2022 Predictions Record: 77-25 (Last Week: 9-0)
We predict the top FCS Football games on the Week 11 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 #13 Furman v. #14 Mercer this weekend, which is why that matchup is not listed in our predictions below.***
Florida A&M @ Alabama State (2pm/CT; Bounce TV)
The Rattlers enter this game on a 7-game win streak after an 0-2 start to the season. The defense has been a key piece to the win streak as the Rattlers have held six of their last seven opponents to under 20 points and have 2 or more sacks in the past six games. Isaiah Land (9 TFLs; 6 Sacks) and Kamari Stephens (8.5 TFLs; 7 Sacks) are going to be players to watch against the Alabama State offensive line that ranks 5th in the SWAC in Sacks Allowed. The offensive x-factor will be Xavier Smith (803 Receiving Yards; 9 TDs) and has been a matchup nightmare week in and week out this season.
Alabama State has exceeded most expectations in Year 1 under head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. as the Hornets have a shot to finish 2nd in the SWAC East. The offense will need another big performance by QB Dematrius Davis (9 Total TDs) after he exploded for three touchdowns last weekend against Bethune-Cookman. Colton Adams (90 Total Tackles; 7 TFLs) has been major key contributor to the Hornets defense ranking Top-3 in Total Defense and Scoring Defense in the SWAC.
Prediction: Florida A&M (21-16)
UT Martin @ Tennessee State (4pm/CT; ESPN+)
Tennessee State will look to end their two-game conference losing streak and the key will be offensive execution as the Tigers have not found the endzone in their past two games. The rushing attack will need to be more consistent behind the legs of RBs Jalen Rouse (524 Rushing Yards) and Devon Starling (483 Rushing Yards). QB Draylen Ellis (1520 Passing Yards; 11 Total TDs) could be the x-factor with his ability to create explosive plays through the air and on the ground.
Turnovers and defensive miscues have cost the Skyhawks multiple games this season, which will be two important keys for UT Martin entering this must-win situation. The Tigers allowed over 300 rushing yards last weekend and that could create opportunities for Zak Wallace (844 Rushing Yards; 15 TDs) to have a big game this weekend. Daylan Dotson (10.5 TFLs; 6.5 Sacks) and Rob Hicks (101 Total Tackles; 4 TFLs) will be players to watch this weekend for the UT Martin defense.
Prediction: UT Martin (30-13)
Charleston Southern @ North Carolina A&T (11am/CT; ESPN+)
North Carolina A&T controls their own destiny in these final two weeks of the season as the Aggies can win the autobid for the Big South with two wins to end the season. Bhayshul Tuten (1149 Rushing Yards; 11 TDs) has been an unstoppable force on the ground for the Aggies as he ranks 4th in the country in rushing yards entering this weekend. The key for the Aggies defense will be to force turnovers against a Charleston Southern offense that has thrown 14 interceptions this season.
Charleston Southern has been impacted by inconsistency at the QB position as four different players have seen time for the Buccaneers. JD Moore (525 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs) will need to establish the rushing attack to open some opportunities downfield for the Buccaneers offense. The WR core has been solid this season as Seth Anderson (617 Receiving Yards; 7 TDs) and Vinson Davis (384 Receiving Yards; 4 TDs) have been major impact players for the Buccaneers.
Predictions: North Carolina A&T (34-23)
UC Davis @ #15 Idaho (6pm/CT; ESPN+)
UC Davis needs to win their final two games to make a run to the FCS Playoffs, which will put the Aggies on a 6-game winning streak to end the season. Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (968 Rushing Yards; 9 TDs) is a key piece to the UC Davis offensive attack, but Miles Hastings (2535 Passing Yards; 19 TDs) will need to be efficient against a Vandal defense that has forced 13 interceptions this season. Rex Connors (66 Total Tackles; 4 INTs) is a name to watch on the defensive side of the ball and has put together an impressive freshman season.
The Vandals started the season 0-2, but have put together six wins in their last seven games to put the Vandals in prime position for the FCS Playoffs. Gevani McCoy (2032 Passing Yards; 23 TDs) is the favorite for the Jerry Rice Award this season, but pay attention to Hayden Hatten (716 Receiving Yards; 12 TDs) who has been the #1 target in the Idaho offensive attack. The Vandals also have a three-headed monster at the running back position that helps Idaho dominate the Time of Possession battle, which has been a key piece to Idaho’s success this season.
