Preferred Walk-On
October 13th, 2019, 06:06 PM
This is one of those weeks in which there is only one game involving two teams in the AGS Top 25. Most of the match-ups throughout the FCS this week involve teams with winning records against teams with losing records (not many match-ups where both teams have winning records). Below are a few of the games where the teams both have winning records (or are very close to .500) and there is an intrigue factor or something on the line for each.
Northern Arizona @ #4 Weber State - The Wildcats have looked strong defensively, but perhaps not so much offensively. How much offense will be necessary to dispatch 5th-year senior Case Cookus and the Lumberjacks?
#5 (#6) Montana @ #10 (#22) Sac State - The Hornets have looked tough the past two weeks (and really all season). The Grizzlies have the opportunity to go into the Hornets' nest and make their mark as the Big Sky's elite. This is also the late game on the FCS schedule this week.
The Citadel @ #7 (#8) Furman - The Bulldogs are looking for redemption after stumbling two of the last three weeks, while the Paladins look to continue their march through the SoCon to ensure they will not be a three-way conference co-champion this year.
South Dakota @ #11 (#9) Northern Iowa - The Coyotes lost to Houston Baptist three weeks ago, and their season was considered over by many. With a win over the Panthers, South Dakota has the potential to start 5-0 in the MVFC (looking ahead a bit) before playing three ranked teams to finish the conference season. While not yet critical for the Panthers, a loss could potentially lead to a 7-5 record (again, looking ahead a bit) and some questions come selection Sunday.
#8 (#11) Nicholls State @ NR (#28) Sam Houston State - How do the Bearkats factor into a GOTW coming off a 3 OT loss to Lamar. Well, they are 3-1 in the Southland and playing the Colonels (3-0 in the Southland), who likely need to win the Southland outright and convincingly to be considered as a playoff seed.
#15 (#13) North Carolina A&T @ #39 (NR) Florida A&M - Battle of undefeateds in the MEAC. Celebration bowl or bust? The Aggies also look to avenge their one-point loss to the Rattlers last season.
#20 (#34) New Hampshire @ #30 (#18) Delaware - If the Wildcats want a playoff spot, they will have to endure the CAA gauntlet. So far, so good, as New Hampshire has beaten two previously AGS-ranked CAA teams and are currently tied for 1st place in the conference. The next three weeks will be critical for them, starting with Delaware. Meanwhile, the Fightin' Blue Hens have been ranked all year by AGS, despite only three wins thus far against the bottom half of the MEAC, Ivy, and CAA. They look to rebound after last week's lopsided loss to ORV Elon.
#28 (#25) Southeast Missouri State @ #22 (#26) Jacksonville State - This is a game featuring two teams that were the preseason favorites for the OVC title. While only a game back, both have already taken losses to Austin Peay, and both need this game to remain in striking distance of the Governors (and UT-Martin).
Northern Arizona @ #4 Weber State - The Wildcats have looked strong defensively, but perhaps not so much offensively. How much offense will be necessary to dispatch 5th-year senior Case Cookus and the Lumberjacks?
#5 (#6) Montana @ #10 (#22) Sac State - The Hornets have looked tough the past two weeks (and really all season). The Grizzlies have the opportunity to go into the Hornets' nest and make their mark as the Big Sky's elite. This is also the late game on the FCS schedule this week.
The Citadel @ #7 (#8) Furman - The Bulldogs are looking for redemption after stumbling two of the last three weeks, while the Paladins look to continue their march through the SoCon to ensure they will not be a three-way conference co-champion this year.
South Dakota @ #11 (#9) Northern Iowa - The Coyotes lost to Houston Baptist three weeks ago, and their season was considered over by many. With a win over the Panthers, South Dakota has the potential to start 5-0 in the MVFC (looking ahead a bit) before playing three ranked teams to finish the conference season. While not yet critical for the Panthers, a loss could potentially lead to a 7-5 record (again, looking ahead a bit) and some questions come selection Sunday.
#8 (#11) Nicholls State @ NR (#28) Sam Houston State - How do the Bearkats factor into a GOTW coming off a 3 OT loss to Lamar. Well, they are 3-1 in the Southland and playing the Colonels (3-0 in the Southland), who likely need to win the Southland outright and convincingly to be considered as a playoff seed.
#15 (#13) North Carolina A&T @ #39 (NR) Florida A&M - Battle of undefeateds in the MEAC. Celebration bowl or bust? The Aggies also look to avenge their one-point loss to the Rattlers last season.
#20 (#34) New Hampshire @ #30 (#18) Delaware - If the Wildcats want a playoff spot, they will have to endure the CAA gauntlet. So far, so good, as New Hampshire has beaten two previously AGS-ranked CAA teams and are currently tied for 1st place in the conference. The next three weeks will be critical for them, starting with Delaware. Meanwhile, the Fightin' Blue Hens have been ranked all year by AGS, despite only three wins thus far against the bottom half of the MEAC, Ivy, and CAA. They look to rebound after last week's lopsided loss to ORV Elon.
#28 (#25) Southeast Missouri State @ #22 (#26) Jacksonville State - This is a game featuring two teams that were the preseason favorites for the OVC title. While only a game back, both have already taken losses to Austin Peay, and both need this game to remain in striking distance of the Governors (and UT-Martin).