PATRIOT LEAGUE
Bucknell: vs. William & Mary, vs. Sacred Heart, @ Penn, @ Villanova, @ Monmouth.
The first four games here open their season, which is great from the standpoint that that won’t leave the state of Pennsylvania until it’s almost October. The last two non-conference games look to be their toughest. A good start to the season is possible and would boost their confidence immediately.
Colgate: @ New Hampshire, @ Furman, @ William & Mary, vs. Cornell, @ Army (FBS).
The schedule maker did them no favors this year. Playing four of their five non-conference games on the road means they only play four home games for the entire season - ouch! A 4-7 in bowling isn’t difficult, but a 4-7 home-road split is daunting for anyone.
Fordham: @ Charlotte (FBS), @ Richmond, vs. Stony Brook, vs. Central Connecticut State, vs. Bryant.
A road game to the FBS and three games following with playoff caliber teams is a tough way to start for anyone. Still, the final three games are at home, so the potential for a good showing is a little easier.
Georgetown: @ Marist, vs. Campbell, @ Dartmouth, vs. Columbia, @ Brown.
A very traditional looking schedule. For the most part, you could almost cut and paste these opponents year in and year out. The longstanding slate of Ivy League opponents appears with three such games.
Holy Cross: @ Boston College (FBS), vs. Yale, vs. Dartmouth, @ New Hampshire, @ Harvard.
After opening the season with a conference game, they jump in the fire with a game in the big city and FBS Boston College. Three Ivies and a tough roadie in New Hampshire fill out an ambitious schedule.
Lafayette: @ Sacred Heart, @ Delaware, vs. Monmouth, vs. Central Connecticut State, @ Army (FBS).
The schedule is very easy on the pocketbook, even with three road games. None are out of the northeast geographic footprint. The opponents include two playoff teams from a year ago and a season finale with an FBS opponent, Army.
Lehigh: vs. St. Francis, vs. Villanova, @ Navy (FBS), @ Penn, @ Princeton.
A pretty comfortable non-conference schedule travelwise, with three road games no further away than Maryland. Competitively speaking, Navy and Villanova look to be tough, but the other three are, at least, manageable.
Patriot League Opponent Breakdown
3 vs. Big South
9 vs. Colonial
10 vs. Ivy
6 vs. Northeast
1 vs. Pioneer
1 vs. Southern
5 vs. FBS
As is normal, the Patriot League as a whole stays in their own part of the world. You can’t blame them either, as there are more than enough dancing partners in this part of the country. After a dismal showing last year, the Patriot needs 2018 to come back to average or run the risk of becoming an afterthought.
