Five conference championships could be decided in crucial tilts tomorrow, rendering this Judgment Saturday.

No. 1 Richmond puts its unblemished record and 17-game win streak on the line against No. 4 Villanova in the Colonial Athletic Association.

"Our goal is to make them a one dimensional, passing offense," said UR defensive end Martin Parker. Parker has four sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss to help anchor a Spider defense ranked 11th nationally in points yielded (15.4).

Parker and his teammates will have a full plate as they try to a stop one of the nation's premiere rushing games.

Villanova's found success with a balanced attack, showing opposing defenses shotgun spread option and Wildcat sets. Tailback Aaron Ball, wide receiver Matt Szczur, and quarterback Chris Whitney combine for over 170 of the Wildcats' 223 rushing yards a game.

And according to Parker, those Villanova rushers have plenty of opportunities thanks to the team's work in the trenches.

Villanova QB Chris Whitney

"That's a very veteran offensive line -- very big, very well coached. That's the No. 1 key to their rushing game. If our defensive line can stop their offensive line, that's going to be a big key to us stopping their rushing game."

UR has a match in the Villanova defense, which has held opponents below 17 points per game. Included on the Wildcats' defensive resume is holding Temple freshman sensation Bernard Pierce to 44 yards, his second lowest output and stifling fifth ranked William & Mary to 17 points.

This pairing of Top 5 foes is the culmination of Richmond's Homecoming Week.

Follow it online via Gametracker, and streaming live through Richmond All-Access .

Defenses take center stage in the Missouri Valley when Southern Illinois travels to South Dakota State. The Salukis and Jackrabbits both boast perfect MVFC records, and top 10 ranked defenses.

And for SDSU, a program that joined Division I ranks in 2004, it's a showdown that linebacker Derek Domino called "the biggest in program history.

"This could put us on the map. Hopefully we can show we're here, and we're here to stay."

Southern Illinois ILB Brandin Jordan

"Stop the run, put pressure on the quarterback, cause some turnovers, try to force them to make mistakes," SIU senior linebacker Brandin Jordan said of the Salukis' gameplan vs. SDSU.

Through eight games the Salukis have hit those goals. SIU opponents are averaging just 14.1 points per game and forced into 19 turnovers. Jordan has done his share with 47 tackles and three sacks.

But if there's any defense that has equaled SIU, it's the Jackrabbits'. In fact, SDSU is tied with Elon for the stingiest scoring defense in the Championship Subdivision.

"We always go in with the mindset, 'they can't score, they can't win,'" said Domino.

Chief among the Jackrabbits' challenges against a potent SIU squad: stopping tailback Deji Karim, the MVFC leading rusher with 139 yards per game.

"[Karim]'s a great running back. He's having an All-America type season," Domino said. "When he gets out on the edge, there's no one in the country that can catch him.

"Hopefully we can just contain him -- not let him get out on the edge, keep him in the box with limited space to move," he said.

Follow the action via SDSU Live Stats.

Dayton quarterback Steve Valentino said tomorrow's Flyer match-up with Butler is "one of the games, if not the game, that's going to decide the [Pioneer] League championship."

UD claimed the 2008 crown, and is gunning for a second. But the visiting Bulldogs are unbeaten on the campaign and tomorrow are seeking a measure of retribution.

"It's an unbelievable chance to play a championship game in November," said Butler quarterback Andrew Huck.

The Bulldogs had a similar opportunity a season ago, but dropped a late season road contest to this same Dayton bunch.

In that vein, Huck said Butler has "focused on finishing all week in practice."

"Butler's always a tough game, and last year I'm sure they think they should have won it," Valentino said.

The 2008 game featured a Butler rally from a two-touchdown deficit. That gap was bridged with less than a minute remaining in regulation, forcing an overtime wherein Dayton persevered.

This time around the teams have new starters under center, but the implications remain the same. And as for Huck and Valentino, the two have registered almost identical numbers: 256.5 yards per game of total offense and 21 touchdowns for Huck; 255.6 total yards and 16 touchdowns for Valentino.

Similarly, the Bulldogs and Flyers boast lofty point differentials of plus-15.3 and plus-12.2 respectively.

