Category: FCS

James Madison vs Robert Morris Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

James Madison Dukes vs Robert Morris Colonials prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison Dukes vs Robert Morris Colonials prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison vs Robert Morris Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 27
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, Harrisonburg, VA
Network: NBC Sports Washington, FloFootball

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

James Madison (1-0) vs Robert Morris (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Robert Morris Will Win

The Colonials should have a solid pass defense returning for a defense that will be among the best in the NEC even though it’s missing a few of the key parts form a few years ago. Aniello Buzzacco is an all-around playmaking linebacker leading a good group that should be able to hold up reasonably well.

The offense works around smallish quick back Alijah Jackson, who has the toughness to handle the ball 20 times a game in a variety of ways for a ground attack that might not dominate, but needs to at least be effective to keep the JMU offense off the field, but …

Why James Madison Will Win

The Dukes were in midseason form in the 52-0 light scrimmage against Morehead State.

The run defense didn’t allow a thing, the ground attack was dominant, and the passing game clicked without any problems. Cole Johnson hit 10-of-14 passes for 147 yards and a score, Percy Agyei-Obese ran for 116 yards and a score, and the rest of the offense came up with big play after big play.

This is a talented, veteran team with national championship potential, and …

What’s Going To Happen

The James Madison offensive line was great, the team was in total control, and it should be just that strong again. Robert Morris is hardly going to be a pushover, and this will be a far stronger game than the Morehead State domination, but it’ll be another big offensive performance.

James Madison vs Robert Morris Prediction, Line

James Madison 34, Robert Morris 13
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: James Madison -38.5, o/u: 54.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
1: Clarice

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Wofford vs Chattanooga Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Wofford Terriers vs Chattanooga Mocs prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Wofford Terriers vs Chattanooga Mocs prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Wofford vs Chattanooga Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 27
Game Time:12:00 ET
Venue: Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN
Network: ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Wofford (1-0) vs Chattanooga (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Wofford Will Win

Wofford had no problems in a 31-14 win over Mercer to kick things off.

The ground game didn’t dominate, but it averaged close to five yards per carry, came up with 201 yards, and got up fast and coasted from there. Jimmy Weirck threw for 173 yards and didn’t make any mistakes, the defense came up with three fumble recoveries, and it was a good first battle.

Chattanooga might have the talent and ability to keep up offensively, but the defensive front will have a problem with the Terrier ground attack and most importantly, it’s probably going to need a bit to get going against a team with a game under its belt.

Why Chattanooga Will Win

The Mocs have the star power to rise up as the game goes on. The offensive line is solid, Bryce Nunnelly is one of the best receivers in the SoCon, and RB Ailym Ford needs to come up with a big performance behind that good line.

Between Jordan Jones and Brandon Dowdell, Chattanooga has a good pair of defensive backs to work around, but it’ll be the other side of the ball that has to pull this off. Mercer was able to run well – even though it was down to Wofford 17-0 at the half – and the Mocs have to establish its O from the start.

What’s Going To Happen

Considering how good Furman is and should be, the loser of this has a whole lot of work to do in the SoCon race.

Wofford might have the right running attack and that one game of warm up, but Chattanooga has more top talent. It’s going to be a tight back-and-forth battle with the Mocs getting hot on two late drives – helped by two late stops – for the massive win.

Wofford vs Chattanooga Prediction, Line

Chattanooga 24, Wofford 20
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

5: Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
1: Clarice

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Southern vs Alabama State Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Southern Jaguars at Alabama State Hornets prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Southern Jaguars at Alabama State Hornets prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Southern vs Alabama State Broadcast

Date: Friday, February 26
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: ASU Stadium, Montgomery, AL
Network: ESPN3

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Southern (0-0) vs Alabama State (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Southern Will Win

Run the ball, stop the run. No one did that better in the SWAC two years ago than Southern, and that’s not going to stop.

There’s going to be a passing game, but against Alabama State the Jaguars are going to use QB Ladarius Skelton – the team’s leading rusher two years ago – to do a little bit of everything against a Hornet defense that’s going to be decent overall and good against the better passing teams, but should give up yards in chunks on the ground.

The Hornets shouldn’t quite have the firepower and pop to keep up if Southern gets up early, but …

Why Alabama State Will Win

There are enough parts to spread the attack around.

Ezra Gray is a good veteran back with good quickness and decent potential to be used more as a receiver, and the receiving corps is full of dangerous options with the combination of Michael Jefferson and Jahod Booker as dangerous as any in the SWAC.

Overall, if everything works like it’s supposed to, the Hornets are able to control the clock and the tempo with its style, and then hit a few home runs with the terrific wideouts.

What’s Going To Happen

Skelton – he’s the key.

Alabama State is still trying to get a few key pieces together, but Southern has a star in Skelton who’s built like a running back and the experience and accuracy to keep the offense moving.

