Week 10 FCS Football Preview & Predictions
We predict the top FCS football games on the Week 10 slate right here. You can find more information on the biggest games each week on our FCS Preview Show.
2023 Predictions Record: 53-25
2022 Predictions Record: 115-35
Drake (5-3) @ Marist (4-4)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Marist will look to bounce back from a tough loss to St. Thomas (MN) last weekend. Running back Amin Woods (575 Rushing Yards; 3 TDs) has been a bright spot for the offense, while wide receiver Matt Stianche (503 Receiving Yards; 4 TDs) has shown flashes of brilliance this season. Cornerback Isaiah Smith (2 INTs; 3 PBUs) leads a secondary allowing 194.1 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 3 in the conference.
Drake has rolled through conference play, winning five consecutive games since the end of September. Quarterback Luke Bailey leads the conference in passing yards (1,968) and passing touchdowns (14). Running back Dorian Boyland (476 Rushing Yards) has started to find his rhythm after a three-touchdown performance last weekend against Stetson. Defensive end Finn Claypool (7.5 TFLs; 6 Sacks) is a player to watch against a Marist offensive line that has allowed 18 sacks this season.
Prediction: Drake (30-14)
Southern (5-3) @ Alcorn State (5-3)
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Alcorn State enters this game on a four-game winning streak, including back-to-back wins by 21 or more points. Quarterback Aaron Allen (1,518 Passing Yards; 9 TDs) has taken full control of the offense, while wide receivers Monterio Hunt (448 Receiving Yards) and Malik Rogers (358 Receiving Yards) have emerged as his top targets. The secondary ranks No. 2 in the conference in passing defense (181.4 YPG Allowed) and has forced 11 interceptions this season.
Southern has won three consecutive games since a loss to Florida A&M at the beginning of October. Running back Kendric Rhymes (463 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) has emerged as the leader of the offense, but keep an eye on Gary Quarles (389 Rushing Yards) this weekend. The Jaguars have struggled to move the ball through the air, including last week's 58-yard performance against Texas Southern. Defensive linemen Ckelby Givens (13 TFLs; 6 Sacks) and Tahj Brown (10.5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) are two players to watch for the Jaguars.
Prediction: Alcorn State (27-16)
Elon (4-4) @ No. 5 Delaware (7-1)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Elon needs a win to stay in the race for the CAA title and escaped with a 28-26 win over Monmouth to stay alive last weekend. The rushing attack had a dominant start to the season but has failed to surpass 100 yards in three consecutive games. Quarterback Matthew Downing (1,021 Passing Yards; 10 TDs) will need a big game against the No. 3 passing defense in the country. Elon has struggled to stop the run, allowing 188.6 yards per game, but needs a strong performance from Marvin Pearson (7 TFLs; 4.5 Sacks) and Jesse Powell II (5 TFLs) this weekend.
Delaware currently leads the CAA with a 5-0 conference record and controls its own destiny over the next three weeks. Running back Marcus Yarns (700 Rushing Yards; 16 Total TDs) has inserted himself into the Walter Payton discussion with a magnificent season. The defense has held six of seven FCS opponents under 20 points this season and ranks No. 3 in the conference in scoring defense (19.3 PPG Allowed). Jackson Taylor leads the Blue Hens with 68 total tackles and eight tackles for loss this season.
Prediction: Delaware (37-17)
No. 19 Austin Peay (6-2) @ Eastern Kentucky (4-4)
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Eastern Kentucky needs a win to stay in contention for the UAC title, which will send the Colonels back to the FCS Playoffs. The rushing attack has been explosive this season, averaging over 5.5 yards per carry. Running backs Joshua Carter (605 Rushing Yards) and Braedon Sloan (525 Rushing Yards) offer a dynamic one-two punch for this offense. The defense has been the issue for this team, allowing 499.6 yards per game and over 300 yards per game through the air.
