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.
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10 GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
(all games Saturday unless noted, all times Eastern)
NO. 1 – Idaho (3-1) at UC Davis (3-1), 10 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: Who are we kidding? Idaho is once again … well … Idaho. The Vandals played Oregon tough (fell by 10), then followed up with an FBS win over Wyoming. After that? How about a blowout win against last year’s big FCS story, UAlbany, and then a tough win over Abilene Christian this past weekend – a team that took Texas Tech to overtime earlier this year. Nobody can accuse Idaho of scheduling weak non-Big Sky competition, right? Now, they hit conference play and UC Davis is hardly a slouch – and certainly not when the Aggies are at home. This one may be a tad late for some of the East Coast diehards … but drink some coffee and tune in for this one. It’ll be pivotal.
BMAC’S PICK: Idaho by 3
NO. 2 – Southern Illinois (2-2) at South Dakota (2-1), 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: I think we know more about Southern Illinois going into this one than we know about South Dakota. The Coyotes are more highly ranked and highly regarded based on last year and what they have back. And they did go to toe-to-toe with a decent Wisconsin team, trailing only by four points late in the third quarter. But SIU you could argue is more battle-tested after going 2-1 against three good FCS programs in a row (Austin Peay, Incarnate Word, SEMO), while USD has a lower-division win, had a game canceled vs. Portland State, and knocked around a non-scholarship FCS program (Drake). But hey, this is still South Dakota – and it’s in Vermillion.
BMAC’S PICK: South Dakota by 9
NO. 3 – North Dakota State (3-1) at Illinois State (3-1), 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: This is a very, very interesting matchup. NDSU went toe-to-toe with Deion’s team down in Boulder, Colorado, coming out with a late loss. They’ve also survived a trip to East Tennessee where it honestly escaped ETSU. Illinois State took it on the chin against Iowa but then has had a pretty easy road coming into this game. The reason this game is near the top of this list is simple: It’s in Normal, Illinois, not Fargo, North Dakota. The Redbirds don’t back down from challenges, and history proves it – especially when at home.
BMAC’S PICK: NDSU by 7
NO. 4 – Lamar (3-1) at Central Arkansas (3-1), 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: Lamar in a game that is considered “top five” nationally? You better darn well believe it – the Cardinals of Beaumont, Texas have some sizzle to their game. These former Southland Conference rivals have a lot in common, even though UCA left for the UAC conglomerate a few years back. Lamar and Central Arkansas both had near wins versus FBS teams (Lamar with Texas State, Central Arkansas vs. Arkansas State). They both have one signature FCS win apiece (Lamar with Weber State and UCA vs. Austin Peay) and then two FCS wins that they were heavy favorites to win. There are lots of similarities here, but UCA is at home in Conway. That’s the difference.
BMAC’S PICK: UCA by 7
NO. 5 – Mercer (4-0) at Wofford (2-1), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: Mercer is already 2-0 in the Southern Conference, and Wofford is looking better than it has been in years. Neither team has an FBS loss either, which is big. Look for a brawl in this one, since it’s in Spartanburg, S.C. – which admittedly may be recovering some from the effects of Hurricane Helene. This could ultimately hold up as pivotal in the always-tight SoCon race.
BMAC’S PICK: Mercer by 10
NO. 6 – Sacramento State (2-2) at Northern Arizona (2-2), 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: Both of these programs are looking for more national respect, but come at that goal from slightly different angles. Sacramento State has been a national power for several years and is 2-2 but both losses are to FBS teams (San Jose State and Fresno State), and the Hornets weren’t exactly blown out of the water by either. NAU is trying to claw its way into national prominence and is at home. This is a good opportunity for the Lumberjacks.
BMAC’S PICK: Sacramento State by 7
NO. 7 – Bucknell (2-2) at Lehigh (3-1), 12 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: Lehigh has won three in a row, including an impressive win over a good Princeton program last week. Bucknell wants to climb into the upper echelon of the Patriot League picture for the first time in recent memory. This is the Bison’s big chance.
BMAC’S PICK: Lehigh by 13.
NO. 8 – Grambling State (3-1) vs Prairie View A&M (1-3), Cotton Bowl, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: No matter what the records, the State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl is always a big game. Grambling has rattled off three straight wins since a season-opening loss to FBS Louisiana. Prairie View has had a rougher start to the year – but when it comes to the big HBCU Classics, you never know what’s going to happen.
BMAC’S PICK: Grambling by 14
NO. 9 – McNeese (3-2) at Weber State (2-2), 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
WHY?: McNeese is 3-0 versus the FCS since a tight Week 0 loss to a good Tarleton team. This is a vast improvement over last year’s one-win finish. Weber State has consistently been one of the top teams in the nation over the past near decade and wants to climb back into prominence after a so-so beginning to 2024. Both teams need this one for different reasons.
BMAC’S PICK: Weber State by 3
NO. 10 – Maine (2-2) at UAlbany (1-2), 3:30 p.m. (FloSports)
WHY?: Both of these CAA teams have faced tough non-conference schedules to open the 2024 season, suffering losses. Now that we shift into conference play, it’s very important for them both to get back on track after being challenged. A win this weekend would be a good way to go about it.
BMAC’S PICK: UAlbany by 6
