TGIF! It's Week 8. Let's predict some scores.
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The center of the FCS universe is once again Fargo, North Dakota in Week 8, as a pair of top-10 teams — including No. 1 North Dakota State — will duel for Valley supremacy. If Illinois State wins, it would send shockwaves through the country.
On to our six featured games!
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Game of the Week: Illinois State at North Dakota State
Chase: North Dakota State 21, Illinois State 14
At this point, I'm inclined to think the most likely spot for North Dakota State to lose is a game where a loss isn't even on the radar. That's why I initially liked Illinois State in this spot — NDSU has been faced with "could this be the game they lose?!" questions in each of its last three contests, and finally coming home to play a really good Redbirds team could be a letdown spot. Instead, the media has spent this week talking about how the Bison could lose this game now, too, which I think will laser NDSU's focus yet again. It must be taxing to have people wonder if you'll lose every single week… Bison by a touchdown.
Sam: NDSU 27, Illinois State 21
I was so, so, so close to picking the Redbirds. In fact I typed out an explanation on why I think they’ll beat the Bison. But I don’t think NDSU’s regular-season loss (which I still believe is coming) is happening this week. I know exactly when it’s going to happen, so stay tuned for future predictions. What changed my mind on this one is having a QB in the Fargodome for the first time and ISU trying to out-physical NDSU to earn the win. I like NDSU in a game like this.
Brian: NDSU 17, Illinois State 14
Who are we kidding? This one should be really, really good, just like the SDSU-NDSU game was a few weeks ago. ISU is as good as it has been since it nearly took down the Bison in the national title game in 2014. The Redbirds play stingy defense and run the ball well but are more than capable of tossing it around if need be. Um, who does that sound like? I'm tempted to go with the upset pick here, but the FargoDome is a huge advantage.
[divider]MORE ILLINOIS STATE: Drew Himmelman is Paving the Way
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MORE VALLEY: Every MVFC Team's Chance to Make the Playoffs[divider]
East Tennessee State at Wofford
Chase: Wofford 27, ETSU 14
I actually feel bad for the Bucs here, because this is a terrible spot to have to play Wofford in the SoCon Game of the Year. Both teams could have come in undefeated in conference play, and ETSU could have talked itself into being a disrespected underdog despite the 6-1 record. Instead, Wofford comes in on the heels of a pretty nasty beatdown at Furman, and now the Terriers are going to be hungry to go get after it.
Sam: Wofford 28, ETSU 17
While I think ETSU's story is absolutely awesome this season, I do think they may run into a buzzsaw against Wofford. The Terriers went from a seeded team to a team people weren't sure about with their loss last week. They should rebound in a big way.
Brian: ETSU 20, Wofford 17
These are two programs that generally play good defense and both run the ball rather well. Obviously Wofford's style of offense is tricky, but as ETSU's players told me this week — in the SoCon you face this kind of option attack several times a year. This is another coinflip type of game, but ETSU has just found a way to win close games this year.
[divider]MORE ETSU: The Senior Class that's Uplifted East Tennessee State[divider]
Campbell at Monmouth
Chase: Monmouth 31, Campbell 23
There are weak schedules… and then there's Campbell's schedule. The Camels could be good, but we'd really have no way of knowing that right now. The fact that Monmouth is an underdog in this game is mind-blowing.
Sam: Campbell 35, Monmouth 24
I love what Campbell is doing this year and the momentum continues this week. I feel this team still feels it has something to prove and this is the opportunity to do it.
Brian: Campbell 28, Monmouth 14
If anything is an indication of where this Campbell program is going, take a look at what the Camels are doing in their first year playing more scholarship programs than non-scholie (now that they're transitioning). This is a team that will push Kennesaw State in years down the line, and this weekend this team could prove how strong it is by taking out a 2017 playoff team in Monmouth.
[divider]MORE: Should Monmouth Really Be a 14-point Home Underdog?[divider]
Grambling at Alcorn State
Chase: Alcorn State 34, Grambling 27
This is probably a SWAC title preview, so I'll take Alcorn to win now at home, and Grambling to win the rematch.
Sam: Alcorn State 31, Grambling 27
I think these are two evenly-matched teams, so I'll keep my explanation simple and just side with the home team on this one.
Brian: Alcorn State 35, Grambling 28
Could this be a preview of the SWAC title game? It might be. Obviously Prairie View A&M and Southern U. might have something to say about that in the SWAC West, but this is clearly one of the top matchups in SWAC this year.
[divider]MORE HBCU PREDICTIONS: Duane Nash Has You Covered[divider]
South Dakota State at Northern Iowa
Chase: UNI 24, SDSU 21
I think Northern Iowa is improving and confident after the win at USD last week. I think South Dakota State has been hot and cold. I think any time you go on the road in the Valley, you can lose.
Sam: SDSU 38, UNI 35
The Jacks always seem to struggle against UNI and the Panthers play really well at home, just ask NDSU. But I think the Jacks realize what's at stake here and know if they want to set themselves up nicely for a high playoff seed, a win is crucial here.
Brian: SDSU 35, UNI 14
South Dakota State just seems ready to explode to me. I really don't think this will be close. Then again, it is the MVFC and SDSU is on the road. Hey, what do I know?
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Rhode Island at Stony Brook
Chase: Stony Brook 24, Rhode Island 22
This isn't a full-blown elimination game in the CAA, but the loser is definitely going to have an uphill battle to fight. I like Stony Brook's defensive pressure to make life hard on Rhode Island, regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Rams. The trick here is that Stony Brook can't get too far behind. The Seawolves can't win a track meet with URI.
Sam: Rhode Island 28, Stony Brook 27
This is a toss-up to me, but the one thing that sticks out to me is Stony Brook's 52-28 loss to Towson. I like Rhode Island's offense to be able to get some points here and do just enough to win. But the big question, of course, and what might be the deciding factor is if URI QB JaJuan Lawson plays.
Brian: Stony Brook 19, Rhody 18
This is just another example of the CAA gauntlet we've talked about repeatedly. There are a lot of good teams in this league, and these are certainly two of them. I'm going with the home team because I think this is a coinflip.
[divider]MORE CAA: Cheek to Miss Remainder of Season | Previewing JMU's Final Month[divider]
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