game. I am just trying to make a point that it's always interesting to see how a defense that doesn't normally face the option handles that style of offense.

Both of the ACFC vs. CC games should be good ones. Hopefully the ACFC comes out on top in both contests this weekend.

Wesley has been at the top of the class in the ACFC and the South Region for a number of years now. I expect big things out of them throughout the playoffs.

On paper Salisbury shouldn't have any issues with FSU, but the game isn't played on paper. For whatever reason the Gulls have struggled when they are the favorite in the Regents Cup. Last season was a strong win for the SU. I see them cruising in this game and maybe sneaking in the backdoor of the playoffs. If not the field of 32 then I suspect the Gulls will be hosting an ECAC game.

I by no means think that Salisbury will rush for 400 yards against Wesley. I just think that SU will be able to move the ball and probably get in the area of 250 to 275 yards on the ground. When you run that much, and you are as good as Salisbury is at running, you are going to get your yards. I know that Wesley has a great run defense and  I expect them to make big plays. Its just my opinion that SU will be able to move the ball a little on offense.

I have been slacking with my predictions the past few weeks but I found a little bit of time to give my opinion on the big game this weekend.

It's really no secret that Salisbury is going to try and run the ball. The Wesley defense can load the box with as many men as they want and the Sea Gulls will still attempt to run the option. Salisbury has the ability in their running game to break a big play on any number of their options but there isn't a defense in the region (possibly the country) that is better prepared to stop the triple-option than Wesley.

Wesley on the other hand is extremely balanced and has the skill to run the ball for an entire drive or air it out. They have playmakers all over the field. Larry Beavers might be the biggest name on the Wesley roster and the SU secondary is going to have their hands full if the defensive line can't get pressure on the quarterback. Jarrell Chandler and Paul Cynewski lead the Gulls in sacks and tackles-for-loss and they will play a big part in the success of the SU defense.

I think that Salisbury will be fairly successful running the ball against Wesley. I don't know if they will get to their 400+ yard clip they average, but they should be able to move the ball down the field. Just as I think SU should be able to move the ball I also think the balance of Wesley should be able to keep the chains moving. I'm not calling for a 50+ point shoot out but I don't predict a defensive struggle. If Salisbury plays with fire and kicks to Beavers they may get burned. Special teams are always important in big games and I think the Sea Gulls should neutralize the Wolverine's return game by kicking away from him or even squib-kicking the ball. This should be a close game down the waning moments of the contest. I give Salisbury the edge because it's at Sea Gull Stadium and this is a prediction from a former Gull.

Salisbury 27
Wesley 23

I think that Marcel McCain and Ricardo McCain are the same person. I am pretty sure that Acker and McCain have returned to the team while the other three are no longer with the program. I'm not sure if McCain traveled to Becker this past weekend but I do know that Acker did. He recorded two tackles.

As far as Bobby Sheahin, I'm not sure what his status is. He certainly hasn't been used as much as he was last year.

I know that Justin Acker has been on the sidelines the past few weeks and he played in last week's game.

As far as the other players involved, I haven't heard anything.

I just saw that Salisbury dropped from #16 to #17 in the AFCA Poll and from #15 to #16 in the D3football Poll despite winning last week. Maybe coach Wood will play the "respect card" to the Gulls and use this as motivation this week.

The defensive ends will be a key for Wesley in stopping the option. Its no secret that Salisbury is going to run the ball. SU will run if there are seven, eight, or even nine men in the box. I think my early statement about the Gulls hitting a few passing plays is going to be key. You have to think that the Wesley linebackers are going to be running downhill at 100 mph to stop the run. It takes a discipline defense to stop the option and Wesley has shown that in the past few years.

Goldpride, you asked who benefits from rainy weather and of course its a running team. Salisbury isn't the only team in the conference that can run the ball. I might be mistaken but I think the Wolves are averaging near 200 yards of ground work a game. Rain makes the option a bit more difficult to operate in, but it shouldn't be too big of a factor for either team. The only thin rain might do is slow down Wesley's air attack.

I don't even know if its supposed to rain this weekend.

GOLDPRIDE:
I have to agree with SU Backer on this one. I think its going to be difficult for Salisbury to score 45 points on Wesley. The Wolves stop the option better than anyone the Sea Gulls face. Of course I'm going to pick the maroon and gold but I think the scoring will be more in the 20's and not the 40's. I'm not ready to give my official prediction but I like SU's chances.

