University at Albany sophomore quarterback Will Fiacchi talks about the team's upcoming game against Sacred Heart.

ALBANY - The University at Albany football team knew that had to win to get into the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs.

On Saturday, they went out and did just that, defeating Sacred Heart 31-21, to capture the Northeast Conference title.

The Great Danes (7-1, 8-3) will find out on Sunday, who they will play when the 20-team postseason begins.

Dan Di Lella threw four touchdown passes for UAlbany, three of them to Ryan Kirchner. Drew Smith ran for 135 yards on 23 carries.

Di Lella's 24 touchdown passes for the season, set a single-season program mark.

The Great Danes were picked fourth in the preseason, but they proved throughout the season that they were the best team in the league.

University at Albany senior defensive end Eddie Delaney talks about getting ready for the final game of the regular season.

The Great Danes will win the Northeast Conference and a spot in the Division I FCS football playoffs, with a victory over Sacred Heart.

Overview: UAlbany looks for their first run on the road since Nov. 25 when they travel to Connecticut to take on Sacred Heart.

The Pioneers went to the championship game of the Northeast Conference last season, but lost to Mount Saint Mary's.

The last time the Great Danes traveled to Sacred Heart they played what coach Will Brown called a terrible game.

Sacred Heart has four starters back from last year and also has gotten the services of graduate student Joey Henley, who is second on the team in scoring and tops in rebounding.

UAlbany has been great so far this year defensively and rebounding and that trend will have to continue if they are to win Friday evening.

Records: UAlbany 6-4. Sacred Heart 3-4

The Series: Sacred Heart leads the all-time series 8-5. UAlbany won last year's matchup 75-57.

X-factor: 3-point defense. The Pioneers are averaging 10 3-pointers in their victories and 5.5 in the four losses. Keeping Sacred Heart from heating up will be imperative to UAlbany's success. The Pioneers have five players who have made more than 8 three's and if they can heat up, there's a good chance they will win.

Prediction: UAlbany 77, Sacred Heart 65 (My record is 8-2)