Tag: FCS spring football

Incarnate Word vs Lamar Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Incarnate Word Cardinals vs Lamar Cardinals prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Incarnate Word Cardinals vs Lamar Cardinals prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Incarnate Word vs Lamar Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, TX
Network: ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Incarnate Word (1-0) vs Lamar (0-1) Game Preview

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

Why Incarnate Word Will Win

Lamar is going to need a little while.

The program might be rebuilding, and it might have a slew of good young parts to work around and get exciting about, and …

Nicholls 55-0. That was last week for LU.

The Colonels held Lamar to just 91 yards of total offense and rolled at will on the ground with close to 400 rushing yards.

Incarnate Word was brilliant in the 48-20 win over McNeese, rolling from the start on the way to a 31-3 halftime lead. The ground game averaged eight yards per pop, Cameron Ward threw for over 300 yards and four scores, and it should be able to keep it all going.

Why Lamar Will Win

Again, this is a very young team that’s going to try working its way up as a program. So where’s the hope in this?

Incarnate Word struggled on third downs against McNeese and got hit for a slew of big pass plays. No, Lamar couldn’t get the offense moving against Nicholls, but the combination of Jalen Dummett and Austin Scott hit 11-of-14 passes and …

What’s Going To Happen

Uh oh.

To keep being kind, Lamar is a work in progress. It’ll play better than it did against Nicholls, but it’s not going to do much against the Incarnate Word balance, especially a running game that will rip off big run after big run.

Incarnate Word vs Lamar Prediction, Line

Incarnate Word 40, Lamar 16
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Incarnate Word -15.5, o/u: 54

Must See Rating: 1.5

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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Northern Arizona at Eastern Washington Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs Eastern Washington Eagles prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs Eastern Washington Eagles prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Northern Arizona vs Eastern Washington Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 4:05 ET
Venue: Roos Field, Chaney, WA
Network: Pluto TV

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Northern Arizona (1-0) vs Eastern Washington (0-1) Game Preview

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

Why Northern Arizona Will Win

Now that’s how you open a season.

Oklahoma State transfer Keondre Wudtee threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the final moments to get by Southern Utah 34-33. Southern Utah might not be anything special, but it was still a good win in a fun game – it turned into a shootout after needing a while to get going.

Idaho isn’t supposed to be anything special, either, and it managed to get by Eastern Washington 28-21. The Vandals almost threw for 300 yards and hit on enough big plays to pull it off.

Wudtee and the passing game have to keep things moving. There isn’t going to be a whole of on the ground, but control the clock, keep the EWU offense off the field, and …

Why Eastern Washington Will Win

Eastern Washington is better than that.

The Eagles have the talent, and they have the offensive parts to be far sharper and far more dangerous than they were in Idaho. Eric Barriere threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns, and he should be able to do that again against a NAU defense that’s going to need a while to get nasty, if that’s even possible.

Southern Utah’s Justin Miller threw five touchdown passes, the Thunderbirds kept on pressing, and they controlled the game right up until the very end with the ball in their possession for over 40 minutes.

What’s Going To Happen

Eastern Washington got the mulligan out of the way.

It’s a much, much better team than it looked against Idaho, and it’s about to show it with a big day from the passing attack that’s going to be more sensational than satisfactory.

Northern Arizona vs Eastern Washington Prediction, Line

Eastern Washington 41, Northern Arizona 24
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Eastern Washington -14, o/u: 64

Must See Rating: 2

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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Western Illinois vs South Dakota State Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Western Illinois Leathernecks vs South Dakota State Jackrabbits prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Western Illinois Leathernecks vs South Dakota State Jackrabbits prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Western Illinois vs South Dakota State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings SD
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Western Illinois (0-1) vs South Dakota State (1-1) Game Preview

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

Why Western Illinois Will Win

The Leathernecks were able to change around with Missouri State in a 30-24 loss with the passing game doing a decent job and the defense able to come up with three takeaway. One problem (actually four) …

Turnovers. WIU kept shooting itself in the foot with four giveaways, but outside of the two picks, Connor Sampson threw relatively well, the defense did a nice job against the run, and the team had its chances.

