Reigning NCAA Division I National Champion and CAA Football Champion, Villanova, begins the 2010 season as the nation’s consensus No. 1-ranked team in both the FCS Coaches Poll and The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25.
This season will be challenging for the Cats from start to end. As National Champion, every team the Cats face will be gunning for them. The schedule also is grueling. Nova opens the season next Saturday against a very good Temple Owls team at Lincoln Financial. The Owls (AP Preseason #45) are the overwhelming choice to claim the MAC East. They welcome back 16 starters and 2009 MAC freshman of the year, Bernard Pierce, who rushed for 1,361 yards and scored a school-record 16 touchdowns.
The remainder of the season features five teams presently ranked in the FCS Coaches poll. On October 2, they travel to #4 William & Mary … October 23 and October 30 feature two home games against #15 James Madison and #6 Richmond … #9 New Hampshirevisits Villanova on November 13 and the Cats close out the season visiting #19 Delaware.
How will the Cats fare in the regular season against ranked opponents? Let us know in today's poll.
[poll id="48"]