The University of Maine football team still has a chance to do something special this season – make it to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

That’s not likely to happen unless the Black Bears can win today on the road.

Maine (5-2) at Rhode Island (7-1), noon, Meade Stadium, Kingston, R.I.

The No. 24 Black Bears, coming off a loss for the first time in five weeks, take their playoff fortunes into their own hands against the ninth-ranked Rams.

“This is a huge football game for us and it also allows us to maybe plan an even bigger one down the road,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove.

UMaine is coming off a disappointing loss at William & Mary, while Rhode Island suffered its first setback while being shut out 28-0 at Richmond.

“We’re both practicing with a little different state of mind,” said Cosgrove, referring to the losses.

The Bears hope the Rams run-oriented offense plays into the hands of their eight-man front. UMaine must contain a URI option offense led by fullback David Jamison (127 yards per game). The Rams 252 ypg rushing lead the Atlantic 10.

“He’s carrying the ball a ton and being a hard-nosed inside running back,” Cosgrove said. “They’re going to run some option with their quarterback and their slot back and mix in some play-action pass that can really be dangerous.”

UMaine, which has surrendered 40-plus points in consecutive weeks, looks to inside linebacker Stephen Cooper (10.1 tackles per game) and safety Dave Cusano (5.6 tpg) to lead the way.

Offensively, the Bears are coming off a subpar outing during which they squandered some red-zone opportunities. They want to get tailback Royston English (88 ypg) running hard and then let QB Jake Eaton (1,548 yards, 13 TDs) look for favorite targets Stefan Gomes (41 receptions, 491 yds., 6 TDs) and Paris Minor (39 rec., 598 yds., 2 TDs).

The URI defense is solid, but has given up 222 passing yards per game. Linebacker Paul Picciotti (9.5 tpg) and defensive back Lance Small (8.5 tpg) set the tone.

Framingham State (2-6) at Maine Maritime Acad. (1-7), Ritchie Field, Castine

This game brings together two teams looking to generate some late-season momentum.

The Mariners must deal with a Framingham offense that likes to put the ball up, although the Rams have completed only 39 percent of their passes.

MMA counters with fullback Don Thibodeau (86 ypg) and an offense that has been inconsistent.

Tufts (4-2) at Colby (3-3), noon, Seaverns Field, Waterville

The White Mules return home to take on the Jumbos in a game pitting two well-matched teams.

Colby blanked Bates last week, but will face a much more potent offense in Tufts. The Mules are striving to achieve a good run-pass balance to keep the Jumbos guessing.

Saturday’s other game: 1-5 Bowdoin at 0-6 Bates