2022 Predictions Record: 11-6
We predict the top FCS Football games on the Week 2 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.
#14 UT Martin @ #5 Missouri State (7pm/CT; ESPN+)
The sole ranked FCS matchup this week is also an anticipated rematch from the 1st Round of the FCS Playoffs last season, in which UT Martin won a 32-31 over the Bears. QB Dresser Winn impressed last week for the Skyhawks with 317 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns in a big win over Western Illinois, while RB Zak Wallace averaged almost 7 yards per carry and found the endzone three times on the ground. The Skyhawks will have to protect the QB after Missouri State totaled 7 sacks last weekend against Central Arkansas.
QB Jason Shelley put together another explosive performance with over 300 yards of total offense and 2 total touchdowns in a Week 1 win over Central Arkansas. The talented Skyhawks defense, led by John Ford II and Deven Sims, will have to put together an impressive performance and find a way to slow down one of the best offenses in the FCS this weekend. I trust the Missouri State offense to put up enough points to win this Top-15 matchup, but Wallace will keep UT Martin competitive until the final minutes on Thursday night.
Prediction: Missouri State (31-27)
South Dakota @ #3 Montana (2pm/CT; ESPN+)
Montana looked impressive in a 47-0 Week 1 win over Northwestern State, while South Dakota was shutout by Kansas State in Manhattan, KS last weekend. Lucas Johnson looks like the real deal at QB for the Griz after totaling 284 yards of total offense and 4 passing touchdowns. DB Justin Ford found the endzone again after leading the country in defensive touchdowns last season.
QB Carson Camp will have to be spectacular against a stingy Montana defense, but the offensive line seems to have some question marks after last week’s performance. All-MVFC OL Alex Jensen is questionable, which raises major concerns against an extremely aggressive Montana defense. I expect Lucas Johnson to have another big performance and the Griz defense will be too much for this South Dakota offense this weekend.
Prediction: Montana (41-20)
Campbell @ #20 William & Mary (5pm/CT; FloSports)
William & Mary made one of the biggest statements in Week 1 with a 41-24 win over Charlotte, while Campbell picked up an impressive 29-10 win over The Citadel on Thursday night. William & Mary QB Darius Wilson had an excellent performance last weekend as he totaled 237 passing yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. RB Bronson Yoder will be a name to watch for the Tribe after putting together a 120-yard performance on the ground last weekend. FCS All-American DL Nate Lynn will also put this Campbell offensive line to the test after his 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, & 1.5 sack performance last weekend.
Campbell will be led by All-Big South QB Hajj-Malik Williams who had a solid performance last week with 175 yards passing and 1 touchdown. The rushing attack was surprising last weekend for the Camels as the team averaged over 5 yards per carry and was led by Bryant Barr with 107 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. I think Campbell are the favorites to win the Big South this season, but William & Mary looks to have a lot of momentum and should have enough talent to start the season 2-0.
Prediction: William & Mary (27-21)
#13 Jackson State vs Tennessee State (6pm/CT; Jackson State Sports Network)
Jackson State dismantled Florida A&M in impressive fashion in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday, while Tennessee State lost a close game to #12 Eastern Washington last weekend. Shedeur Sanders had one of the most impressive performances of Week 1 after throwing for over 300 yards and 5 touchdowns, while completing passes to 12 different receivers. The Jackson State defense will look to be dominant again after scoring multiple defense touchdowns last week against the Rattlers.
Tennessee State is going to look to run the ball this weekend after Devon Starling rushed for over 200 yards against the Eagles in Week 1. Draylen Ellis will be the x-factor after totaling over 300 yards of total offense last weekend and 3 total touchdowns. The Tennessee State secondary will have to improve after giving up 5 passing touchdowns last weekend, but I expect Tennessee State to make this game competitive on Saturday in Memphis, TN.
Prediction: Jackson State (35-27)
North Carolina A&T @ #1 North Dakota State (2:30pm/CT; ESPN+)
The Bison enter this game after a 56-14 win over Drake, while the Aggies look to rebound from a 28-13 loss to their in-state rivals North Carolina Central. The Aggies struggled to run the ball last weekend against the Eagles and that is going to be a major problem against a North Dakota State defense that only allowed 2.3 yards per carry last weekend. QB Zach Yeager is going to have to take a major step forward in his 2nd career start if the Aggies are going to be competitive in Fargo this weekend.
North Dakota State is going to test the front seven of the Aggies as the Bison look to replicate their dominance on the ground from Week 1, in which the team averaged 7.4 yards per carry and totaled 3 rushing touchdowns. QB Cam Miller will be a player to watch after the Aggies struggled to stop Davius Richard last weekend and Miller could have a breakout performance this weekend in Fargo.
Prediction: North Dakota State (41-13)
#22 Rhode Island @ Bryant (5pm/CT; ESPN+)
Rhode Island is coming off an impressive conference win over Stony Brook, while Bryant took Florida International to the brink but lost a competitive overtime game in Week 1. QB Zevi Eckhaus is going to be the x-factor for the Bulldogs after his impressive performance last weekend, in which he totaled 243 passing yards and 2 total touchdowns. Bryant’s defense defended the run extremely well last weekend (67 rushing yards allowed) and could be the key to making this game competitive on Saturday night.
QB Kasim Hill was the unquestioned leader last weekend for the Rams as he totaled 236 passing yards and 3 total touchdowns. RBs Marques DeShields and Jaylen Smith combined for 146 rushing yards against Stony Brook and will be players to watch this weekend against the Bulldogs. Bryant is a team to watch in the Big South this season, but I think Rhode Island has too many weapons for the Bulldogs to pull off this upset.
Prediction: Rhode Island (35-24)
UC Davis @ #2 South Dakota State (6pm/CT; ESPN+)
Another rematch from the FCS Playoffs last season will take place in Brookings, SD as the Jackrabbits look to replicate their 56-24 win over UC Davis. UC Davis had a strong offensive performance against California last weekend, but will have a difficult matchup against a South Dakota State defense that only surrendered 3 points to Iowa in Week 1. RB Ulonzo Gilliam will have to make a huge impact this weekend after putting up over 115 yards rushing last weekend.
South Dakota State will be without All-American TE Tucker Kraft, but Zach Heins has all the talent to be an impact player for this offense moving forward. Isaiah Davis has been dominant throughout his career and I expect the Jackrabbits to be able to impose their will on the front-seven for the Aggies this weekend. Mark Gronowski will spread the ball around to his large collection of offensive weapons and the Jackrabbits will be too much for UC Davis on Saturday night.
Prediction: South Dakota State (38-20)
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