(STATS) -- Even veteran teams and coaches can learn from their mistakes.Richmond wasnt exactly in a New York state of mind -- or the right state of mind -- during the first road trip of its CAA Football schedule. A late arrival and early start time had the then-No. 2 Spiders out of whack throughout their Sept. 17 visit to Stony Brook, and the disorder was evident in a lethargic and mistake-filled performance that ended in a stunning 42-14 defeat.Having since regained their bearings with a pair of hard-earned wins over quality opponents, the sixth-ranked Spiders have a chance to leave the Empire State with a far more positive memory in Saturdays conference clash with No. 16 Albany (3:30 p.m. ET). Coach Danny Rocco insists his team will be better prepared for this Northeast sojourn, which carries considerably more weight than one might have initially expected following the events of the seasons opening five weeks.At Stony Brook, other than the fact that we got our butts kicked, we were on a tight window when we got there, he said. It was a noon kick, we didnt get there as early as we were supposed to get there. I will make sure I get my team into the locker room well in advance of the 2 1/2 hours prior to the kick.If that humbling outcome didnt get the 2015 FCS national semifinalists attention, the Great Danes impressive start surely has. Behind a resurgent rushing attack and a remarkably resourceful defense, upstart Albany (4-0, 1-0 CAA) stands as the leagues lone unbeaten team and owns the highest national ranking in program history.Coach Greg Gattuso attributes his young squads turnaround to its own lessons learned from last years visit to Richmond (4-1, 1-1). Down 38-10 early in the third quarter, the Great Danes scored 21 unanswered to put a considerable scare in the eventual CAA co-champions on Halloween.I thought we struggled with being resilient last year and got ourselves down when things when bad, he said. I saw a change last year, actually against Richmond when they got up big on us in the second half early. Instead of quit playing we started to fight back, and we started making progress from that point.That fortitude has shown up this season in the form of fourth-quarter comebacks against FBS member Buffalo and Saint Francis, in which the Great Danes -- picked 11th of 12 teams in the conferences preseason poll -- outscored the Red Flash 20-0 after halftime in the preceding game to last weeks bye. Albany has outscored its opponents 53-14 in the fourth quarter thus far.Richmond displayed some grit of its own in last weekends matchup with Towson. Down by seven early in the third quarter, the Spiders rallied for 10 straight points to pull out a 31-28 victory and avoid a potentially disastrous 0-2 start in CAA play.I think what is critical with this team is that when we need each other, were there to pick each other up, quarterback Kyle Lauletta said. When the offense has struggled to get in rhythm, the defense has picked us up. When the defense has needed us, weve been able to put a few drives together.The win was Richmonds school-record 10th straight at Robins Stadium, but it has lost its last three conference road games dating back to last November. Lauletta, the CAA preseason player of the year and league leader in passing yards (1,504) and touchdown passes (13), has thrown eight interceptions in those defeats.The junior will have to choose his spots carefully against Albanys highly opportunistic defense. The Great Danes lead the FCS with a plus-13 turnover margin and 2.25 interceptions per game.Albany hopes to use another strength to its advantage as it vies for its first league win over a Top 25 opponent. The Great Danes, 0-6 against ranked CAA members since joining in 2014, possess the conferences leading rusher in Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, who piled up a career-high 202 yards in last seasons meeting with the Spiders.Richmond has struggled to defend the run in recent weeks, having surrendered 640 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground over its last three games.Gattuso also seeks a boost from an anticipated large Homecoming crowd in a game billed as Albanys biggest since entering the CAA.The reason this is a big game is because weve played well, he said. (The Spiders) are very good, theyve jumped out big on us the last two years and I think they kind of pulled off the gas a little bit. 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Thats a mistake because every game counts.The opening night arrangement of the 2016-17 season -- anchored by Fridays Armed Forces Classic matchups of Arizona-Michigan State and Kansas-Indiana -- is the start of a fascinating year.Heres why you should care about today and everything that follows:1. Because Kentucky is Kentucky again (maybe) Last years Wildcats, led by Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray, split the SEC championship and exited the NCAA tournament after a second-round loss to Indiana. Lexingtons Power Rangers are back with a bouncy crew of freshmen -- Malik Monk can fly -- that resembles the dynamic incoming collectives of 2009 (John Wall), 2011 (Anthony Davis) and 2014 (Karl-Anthony Towns).2. Because Coach K doesnt care, since he has the better team As John Calipari introduced his freshman class to the world, Mike Krzyzewski probably stood in the corner of Cameron Indoor Stadium and lit a cigar. Why? Well, Kentuckys One Direction-like band of youngsters cant top the No. 1 squad Krzyzewski has created in Durham. Dukes bench is a Top 25 squad.3. Because you still have to convince your friends that Kansas Big 12 title streak means something Tell Earl at the barbershop and Tommy at the bar theyre both wrong about the significance of the Jayhawks Big 12 title streak, one that could match UCLAs record of 13 in a row this year. Tell them the last time the Jayhawks failed to win a share of the Big 12 title (2004), Lil Jon had a No. 1 hit with Yeah! Who is Lil Jon? Exactly.4. Because Blake Shelton couldnt write a song as sad as Arizonas preseason The Voice stars post-Miranda Lambert breakup hit Bet You Still Think About Me had melancholy lines like, I know we couldnt hold on forever/But baby, I bet you still think about me. Somewhere, Sean Miller is thinking about the year he mightve had before Allonzo Triers mysterious issues, the indefinite suspension of Chance Comanche and Ray Smiths career-ending knee injury.5. Because the Providence Friar mascot is still hereOnly to haunt your dreams. Hes coming! Run! Who thought this was a good idea?!!!6. Because the Big Ten is a beautiful mess and thats great for everyone Who will win the Big Ten? Michigan State. Definitely. Wait, its Wisconsin. Nah, Indiana??Purdue? Maryland? We dont know. But Chaotic Big Ten is always a treat. We look forward to this.7. Because Joe Lunardi has to tell us about the SECs at-large hopes each week After Kentucky and perhaps Florida, Georgia or Texas A&M, theres not much for the guru to project in this league. Expect an elevated slate of wisecracks by the Bracketology don when its time to talk about the SEC. By the way, did you know Bracketology is a recognized word?8. Because youre going to love UCLA Its about to go down at Pauley Pavilion. Freshman stars Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf join a UCLA team as stacked as any program on the West Coast. They could reverse all the drama from last year.9. Because youre going to be annoyed by UCLA Steve Alfords track record of molding promising young talent is lukewarm right now.10. Because Bill Walton is going to narrate Steve Alfords salvation or implosion in a tie-dye shirtRemember when Walton announced he was not a fan of former UCLA coach Ben Howland ... on live TV ... during a game at UCLA while he stood 10 feet from him? Well, this year Walton will treat us with his unmatched running commentary of Alfords rebirth or demise. Youll want to stay up for this.11. Because once Harry Giles gets healthy, youll want your favorite NBA team to draft him During an AAU tournament a few years ago, the projected top-five pick in the 2017 NBA draft played multiple possessions at point guard. Hes 6-foot-11.12. Because once Josh Jackson finds his rhythm, youll forget about Harry Giles Hes a 6-8, 200-pound hhang glider.dddddddddddd Trust us.13. Because Honey, I have to stay up and watch West Coast basketball is a legit excuse this year Dont worry about sleep this season. Gonzagas Final Four-level squad, UCLAs Ball, Wooden Award contender Ivan Rabb?of Cal, Oregons top-five squad, Saint Marys Aussie-led revival and Washingtons lottery-bound Markelle Fultz are all worth the baggy eyes and extra cup of coffee the next day.14. Because its about time we appreciate Mark Fews legacy at Gonzaga Entering his 18th season as head coach at Gonzaga, he has never missed the NCAA tournament and he has won 23 or more games each season. Perhaps hell guide the Bulldogs to their first Final Four appearance this year. Either way, he deserves a spot in national conversations about the greatest coaches in the game.15. Because Miles Bridges hit his head ... on a rim this summerSeriously. So you probably want to watch Michigan State this year.16. Because Dillon Brooks foot could change the entire season Brooks (16.7 PPG) is still sidelined by a foot injury. He should return in time for Pac-12 play, if not earlier. But his absence is a major interruption for Oregon and its nonconference aspirations.17. Because the new rule on coaches calling timeouts to rescue players inbounding the ball will help The rule that barred coaches from calling timeouts in live-ball situations, beginning last season, was tweaked to give coaches the right to call TOs on inbound plays. Good move by the rules committee to help stranded players in critical predicaments.18. Because the push for a 24-second shot clock could begin soon The move to a 30-second shot clock enhanced the game. Thats not disputed. Why stop at 30? The NBA-NCAA connection could move forward in the near future if coaches begin to push for 24 seconds the way they once demanded 30.19. Because youre not talking about a Villanova repeat ... yet No team has repeated as champion since Joakim Noahs Florida squad in 2006-07. Villanova has a real chance, however, to defend its crown. All of the Duke-Kentucky-Kansas hype will leave the Wildcats in the shadows until they begin to thump the Big East and look the part of a repeat champion.20. Because Nigel Hayes (and others) could lead the charge for player compensationHe has used Twitter and other tools as platforms to post his views on everything from racism on the Wisconsin campus to compensation for student-athletes. He has the intellect, stage and popularity to turn the latter into a movement this season.21. Because Louisvilles season of vengeance and redemption begins soon The Cardinals missed the NCAA tournament after the Katina Powell sex scandal last year. However, the program dodged the most severe potential penalties from the NCAA. Now, Louisville can focus on basketball for the first time in two seasons. Memories of all the critics who knocked them are still fresh for the Cardinals.22. Because Jay Wright is the popular kid at school that everyone envies He has a championship. He never sweats through his tailored Italian suits, even with the game on the line. Somehow, his hair remains perfect for two halves. Its not fair.23. Because Bobby Hurley is probably screaming at some random bystander in Phoenix right now to prep for his techs this year If you see Arizona States head coach yelling about nothing on campus, dont worry, Sun Devils fans. Hes just prepping for his next confrontation with Pac-12 refs.24. Because the Chicago curse is broken ... just kidding, Northwestern The Chicago Cubs ended the streak! So maybe thats a good sign for the one team searching for that elusive berth in the NCAA tournament. No. No, its not. Northwestern should improve, but its still a year (or more) from reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time.25. Because we all picked Duke to win the title ... and were wrong Some of Dukes best teams (99, 02, 04) in the last 20 years failed to win the national championship. Plus, the No. 1 Blue Devils have failed to advance past the Sweet 16 the last three times they were the top-ranked team entering the year. Your bracket is broken and the season hasnt even started. ' ' '