WHERE: Alfond Stadium, Orono

KICKOFF: Noon Saturday

ALL-TIME SERIES: William & Mary leads, 7-5

LAST MEETING: Oct. 29, 2016, won by Maine, 35-28

TV: WPME; Fox College Sports

WHEN MAINE HAS THE BALL: The Black Bears have found the key ingredient to offensive success: get RB Josh Mack going to allow QB Chris Ferguson to open the pass game with play-action fakes. Mack leads all FCS backs with 146.7 yards per game but will be tested by a Tribe defense that ranks sixth in the CAA. Ferguson is coming off a career-best 263-yard performance and is spreading the ball among eight receivers, making Maine’s pass game difficult to defend.

WHEN WILLIAM & MARY HAS THE BALL: The biggest question for the Tribe is who plays at QB. They’ve started three at the position this year – and all three played last week. Freshman Shon Mitchell was the starter. Junior Tommy McKee has the better statistics, but Maine is preparing for all three. The Tribe have struggled offensively at times (last in the CAA with just 280.1 yards per game) but they have a big offensive line, so the Black Bears better be ready to defend the run.

KEY STAT: 2, the number of penalties William & Mary has committed the last two games.

OUTLOOK: This is a game the Black Bears should win, but they cannot overlook the Tribe. Pass protection is going to be vital for Maine, which has allowed just 10 sacks this year, best in the CAA. The Tribe has 23 sacks this season, third in the CAA, and can get after the quarterback. Look for a lot of ballhawking by Maine’s secondary – William & Mary has committed 15 turnovers this year.

OF NOTE: The Black Bears have won the last three games in the series. … Maine may be without starting RT Cody Levy, who suffered a back injury last week. If he can’t go, expect Isaiah Brooks to move from RG to RT and Dan Burrows, Liam Dobson and Samuel Cooper to rotate in on the offensive line. … William & Mary has outscored opponents 83-60 in the second half this year.