I think one key will be if Salisbury can be successful throwing the ball. That doesn't mean putting it in the air 15 to 20 times but just hitting enough passes off playaction to keep the safeties out of the box.

I'll start the over/under at 45 points.

I agree with you GOLDPRIDE; Halloween weekend should be another great game between Salisbury and Wesley. If the last two years are any indications of how this year's game will be it should be a classic.

Both SU and Wesley have strong teams this year and both lost a game they probably should have won. However, if the birds and wolves don't take care of business this weekend the game might not carry as much importance. SU should roll over Becker and Wesley should dominate Webber International.

The teams might not be able to look ahead to November 1, but the fans certainly can.

My unprofessional expert picks for Week 7:
XSUGULL season record: 11-7-2*

A 2-2 weekend is not what I was looking for so its time to get back on track. I'm looking at going 3-0 with my picks this week. I'll start things off in the land of the bird.

Lake Erie at Salisbury
Lake Erie put up some points last week against the Apprentice School (47) with a very balance attack. They threw for over 250 yards and eclipsed the 200 yard mark on the ground as well. With Jarrell Chandler back and at full strength for the Gulls you have think that Lake Erie might not be able to run as effectively against SU as they did last week against the Shipbuilders. The air attack for Lake Erie might not be able to have as much success because of the Salisbury pass rush. Offensively for the Gulls I think this is the week that QB/WR Ronnie Curley gets the hat trick. He will rush, pass and catch a TD. SU has scored over 60 points in each of its last three homecoming affairs (2005: 66-20 vs. Buffalo State; 2006: 65-7 vs. Morrisville State; 2007, 79-20 vs. Becker). I don't know if Salisbury can match the 79 points from last year but I think they will at least hang half a hundred on the scoreboard. Salisbury 63, Lake Erie 21.

Frostburg State at Ithaca
Ithaca is going to be a tough test for the Bobcats. FSU is coming off a 21-13 win over Southern Virginia but the Bombers out of Ithaca are going to be more on the level of the Washington & Jefferson team FSU faced in Week 1. Frostburg will hold its own for a while but Ithaca will cruise to its fifth win of the season. Ithaca 41, Frostburg State 17.

Apprentice School at Wesley
Wesley has clearly rebounded from its Week 1/2 surprise against Delaware Valley. They have run off four straight wins and I think the Apprentice School will have to play perfect football with the Wolverines making a lot of mistakes to steal this one in Dover. Wesley will give the homecoming crowd something to cheer about early and often. Wesley 55, Apprentice School 13.

I don't think those five players are worth mentioning when you talk about Salisbury football. They hurt the program and themselves. I will say that it was great to see the Gulls succeed without them. That was a big win last Saturday to overcome all that adversity and come away with a 4OT thriller.

My unprofessional expert picks for Week 6:
XSUGULL season record: 9-5-2*

I have to make my picks a little early this week because I'm going to be out of town until Sunday.

Salisbury at St. John Fisher
This is a difficult game for me to predict. My heart says one thing but my head says another. It will be tough for Salisbury to deal with the loss of five defensive starters but the Gulls do get a boost. It sounds like Jarrell Chandler will be able to play this weekend. With an inexperienced secondary it will be very vital for the Gulls to have a good pass rush to put a little pressure on the opposing quarterback. Offensively the Gulls need to get the ball into Ronnie Curley's hands. It might not happen this week but I think it will happen by the end of the season; Curley will get the hat-trick of running, passing and receiving a touchdown all in one game. Right now I feel like Kirk Herbstreit when he picks against Ohio State. I think the depleted defense will hurt Salisbury too much and I am picking against the birds this week. St. John Fisher 28, Salisbury 24.

Frostburg State University at Southern Virginia
I think Frostburg is better team than their 1-3 record shows. They put up a fight against Washington Jefferson in the first week of the season and almost came back to beat Widener in Week 3. I think the Bobcats will spoil Southern Va. Homecoming. Frostburg State 31, Southern Virginia 14.

Wesley at Iona
If you look at past games you might say that Iona should beat Wesley. After all, Iona beat Delaware Valley who beat the Wolverines. However, this is a different Wesley team than the one that lost two fumbles and struggled offensively in the second half against the Aggies. I think the Wolverines stay on track and make it three wins in-a-row. Wesley 35, Iona 21.

Apprentice School at Lake Erie
This is the first of three games against ACFC teams for Lake Erie. I think the Shipbuilders will get the ACFC off to a good start against the Storm. Apprentice School 28, Lake Erie 10.