Week 12 FCS Football Preview & Predictions
We predict the top FCS football games on the Week 12 slate right here. You can find more information on the biggest games each week on our FCS Preview Show.
2023 Predictions Record: 67-30
2022 Predictions Record: 115-35
Alabama State (6-3) @ Prairie View A&M (5-5)
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Prairie View A&M can clinch a spot in the SWAC Championship game with a win this weekend. The Panthers have the No. 3 rushing attack in the conference, led by a two-headed monster of Ahmad Antoine (475 Rushing Yards) and Caleb Johnson (316 Rushing Yards). Defense is the biggest question mark for the Panthers as Prairie View A&M ranks No. 11 for total defense in the SWAC.
Alabama State enters this game on a five-game winning streak after a 1-3 start to the season. Defensive is the identity of this team as the Hornets are holding opponents to only 288.3 yards per game. Linebacker Colton Adams leads the Hornets with 103 total tackles, while cornerback Mikey Victor leads the SWAC in pass breakups (13 PBUs). Wide receiver Kisean Johnson (737 Receiving Yards; 7 TDs) could have a big day against the Prairie View secondary that ranks second-to-last in the conference.
Prediction: Alabama State (23-13)
Charleston Southern (4-6) @ Gardner-Webb (6-4)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Charleston Southern has lost three of the past four games but has shown much improvement under head coach Gabe Giardina in his first season. The Buccaneers have started three different quarterbacks this season, but Isaiah Bess had a strong performance last weekend against Robert Morris. Linebacker Malik Barnes (64 Tackles; 8 TFLs) and defensive end Darrius Bell (7 TFLs; 4 Sacks) are two names to watch defensively this weekend.
Gardner-Webb is one of the hottest teams in the country, winning five of the last six games including a dominant 35-0 win over Tennessee Tech last week. Freshman quarterback Jaylen King (885 Passing Yards; 9 TDs) has been one of the biggest difference-makers for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The defense has excelled in creating negative plays, led by linebacker Ty Anderson (99 Total Tackles; 22 TFLs) and defensive lineman Ty French (15.5 TFLs; 4.5 Sacks).
Prediction: Gardner-Webb (34-20)
Monmouth (4-6) @ No. 12 UAlbany (8-3)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (FloSports)
Monmouth has lost four of their six games by eight points or less, including a seven-point loss to New Hampshire a week ago. Running back Jaden Shirden (1,429 Rushing Yards; 10 TDs) is putting together another All-American season. The passing game has started to find some rhythm behind quarterback Marquez McCray (2,497 Passing Yards; 21 TDs) and wide receiver Dymere Miller (1,241 Receiving Yards; 9 TDs).
UAlbany could clinch a share of the CAA championship for the first time since 2012 with a win this weekend. The defense continues to dominate behind an elite pass rush led by Anton Juncaj (16.5 TFLs; 12 Sacks) and AJ Simon (17 TFLs; 10.5 Sacks). Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger (2,613 Passing Yards; 27 TDs) has taken a huge step in his sophomore season but is surrounded by an elite wide receiving core with three players over 400 yards this season.
Prediction: UAlbany (37-21)
No. 8 Sacramento State (7-3) @ UC Davis (6-4)
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
UC Davis enters this matchup after winning back-to-back games but needs a win this weekend to have a shot at an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs. The return of running back Lan Larison (980 Rushing Yards; 10 TDs) has been a crucial piece to the success of this offense. The Aggies rank No. 3 in the Big Sky for rushing defense (117.1 YPG Allowed), holding the past two opponents under 90 yards rushing.
Sacramento State is 2-2 over the last four games and is still searching for a signature FCS win to add to their playoff resume. There is a question surrounding who will start at quarterback after Carson Conklin had a three-touchdown performance against Cal Poly last week. The Hornets lead the Big Sky in interceptions (13 INTs) as Sacramento State has four players with two or more interceptions this season.
Prediction: UC Davis (28-24)
No. 23 Harvard (8-1) @ Yale (6-3)
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. CT (ESPNU)
Yale can secure a share of the Ivy League title with a win this weekend after Harvard clinched a share last weekend. The Bulldogs are led by a dynamic rushing attack that ranks No. 2 in the conference. Quarterback Nolan Grooms leads the Yale rushing attack (576 Rushing Yards) and has been efficient through the air (1,773 Passing Yards) this season. Linebacker Joseph Vaughn (11.5 TFLs; 2 INTs) is having an outstanding season for the Bulldogs as he ranks No. 2 in the Ivy League for tackles for loss.
Harvard has won three consecutive games since a stunning loss to Princeton on Oct. 21. The Crimson offense ranks No. 1 in scoring offense and leads the conference in rushing offense. Running back Shane McLaughlin (780 Rushing Yards) leads the offense, but quarterback Jaden Craig (530 Passing Yards; 8 Total TDs) has been explosive in his first two career starts.
Prediction: Harvard (24-21)
No. 19 UT Martin (8-2) @ Samford (5-5)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Samford failed to live up to the preseason hype this season but could end the season with three wins in the final four games with a win this weekend. Quarterback Michael Hiers (2,851 Passing Yards; 17 TDs) has a dangerous connection with wide receiver Chandler Smith (794 Receiving Yards). The secondary has played well this season, holding opponents under 200 yards per game through the air. Linebacker Noah Martin (98 Tackles; 13 TFLs) is a player to watch against an explosive UT Martin rushing attack.