According to Huck, that total could be higher for the undefeated Bulldogs.

Dayton QB Steve Valentino

"We've been able to get down in the red zone, but we haven't been able to get the points equivalent to the yards we're making," he said.

The ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities is vital for Butler against a UD defense giving up just 12 points per game.

"Our defense has carried us all year. We have one of the best defenses in the entire league," Valentino said.

Dayton has the game covered via Gametracker and All Access

The Keystone State is home to two key match-ups in the Patriot League. A week after pulling ahead of Colgate, Holy Cross travels to Lehigh with a chance to stay atop the conference. But fellow pace setter Lafayette takes on an 8-1 Colgate squad that just suffered its first loss.

HC quarterback Dominic Randolph has been among the nation's most prolific passers, but in Lehigh faces a passing defense that has ranked fifth in FCS. The cross-state contest features a similar angle, with Colgate's offense scoring just shy of 30 points per game but Lafayette yielding only 15.9 points.

Last but certainly not least in the Judgment Saturday lineup is a Northeast Conference bout featuring Central Connecticut State and Wagner, the league's two unbeaten leaders. CCSU has made a habit of winning nailbiters. Five of the Blue Devils' seven victories are by single digits, and the two most recent were by a field goal -- combined.

Wagner has won in similar heartstopping fashion, tallying three of its five conference wins by fewer than 10 points.

The formula could make for another classic as the two pursue an NEC title.

The special teams play of Eastern Illinois' Lorence Ricks was certainly special. He scored on an 87-yard punt return, forced a fumble on a Jacksonville State return and blocked a punt attempt in EIU's 28-20 win over JSU.

It was the Gamecocks' first Ohio Valley loss of 2009, and forced a tie atop the OVC. For his efforts, Ricks garnered conference Specialist of the Week honors.

While one league became deadlocked, another broke its tie at the top. Holy Cross jumped two touchdowns ahead of Colgate early in a battle of Patriot League unbeateans. All four of the Crusaders' first half scores were the result of quarterback Dominic Randolph.

South Dakota State maintained its perfect Missouri Valley mark and handed Northern Iowa its second consecutive loss. The Jackrabbits' stingy defense yielded just 14 points, almost 26 fewer than the Panthers' season average entering the game.

The Jackrabbits' win helps them keep pace with Southern Illinois, which employed its own brand of stifling defense in a 27-8 defeat of Youngstown State. The Salukis did not surrender a score until the final stanza.

While the Jackrabbits and Salukis jockeyed for MVFC positioning, conference mate Indiana State made its own noteworthy moves. The Sycamores topped Western Illinois 16-14 for the program's first win under head coach Trent Miles - and the first ISU win since October 2006.

William & Mary maintained pace in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 24-3 drubbing of James Madison. The Tribe attacked the Dukes primarily from the ground, registering 258 yards rushing on the day.

W&M trails league-leader Richmond, which easily handled UMass. 34-12. Villanova remains in a tie for second with W&M, though the Wildcats hold the tiebreaker thanks to their head-to-head victory Oct. 3. The Wildcats trounced Rhode Island 36-7.

Another team battling for playoff consideration and conference title aspirations, McNeese State, needed a dramatic fourth quarter comeback to battle past Southeastern Louisiana. The Southland Conference showdown was an instant classic that featured over 800 yards of combined, total offense.

MSU's Derrick Fourroux threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Richard Conner with 40 seconds left to put the Cowboys ahead. McNeese State needed two touchdowns and a defensively perfect fourth quarter to hand SELA its first Southland defeat.

More late game heroics were needed for Central Connecticut State. The Blue Devils topped Bryant on the road, 24-23, when James Mallory punched in a one-yard rush with 47 seconds to go. CCSU remains atop the Northeast Conference at 4-0 (6-1 overall). Newcomer Bryant is not eligible for postseason play due to transition rules. The Bulldogs have, however, been a threat in the NEC with two conference wins.

INDIVIDUAL STARS

Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin Moses led a 42-3 Lumberjack rout of conference rival Sam Houston State with five touchdown passes and 372 yards through the air.

Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross The HC quarterback threw for 288 yards, rushed for another 116, and scored four touchdowns in the Crusaders' Patriot League win over Colgate.

Lorence Ricks, Eastern Illinois His forced fumble, blocked punt and punt return for a touchdown were integral in Eastern Illinois' road win over Jacksonville State.

Ryan Roberts, Indiana State Converted to quarterback this season as a measure to plug holes, Roberts answered his coach Miles' call with two critical touchdowns in the Sycamores' first win since October 2006: one a 91-yard rush, the other a four yarder in the fourth quarter.

Justin Rogers, Richmond Top ranked Richmond held UMass to 12 points in a Spider win, and doing his part was CAA Defensive Player of the Week Rogers. He had an interception and a recovered fumble in the decision.

No surprise that again the Colonial Athletic Association is home to this Saturday's crown jewel match-up. Defending national champion, top ranked and unbeaten Richmond heads North for a showdown with 14th ranked Massachusetts. The Minutemen have some experience ending undefeated starts -- last week, they handed fellow CAA team New Hampshire its lone loss of the season.

UMass boasts a well-rounded offensive attack: quarterback Kyle Havens' 242.7 passing yards per game and eight touchdowns have helped supplement the multidimensional ground game of Jon Hernandez (408 yards, six touchdowns) and Tony Nelson (377 yards, two touchdowns). In total, this has translated to 30.8 points per game for the Minutemen.

Mirroring that balanced attack, Richmond employs an offensive scheme reliant as much on the rush as the pass. Quarterback Eric Ward is averaging better than 202 yards through the air and has spread the ball around the field -- three receivers have caught for 250 yards or more.

This dandy is available via Gametracker and streaming live on UMass All-Access. Both UMass and UR offer live audio.

Another CAA clash could determine one participant's entire season. It's do-or-die time for the Dukes. James Madison started the season ranked in the top 10, took 2008 Bowl Subdivision postseason qualifier Maryland to overtime and boasted a strong lineup. But proving the CAA's prowess, the Dukes have struggled to an 0-3 start in league play.

Their road gets no easier Saturday, when JMU faces in-state rival William & Mary. The Tribe regrouped from a setback Oct. 3 at Villanova with a three-touchdown victory over Northeastern.

W&M should show the Dukes a healthy dose of running, as four different Tribe rushers are combining for nearly 200 yards per game. Opponents are averaging 146 yards per game against JMU, but the Dukes have had their own success running the ball at 180 yards per. Follow this critical CAA battle online.

The Patriot League race will take shape when ranked foes clash. Undefeated Colgate plays host to Holy Cross with both sporting perfect conference marks and the League's two most prolific offenses. The Crusaders are averaging just shy of five touchdowns-plus-PATs a game at 34.3, and the Raiders are boasting a 29.9 per game average.

But offensive fireworks are no guarantee -- No. 17 Colgate has a stingy defense to go with its potent offense. The Raiders have held opponents to 16.3 points per game. Holy Cross doesn't slouch on that end either, with a 19.5 points per game allowed average.

Video and Audio are both available, as well as Live Stats.

Northern Iowa suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Southern Illinois last week, 27-20. The Panthers have no time to lick their proverbial wounds however, this Saturday traveling to face South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits bounced into the Missouri Valley Conference lead thanks to the Salukis' defeat of UNI, and SDSU will look to stay there.

SDSU's defense is tops among Championship Subdivision programs with 12.4 points allowed per. Senior defensive end Danny Batten has been a menace in opponent backfields, a sure challenge to UNI quarterback Pat Grace. Watch the game live online.

Jacksonville State can give itself some separation in the Ohio Valley. The Gamecocks host Eastern Illinois, with JSU holding a one-game advantage over the second place Panthers. EIU held off Tennessee Tech a week ago on a day that former quarterback Tony Romo had his number retired.

JSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is the most efficient quarterback in all FCS. He has 17 touchdowns, is throwing for a shade below 12 yards an attempt, has 1284 yards and a ridiculous 195 QB rating. He should test a Panther defense allowing nearly 11 yards per completion. Watch it unfold online.