Week 5 FCS Football Preview & Predictions

We predict the top FCS football games on the Week 5 slate right here. You can find more information on the biggest games each week on our FCS Preview Show.

2023 Predictions Record: 27-10

2022 Predictions Record: 115-35

Grambling State (2-2) vs. Prairie View A&M (2-2)

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m ET (ESPN+)

Grambling State and Prairie View A&M enter the game as two of the hottest teams in the SWAC West. The Tigers have been explosive offensively behind quarterback Myles Crawley (865 Passing Yards; 8 TDs) as the Tigers are averaging almost 400 yards per game. The dynamic duo of Chance Williams (361 Rushing Yards) and Floyd Chalk IV (199 Rushing Yards) will face a tough challenge against a Prairie View A&M defense that has only allowed three rushing touchdowns. The Grambling State front seven has struggled this season, allowing over 230 yards rushing per game. The defense will need to have one of the best performances of the season, led by Sundiata Anderson (14 Tackles; 0.5 Sacks) and Lewis Matthews (35 Tackles; 1 INT).

The Panthers will aim to take advantage of the Grambling defense with a strong rushing attack led by Caleb Johnson (227 Rushing Yards) and Ahmad Antoine (294 Rushing Yards). Quarterback Trazon Connley (708 Passing Yards; 5 Total TDs) will be the x-factor for the Panthers as he can generate offense with his arm and legs. The question mark will be the Prairie View A&M secondary, which has allowed 323.4 yards per game through the air. Freddie Byrd III (1 INT; 4 PBUs) and DeJuan Lewis (16 Tackles; 1 FF) are players to watch in this matchup.

Will the Grambling State run defense or the Prairie View A&M secondary step up this weekend? That will determine this game and Myles Crawley is primed to have his breakout performance in Dallas, TX this weekend. 

Prediction: Grambling State (37-30)

Harvard (2-0) @ No. 6 Holy Cross (3-1)

Kickoff: 5:00 p.m ET (ESPN+)

Harvard has opened the season with back-t0-back wins but will face the toughest test of the season this weekend. Running back Shane McLaughlin (248 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs) has exploded onto the scene with an impressive start to the season. Charles DePrima (295 Passing Yards; 211 Rushing Yards) is a dangerous dual-threat weapon for this offense and will need to have his best performance of the season. The Crimson defense has been stout against the run, allowing only 88.5 yards per game and 2.3 yards per carry.

Holy Cross enters the game undefeated against FCS competition, winning those games by an average of 29 points per game. The Crusaders have been dominant running the ball this season, averaging 260.8 yards per game and 14 touchdowns. Quarterback Matthew Sluka (781 Passing Yards; 365 Rushing Yards) is putting together an early Walter Payton campaign, while Jordan Fuller (404 Rushing Yards; 9 TDs) has shined in his role as RB1 for the Crusaders. Linebacker Jacob Dobbs (63 Tackles; 4.5 TFLs) is a key player to watch in this matchup against the Harvard rushing attack.

Holy Cross has looked like a complete team this season, including an impressive win over Yale two weeks ago. Matthew Sluka will be too much for the Harvard defense in this matchup, while the Holy Cross defense seems to find another gear in the second half of games this season. 

Prediction: Holy Cross (41-24)

No. 25 Central Arkansas (2-2) @ Southern Utah (1-3)

Kickoff: 8:00 p.m ET (ESPN+)

Southern Utah picked up the first win of the season over Western Illinois last weekend. Zach Mitchell (357 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) and Isaiah Wooden (321 Receiving Yards; 4 TDs) combine to form one of the most explosive wide receiver duos in the FCS. Quarterback Justin Miller (924 Passing Yards; 7 TDs) has shown flashes but will need to protect the football against the Bears. The run defense will be the key against one of the best rushing attacks in the country, but the Thunderbirds have only allowed 66.8 yards per game and 2.4 yards per carry against multiple formidable opponents.

Central Arkansas dominated Abilene Christian, 52-17, in the conference opener last weekend. The Bears are led by running back ShunDerrick Powell (613 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) who has made an early case for the Walter Payton Award. Quarterback Will McElvain (742 Passing Yards; 7 TDs) has taken a massive step forward for the Bears this season. Defensive lineman David Walker (5 TFLs; 3 Sacks) will need to generate pressure against a Southern Utah offensive line that has only allowed one sack this season.

The Thunderbirds have enough firepower to make this game competitive on Saturday night, but the rushing attack for the Bears will be too much down the stretch.

Prediction: Central Arkansas (38-28)

No. 5 William & Mary (4-0) @ Elon (2-2)

Kickoff: 2:00 p.m ET (FloSports)

Elon rebounded from a 0-2 start with back-to-back conference wins over North Carolina A&T and Campbell. Running back Jalen Hampton (488 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) has been the key piece offensively for Elon as quarterback Matthew Downing (389 Passing Yards; 4 TDs) tries to find his rhythm as QB1. The defense faces their toughest test of the season against the Tribe rushing attack, but the Phoenix enter this game allowing only 88.8 yards per game on the ground. Marvin Pearson (6 TFLs; 3.5 Sacks) and Cazeem Moore (3 TFLs; 2 Sacks) have been impressive on the defensive line.