Prediction: Idaho (27-23)
Northwestern State @ #25 Southeastern Louisiana (4pm/CT; ESPN3)
Northwestern State is winless in out of conference games, but enters this crucial Southland matchup undefeated in conference play with full control of their own destiny. The passing attack has been the most consistent aspect of the offensive attack behind Zachary Clement (2151 Passing Yards; 17 TDs), but limiting mistakes will be the key for Clement this weekend against the Lions. Javon Antonio (620 Receiving Yards; 6 TDs) and Zach Patterson (617 Receiving Yards; 5 TDs) are a dynamic duo at the wide receiver position for the Demons that will face one of their toughest challenges of the season.
There has been a massive shift in the offensive identity for the Lions this season as Carlos Washington Jr. (541 Rushing Yards; 10 TDs) leads a Southeastern rushing attack that ranks 2nd in the Southland entering this weekend. Eli Sawyer (1195 Passing Yards; 7 TDs) and Cephus Johnson III (1038 Passing Yards; 10 TDs) both have seen significant time at the QB position, but each bring their own strengths to the offensive attack. The defense must be more consistent this weekend as the Lions are currently allowing over 400 yards per game this season.
Prediction: Southeastern Louisiana (38-31)
#24 Princeton @ Yale (11am/CT; ESPN+)
Princeton will look to clinch the Ivy League title and an undefeated the season in the final two weeks of the season. The Princeton defense has been dominant this season as the Tigers are allowing less than 12 points per game and less than 300 yards per game. The secondary has forced 14 interceptions while only allowing 8 total touchdowns through the air. The offensive side of the ball is led by one of the best wide receiver duos in the country in Andrei Iosivas (826 Receiving Yards) and Dylan Classi (668 Receiving Yards).
The offensive attack for Yale has exploded the past two games as the Bulldogs scored 69 points in a blowout win over Brown last weekend. The rushing attack has been key for the Bulldogs as Tre Patterson (613 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) and Joshua Pitsenberger (477 Rushing Yards; 6 TDs) have been explosive on the ground. Yale has done an excellent job of winning the line of scrimmage as the Bulldogs have only allowed 7 sacks, while ranking 3rd in the conference with 23 sacks this season.
Prediction: Princeton (21-17)
#4 North Dakota State @ Southern Illinois (1pm/CT; ESPN+)
Southern Illinois enters this weekend in a must-win situation to keep their FCS Playoff hopes alive after back-to-back losses derailed a promising season. Nic Baker (2259 Passing Yards; 16 TDs) could be the key for the Salukis, but face an extremely difficult task against a North Dakota State secondary allowing less than 150 yards passing per game. The Salukis defense has held opposing offenses to less than 3.5 yards per carry and that will be key against a Bison rushing attack averaging over 260 yards per game on the ground.
North Dakota State has looked impressive after their loss to South Dakota State behind a rushing attack that produced over 450 yards and 7 touchdowns last weekend against Western Illinois. Hunter Luepke (592 Rushing Yards; 9 TDs) leads a rushing attack where the Top-5 leading rushers for the Bison are all averaging over 6.0 yards per carry. The defense will be key this weekend as the Bison rank 2nd in the conference in both Scoring Defense and Total Defense. Michael Tutsie (41 Total Tackles; 4 PBUs) and Courtney Eubanks (1 INT; 3 PBUs) will be two names to watch against the Southern Illinois offense.
Prediction: North Dakota State (35-17)
Villanova @ #8 William & Mary (12pm/CT; FloSports)
William & Mary has a shot to win a share of their first CAA championship since 2015 and their first title under HC Mike London. The Tribe enter this matchup leading the conference in Rushing Offense behind the dynamic duo of Bronson Yoder (839 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) and Malachi Imoh (595 Rushing Yards; 9 TDs). The Tribe defense has only allowed 9 passing touchdowns all season, while John Pius (16 TFLs; 10.5 Sacks) has been one of the most impressive pass rushers in the country.
Villanova will look to rebound from an upset loss to Towson last week with their biggest win of the season against a Top-10 opponent. The Wildcats rely heavily on their rushing attack behind TD Ayo-Durojaiye (654 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs). QB Connor Watkins (7 Rushing TDs) is a major threat with his legs, but will need to protect the ball through the air if the Wildcats are going to pull off a huge upset this weekend.
