We have a great FCS slate this weekend. Lots of pivotal games await, so let’s not waste any time and get to breaking down the best 10 games of the weekend and why.
10 GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
(All games Saturday unless noted, all times Eastern)
NO. 1 – South Dakota State at North Dakota State, 8 pm (ESPN2)
WHY?: It’s hard to believe that North Dakota State hasn’t beaten South Dakota State in a football game since 2019, but it’s a fact. That five-game winning streak for the Jackrabbits includes a win in the national title game in Frisco, the first of two consecutive FCS titles, with SDSU looking for another one this year. The Battle for the Dakota Marker is one of – if not the – best rivalries in the FCS (though Montana and Montana State are holding on line one). Not only does this one matter in the Dakotas, but it will also have a wide-ranging impact on the national seeding situation come playoff time.
BMAC’S PICK: NDSU by 3
NO. 2 – Rhode Island at New Hampshire, 1 pm (FloFootball)
WHY?: In one of the top games this year in the CAA, these two rivals are a combined 9-1 overall against the FCS and are both 2-0 in the standings. They have one common opponent so far, Holy Cross out of the Patriot League, and Rhody knocked off the Crusaders by three points and UNH won by one. It’s obvious these are two evenly matched teams. UNH features QB Seth Morgan, who heads up one of the most effective passing attacks in the entire conference.
BMAC’S PICK: New Hampshire by 7
NO. 3 – McNeese at UIW, 5 pm (ESPN+)
WHY?: Incarnate Word is nationally ranked and looks to position itself atop the Southland Conference this year. McNeese is the upstart of the FCS that went 0-10 last year but already has won four games this year and could be a dark horse candidate to contend for the Southland crown. This is a pivotal battle that will have ramifications in about a month when the playoff pairings are determined. Can McNeese pull off a big upset and turn the Southland on its end?
BMAC’S PICK: UIW by 7
NO. 4 – Florida A&M at Jackson State, 3:30 pm (ESPNU)
WHY?: This is a massive weekend for the SWAC, with Florida A&M and Jackson State facing off for control of the top of the East Division, and Alcorn State and Southern battling later on Saturday night for control of the West Division. Out of this quartet, it’s very possible we will see the Celebration Bowl participant emerge – so keep an eye on both of these battles in what right now seems like a wide-open SWAC. The Rattlers’ only two losses are to FBS teams, and it has already dispatched Alabama State – arguably the third-best team in the SWAC East right now.
BMAC’S PICK: Florida A&M by 3
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NO. 5 – Alcorn State at Southern, 7 pm (ESPN+)
WHY?: As mentioned above in the Florida A&M-Jackson State writeup, this game could ultimately decide who is the most powerful team in the SWAC West, and who emerges to play in the postseason later this year. Both teams have played McNeese, with both falling – but Alcorn State took it on the chin while Southern played the upstart Cowboys closer.
BMAC’S PICK: Southern by 3
NO. 6 – Delaware at Richmond, 3:30 pm (FloFootball)
WHY?: Delaware is no longer eligible for the FCS postseason as the Blue Hens begin their transition to the FBS level, but they can still wreak havoc on the CAA picture. Richmond has a big opportunity to ascend in this one, but it will be quite a challenge.
BMAC’S PICK: Delaware by 10
NO. 7 – Wofford at Chattanooga, 1:30 pm (ESPN+)
WHY?: Chattanooga is a Southern Conference program that is slowly ascending, and would love to continue its momentum with a big home win this weekend. Wofford is having one of its better seasons in a few years and wants to get back atop the SoCon where it once sat annually.
BMAC’S PICK: Chattanooga by 3
NO. 8 – UC Davis at Eastern Washington, 7 pm (ESPN+)
WHY?: This could be a trap game for a UC Davis team that has played well so far this year, with the cherry on top being the Idaho win a few weeks back. Eastern Washington is a bit perplexing. The Eagles seem to be a program that could knock off a top-tier Big Sky team on a good day – particularly while at home – but they’ve also dropped some head-scratchers (Drake anyone?).
BMAC’S PICK: UC Davis by 7
NO. 9 – Holy Cross at Harvard, 12 pm (ESPN+)
WHY?: The FCS battle of the Boston area is on, folks. Holy Cross isn’t quite the team that it was the past few years when it sat atop the Patriot League, but the Crusaders can still pack a punch if they are taken lightly. Harvard is just beginning to roll and looks to nab one more non-conference win before heading into the depth of Ivy League play for 2024.
BMAC’S PICK: Harvard by 10
NO. 10 – Dayton at Butler, 1 pm (FloFootball)
WHY?: These two programs are atop the Pioneer League standings, and even though this is a mid-October matchup, this may end up being the kind of matchup that eventually settles the conference’s lone FCS playoff spot. Obviously, Drake would also like to have a say in that, as well as a typically strong Davidson.
BMAC’S PICK: Butler by 1