South Dakota State hasn’t done much on the ground in the first two games and stalled after getting up 14-7 against North Dakota – losing 28-17 – but …

Why South Dakota State Will Win

North Dakota might just be the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference, and the Jackrabbits were able to come through late in a win over Northern Iowa.

Mark Gronowski might not have been the quarterback everyone was planning for, but he came through against UNI and threw for over 300 against the Fighting Hawks. The Western Illinois defensive front should have problems with RB Pierre Strong – SDSU will start to run better – and won’t have enough of a pass rush to be a bother.

What’s Going To Happen

Slow and steady will win the race. South Dakota State has the overall talent to start to breakout, and Western Illinois is the team to to it against. After two great battles, here comes the Jackrabbit offense with its best performance of the young spring season.

Western Illinois vs South Dakota State Prediction, Line

South Dakota State 38, Western Illinois 10
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: South Dakota State -24.5, o/u: 47

Must See Rating: 2

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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UC Davis vs Idaho Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

UC Davis Aggies vs Idaho Vandals prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

UC Davis Aggies vs Idaho Vandals prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

UC Davis vs Idaho Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Kibbie Dome, Moscow, ID
Network: Pluto TV

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

UC Davis (0-0) vs Idaho (1-0) Game Preview

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

Why UC Davis Will Win

Head coach Dan Hawkins has a decent team returning after a mediocre and disappointing 2019 saw the O struggle and the D not being able to pick up the slack allowing well over 400 yards per game.

The offensive line should be a plus and the passing attack should push for 300 yards against an Idaho defense that allowed 339 yards through the air to the Eastern Washington offense in a 28-21 Vandal win.

There was and is little to no running game from Idaho, but …

Why Idaho Will Win

The Vandal defense came up with a strong performance last week. It’s not like Eastern Washington committed to the run, but it put it on the ground more times than the Vandals did and outside of two nice runs, nothing worked.

Hayden Hatten had a huge six-catch, 138-yard, one-score day for the Idaho passing game to keep things moving, and now Mike Beaudry has a game under his belt and got a win out of it. In this early part of the FCS spring season, having just a little bit of live experience matters.

What’s Going To Happen

The Aggies have the talent and upside to be as strong as they were in 2018, and Idaho is still a bit of a question mark even after the great first win over Eastern Washington. It’s going to be an even game that comes down to mistakes, and UC Davis will make a few more of them on the road.

UC Davis vs Idaho Prediction, Line

Idaho 27, UC Davis 23
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Idaho -3.5, o/u: 55

Must See Rating: 3

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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

North Dakota State Bison vs Missouri State Bears prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota State Bison vs Missouri State Bears prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota State vs Missouri State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

North Dakota State (1-1) vs Missouri State (1-0) Game Preview

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

Why North Dakota State Will Win

You really think North Dakota State is as mediocre as it looked in the first two games?

Yeah, Trey Lance really was that good and might be that irreplaceable, but he doesn’t play defense – Southern Illinois cranked up 443 yards in the 38-14 win over the Bison.

So why is any of this a positive? The offense that struggled so much over the first few games might not be its old explosive self, but it should be able to grind on a Missouri State defense that had problems with a Western Illinois passing game that isn’t supposed to be that great – MSU won 30-24 – and the Bear running game wasn’t great.

The line throughout the FCS spring season continues – assume North Dakota State isn’t North Dakota State because it was February football and not because the program has fallen off the map. However …

Why Missouri State Will Win

No, this really isn’t North Dakota State, but …

What if it is?

Zeb Noland has struggled – barely hitting half of his passes and with few big downfield plays – and the team only generated 268 yards of total offense in the loss to SIU. Worst of all, the defense couldn’t get off the field, allowing third down conversion after third down conversion as the Bison got destroyed in the time of possession battle – SIU had the ball for over 41 minutes.

Bobby Petrino’s Missouri State team might not be expected to come up with a massive season, but Jaden Johnson had a decent day throwing the ball and the defensive front was a wall, only allowing 1.6 yards per carry and 48 rushing yards.

What’s Going To Happen

This still won’t be the North Dakota State team that everyone wants, but it’ll come up with a workmanlike win over a Missouri State team that will hang around a bit, but will turn it over a few key times to screw it all up.