It’ll be a fun, tight game with the Jaguars coming through with a good fourth quarter to pull out the road win.

Southern vs Alabama State Prediction, Line

Southern 30, Alabama State 27
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Southern -7.5, o/u: 51.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
1: Clarice

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FCS Spring Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Times, Lines, TV: Week 1

The Week 1 FCS spring college football predictions, scoreboard, TV schedules, game previews and game times.

The Week 1 FCS spring college football predictions, scoreboard, TV schedules, game previews and game times.

– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Photo Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Click on each link for the game preview and prediction.
All times Eastern.

Austin Peay at Tennessee Tech Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Austin Peay Governors vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Austin Peay Governors vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Austin Peay vs Tennessee Tech Broadcast

Date: Sunday, February 21
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Tucker Stadium, Cookeville, TN
Network: ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Austin Peay (0-0) vs Tennessee Tech (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Austin Peay Will Win

The Governors might not be quite as strong as they were in 2019, but they got a few games under their belt in 2020 – even though they were blasted – with a dangerous group of young players to get excited about.

The veteran receiving tandem of Baniko Hartley and DeAngelo Wilson will be OVC stars after becoming bright spots in an otherwise crushing three-game fall stretch. Tennessee Tech’s secondary struggled in 2019 and is still going to be a bit of a question mark.

Why Tennessee Tech Will Win

The Golden Eagles should start to put up a ton of points.

Nine starters are back to an offense that’s great at controlling the clock and efficient enough in the passing game to press a Governor secondary hit for 841 yards and five touchdowns in the three fall games.

Bailey Fisher is a baller of a quarterback who, along with veteran receiver Metrius Fleming, should lead a more consistent attack with the upside to be dangerous after the shaky 2019.

What’s Going To Happen

The Governors will once again take the Sergeant York Trophy.

The Tennessee Tech program and school are still getting past the tornado that ripped through almost a year ago, and while playing a football game doesn’t get past something like that – along with several other issues the team had to go through – it’s going to be a huge moment to get back on the field.

Fisher is good enough to get the offense going in what should be a fun up-and-down scoring, but the Golden Eagle defense won’t be able to slow down a balanced Austin Peay attack that will keep on coming.

Austin Peay vs Tennessee Tech Prediction, Line

Austin Peay 38, Tennessee Tech 30
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Austin Peay -6.5, o/u: 64.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: McNeese State vs Tarleton State 2 OT thriller to open the spring season
1: 2021 Saturday Night Live

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North Dakota State vs Youngstown State Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

North Dakota State Bison vs Youngstown State Penguins prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota State vs Youngstown State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota State vs Youngstown State Broadcast

Date: Sunday, February 21
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: City Bank Field at the Fargodome, Fargo, ND
Network: ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

North Dakota State (0-0) vs Youngstown State (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Youngstown State Will Win

The Doug Phillips era is getting started with no pressure whatsoever – at least in the opener agains the best team in the FCS.

This will be a true rebuilding year in several ways for the Penguins, but there’s just enough experience in key spots to work around. QB Joe Craycraft is a decent veteran, there’s experience at the other skill spots, and the secondary that was so strong two years ago isn’t going to get its doors blown off, but …

Why North Dakota State Will Win

The machine doesn’t stop.

Trey Lance might be off to the NFL, but former Iowa State transfer Zeb Noland is more than good enough – even if he isn’t Lance – to work within the offense and let all the talent on both sides of the ball take over.

The O line is going to once again be among the nation’s best at the FCS level,  WR Christian Watson will emerge as even more of a playmaker, and the secondary is going to be a rock.

Rely on the running game for an offense that gets back nine starters from the fall win over UCA, assume the defense quickly replaces some of the lost parts while working around the great secondary, and …

What’s Going To Happen

The defending national champs will make an early statement at home.

Youngstown State should be in for a decent spring session as the weeks go on, but it’s about to run into a buzzsaw – even if it takes a few moments to get going.

The Bison will struggle a bit in the first quarter, and then Noland will get hot, the defense will force two takeaways, and everything will open up just before halftime.

North Dakota State vs Youngstown State Prediction, Line

North Dakota State 45, Youngstown State 15
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: North Dakota State -23, o/u: 52

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: McNeese State vs Tarleton State 2 OT thriller to open the spring season
1: 2021 Saturday Night Live

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New Mexico State vs Tarleton State Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

New Mexico State Aggies vs Tarleton State Texans prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

New Mexico State Aggies vs Tarleton State Texans prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

New Mexico State vs Tarleton State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 20
Game Time: COMING
Venue: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
Network: COMING

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

New Mexico State (0-0) vs Tarleton State (0-1) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Tarleton State Will Win

How quickly can the Texans get back up off the mat after a brutal double-overtime loss to McNeese State to start the 2021 season?

They had it. Everything was working, they were up 14 late, and then came the total collapse. However, on the plus side, the passing game was good, the ground game was able to balance things out, and there was enough of an offense to make this a fight against a New Mexico State team that’s going to be …

Interesting. (More on that in a moment.)

