Week 8 of the 2025 FCS season is here.
After a 9-3 mark last week, let’s predict some more scores.
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Predictions Record:
2025 Record: 70-20
2024 Record: 126-40
FCS Week 8 Predictions
No. 9 North Dakota at No. 12 Southern Illinois Prediction
In a lighter FCS slate, this is a massive showdown.
UND is 4-2 overall and 4-1 vs. the FCS (loss to Montana), earning its first ranked win last week vs. Youngstown State. SIU is 4-2 overall and 3-1 vs. the FCS (loss to NDSU) and is still eyeing its first ranked victory.
The Salukis were a hyped-up team entering last week. A 45-17 loss in the Fargodome may have softened expectations, but a win Saturday gets the Salukis back on track to being ranked in the Top 10. Quarterback DJ Williams has a lot on his plate and will need to carry the offense to wins. He’s been excellent so far, completing 64.4% of his passes for 1,404 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions while leading the team with 427 rushing yards and 10 scores. Vinson Davis III is his standout target, hauling in 31 catches for 547 yards and three TDs.
It’ll be a challenge on the road for UND’s defense, an improved unit from last year. The Fighting Hawks are allowing 18.8 points per game (No. 14 in the FCS) and 95.5 rushing yards per game (No. 6). Opponents have found some success through the air, averaging 224.2 passing yards per game (No. 76). Malachi McNeal is having a standout season, tallying 44 tackles. Lance Rucker has played a big role in UND being more disruptive, adding 36 tackles, seven TFLs, and four sacks.
The other side of the ball may be the difference-maker.
UND is a complete team offensively and defensively. SIU has a ways to go defensively, allowing 25.0 points per game, 186.7 rushing yards per game, and 216.8 passing yards per game. In the last three contests, SIU has allowed 31 points to SEMO, 27 to Indiana State, and 45 to NDSU.
The Fighting Hawks are rolling offensively, scoring 39.3 PPG (No. 10 in the FCS), just ahead of SIU’s 39.0. Coupled with a strong offensive line and ground game led by Sawyer Seidl (336 yards, 3 TDs) and Gaven Ziebarth (266 yards, 3 TDs), UND has found an explosive passing attack. Sophomore QB Jerry Kaminski has been tremendous in his first year starting, completing 61.9% of his passes for 1,217 yards, 17 touchdowns, and one interception, plus rushing for 241 yards and three TDs. Northern Arizona transfer receiver B.J. Fleming leads the offense with 22 catches for 442 yards and four scores.
UND has looked like a more balanced team than SIU. The Hawks can throw it effectively, run it effectively, and have played strong defense. That will travel well for a crucial road win on Saturday.
Prediction: UND 35-28
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UTRGV at No. 17 Lamar Prediction
There are some recently new FCS teams that make you scrunch your nose.
UTRGV is not one of them.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, already an established Division I member, is playing its first football season this year. It has the location (no other D1 football programs in about a 3.5-hour radius), new facilities, and great support (sold-out season tickets and every stadium suite) to be a factor in the subdivision sooner than later.
The Vaqueros are 5-1 this season, although three wins are against non-D1 teams. They are 2-1 vs. the FCS and 1-1 in Southland Conference play, losing to Southeastern 45-31 and beating Houston Christian 27-7. They face their biggest challenge yet.
Lamar is 5-1 overall and 5-0 vs. the FCS, featuring an early September win over then-No. 4 South Dakota. In recent games, the Cardinals have beaten struggling teams by small margins — Central Arkansas by three, Nicholls by seven, and East Texas A&M by 10, which was more of a final-seconds win. But they keep on winning.
Lamar will be tasked with slowing down an offense scoring 48.7 points per game. Eddie Lee Marburger, a transfer from UTSA, has thrown for 1,474 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Kristian Pugh leads the Cardinals with 43 tackles and two interceptions.
There isn’t necessarily anything spectacular about Lamar, but it’s well-rounded enough to keep on winning. I wouldn’t be surprised to see any upset here. But I’m not sure that UTRGV is quite there yet. Especially on the road and in Lamar’s Homecoming game.
