TGIF! It's Week 6. Let's predict some scores.
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We're starting to get into the meat of the FCS season here at HERO Sports, so it's time for the boys to start priming you for Game Day with a few Friday morning predictions. Start your weekend by checking in with our FCS prognostication department.
Our predictions last week were… well, they were pretty monotonous. I zigged when Brian and Sam zagged in the Sam Houston State game; other than that, we were all in lock step. That won't be the case this week…
On to our six featured games!
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Game of the Week: Stony Brook at Towson
Chase: Towson 23, Stony Brook 20
After last week, you can bet Stony Brook will have some sort of spy configuration to contain Tom Flacco's rushing. That should open things up for other players in Towson's offense. It's tough to win on the road in the CAA.
Sam: Stony Brook 24, Towson 21
Stony Brook has the defensive skill to contain Flacco. Its offense looked pretty good last week against a tough Nova defense.
Brian: Towson 24, Stony Brook 21
I'm really impressed with what both of these programs have done so far, and I think the deciding factor just boils down to this one being played in Maryland. This win would force the FCS to pivot and pay attention to what Coach Ambrose and his staff are doing right now. Remember — Five years ago the Tigers made it to the national title game with Ambrose at the helm.
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Wofford at Chattanooga
Chase: Wofford 28, Chattanooga 13
Wofford looks more and more like the class of the SoCon every week.
Sam: Wofford 17, Chattanooga 10
Back-to-back road team picks for me here. I do like this Wofford team and I think the Terriers are in for a playoff seed. This will be a slugfest.
Brian: Wofford 21, Chattanooga 17
Both teams played The Citadel in close wins, and I still think Chattanooga started slowly with East Tennessee State (and nearly rallied to win) because of their big win the week prior. We may look back at this game in November and view it as a deciding factor in the SoCon title race.
[divider]HEY, WHERE'S JMU?: Our JMU-Elon Preview | Jimmy Moreland Leads FCS in INTs[divider]
Idaho at Idaho State
Chase: Idaho State 38, Idaho 27
This is definitely new territory for the Bengals.
Sam: Idaho State 35, Idaho 24
Idaho State continues to impress while Idaho has really disappointed considering it basically has an FBS roster. I didn't think I'd say this in the preseason, but Idaho State is simply the better team.
Brian: Idaho State 28, Idaho 21
The Bengals are building their case that they're a playoff contender. The Gueller connection in the pass game (Tanner to Mitch) is one of the best in the FCS right now.
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Missouri State at South Dakota
Chase: Missouri State 24, South Dakota 21
Simply put, I'm picking the better team.
Sam: South Dakota 45, Mo State 35
The Bears won't be sneaking up on anyone anymore. And USD's offense plays incredibly well at home.
Brian: South Dakota 27, Missouri State 24
This is a defining moment for both of these teams, because both need wins desperately before they play the elite programs in the Valley, and both could ascend to become one of those elite teams if they keep winning. Home field advantage is the key factor.
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Villanova at Maine
Chase: Villanova 20, Maine 10
If Maine quarterback Chris Ferguson doesn't return from a shoulder injury, redshirt freshman Isaiah Robinson (10-for-27 since inheriting the job in Kalamazoo) will lead the offense again. Maine has lots of other injuries, too.
Sam: Villanova 28, Maine 27
Nova gets back on track here. This team is too talented to drop to 0-3 in the CAA standings.
Brian: Villanova 17, Maine 14
Two great defensive clubs do battle. With injury questions still lingering, Maine comes into this weekend hobbling after being one of the biggest FCS stories of September. Villanova is also trying to fix things after two close disappointing losses to Towson and Stony Brook. This is a must win for both programs.
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Western Carolina at Samford
Chase: Samford 42, West Carolina 24
Western Carolina might have the better record, but Samford is the better team.
Sam: Samford 52, Western Carolina 28
I'm going to end with a bold prediction. I'm not completely told on WCU's defense and Samford is on life support with four losses already. Do your thing, Devlin Hodges.
Brian: Samford 28, Western Carolina 20
Samford is the best 1-4 program in the FCS right now. Chuckle all you want, but it's the truth. Analyze the schedule and you realize how very close this program is to being 4-1 or maybe even 5-0. The Bulldogs are still a solid program, they just need to go out and prove it. A home game against the Catamounts is just what they need to fix things, as WCU has gotten out to a 3-1 record, but not exactly in convincing fashion just yet. Chalk this one up to another wild and crazy SoCon weekend.
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