BC-ND week arrives; Is this the week for Northeastern?

As Notre Dame continues to try to regain its former place among college football's elite, beating Boston College would be a big step.

The Eagles don't have nearly Notre Dame's tradition or reputation, but BC has won the last six games in the series. BC, which has struggled on the road and against good teams has a chance to make a statement if it can extend that streak to seven.

Cancer has created an odd friendship between Sister Barbara Ann Hallman, a nun in Indiana and Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich.

ESPNChicago.com has a Q&A with Irish receiver Golden Tate.

Massachusetts football matchups

Northeastern (0-6, 0-3 CAA) vs. Towson (2-4, 1-2 CAA) 1 p.m. Parsons Field
If Northeastern is going to win a football game, today is the day.
At 0-6, the Huskies are in the midst of another rough year in a series of rough years for the football program on Huntington Ave.

But this week, the Huskies host a Towson squad, which at 2-5, hasn't been able to get any positive momentum going either. Being at home might be enough to put Northeastern over the top.

UMass (4-2, 2-1 CAA) vs. Richmond (6-0, 4-0 CAA), Saturday, 3:30 at UR Stadium

After beating No. 4 New Hampshire at home on Saturday, the UMass football team can all-but solidify its playoff position if the Minutemen can pull an upset of No. 1 Richmond. But UMass has struggled on the road over the past two seasons and Richmond hasn't struggled against anybody. The Boston Globe looks at the unlikely path to NFL prospect of UMass offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse.

Holy Cross (5-1, 1-0 Patriot ) vs. Colgate (7-0, 2-0 Patriot), 1 p.m. Fitton Field
Last year Colgate beat Holy Cross on the last game of the regular season to win the Patriot League title. The Crusaders are looking for revenge.

Friday Hockey Results

BC beat Notre Dame in the weekend's hockey undercard.

After being picked last in the preseason poll again, Merrimack gave its fans some added reasons for optimism, stunning Vermont, 5-2 in Burlington, Vt.

Freshman Dalton Speelman's Hockey East debut lifted New Hampshire over Northeastern.

Lowell improved to 2-1 beating Colgate, 2-1 at home.

Two Marcous paced UMass' win over Maine. The game took an ugly turn after Maine's Adam Shemansky had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher with a neck injury. Maine coach Tim Whitehead said it was mostly precautionary.

Saturday hockey schedule for Massachusetts teams:
Northeastern at Lowell, 7
Michigan at Boston University, 7