2021 FCS Season Preview: Maine
College Sports Journal Projection: 6th
Maine was an uneven 2-2 in the spring but enter the fall season with hopes of returning to the playoffs.
The early schedule does them no favors as they start by hosting #5 Delaware followed by a road game at #2 James Madison. Both of those teams made the semifinals in the spring.
The schedule slacks off after that and includes a winnable FBS game against Massachusetts.
In the spring, Maine struggled to score and gave up too many points – a recipe for disaster. The offense has shown in previous years that it can be better. But the defense has been porous in the two seasons since Joe Harisymiak and Corey Heatherton left Orono.
Impact Players
QB Joe Fagnano took over halfway through the 2019 season and threw for 1835 yards in 8 appearances with 17 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. He will need that kind of production again to help the Black Bears back to the playoffs.
WR Andre Miller exploded in the spring with 21 catches for 348 yards and six touchdowns. The senior captain will be a focal point of what Maine hopes is a solid passing attack.
LB Adrian Otero will look to fill the defensive leadership position vacated by Deshawn Stephens. He should lead the team in tackles.
Key Game: October 23 at Albany
Maine
| Home | Time/Results | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delaware  | 34 - 24 |  Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - |
| Maine | 7 - 55 |  James Madison | Bridgeforth Stadium | Harrisonburg, VA | - | - |
Merrimack  | Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - | |
| Maine |  Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium | DeKalb, IL | - | - | |
Elon  | Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - | |
William and Mary  | Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - | |
| Maine |  Albany | Bob Ford Field | Albany, NY | - | - | |
| Maine |  Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | Kingston, RI | - | - | |
Stony Brook  | Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - | |
| Maine |  UMass | McGuirk Stadium | Amherst, MA | - | - | |
| Maine |  New Hampshire | Wildcat Stadium | Durham, NH | - | - |
Worst Case: The defense continues to be leaky and the Black Bears finish in the bottom half of the CAA
Best Case: Fagnano plays at an All-CAA level and the Black Bears sneak into the playoffs.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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