Week 8 FCS Football Preview & Predictions
We predict the top FCS football games on the Week 8 slate right here. You can find more information on the biggest games each week on our FCS Preview Show.
2023 Predictions Record: 41-18
2022 Predictions Record: 115-35
No. 5 Incarnate Word (5-1) @ McNeese State (0-6)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
McNeese State has struggled in Gary Goff's second season as head coach. The Cowboys have failed to establish any offensive consistency. The offense is only averaging 287.7 yards and 15.3 points per game. Running back D'Angelo Durham (370 Rushing Yards) is one the most consistent weapons for the Cowboys, but the quarterback play will be something to watch this weekend. Linebacker Micah Davey (82 Tackles) leads the defense and will be a player to watch this weekend.
Incarnate Word may be known for explosive offenses, but defense has become the identity of this team. The Cardinals are holding opponents to 274.2 yards per game and 4.2 yards per play. Defensive end Steven Parker (14 TFLs; 6.5 Sacks) is having an All-American season. Wide receivers Brandon Porter (639 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) and Caleb Chapman (311 Receiving Yards) are matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
Prediction: Incarnate Word (48-10)
No. 19 Florida A&M (5-1) @ Texas Southern (2-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Texas Southern lost starting quarterback Andrew Body for the season but has started to build some momentum with back-to-back wins. Quarterback Jace Wilson (697 Passing Yards; 4 TDs) continues to find his rhythm, but running back LaDarius Owens (567 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) is the star of the offense. Linebacker Jacob Williams (54 Tackles; 12.5 TFLs) has been spectacular this season. The defense will need to take a massive step forward this weekend after allowing 40 points per game over the first six games.
Florida A&M will need to win two of the final four conference games to clinch the SWAC East title. The Rattlers have continued to dominate defensively, allowing only 274.2 yards per game. Linebacker Isaiah Major (51 Tackles; 7.5 TFLs) and defensive end Anthony Dunn Jr. (9.5 TFLs; 6.5 Sacks) are players to watch in this matchup. The Rattlers have shown flashes offensively, but have yet to play a complete game this season. This will be an opportunity for the dynamic rushing duo of Terrell Jennings and Jaquez Yant to shine against a defense allowing almost 200 yards rushing per game.
Prediction: Florida A&M (38-14)
No. 17 UT Martin (5-1) @ Charleston Southern (3-3)
Kickoff: 2 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Charleston Southern enters this game with back-to-back wins, including a conference win over Lindenwood last weekend. Freshman Zolten Osborne (443 Passing Yards) has stabilized the quarterback position for the Buccaneers. After giving up 77 points to Western Carolina, the defense held Kennesaw State and Lindenwood to a combined 20 points. Linebacker Malik Barnes (37 Tackles; 6.5 TFLs) and defensive lineman Darrius Bell (5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) have been the leaders of the defense this season.
UT Martin is undefeated against FCS opponents, including an impressive win over Eastern Illinois two weeks ago. The Skyhawks have been dominant on the ground, averaging 255.2 rushing yards per game and six yards per carry. Running back Sam Franklin (839 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) has surpassed the 100-yard mark in four games this season. Defensive lineman Daylan Dotson (10.5 TFLs; 11 QB Hurries) leads a UT Martin defense that is allowing only 90.2 rushing yards per game.
Prediction: UT Martin (34-20)
No. 18 Harvard (5-0) @ Princeton (2-3)
Kickoff: 12 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Princeton will look to rebound after back-to-back losses by a combined four points, including a one-point loss to Brown last weekend. Despite the offensive struggle, the defense has kept this team in almost every game this season. The Tigers are holding opponents to only 265 yards per game and 3.9 yards per play. Running back John Volker (311 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) has led the Princeton offense, but quarterback Blake Stenstrom (5 TDs; 4 INTs) will have to be more consistent against a talented Harvard defense.
Harvard has continued to be dominant after winning the last three games by an average of 23 points per game. Quarterback Charles DePrima (783 Passing Yards; 16 Total TDs) is a budding star in the FCS after a strong start to the season. The rushing attack has been impressive, averaging 261.8 yards per game and almost seven yards per carry. The defensive line will be the x-factor in this game, led by Thor Griffith (19 Tackles) and Tyler Huenemann (2.5 TFLs; 2 Sacks).
Prediction: Harvard (27-13)
Lafayette (5-1) @ No. 15 Holy Cross (4-2)
Kickoff: 12 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Lafayette has been one of the surprise teams of the season as the Leopards are undefeated against FCS competition. The Leopards lead the country in sacks (27) as the defense has recorded seven sacks in three consecutive games. Linebackers Billy Shaeffer (10 TFLs; 5.5 Sacks) and Tim O'Hearn (6 TFLs; 4 Sacks) are two players to watch this weekend. Running back Jamar Curtis (698 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) leads a rushing attack averaging over 200 yards per game.
