They are the No. 1 and No. 4 teams in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).
Both recorded season-opening victories over NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) programs. They boast explosive offenses and stingy defenses and are led by accomplished coaches.
And on Saturday, Richmond and Villanova will meet in this season's most-anticipated Colonial Athletic Association game. The top-ranked Spiders (8-0, 6-0 CAA) will host the fourth-ranked Wildcats (7-1, 4-1) in a South Division showdown at University of Richmond Stadium.
It's a game with huge conference-title implications. It also could turn out to be a preview of a possible FCS final.
So who's going to win?
Why Richmond would win: Second-year coach Mike London's Spiders have forgotten how to lose. With 17 consecutive wins, the defending national champions own the longest active winning streak in the FCS. Richmond dominated five of its last six opponents, averaging 39.8 points in those games.
For the season, the Spiders are averaging a CAA-best 32.5 points. The defense has just one shutout but is holding opponents to 15.38 points. And the Spiders' rushing defense (71.13 yard per game) is second in the CAA and third nationally. It has a chance to shut down Villanova's vaunted run game.
On offense, running back Justin Forte has chopped up defenses for a conference-leading 738 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Eric Ward is a stabilizing veteran who can run and pass. The Wildcats would be hard-pressed to stop them if both heat up.
Why Villanova would win: The Wildcats' defense has been insane, holding opponents to one touchdown in their last 10 quarters of action. Using its trademark run blitz, Villanova can frustrate Forte. The Wildcats boast the nation's fifth-ranked scoring defense (12.88 ppg.) and 10th-ranked rushing defense (85.63 ypg.).
On offense, coach Andy Talley has the conference's top- and nation's fifth-ranked rushing offense (226 ypg.). Chris Whitney is the toughest quarterback the Spiders will face all season. The junior, who has a linebacker's mentality, leads the team in passing (975 yards, 11 TDs) and rushing (516 yards, two TDs).
Wideout Matt Szczur will be the most explosive player on the field. He also is the nation's second-ranked kick returner (29.56 yards per return). And if Richmond isn't careful, tailback Aaron Ball will break the game wide open for a Wildcats squad that averages 31.2 points.
Finally: Can Richmond win its 18th consecutive game? It will be tough. The Spiders squeaked by James Madison, a team Villanova hammered, 27-0.
Richmond's 8-0 record is a bit misleading. Duke (5-3) and Delaware (5-3) are the spiders' only opponents with winning records. Villanova, however, has beaten quality opponents in Temple (6-2), Penn (5-2), and William and Mary (7-1).
For that, the battle-tested Wildcats should have the edge.
Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029 or kpompey@phillynews.com.