Prediction: Lamar 31-28
West Georgia at No. 3 Tarleton State Prediction
Tarleton State has been bitten by injuries.
Starting QB Victor Gabalis, All-UAC defensive back Kasyus Kurns, and standout defensive lineman Tramaine Chism have been sidelined in recent games, while the top two rushers, Tre Page III and Caleb Lewis, missed last week’s contest.
West Georgia was also without its starting quarterback last week after Davin Wydner got banged up in the prior game.
“We’ll see how Davin feels later in the week, and if he’s good to go, we’ll roll with him,” head coach Joel Taylor said.
After a 5-0 start, UWG has two straight losses to No. 21 Austin Peay and No. 19 Abilene Christian. The Wolves fell out of the media poll, but are ranked No. 23 in the coaches poll.
It’s an opportunity for Tarleton State, ranked No. 3 by the FCS playoff committee, to get its first ranked win on the playoff resume. Strength of schedule and quality wins are usually two of the more important criteria for the committee. The Texans keep on rolling despite the injuries, and enter Saturday 7-0, featuring an FBS win over a solid Army team.
While Tarleton’s defense has allowed 24, 42, and 23 points against its last three FCS opponents, compared to zero, three, and 10 points against its first three FCS opponents, the offense has scored plenty to take pressure off the defense. Tarleton is scoring a blazing 47.4 points per game, ranking No. 4 in the FCS. Daniel Greek has filled in nicely for Gabalis. He’s thrown for 677 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception with a completion percentage of 66.1. Peyton Kramer is enjoying a breakout season after playing in six games last year. Kramer leads the team with 25 catches for 515 yards and four scores.
This is the third-straight ranked opponent for UWG. The schedule is catching up to the Wolves and their performances. Meanwhile, Tarleton is showing off its depth of talent as the season progresses and the injury report grows. The Texans tack on another win in front of a Homecoming crowd.
Prediction: Tarleton State 42-21
More FCS Predictions
Stony Brook at No. 11 Monmouth
Get a couple of stops and win. That’s the formula for Monmouth. Not many teams will be able to keep pace with that offense. Prediction: Monmouth 42-31
UT Martin at Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb remains undefeated vs. the FCS heading into a big two-week slate on the road at Lindenwood and No. 8 Tennessee Tech. Prediction: Gardner-Webb 31-28
Youngstown State at No. 10 Illinois State
Third straight ranked opponent for YSU and back-to-back road games. ISU wins it in a higher-scoring affair. Prediction: Illinois State 35-31
Northern Colorado at Sacramento State
Northern Colorado is a tough out this year, just ask Colorado State, South Dakota, and, of course, Idaho. Sac State can be unpredictable in its level of execution, but the Hornets should win at home. Prediction: Sac State 38-28
FCS Top 25 Schedule
Rankings via the Stats Perform Media Poll
All times CT
11 — Merrimack at No. 18 Harvard (ESPN+)
12 — Stony Brook at No. 11 Monmouth (FloSports)
12 — Hampton at No. 15 Villanova (FloSports)
12 — Stetson at No. 21 Presbyterian (ESPN+)
12 — No. 9 North Dakota at No. 12 Southern Illinois (ESPN+)
12 — Youngstown State at No. 10 Illinois State (ESPN+)
12 — No. 1 North Dakota State at Indiana State (ESPN+)
1 — No. 22 South Dakota at Northern Iowa (ESPN+)
1 — No. 8 Tennessee Tech at Lindenwood (ESPN+)
1 — No. 2 South Dakota State at Murray State (ESPN+)
2 — Sacred Heart at No. 4 Montana (ESPN+)
2:30 — No. 16 Rhode Island at UAlbany (FloSports)
3 — UTRGV at No. 17 Lamar (ESPN+)
6 — Nicholls at No. 25 Stephen F. Austin (ESPN+)
6 — West Georgia at No. 3 Tarleton State (ESPN+)
6 — No. 24 Idaho at Eastern Washington (ESPN+)
7:30 — No. 13 Abilene Christian at Southern Utah (ESPN+)