North Dakota State vs Missouri State Prediction, Line

North Dakota State 38, Missouri State 13
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: North Dakota State -18, o/u: 45

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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Illinois State vs Northern Iowa Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Iowa Panthers prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Iowa Panthers prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Illinois State vs Northern Iowa Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 5:00 ET
Venue: UNI Dome, Cedar Fallas, IA
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Illinois State (0-1) vs Northern Iowa (1-1) Game Preview

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

Why Illinois State Will Win

Chalk it up to a first game in February for a team that could use a little bit of seasoning and work.

Illinois State was up 17-0 on South Dakota, and then it all fell apart as the Coyotes went on a 27-0 run before the Redbirds finally got back on the board in the fourth with a field goal, but it wasn’t enough in a 27-20 ISU loss.

Seven turnovers had a little bit to do with the meltdown. That’s almost certainly not going to happen again.

The Illinois State offense worked – Bryce Jefferson threw for 280 yards to go along with his four picks – and the defense was fantastic. Northern Iowa might be strong, but it’s not cranking up the offense yet, so just avoid turning it over and and over and over again, and the pieces are there to win.

Why Northern Iowa Will Win

The UNI defense has been fantastic.

The offensive side has struggle to get going – Dom Williams scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to put away Youngstown State 21-0 – but other than a late problem in the loss to South Dakota State, the D has been a rock.

It’s holding up well against the run, the pass rush has been strong, and the three takeaways haven’t hurt.

What’s Going To Happen

It’s a huge game in what suddenly looks like an open Missouri Valley race now that North Dakota State has lost its mojo. Both defenses will be strong, but UNI’s offense will be just a wee bit steadier.

Illinois State has more pop and explosion, but the Panther D will come up with enough stops – and the team will own the time of possession battle enough – to get out with a tight win.

Illinois State vs Northern Iowa Prediction, Line

Northern Iowa 23, Illinois State 20
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Northern Iowa -8, o/u: 37

Must See Rating: 3

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs Southern Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs Southern Jaguars prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs Southern Jaguars prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs Southern Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Network: ESPN3

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-0) vs Southern (1-0) Game Preview

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

Why Arkansas-Pine Bluff Will Win

It’s a veteran Golden Lion team that was all set to go last week but saw its game against Texas Southern postponed thanks to a water issue in the area.

On the field, Arkansas-Pine Bluff have a ton of experience returning on offense with a ground game that should be solid enough to help out an efficient passing attack.

Southern might have beaten Alabama State 24-21, but it turned it over three times and struggled to get the offense going – scoring ten fourth quarter points to pull it off. It wasn’t a smooth performance, but …

Why Southern Will Win

Southern won.

It made a slew of mistakes, it had a hard time getting the O going, and it didn’t do much of anything to control the clock, and again, won.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff could’ve used a warm-up game, too. The offense that couldn’t convert enough third down chances in 2019 is going to need a little time.

Ladarius Skelton is a better quarterback than he showed against Alabama State. He didn’t throw all that well, but he led the team with 72 rushing yards and a score.

What’s Going To Happen

Southern is better than it showed, and now it’s about to start playing better. It should be able to do a whole lot more offensively – especially with the ground game – but it’ll be the defense that does the job and gets the win.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs Southern Prediction, Line

Southern 30, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Southern -11, o/u: 55.5

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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Idaho State vs Southern Utah Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Idaho State Bengals vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Idaho State Bengals vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Idaho State vs Southern Utah Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 2:00 ET
Venue: Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, UT
Network: Pluto TV

[jwplayer QmCci3aR]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Idaho State (0-1) vs Southern Utah (0-1) Game Preview

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

Why Idaho State Will Win

The Bengals got the passing game going.

They fought the good fight in a loss to a Weber State team that should be among the best in the Big Sky, with former Wyoming QB Tyler Vander Waal throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

The passing game kept on bombing, and now he gets to go against a Southern Utah secondary ghat got hammered for over 300 yards in the 34-33 loss to Northern Arizona.

The Thunderbirds kept up the entire way, got a five-touchdown pass day from Justin Miller, and they still lost. But …

Why Southern Utah Will Win

Yeah, Vander Waal threw for over 300 yards, but most of them were late against Weber State and it took him 42 passes to get there.