Austin Peay enters this weekend on a six-game winning streak after an 0-2 start to the season. Quarterback Mike DiLiello (2,279 Passing Yards; 21 TDs) leads the conference in passing yards and touchdowns. Wide receivers Trey Goodman (607 Receiving Yards) and Tre Shackelford (568 Receiving Yards) will be x-factors against the Eastern Kentucky secondary. Linebackers Tyler Long (76 Total Tackles) and Sam Howard (68 tackles; 9.5 TFLs) have led the Austin Peay defense this season.
Prediction: Austin Peay (42-34)
Nicholls State (3-4) @ No. 8 Incarnate Word (7-1)
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Nicholls State will control its own destiny in the Southland with a win this weekend. Quarterback Pat McQuaide (1,555 Passing Yards; 7 TDs) has struggled at times but passed for a career-high 345 yards last weekend. The defense has forced 10 or more tackles for loss in three consecutive games, led by Hayden Shaheen (5 TFLs) and Jacob Parker (6 TFLs). Tyler Morton (3 INTs) leads a secondary that has forced 12 interceptions and allowed only 11 passing touchdowns.
Incarnate Word can clinch the fourth Southland championship in school history with a win this weekend. Quarterback Zach Calzada (1,797 Passing Yards; 11 TDs) could return from injury this weekend, but freshman Richard Torres has done an excellent job over the past two weeks. Wide receiver Brandon Porter (831 Receiving Yards; 6 TDs) has continued to shine for the offense. The Cardinals have continued to dominate defensively, allowing 278.4 yards and 15.7 points per game.
Prediction: Incarnate Word (35-21)
No. 24 William & Mary (5-3) @ No. 23 UAlbany (6-3)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (FloSports)
William & Mary ended a three-game losing skid last weekend against Monmouth as the offense finally found some consistency. Running back Malachi Imoh (714 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs) has stepped into the RB1 role after Bronson Yoder's injury and has surpassed the 100-yard mark against the last five FCS opponents. The defense has suffocated opponents, allowing only 282.1 yards per game which ranks No. 8 in the FCS. Nate Lynn (11 TFLs; 8 Sacks) and John Pius (12 TFLs; 7.5 Sacks) could take advantage of Albany's offensive line, which has allowed 27 sacks this season.
UAlbany enters this game after winning five of their last six games, including back-to-back wins over Rhode Island and Maine. Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger (2,161 Passing Yards; 22 TDs) has been excellent but faces the toughest defensive test of his season. The Great Danes also have a dynamic pass-rushing duo with Anton Juncaj (14 TFLs; 10 Sacks) and AJ Simon (14.5 TFLs; 8 Sacks).
Prediction: UAlbany (24-21)
No. 9 South Dakota (6-2) @ No. 10 Southern Illinois (6-2)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Southern Illinois rebounded from a loss to South Dakota State with a 63-0 rout of Western Illinois last weekend. Running back Lashaun Lester and Justin Strong have done an excellent job of replacing Ro Elliott, but Elliott's return could spark this offensive attack. Wide receivers Izaiah Hartrup (448 Receiving Yards) and Vinson Davis III (435 Receiving Yards) could challenge a South Dakota secondary only allowing 183.7 passing yards per game. The Salukis have excelled in creating negative plays with 63 tackles for loss and 27 sacks, led by PJ Jules (10 TFLs) and Zach Burrola (7 TFLs; 3 Sacks).
South Dakota enters this game 6-1 against FCS competition but will need to rebound after a disappointing loss to South Dakota State. The rushing attack is the key for this offensive attack, led by Travis Theis (597 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs). The Coyotes are 6-0 when rushing for 100 or more yards this season. South Dakota ranks No. 9 in the FCS in scoring defense (17.3 PPG Allowed) and No. 24 in passing defense (183.3 YPG Allowed).