Why New Mexico State Will Win

The Aggies are still the FBS team here, and Tarleton State is still just one game into its life in the FCS.

For all of NMSU’s problems and issues, it has a few decent parts starting with OT Sage Doxtater and what should be an improved line to provide a push for former Michigan RB O’Maury Samuels and JUCO transfer QB Jonah Johnson.

It might take a while for everyone to warm up, but as the McNeese State game showed, it takes a full 60 minutes and the Aggies have more talent. However …

What’s Going To Happen

Really, how is New Mexico State going to play this?

First, because it can’t play in the state of New Mexico this will be in El Paso. The second part of all this is the attitude towards this spring season. Head coach Doug Martin and the staff will use this like a punched-up version of spring football, and while that means keeping everyone healthy is the key, the program needs the work.

How long will the Aggie starters really go?

As long as they have to. It would be ugly if the FBSer loses this.

New Mexico State vs Tarleton State Prediction, Line

New Mexico State 48, Tarleton State 24
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 2

5: McNeese State vs Tarleton State 2 OT thriller to open the spring season
1: 2021 Saturday Night Live

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Northwestern State vs Lamar Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Northwestern State Demons vs Lamar Cardinals prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Northwestern State Demons vs Lamar Cardinals prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Northwestern State vs Lamar Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 20
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, TX
Network: ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Northwestern State (0-0) vs Lamar (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Northwestern State Will Win

The receivers are there to come up with a decent day.

For all the problems the Demons had in 2019, they were able to throw the ball as well as anyone in the FCS. It’s a redo with the top players done, but the shelves have been restocked at receiver against a Lamar secondary that’s going to be shaky right out of the box.

In this strange season, Northwestern State might have a slew of parts to be replaced, but it’s nothing compared to the Cardinals under new head coach Blaine Morgan.

Why Lamar Will Win

Can Lamar get the passing game going right away? QB-turned-WR Marcellus Johnson has the upside to be a big-time playmaker for – potentially – starting QB Austin Scott and what should be a stronger offense.

The pass rush that was so good at times throughout 2019 and so strong at getting into the backfield on a consistent basis has to be solid from the start – it should be.

This is a bit more of a tweaking job for Morgan than a total teardown, but …

What’s Going To Happen

The Demons will get a more consistent game from the offense to go along with a solid performance from the defensive front.

Lamar will get the offense going enough to keep this close into the fourth quarter, but Northwestern State’s O will have more of a passing attack  to go along with more plays in the backfield from other side.

Northwestern State vs Lamar Prediction, Line

Northwestern State 24, Lamar 20
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Northwestern State -1, o/u: 57.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: McNeese State vs Tarleton State 2 OT thriller to open the spring season
1: 2021 Saturday Night Live

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Western Carolina vs Furman Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Western Carolina Catamounts vs Furman Paladins prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Western Carolina Catamounts vs Furman Paladins prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Western Carolina vs Furman Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 20
Game Time: 2:00 ET
Venue: Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer OuWvDp8f]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Western Carolina (0-0) vs Furman (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Western Carolina Will Win

The Catamounts have a little recent experience. They were blasted in their three games this fall, but at least they were able to get on the field, go through all the practices, and not start from scratch.

The experience is also in place that was supposed to matter in the 2020 SoCon season, starting with quick RB Donnavan Spencer, pass rusher Jayden Pauling, and tackling machine LB Ty Harris.

The D should be fine – forget the problems against Liberty and North Carolina a few months ago – but …

Why Furman Will Win

The Western Carolina offense is questionable.

There’s a little bit of talent, but the depth isn’t there and there won’t be enough explosion to keep up.

Furman should be able to put up points in bunches with eight starters back from one of 2019’s best attacks. It’s got the ability to push the passing game deep and go along with a big-time running back in Devin Wynn to carry the O.

The Paladins don’t have to do anything drastic and take a slew of chances. As long as they can get an early lead they can turn it over to the secondary – the pass defense should be among the best in the SoCon.

What’s Going To Happen

Western Carolina will struggle to score. The defense will keep this from getting out of hand, but the offense will sputter and cough way too often.

Furman will get up in the first quarter and cruise from there.

Western Carolina vs Furman Prediction, Line

Furman 41, Western Carolina 17
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Furman -23.5, o/u: 55

Must See Rating: 2

5: McNeese State vs Tarleton State 2 OT thriller to open the spring season
1: 2021 Saturday Night Live

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College Basketball Predictions, Top 25 Game Previews, Lines, TV: Thursday

The college basketball biggest games, top 25 predictions, TV schedules, game previews, and game times for Thursday, February 18th

The college basketball biggest games, top 25 predictions, TV schedules, game previews, and game times for Thursday, February 18th

Results So Far: SU 86-27, ATS 59-53, o/u: 65-46-1

Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports