Week 7 of the 2025 FCS season is here, and it features three ranked matchups.
After a 10-4 mark last week, let’s predict some more scores.
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Predictions Record:
2025 Record: 61-17
2024 Record: 126-40
FCS Week 7 Predictions
No. 8 Southern Illinois at No. 1 North Dakota State Prediction
After a softer non-conference slate, NDSU is now in its third straight ranked matchup. The Bison handled then-No. 17 South Dakota 51-13 before playing in their first close game of the season last week, beating No. 6 Illinois State 33-16 after leading 18-16 entering the fourth.
For the Salukis, it’s their first opportunity in a ranked matchup. SIU is 4-1 overall and 3-0 vs. the FCS, beating up on UT Martin, SEMO, and Indiana State. The Salukis look the part of a good team, but Saturday will be the true gauge of that. Many people, myself included, believe SIU is better than Illinois State.
It’ll be a battle of two Walter Payton Award candidates.
NDSU’s Cole Payton is completing 74.7% of his passes (65-87) for 1,173 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions while being second on the team with 356 rushing yards and three TDs. SIU’s DJ Williams is 88/131 passing (67.2%) for 1,214 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also leads the Salukis with 386 rushing yards and nine scores.
The Bison are averaging 44.4 points per game compared to SIU’s 43.4. The difference here is defense. NDSU has been suffocating, allowing just 9.2 points per game, although Illinois State found some success throwing the ball with 191 yards passing. SIU is allowing 21.0 points per game, including 171.2 rushing yards per game. The Salukis have a nice group of linebackers, led by Colin Bohanek, Andrew Behm, Chris Presto, and Shug Walker, but I’m not sure if SIU’s run defense can hang for all four quarters. And that’s the key … all four quarters. The Bison don’t have the most explosive ground game, but they will grind a defense down, led by Barika Kpeenu’s 422 yards and eight TDs.
SIU’s offense is good enough to keep the Salukis in this game into the second half. The Bison secondary will need to play at a high level, which NDSU’s pass-rush can aid in that. The Salukis have only allowed five sacks so far this year, though.
When it matters most, I trust the NDSU defense to get more key stops.
Prediction: NDSU 35-24
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No. 19 Abilene Christian at No. 21 West Georgia Prediction
The UAC just keeps giving us ranked matchups.
West Georgia suffered its first loss of the season last week after a 5-0 start, losing 44-30 at No. 22 Austin Peay. Starting quarterback Davin Wydner exited the game in the third quarter due to a shoulder injury, but head coach Joel Taylor said this week that Wydner should be fine for Saturday.
Wydner has thrown for 904 yards, nine touchdowns, and seven interceptions this season. UWG first wants to get after teams on the ground, though, led by Latrelle Murrell’s 575 yards and a touchdown. TJ Lester has tallied six rushing touchdowns.
ACU is 3-3 overall and 3-1 vs. the FCS. Its lone loss is a head-scratcher, losing 38-7 at UIW. But the Wildcats have two ranked wins, beating SFA 28-20 and Austin Peay 45-31. Stone Earle has thrown for 1,411 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
UWG has been susceptible to the pass, allowing 216.7 passing yards per game. Austin Peay’s Chris Parson went for 346 yards and three TDs last week. That’s where ACU thrives, averaging 236.5 yards per game through the air. Earle spreads it out, with four pass-catchers over 180 receiving yards. UWG’s pass-rush can help neutralize the passing attack. The Wolves have 18 team sacks, tied for No. 4 in the FCS. David Hoage has tallied four sacks, six QB hurries, and 11 TFLs.
ACU has yet to have a quality performance on the road. And with No. 3 Tarleton State on the road looming for UWG in a three-game stretch of ranked opponents, the Wolves need this one to keep their momentum going.
Prediction: West Georgia 34-28
No. 14 Northern Arizona at No. 6 UC Davis Prediction
NAU’s defensive liabilities were on display last week. After a spirited 7-0 lead on No. 5 Montana State after one quarter, the Bobcats’ offense started to roll en route to a 34-10 win at NAU. It was NAU’s first FCS loss of the season while dropping to a 4-2 overall record.
Now the Lumberjacks hit the road and have to defend one of the more athletic offenses in the Big Sky.
The Aggies are 4-1 overall and 4-0 vs. the FCS. They’re still waiting for a signature ranked win on the resume, though. Saturday is that opportunity. Caden Pinnick is putting together a standout redshirt freshman season for the Aggies, throwing for 1,066 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions while rushing for 160 yards and two scores. Jordan Fisher (385 yards, 7.0 YPC) and Carter Vargas (272 yards, 8.2 YPC) are dynamic running backs, while Samuel Gbatu Jr. (298 yards, 4 TDs) is a good presence on the outside.
Davis’ defense needs to get better if it wants to compete with the top tier. The Aggies are allowing 33.4 points per game (24.4 PPG vs. FCS opponents) and 267.6 passing yards per game. Jacob Psyk, a Harvard transfer, has played strongly with 7.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. Unfortunately, All-American safety Rex Connors suffered a season-ending knee injury, while standout linebacker Porter Connors is dealing with a foot injury.
After its worst offensive performance of the season, NAU looks to rebound and find success against the Aggies. Ty Pennington has thrown for 1,557 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, with 486 yards going to Kolbe Katsis. Seth Cromwell leads the way on the ground, rushing for 301 yards and six touchdowns. Points will be needed as the defense is allowing 32.0 points per game.
We might see a higher-scoring affair in this one with some explosive plays. But I think UC Davis is playing better football right now.
Prediction: UC Davis 38-31
More FCS Predictions
Youngstown State at No. 13 North Dakota
Can YSU play with the same energy as last week after giving SDSU its best shot and falling short? Going to UND is a difficult test, and the Fighting Hawks are looking strong on both sides of the ball. Prediction: UND 35-21
No. 25 Mercer at Princeton
A fun SoCon vs. Ivy League game. Mercer has won four straight and is rolling since inserting freshman QB Braden Atkinson (1,168 yards passing, 13 TDs, 3 INT). Prediction: Mercer 28-21
New Hampshire at No. 17 Rhode Island
Rhody gets back on track after a sloppy performance last week against Brown and losing its first FCS game of the season. Prediction: Rhody 35-24
No. 24 Presbyterian at Butler
Two teams that are undefeated in the Pioneer Football League standings. Presbyterian remains undefeated behind the arm of Collin Hurst. Prediction: Presbyterian 38-21
No. 18 Villanova at Elon
Villanova impressed last week, winning 37-7 at New Hampshire. The Wildcats hit the road again and visit an Elon team that’s 4-2 overall, 4-1 vs. the FCS, and 2-0 in the CAA. Elon gets it done on its Homecoming. Prediction: Elon 28-27
Furman at Western Carolina
WCU is hot, winning three straight after the return of QB Taron Dickens. But Furman (4-1) has the defensive strength and offensive explosiveness, led by QB Trey Hedden, to cool WCU off. Prediction: Furman 35-31
Idaho State at No. 5 Montana State
There will be a lot of score comparisons in Montana after the Grizzlies needed a comeback to beat Idaho State 42-38 last week. But that was in Idaho. ISU going to Bozeman is a different animal, especially against an elite MSU defense. Prediction: Montana State 41-21
Alabama State at No. 15 Jackson State
Bama State and JSU are both 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the SWAC standings. JaCobian Morgan vs. Andrew Body is a terrific QB battle. JSU gets it done at home. Prediction: JSU 31-28
No. 20 Lamar at East Texas A&M
Lamar keeps on winning, improving to 5-1 overall and 5-0 vs. the FCS. Prediction: Lamar 31-21