Holy Cross bounced back from a disappointing loss to Harvard with a dominant win over Bucknell. Quarterback Matthew Sluka (1,364 Passing Yards; 20 Total TDs) is the unquestioned leader of the offense, but running back Jordan Fuller (587 Rushing Yards; 13 TDs) is having a spectacular season. The defense has struggled against the run, allowing 187.0 yards per game, which will be a key this weekend. Linebacker Jacob Dobbs (87 Tackles; 8 TFLs) has emerged as a favorite for the Buck Buchanan Award.
Prediction: Holy Cross (34-31)
No. 7 Delaware (5-1) @ Hampton (3-3)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. CT (FloSports)
Hampton will face a must-win scenario this weekend after back-to-back conference losses, including a 61-10 loss to Monmouth last week. The rushing attack is the identity of the offense behind running back Elijah Burris (567 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs). Linebacker Qwahsin Townsel (62 Tackles; 3 TFLs) and defensive back Stanley Garner (2 INTs; 4 PBUs) have been the leaders defensively for the Pirates.
Delaware enters this weekend as the only CAA team unbeaten in conference play. The Blue Hens have been balanced offensively, but running back Marcus Yarns (605 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) could be primed for a big game this weekend. Quarterback Ryan O'Connor (1,299 Passing Yards; 12 TDs) had an inconsistent start to the season but has found his rhythm in the offense over the past few weeks. The secondary has been impressive this season, forcing nine interceptions and allowing only 187.8 yards per game.
Prediction: Delaware (34-13)
No. 1 South Dakota State (6-0) @ No. 12 Southern Illinois (5-1)
Kickoff: 2 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Southern Illinois rebounded from a disappointing loss to Youngstown State with a dominant win over Murray State. The Salukis have plenty of weapons on the outside, led by wide receivers Izaiah Hartrup (340 Receiving Yards) and Vinson Davis III (329 Receiving Yards). The rushing defense has been dominant this season, allowing only 69 yards per game and 2.2 yards per carry, which both rank No. 1 in the country.
South Dakota State continues to dominate opponents, winning by an average of 30 points per game this season. Mark Gronowski (1,160 Passing Yards; 15 TDs) is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country and could be the X-factor this weekend. The Jackrabbits rank No. 2 in Total Defense, allowing only 260.8 yards per game and 13 points per game.
Southern Illinois has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but the physicality of the South Dakota State defense could give the Salukis issues. The Jackrabbits are too deep on both lines of scrimmage and the defense will be able to replicate a similar gameplan as Youngstown State when the Penguins held the Salukis to only 100 total yards.
Prediction: South Dakota State (34-21)
No. 4 Furman (5-1) @ No. 8 Western Carolina (5-1)
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Western Carolina has become the Cinderella story of the 2023 season as the Catamounts have soared to a Top-10 ranking after five consecutive wins. Running back Desmond Reid (847 Rushing Yards; 12 TDs) is putting together an All-American season. Quarterback Cole Gonzales (1,532 Passing Yards; 14 TDs) has taken a massive step forward as a sophomore and is building chemistry with an electric receiving core, led by Censere Lee (421 Receiving Yards; 6 TDs).
Furman entered the season as preseason favorites in the SoCon and has lived up to the hype over the first six games. Running back Dominic Roberto (394 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs) and quarterback Tyler Huff (1,057 Passing Yards; 10 Total TDs) are the leaders of the offense, which needs a massive game against the Catamounts. The defense has done an excellent job against the run, allowing only 3.1 yards per carry, but the key will be the secondary forcing turnovers this weekend (7 INTs).
This is one of the biggest games of the 2023 FCS season and could determine which SoCon team earns a Top-8 seed in the FCS playoffs. The Catamounts offense has been one of the most explosive in the country, while the Furman offense has struggled to create explosive plays. I expect Gonzales and an underrated Western Carolina offensive line to find a way to knock off the Paladins this weekend.
Prediction: Western Carolina (41-38)
No. 2 Montana State (5-1) @ No. 3 Sacramento State (5-1)
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m CT (ESPN2)
Sacramento State has continued to find ways to win games despite some experts wanting the Hornets to be more dominant. Quarterback Kaiden Bennett (1,350 Passing Yards; 14 Total TDs) has done an excellent job leading the offense and being a dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands. The Hornets have done an excellent job generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks as Sacramento State ranks Top-15 in sacks this season. Defensive linemen Jett Stanley (4.5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) and DeShawn Lynch (4.5 TFLs; 4.5 Sacks) are two key players to watch against the Bobcats.
Montana State has continued to look dominant after an early season loss to No. 1 South Dakota State. The Bobcats still have an elite rushing attack, averaging 325.2 yards per game and 7.9 yards per carry. Freshman running back Jared White (444 Rushing Yards; 3 TDs) has emerged as the leader of a talented running back room. Defensively the Bobcats have been underrated, holding opponents to less than 300 yards per game and not allowing more than 22 points in any game this season.
These teams are a combined 18-1 in conference games since 2019 and have not played since 2019. Montana State expects quarterback Tommy Mellott to return, which just adds another dangerous weapon for the Hornets must account for on Saturday. I expect the Bobcats to keep rolling despite some early pressure from the Hornets.
Prediction: Montana State (34-24)
