2022 Predictions Record: 68-25 (Last Week: 8-3)
We predict the top FCS Football games on the Week 10 slate right here. You can find more detailed previews of some of the biggest games each week on our YouTube channel and each week on our FCS Preview Show.
***We will be covering Tennessee State v. #22 Southeast Missouri State this weekend, which is why that matchup is not listed in our predictions below.***
Howard @ North Carolina Central (1pm/CT; ESPN3)
Howard finds themselves at the top of the MEAC standings entering this crucial Week 10 matchup. Quinton Williams (1457 Passing Yards; 11 TDs) has raised his level of play the past two games for the Bison and will be a key piece if Howard is going to pull this upset off. The rushing attack for the Bison is a unit to watch against a North Carolina Central defense that has allowed 200+ yards rushing in five games this season. Kenny Gallop Jr. (67 Total Tackles) will be a key player to watch defensively for the Bison in this game.
North Carolina Central rebounded from their loss to South Carolina State last weekend against Delaware State, but need a win this weekend to stay alive in the MEAC race. Davius Richard (2224 Total Yards; 26 Total TDs) has been the most explosive offensive weapon for the Eagles, but Devin Smith (333 Receiving Yards; 5 TDs) is another player to watch this weekend. Khalil Baker (39 Total Tackles; 4 INTs) has done an excellent job forcing turnovers for the North Carolina Central defense and could be the key to slowing down the Howard passing attack.
Prediction: North Carolina Central (34-24)
Southern @ Florida A&M (5pm/CT; ESPN3)
Southern is facing a must-win situation if the Jaguars want to keep pace in the SWAC West for an opportunity at the SWAC Championship. The Jaguars are averaging over 215 yards per game on the ground, which could be the key this weekend against a Florida A&M defense that has held three of their last four opponents to under 70 yards rushing. Karl Ligon (389 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) and Kendric Rhymes (259 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) will be the key players as Jerrod Sims is expected to miss this game with a leg injury.
The Florida A&M offense relies heavily on WR Xavier Smith (703 Receiving Yards; 8 TDs) who currently leads the SWAC in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. The Rattlers will have to neutralize one of the best defensive lines in the SWAC as the Jaguars rank 2nd in the conference in sacks, but the Rattlers have allowed the 3rd fewest sacks in the conference entering this game. Brothers Kendall Bohler (2 INTs) and BJ Bohler (1 INT; 6 PBUs) have been a dynamic duo in the secondary for the Rattlers.
Prediction: Florida A&M (20-17)
#8 William & Mary @ Hampton (12pm/CT; FloSports)
Hampton has lost 4 of their last 5 games, but could make a statement in their first season in the conference with an upset over the Tribe this weekend. Malcolm Mays (1369 Passing Yards; 14 TDs) will be the key for the Pirates and his connection with Jadakis Bonds (599 Receiving Yards; 8 TDs) could test a Tribe secondary giving up over 200 yards per game this season. KeShun Moore (9 TFLs; 4.5 Sacks) and Andy Matthews (4.5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) will have to be major contributors against a strong William & Mary rushing attack.
Still #⃣1⃣ nationally in sacks (10.5) & TFL (15.5)!
@johnpius9_ | #GoTribe pic.twitter.com/yK9LkqVIkJ
— William & Mary Tribe Football (@WMTribeFootball) October 25, 2022
The rushing attack for William & Mary enters this matchup ranked 4th in the country in rushing yards per game (261.2 Rushing YPG). The Tribe are led by Bronson Yoder (724 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs) and Malachi Imoh (502 Rushing Yards; 8 TDs) who have both averaged over 6.5 yards per carry this season. The defensive line will also be a huge factor as John Pius (16 TFLs; 10.5 Sacks) currently leads the country in both sacks and tackles for loss.
Prediction: William & Mary (38-14)
Dartmouth @ #25 Princeton (12pm/CT; ESPN+)
Dartmouth will look to rebound from a 1-3 start in conference play as they look to spoil Princeton’s undefeated season. Nick Howard (424 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) and Q Jones (360 Rushing Yards) lead a Dartmouth rushing attack averaging over 160 yards per game this season. The question mark will be the Dartmouth defense slowing down a Princeton offense averaging over 350 yards per game. Shane Cokes (6.5 TFLs; 3.5 Sacks) and Robert Crockett III (1 INT; 5 PBUs) will be key players for the Big Green defense against the explosive Princeton offense.
Not bad for a “supplementary receiver.” 😏@AndreiIosivas // @NCAA_FCS pic.twitter.com/yMvt28Zf3F
— Princeton Football (@PrincetonFTBL) October 29, 2022
Princeton is chasing their first undefeated season since 2018 and back-to-back Ivy League championships for the first time since 1963-1964. Ryan Butler (401 Rushing Yards; 11 Total TDs) has exploded onto the scene as a true freshman for the Tigers, but the Princeton passing offense will be key this weekend against the Big Green defense. Andrei Iosivas (778 Receiving Yards; 6 TDs) is having a huge season, but Dylan Classi (561 Receiving Yards) is an underrated weapon for the Princeton offensive attack.
Prediction: Princeton (37-20)
#9 Jackson State @ Texas Southern (6pm/CT; ESPN+)
Texas Southern enters this matchup on a 3-game winning streak and will look to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season in front of a sellout crowd this weekend. Andrew Body (1638 Total Yards; 12 Total TDs) will need to have a huge game for the Tigers who need to be balanced against one of the best defenses in the country. The defense has done an excellent job forcing turnovers this season as the Tigers lead the SWAC in interceptions (12 INTs; 3 Def. TDs), which is led by Isaiah Hamilton (3 INTs; 5 PBUs) who has the highest coverage grade in the SWAC at the cornerback position.
The Tigers may look to take advantage of a Texas Southern defense allowing over 200 yards per game on the ground this season. Sy’Veon Wilkerson (689 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) could be primed for a big game this weekend as he looks to have his 3rd 100-yard game of the season for the Tigers. The defense has played at an elite level this season as the Tigers lead the FCS in Total Defense (194.1 YPG Allowed) and Scoring Defense (8.8 PPG Allowed). The Tigers have also not allowed a team to throw for 150 yards in a game this season, which could make things difficult for the Texas Southern offense.
Prediction: Jackson State (31-10)
#3 Montana State @ Northern Arizona (3pm/CT; ESPN+)
Northern Arizona has struggled to find any consistency on the offensive side of the football as the Lumberjacks average less than 75 yards per game on the ground. The key to the game will be the efficiency of RJ Martinez (1915 Passing Yards; 10 TDs) at the QB position as the Lumberjacks will have to put up points against a tough Montana State defense. Cosmas Kwete (7.5 TFLs; 3 Sacks) and Eloi Kwete (9 TFLs; 5 Sacks) will be the two biggest keys on the defensive side of the ball for the Lumberjacks.
Come for Tommy Mellott's third rushing touchdown, stay for Derryk Snell's BIG block 😤#GoCatsGo | #BobcatBuilt pic.twitter.com/aJ9uRFLai5
— Montana State Football (@MSUBobcats_FB) October 22, 2022
The Montana State rushing attack has been explosive even without All-American RB Isaiah Ifanse as the Bobcats are averaging over 290 yards rushing per game and over 6.0 yards per carry entering this matchup. The Bobcats have four players that have topped 350 rushing yards for the season, including Sean Chambers (16 Rushing TDs) who leads the country in rushing touchdowns. Willie Patterson (411 Receiving Yards; 8 TDs) has been a matchup nightmare and is a player to watch if the Bobcats challenge a Lumberjacks secondary allowing over 240 yards per game through the air.
Prediction: Montana State (41-14)
#1 South Dakota State @ Northern Iowa (4pm/CT; ESPN+)
Northern Iowa has won 5 of their last 6 games of the season and could play the role of spoiler with an upset of the #1 team in the country. Theo Day (2471 Passing Yards; 19 TDs) has led an explosive Panthers passing attack this season with five different receivers topping the 200-yard mark this season. Dom Williams (632 Rushing Yards; 9 TDs) will face a massive challenge against a South Dakota State defense that has only allowed two teams to rush for over 100 yards on the ground this season.
South Dakota State has utilized a stifling defense and a powerful rushing attack to claim the #1 spot in the country since their upset win over North Dakota State three weeks ago. The Jackrabbits have allowed less than 265 yards per game and held opponents to less than 80 yards rushing per game through the first 9 games of the season. Isaiah Davis (777 Rushing Yards; 8 TDs) has returned to form this season and could be a serious threat to a Northern Iowa defense allowing over 150 yards on the ground per game.
Prediction: South Dakota State (34-23)
#17 New Hampshire @ #14 Richmond (2:30pm/CT; FloSports)
New Hampshire controls their destiny in the CAA race and could be named the outright conference champion for the first time since 2014 if the Wildcats win their remaining three games. The offensive attack will be led by Dylan Laube (720 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) will be a key for the Wildcats as he looks to continue the momentum from his 147-yard performance against Elon. The secondary will face on of their biggest tests of the season and the Wildcats will have to slow down the potent passing attack of the Spiders. Pop Bush (38 Total Tackles; 3 PBUs) and Randall Harris (2 INTs; 2 PBUs) are the names to watch in the secondary this weekend for the Wildcats.
Richmond will look to solidify their FCS Playoff resume with a Top-20 win this weekend against the Wildcats. Reece Udinski (2287 Passing Yards; 19 TDs) has been the most accurate quarterback in the country as he leads the FCS in completion percentage (77.1% Completion Percentage) this season. The defense is led by the front seven as the Spiders allow less than 115 yards per game on the ground and less than four yards per carry. Tristan Wheeler (75 Total Tackles) and Phillip O’Connor (54 Total Tackles) are the players to watch in this matchup this Saturday.
Prediction: Richmond (35-28)
#2 Sacramento State @ #5 Weber State (2pm/CT; ESPN+)
Sacramento State has one of the most potent rushing attacks in college football as the Hornets rank 3rd in the country (265.8 Rushing Yards Per Game) in rushing offense entering this matchup. Cameron Skattebo (985 Rushing Yards) and Asher O’Hara (14 Rushing TDs) are one of the most dynamic duos in the country on the ground. Armon Bailey (9.5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) and Marte Mapu (44 Total Tackles; 2 INTs) will both play major roles in slowing down the Weber State offense this weekend.
Weber State is looking to play spoiler as Sacramento State enters this matchup on a 16-game Big Sky winning streak and their last loss was to Weber State in 2019. The Wildcats will rely on Damon Bankston (501 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs) and Dontae McMillan (439 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) to lead the Weber State rushing attack against a talented Sacramento State defense. The Weber State defense has been excellent against the run this season, only allowing 3.2 yards per carry, but this will be one of their biggest tests this season.
Prediction: Sacramento State (27-24)
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