Prediction: Southern Illinois (34-27)
No. 2 Furman (7-1) @ No. 14 Chattanooga (7-2)
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Chattanooga enters this game on a three-game win streak, including an impressive win over Mercer. The Mocs rely on a dynamic rushing attack, led by Ailym Ford (485 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) and Gino Appleberry (479 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs). Quarterback Chase Artopoeus (2,383 Passing Yards; 18 TDs) has had an excellent season and will need to limit turnovers against a talented Furman secondary. Jay Person (13 TFLs; 5.5 Sacks) and Ben Brewton (9 TFLs; 7 Sacks) are two players who can create havoc defensively for the Mocs.
Furman has won 12 consecutive conference games and is looking to clinch the 15th SoCon championship in school history this weekend. The Paladins are holding opponents to only 100.8 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Tyler Huff (1,452 Passing Yards; 487 Rushing Yards) brings a dynamic dual-threat attack while running back Dominic Roberto (613 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) is a force coming downhill for this rushing offense.
The winner of this game will secure the auto-bid for the FCS Playoffs. Furman's offensive attack creates mismatches due to the size and physicality of the offensive line, which should give the Paladins an advantage this weekend in a low-scoring battle.
Prediction: Furman (24-17)
No. 11 North Dakota State (6-2) @ No. 1 South Dakota State (8-0)
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
North Dakota State has won back-to-back games since a disappointing loss to North Dakota on Oct. 14. Cam Miller (1,411 Passing Yards; 19 Total TDs) has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, which has helped the Bison open up the offense. Wide receiver Zach Mathis (507 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) is emerging as a true threat on the outside for the Bison. The rushing defense has had moments of dominance but has struggled against elite rushing attacks, including 200+ yards allowed against North Dakota.
South Dakota State enters this game on a 22-game winning streak, which is the sixth-longest in FCS history. The Jackrabbits have continued to dominate on the ground, led by Isaiah Davis (754 Rushing Yards) and Amar Johnson (510 Rushing Yards). The defense ranks No. 1 in the country in total defense (257 YPG Allowed) and scoring defense (11.4 PPG Allowed). South Dakota State failed to record a sack in the first three games of the season but has found a pass rush with 10 sacks over the past four games, led by Cade Terveer (5 Sacks).
The Jackrabbits have won four consecutive games in this rivalry, including the 2023 FCS National Championship win over the Bison. North Dakota State has struggled to win the line of scrimmage against elite competition, which gives a major advantage to the Jackrabbits. South Dakota State's offensive balance will give the Bison problems and I expect the Jackrabbits to continue to roll this weekend.
Prediction: South Dakota State (35-23)
No. 7 Sacramento State (6-2) @ No. 4 Montana (7-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State continues to be one of the top teams in the country under new head coach Andy Thompson. Quarterback Kaiden Bennett (1,667 Passing Yards; 16 Total TDs) is the key to this offense with his dual-threat ability. The Hornets need a big game from the rushing attack, which has found its rhythm with 200+ yards in back-to-back games. Defensively, the Hornets will need to force the Montana offense to throw the football against a stingy secondary. Cameron Broussard (2 INTs; 5 PBUs) and Dillon Juniel (1 INT; 10 PBUs) are two players to watch this weekend.
Montana has won four consecutive games since an early season loss to Northern Arizona on Sept. 23. The biggest question mark will be the quarterback rotation as head coach Bobby Hauck hinted at a two-quarterback system this weekend featuring Clifton McDowell and Keali'i Ah Yat. Running back Eli Gillman (614 Rushing Yards; 8 TDs) has been a breakout star for the offense. The defense has been dominant against the run this season, allowing only 75.8 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry. The Grizzlies have held the past four opponents to under 80 yards on the ground.
The Hornets have done an excellent job rushing the ball, while Bennett could challenge the Grizzlies with his dual-threat ability. Montana has continued to improve and home-field advantage will play a massive factor this weekend. I expect the Montana defense to make a play in a crucial moment to secure a massive ranked victory.
Prediction: Montana (23-20)