William & Mary has utilized a dominant defense to reach 4-0, including two conference wins this season. The Tribe is only allowing 10 points and 170.6 yards per game, including only allowing four total touchdowns on the year. The defense is led by John Pius (7 TFLs; 3 Sacks) and Nate Lynn (8 TFLs; 6 Sacks), who combine to form one of the most dynamic pass-rushing duos in the country. The Tribe will be without running back Bronson Yoder this weekend but expect Malachi Imoh (343 Rushing Yards; 1 TD) to keep things churning for the William & Mary offense.

The absence of Yoder will hurt the Tribe offense, but I expect the defense to be dominant against a one-dimensional Elon offense. The quarterback battle between Downing and Darius Wilson will be interesting, but Wilson should have the advantage due to his experience. 

Prediction: William & Mary (21-10)

South Dakota (2-1) @ No. 2 North Dakota State (3-0)

Kickoff: 2:00 p.m ET (ESPN+)

South Dakota enters this matchup after back-to-back wins over St. Thomas and Lamar. The Coyotes are led by the two-headed rushing attack of Nate Thomas (206 Rushing Yards; 3 TDs) and Travis Theis (201 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs). Quarterback Aidan Bouman (447 Passing Yards; 4 TDs) will need to generate explosive plays down the field against a talented Bison secondary. Brendan Webb (4.5 TFLs; 4.5 Sacks) and Nick Gaes (6 TFLs; 4 Sacks) are key players to watch as the Coyotes aim to slow down the North Dakota State rushing attack.

North Dakota State has been dominant in all three wins this season, beating opponents by 26 points per game. Quarterback Cam Miller (526 Passing Yards; 9 Total TDs) has continued to develop as a passer and has completed over 80% of his passes this season. The Bison rushing attack is averaging 278 yards per game and 6.6 yards per carry, led by quarterback Cole Payton (223 rushing yards; 4 TDs) and running back TaMerik Williams (191 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs). The secondary has forced five interceptions and held opponents to only 198 passing yards per game.

The Bison have looked like a team on a mission over the first three games and the Coyotes have struggled to generate any explosiveness on offense. I expect the Bison to continue to roll against South Dakota in the Fargodome this weekend. 

Prediction: North Dakota State (34-14)

No. 4 Idaho (3-1) @ No. 19 Eastern Washington (2-2)

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m ET (ESPN+)

Eastern Washington has won back-to-back games against ranked opponents, including a 27-24 win over UC Davis. Quarterback Kekoa Visperas (1,057 Passing Yards; 5 TDs) will face his biggest test of the season but is surrounded by a talented wide receiver core, led by Efton Chism III (294 Receiving Yards; 2 TDs). The defense has struggled against the run this season, allowing over 223 yards per game. Linebacker Ben Allen (32 Tackles; 4.5 TFLs) and Marlon Jones Jr. (11 Tackles; 2 INTs) are two players to watch in this matchup.

Idaho enters this game after an impressive 36-29 win over Sacramento State last weekend. Quarterback Gevani McCoy (980 Passing Yards; 6 TDs) continues to shine for the Vandals as wide receiver Hayden Hatten (27 Receptions; 210 Receiving Yards) is putting together another All-American campaign. The defense has been the most surprising part of this team, as the Vandals are only allowing 282.8 yards per game and less than 5.0 yards per play. Defensive backs Tommy McCormick (22 Tackles; 2 PBUs) and Marcus Harris (1 INT; 3 PBUs) lead the Idaho secondary.

The Vandals could have the best resume through Week 5 with an impressive win this weekend but have not won in Cheney since returning to the FCS. Despite the strong start to the season for the Eagles, the Vandals are too balanced offensively and will find a way to win a tough road game this weekend. 

Prediction: Idaho (31-20)

No. 12 North Dakota (2-1) @ No. 1 South Dakota State (3-0)

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m ET (ESPN+)

North Dakota has picked up two FCS wins to start the season, including a win over Northern Arizona in Week 2. Quarterback Tommy Schuster (663 Passing Yards; 5 TDs) has been efficient this season but will need to generate explosive plays downfield against the South Dakota State defense. Wide receivers Bo Belquist (296 Receiving Yards; 2 TDs) and Wesley Eliodor (2 Receiving TDs) will challenge the secondary for the Jackrabbits. The defensive front has been excellent in generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks with 27 hurries in only three games.

South Dakota State has not missed a beat in the quest to repeat as FCS national champions. The four different running backs for Jackrabbits have rushed for over 100 yards this season, while quarterback Mark Gronowski has contributed three rushing touchdowns. Gronowski (531 Passing Yards; 11 Total TDs) continues to be the x-factor for this offense with his ability to consistently make the right plays. The defense has suffocating opposing offenses, allowing only 258 yards per game. The only question defensively for this team is the lack of a true pass rusher, which has contributed to the Jackrabbits not recording a sack in the first three games.

Schuster will need to take advantage of the lack of pass rusher from the Jackrabbits, but the defense will have to find a way to slow down one of the most efficient offenses in the country. Gronowski does not make mistakes in key moments and the depth at the running back position will be too much for North Dakota in front of a sold-out crowd in Brookings. 

Prediction: South Dakota State (42-24)