Confidence is a critical intangible for winning football teams.

The University of Maine and Maine Maritime Academy will try to re-establish their confidence, while Husson College looks to build on its recently established emotional surge, in games this weekend.

Massachusetts (5-1) at Maine (2-4), 2 p.m., Alfond Stadium, Orono: Nobody can accuse the Black Bears of scheduling a patsy for homecoming. UMaine entertains an eighth-ranked UMass squad that has won four straight and features one of the nation’s top defenses.

The Bears must erase the memory of embarrassing back-to-back losses to James Madison and Hofstra, during which they were outscored 82-2, and focus on executing well.

“There’s no getting away from the fact we haven’t performed and measured up to the teams we’re playing,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “For us to be successful Saturday, we’re going to have to make the climb very quickly in terms of our performance level and play a great football game.”

The Minutemen are rolling behind their smothering defense, which ranks first in Division I-AA in total defense (161 yards per game), scoring defense (6.0 points per game), pass defense (78 ypg), and third-down defense (22 percent).

UMass, sparked by linebacker Jason Hatchell (57 tackles) and All-America safety Shannon James (30 tackles, 3 interceptions), has allowed only one offensive TD all seasons and none in the last 21 quarters.

“This is the best I-AA team we’ve seen to this point and I’m not sure it may not be the best team [overall],” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “Defensively, they’re tremendously talented.”

UMaine’s offense has been hit by key injuries to guard Shawn Demaray, tight end Josh Radulski, and tailback Montell Owens (who may play today) and has struggled of late. The Bears, who have averaged only 92 yards rushing and 279 total yards, were shut out last week for the first time since 1995.

Quarterback Ron Whitcomb has completed 95 of 169 passes for 983 yards with six TDs, but has been intercepted seven times. The Bears have allowed a league-high 31 sacks.

“The bottom line is, we’ve got to play better,” Cosgrove said. “When you’re looking for blame, it’s everywhere.”

Cosgrove said UMaine also needs to have some early success against UMass to help jumpstart its confidence.

Defensively, the Bears will contend with a UMass unit that boasts the tailback tandem of Steve Baylark (85 ypg) and R.J. Cobbs (40 ypg). Senior Tim Day (34-65, 440 yds., 2 TDs), who engineered two scoring drives in the Minutemen’s win over No. 11 James Madison last week, is likely to start at QB.

Liam Coen (62-103, 803 yds., 4 TDs) suffered a concussion against the Dukes and is questionable.

Linebackers Jermaine Walker (53 tackles), John Wormuth (33), and Jovan Belcher (32) have led the Bears.

Plymouth State (2-5) at Husson (1-2), 1 p.m., Winkin Complex, Bangor: The Eagles, who vented their frustration after having their Oct. 8 game at Southern Virginia canceled by shutting out a club team from SUNY-Maritime College last week, take on the Panthers.

Husson continues to improve on defense behind the likes of freshman linebacker Bobby Gilbert of Greenville (22.5 tackles), Shane Rogers (18 tackles, 7.5 for negative yardage) and Chad Bennett of Pittsfield (15.5 tackles).

The Eagles have held their last two opponents to a combined 14 points.

Offensively, Husson has shown growth behind QB David Chase (34-65, 478 yds., 6 TDs), tailbacks Julius Williams (77.5 ypg), Darius Charlton (56 ypg), and Ryan Leon (55 ypg), and ends James Dobson (6 rec., 147 yds., 2 TDs) and Jeremy Shorey (6 rec., 75 yds., TD).

Plymouth State, a Division III independent which will join the New England Football Conference next season, has lost four of its last five contests. The Panthers are coming off a 33-13 loss to Springfield.

PSU’s leaders include running back Kyle Clark (50 ypg), QB Tye Seastedt (41-83, 527 yds., 4 TDs), and ends John DeMarco (20 rec., 193 yds., TD) and Adam Long (19 rec., 181 yds., TD).

The defense is headed by safety Dan Fallon (59 tackles).

Worcester State (5-2) at Maine Maritime Acad. (4-2), noon, Ritchie Field, Castine: The Mariners return home and look to halt a two-game losing skid against the Lancers.

MMA is coming off a 21-0 loss at Fitchburg State, while Worcester State beat Mass. Maritime 27-7.

The Mariners must establish the run behind fullback Don Thibodeau (183 ypg, 9 TDs) and an offense that ranks fourth in the New England Football Conference in total offense (374 ypg). However, the Lancers lead the league in rushing defense (94 ypg) and total defense (219 ypg), paced by linebacker Perry Stauffer (43 tackles).

MMA’s defense faces a unit that has put up 32 points and 373 yards per contest. QB Kyle Beatrice has passed for 1,316 yards and 8 TDs.

Today’s other games: Colby (3-1) at Hamilton (1-3), Bowdoin (4-0) at Trinity (4-0), Middlebury (0-4) at Bates (1-3).