Southern Utah lost a thriller, but played relatively well. It dominated the time of possession battle and was able to come through on enough clutch drives to make it a fight throughout. Idaho State’s defense wasn’t even in the ballpark after the first quarter last week.

The Bengal defensive front was pushed around and the secondary was hit for four touchdown passes. Southern Utah has the upside to take over and control the tempo from the start.

What’s Going To Happen

This could be fun if both passing games can get hot early on.

Don’t look too hard into Idaho State getting roasted by Weber State – the Wildcats are just that good – but it was telling how the D had so many issues and the O didn’t do much until being down 42-7.

The Thunderbirds will be more balanced and consistent.

Idaho State vs Southern Utah Prediction, Line

Southern Utah 34, Idaho State 27
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Southern Utah -3.5, o/u: 54

Must See Rating: 3

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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James Madison vs Elon Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

James Madison Dukes vs Elon Phoenix prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison Dukes vs Elon Phoenix prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison vs Elon Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 1:30 ET
Venue: Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC
Network: FloFootball

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

James Madison (2-0) vs Elon (1-1) Game Preview

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

Why James Madison Will Win

The nation’s No. 1 FCS team hasn’t been perfect and yet it’s still been able to move up to the stop spot. It hasn’t played a killer team so far in the 2-0 start, but it might have worked out the kinks. On the plus side, it had two tune-ups to get ready for the season to really kick in.

The Dukes have rumbled at will with the ground game and have been a brick wall defensively, allowing just 16 net rushing yards in the first two games.

Elon was great in the opener against Davidson, but followed it up with a rough defensive day against Gardner-Webb, who was able to own the line and generate a solid day of offensive balance in the 42-20 win.

As long as JMU doesn’t make any big mistakes, this should be a walk in the park, but …

Why Elon Will Win

JMU is making a few mistakes.

There was a lost fumble in the opener, and then three picks coming from Cole Johnson in last week’s 36-16 win over Robert Morris – it should’ve been a far bigger blowout.

For all of Elon’s issues against Gardner-Webb, it came up with three picks. The Phoenix might have blown a 17-0 lead, but at least they were able to get there. If they can somehow get the offense going in the second half, they have might keep this close unless JMU is sharp.

What’s Going To Happen

JMU doesn’t have to be razor sharp. It’s going to run the ball effectively and dominate on the lines. The O line has to be better in pass protection, but the defensive front will be a rock against the run as the No. 1 team starts to play the part.

James Madison vs Elon Prediction, Line

James Madison 41, Elon 17
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: James Madison -21.5, o/u: 47

Must See Rating: 2

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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William & Mary vs Richmond Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

William & Mary Tribe vs Richmond Spiders prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

William & Mary Tribe vs Richmond Spiders prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

William & Mary vs Richmond Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: E. Claiborne Robins Stadium, Richmond, VA
Network: FloFootball

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

William & Mary (0-0) vs Richmond (0-0) Game Preview

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

Why William & Mary Will Win

Can the William & Mary offense get going? It was hit-or-miss a few years ago, but it’s loaded at the skill spots – at least loaded with experience – to go along with a defense that was solid against the run.

Now the passing attack has to prove it can keep up with the ground attack isn’t rolling.

On the flip side, Richmond might have bigger expectations, but it could’ve used a tune-up before this with a passing game that could use a few new parts. However …

Why Richmond Will Win

The Spiders have the quarterback in Joe Mancuso, who only seems like he’s back for his 15th season. He’s a big passer who might not have lit it up two ears ago, but he he can run – leading the team with 647 yards and ten scores – and in a year with so much uncertainly, he should provide stability.

There’s enough in place to be solid right away at home with a running game that should be able to help out Mancuso, but …

What’s Going To Happen

Do you like the team with the young rising talent that could turn into one of the surprises of the CAA season, or do you like the home side with a few good blocks in place to work around.

William & Mary might not be razor-sharp right away, but no one will be. As the song goes, how soon is now? This Saturday as the Tribe shows off the pop that wasn’t there a few years ago to go along with an improved D.

William & Mary vs Richmond Prediction, Line

William & Mary 26, Richmond 23
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Richmond -3, o/u: 43

Must See Rating:

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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