Prediction: William & Mary (33-23)
Illinois State @ #1 South Dakota State (2pm/CT; ESPN+)
Illinois State was in prime position on the FCS Playoffs bubble, but back-to-back losses have placed the Redbirds in a must-win situation this weekend. The Redbirds are only averaging 18.1 points per game this season, which makes offensive execution will be the key behind the arm of Zack Annexstad (1691 Passing Yards; 11 TDs). The defense has been huge for the Redbirds as Zeke Vandenburgh (13 TFLs; 7.5 Sacks) and Kenton Wilhoit (5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) have been major contributors this season.
South Dakota State have won nine straight games since their Week 1 loss to Iowa. Mark Gronowski (1964 Passing Yards; 24 Total TDs) has been on fire as he has totaled 10 total touchdowns over the past three games for the Jackrabbits. The defense has been dominant against the run as the Jackrabbits are allowing less than 75 rushing yards per game entering this matchup. Caleb Sanders (6 TFLs; 5 Sacks) and Reece Winkelman (8 TFLs; 4.5 Sacks) have played major roles in the dominant defensive performance for the Jackrabbits.
Prediction: South Dakota State (31-10)
#22 Rhode Island @ #21 New Hampshire (12pm/CT; FloSports)
New Hampshire looks to rebound from their first conference loss of the season against Richmond. The Wildcats will need Max Brosmer (2001 Passing Yards; 17 TDs) to continue his stellar season against a Rhode Island secondary that is surrendering less than 190 yards per game through the air. Dylan Laube (749 Rushing Yards; 8 TDs) will be another name to watch for the Wildcats in this matchup. Josiah Silver (14 TFLs; 8.5 Sacks) and Dylan Ruiz (9 TFLs; 9 Sacks) have been major forces on the defensive line for the Wildcats this season.
Rhode Island could take a major step forward in solidifying their FCS Playoffs resume with a win over the Wildcats. Marques DeShields (906 Rushing Yards; 10 TDs) leads a Top-5 CAA rushing attack into this matchup against a New Hampshire defense allowing less than 4.0 yards per carry. Ed Lee (760 Receiving Yards) and Kahtero Summers (567 Receiving Yards) have been solid offensive weapons for the Rams and QB Kasim Hill (2261 Passing Yards).
Prediction: New Hampshire (28-24)
#12 Richmond @ #17 Delaware (12pm/CT; FloSports)
Richmond has won 4 straight games since their double overtime loss to Elon, which is still the only FCS loss for the Spiders this season. The key player for the Spiders will be QB Reece Udinski (2574 Passing Yards; 22 TDs) as he leads the CAA in Passing Yards entering this matchup and ranks #2 in the country in Completion Percentage (76.2%). The Spiders also have three players in the Top-15 of the CAA for Receiving Yards this season; led by Jakob Herres (717 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs). Tristan Wheeler (81 Total Tackles; 8 TFLs) has been the leader of a Richmond defense that ranks 2nd in the conference in Total Defense.
Delaware started the season 5-0, but have went 2-2 in their last four games with losses to William & Mary and Elon. Nolan Henderson (2391 Passing Yards; 25 TDs) has been a huge part of the Blue Hens offensive attack as he leads the CAA in Passing Touchdowns. Jourdan Townsend (522 Receiving Yards) and Thyrick Pitts (403 Receiving Yards) have been explosive weapons for Henderson throughout the season. Johnny Buchanan (112 Total Tackles; 5.5 TFLs) leads the country in Total Tackles this season and will be a major impact player to watch for the Blue Hens.
Prediction: Richmond (26-17)
#10 Samford @ #11 Chattanooga (12:30pm/CT; ESPN+)
Samford is undefeated in FCS play this season with their only loss being to Georgia in Week 2 and control their own destiny for the SoCon championship. Michael Hiers (2483 Passing Yards; 27 TDs) has exploded onto the scene in his first season as the starting QB for the Bulldogs as he leads the country in Completion Percentage (76.4%). Kendall Watson (720 Receiving Yards) and Chandler Smith (668 Receiving Yards) will be two playmakers that will test the Chattanooga secondary in this matchup.
Chattanooga will look to improve their playoff resume with their 2nd Top-15 victory of the season. Ailym Ford (953 Rushing Yards; 10 TDs) has been an integral part to the Mocs offensive attack and could be primed for a big game against a Samford defense allowing over 150 yards per game on the ground. Jay Person (16 TFLs; 7.5 Sacks) and Devonnsha Maxwell (10.5 TFLs; 6 Sacks) will have to find ways to pressure Hiers throughout this game. Kameron Brown (5 INTs; 15 PBUs) is a name to watch against a Samford passing attack that has been extremely efficient this season.
Prediction: Chattanooga (24-20)
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