UT Martin clinched a share of the Big South-OVC title with a win over SEMO but needs another win to secure a spot in the FCS Playoffs. The Skyhawks have been dominant on the ground, averaging over 225 yards per game. Running back Sam Franklin (1,218 Rushing Yards; 10 TDs) is the leader of the offense, but quarterback Kinhead Dent (2,043 Passing Yards; 24 TDs) is having an outstanding season in his first season with the Skyhawks. Defensive lineman Daylan Dotson (17 TFLs; 16 QBHs) leads a UT Martin defense that is holding opponents to 84.0 rushing yards per game.
Prediction: UT Martin (37-31)
Central Arkansas (7-3) @ No. 15 Austin Peay (8-2)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Central Arkansas needs a win this weekend to earn the UAC's auto-bid and a share of the conference championship. Will McElvain (2,309 Passing Yards; 23 TDs) has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. Running back ShunDerrick Powell (1,001 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs) continues to shine this season, but has a dynamic duo behind him with Darius Hale and Kylin James. The Bears are stout against the run, led by defensive lineman David Walker (18 TFLs; 8.5 Sacks).
Austin Peay could potentially make an argument for a top-eight seed with a win this weekend. The Governors have won eight consecutive games since an 0-2 start to the season, which could be attributed to the elite play of quarterback Mike DiLiello (2,868 Passing Yards; 27 TDs). The defense is led by an outstanding linebacker core with Tyler Long (92 Tackles; 1 INT) and Sam Howard (80 Tackles; 10.5 TFLs) emerging as elite playmakers.
Prediction: Austin Peay (30-27)
No. 9 North Dakota State (7-3) @ No. 22 Northern Iowa (6-4)
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Northern Iowa faces a must-win situation after a shocking upset loss against Missouri State. The Panthers need a big game from quarterback Theo Day (2,535 Passing Yards; 14 TDs) and he must eliminate turnovers that have plagued this team all season. Cordarrius Bailey (9.5 TFLs; 6 Sacks) and Jahsiah Galvan (73 Tackles) lead a defense, allowing only 90.2 rushing yards per game this season.
North Dakota State added a signature win to their resume with an impressive performance against Southern Illinois. The Bison has the No. 1 rushing attack in the MVFC as quarterback Cam Miller (1,810 Passing Yards; 529 Rushing Yards) continues to be a dynamic weapon offensively. North Dakota State's secondary is holding opponents to under 170 passing yards per game and has forced 11 interceptions this season.
Theo Day has struggled with turnovers this season and faces one of the best secondaries in the MVFC this weekend. I expect the Bison to establish the rushing attack early and the defense will force some key turnovers to clinch the win on the road.
Prediction: North Dakota State (35-31)
No. 10 Villanova (8-2) @ No. 7 Delaware (8-2)
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (FloSports)
Villanova has dominated the Blue Hens in recent matchups, winning eight straight games at Delaware Stadium. The Wildcats have won five consecutive games since a loss to UAlbany, led by a dominant rushing attack that is averaging 222.7 yards per game. Wide receiver Rayjuon Pringle (891 Receiving Yards; 8 TDs) leads the FCS in yards per catch (27.8 YPC) and has been one of the most explosive playmakers in the country. Villanova ranks No. 7 in the nation for total defense (289.6 YPG Allowed) and is holding opponents to under five yards per play.
Delaware rebounded from a disappointing loss to Elon with a dominant 45-7 win over Campbell. The health of running back Marcus Yarns (749 Rushing Yards; 14 TDs) is the biggest question mark, but Kyron Cumby (394 Rushing Yards) will be a key player to watch if Yarns is limited once again. The secondary has forced 12 interceptions (No. 3 in CAA), led by Khalil Dawsey (3 INTs; 4 PBUs) and Ty Davis (2 INTs; 3 PBUs).
Prediction: Delaware (38-35)
No. 4 Montana State (8-2) @ No. 3 Montana (9-1)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Montana State enters this game with back-to-back wins after a loss to Idaho on Oct. 28. The Bobcats lead the country in yards per carry (7.44 YPC) and rank No. 2 in rushing offense (301.4 YPG) this season. Four players have rushed for over 400 yards this season, including quarterback Sean Chambers (655 Rushing Yards) and running back Julius Davis (611 Rushing Yards).
Montana has been one of the hottest teams in the country since a late September loss to Northern Arizona, winning six consecutive games. The emergence of quarterback Clifton McDowell (1,107 Passing Yards; 496 Rushing Yards) has sparked this offense as he is a true threat with his arm and with his legs. Montana's rushing defense ranks No. 4 in the FCS (84.8 YPG Allowed), holding every opponent this season under 150 rushing yards.
The momentum behind this Montana program continues to grow each week and the Grizzlies will be able to feed off the energy of a soldout Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Despite the dominance of Montana State's rushing attack, this Montana defense has made game-winning plays in crucial moments. Montana's offense has steadily improved and will be able to make enough plays to escape with a close win this weekend.
Prediction: Montana (23-20)
