By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Even though his team was coming off what may have been its most impressive performance of the season -- a 52-21 triumph over the University of Massachusetts on Saturday -- University of New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell didn't seem to be in a reflective mood Monday.

When he was asked about the UMass game, McDonnell turned the topic to UNH's next opponent: the University of Maine.

UNH (8-2 overall, 5-2 Colonial Athletic Association) and Maine (8-3, 5-2) will meet in what some are calling a playoff game Saturday at Maine's Alfond Stadium. The opening kickoff is scheduled for noon.

The winner will finish at the top of the CAA's North Division and lock up a berth in the 16-team Football Championship Subdivision playoff field.

"I told the kids you obviously savor a win like that guys, but you have to let that go real quick because the team we're playing right now is proably playing as good as anybody in the CAA in not better," McDonnell said. "It's very big game this weekend in Orono.

"Our kids know what's at stake, as their kids do. The opportunity to go on and keep the season playing. It's a great, great, great situation for both teams to be playing in. It's your arch-rival you're playing in the last game of the year in a must-win situation for both teams. That's what makes November great."

UNH may qualify for the playoffs even if it loses to Maine, but there's no guarantee. The Black Bears will likely need a victory to exend their season.

Maine beat the University of Rhode Island, 37-7, on the road Saturday. That extended the team's winning streak to six games.

"Obviously we have a great rivalry with New Hampshire," Maine coach Jack Cosgrove said. "The fact that there's a Northern Division championship and a playoff spot at stake just adds to it. We have not done a good job the past few years in that rivalry. We really need to step up this year."

Maine, which has the No. 2 rushing offense in the CAA (201.7 yards per game), hasn't qualified for the playoffs since 2002.

"We have a chance to extend our season and get a great win for our program," Cosgrove said. "It's a great opportunity for us to be here and to play with so much at stake."