2022 Predictions Record: 18-6 (Last Week: 7-0)
We predict the top FCS Football games on the Week 3 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.
#6 Incarnate Word @ Prairie View A&M (6pm/CT; ESPN+)
Incarnate Word has been the most impressive team in the country this season and head coach GJ Kinne has exceeded expectations in his first season for the Cardinals. The offense has been explosive as the Cardinals are currently averaging over 59 points per game and over 580 yards of total offense per game. QB Lindsey Scott Jr. has been electric in the first two games with 10 passing touchdowns and almost 800 yards passing.
Prairie View A&M looks to bounce back from a loss to Abilene Christian last week and HC Bubba McDowell is aiming to earn a signature out of conference win in his first season for the Panthers. QB Trazon Connley can make plays through the air or with his legs (158 Yards Rushing), while Jailon Howard will be a name to watch at the wide receiver position this weekend.
Prediction: Incarnate Word (52-17)
Yale @ #13 Holy Cross (1pm/CT; ESPN+)
Yale opens their 2022 season this weekend as the Bulldogs look to avenge a 20-17 loss to Holy Cross from last season. The defense will be a major strength for the Bulldogs this season, which will be led by DB Wande Owens and DL Clay Patterson who earned multiple All-Conference honors this offseason. RB Spencer Alston and WR Mason Tipton will be the names to watch on the offensive side of the ball this weekend for Yale.
Holy Cross looks to build on a last-minute hail mary win over Buffalo last weekend. QB Matthew Sluka has been impressive this season both through the air (480) and on the ground (248) for the Crusaders. WR Jalen Coker has been the #1 target in this offense for back-to-back seasons and leads the team in receiving yards (207) and receiving touchdowns (3) this season. Jacob Dobbs and Liam Anderson may be the best LB duo in the country and will play a major role this weekend on the defensive side of the ball for Holy Cross.
Prediction: Holy Cross (30-20)
Grambling State @ #11 Jackson State (1pm/CT; ESPN3)
Jackson State won a tough out of conference game last week against Tennessee State, but will play their first home game of the season this weekend. Shedeur Sanders (599 Passing Yards) has been extremely efficient and done an excellent job commanding the Jackson State offense. Nyles Gaddy has been one of the most dominant defensive players over the first two weeks of the season after his 4-sack performance against Tennessee State.
Hue Jackson picked up his first win as Grambling State’s HC as the Tigers defeated Northwestern State last weekend. RB Maurice Washington (12.0 Yards Per Carry) will be a player to watch after an explosive performance last weekend with 2 rushing touchdowns. Lewis Matthews has been a breakout player for the Tigers as he leads the team in both tackles (20) and tackles for loss (4.5) through the first two weeks.
Prediction: Jackson State (34-10)
The Citadel @ #20 Mercer (5pm/CT; ESPN+)
The Citadel shook up the FCS Top-25 last week with a 20-17 upset over East Tennessee State, while Mercer had an early season bye week to prepare for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs dominated the time of possession (39:16) last week and established their rushing attack with almost 250 yards rushing last weekend. Logan Billings has been outstanding at the RB position and averaged over six yards per carry last week against ETSU.
Mercer was explosive against Morehead State in Week 0, while having some impressive moments against Auburn in Week 1 before their bye week. QB Fred Payton (6 Passing TDs) and WR Ty James (3 Receiving TDs) have been a deadly combination for the Bears offense. The defense will be led by All-Conference DB Lance Wise, but Myles Redding and Richie Coffey have been outstanding this season on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Mercer (20-17)
North Carolina Central @ #25 New Hampshire (5pm/CT; FloSports)
New Hampshire was one of the newest additions to the Top-25 this week after two impressive wins over Monmouth & UAlbany. The Wildcats are going to aim to run the football this weekend as RB Dylan Laube (5 Rushing TDs) has been dominant with almost 300 yards rushing in the first two games. TE Kyle Lepkowski will be a player to watch as he leads the Wildcats in receiving yards over the first two games of the season.
North Carolina Central entered the 2022 season on a mission and started the season with a huge win against in-state rival North Carolina A&T. Davius Richard has been dynamic after totaling 3 rushing touchdowns and over 400 yards passing in the first two games for the Eagles. The defense has played extremely well and that will be key this weekend on the road against New Hampshire. A player to watch will be DB Khalil Baker (10 tackles) as he has an interception in the first two games of the season.
Prediction: North Carolina Central (28-21)
#8 Sacramento State @ Northern Iowa (4pm/CT; ESPN+)
Sacramento State comes off an early bye week after their dominant win over Utah Tech in Week 1. Jake Dunniway and Asher O’Hara are a dangerous QB duo for the Hornets and combined for 5 total touchdowns in the first game of the season. All-Conference TE Marshel Martin is a player to watch this weekend after his 2 touchdown catches against Utah Tech. The defense returned nine starters from last season, but Ariel Ngata had a breakout performance Week 1 with 2 sacks for the Hornets.
Northern Iowa looks to bounce back from a 29-27 loss to North Dakota last weekend. QB Theo Day and RB Dom Williams are going to be the x-factors on the offensive side of the ball this weekend. All-Conference LB Spencer Cuvelier will be a player to watch after his dominant performance last weekend for the Panthers. Special teams cost the Panthers the game last weekend and that could another storyline to watch this weekend against Sacramento State.
Prediction: Sacramento State (24-13)
#22 North Dakota @ Northern Arizona (3pm/CT; ESPN+)
Northern Arizona is looking to pull off another huge upset in Week 3 after knocking off Sam Houston State last weekend. The Lumberjacks played stifling defense as they held Sam Houston to 252 total yards and forced 2 crucial turnovers. Cosmas Kwete (12 tackles; 2.5 TFLs) has been spectacular over the first two games on the defensive line. QB RJ Martinez will have to avoid turnovers (3 INTs) if the Lumberjacks look to pull another impressive upset this season.
North Dakota won a tightly contested conference game over Northern Iowa last weekend and will look to continue their Top-25 rise this weekend. Tommy Schuster was efficient (87.5% Comp) last weekend as he threw 2 touchdowns, while RB Tyler Hoosman carried the rushing attack with over 100 yards rushing for the Fighting Hawks. LB Josh Navratil is a player to watch in this matchup after his 2 sacks last weekend against the Panthers.
Prediction: North Dakota (20-14)
#9 Delaware @ #17 Rhode Island (12pm/CT; FloSports)
Delaware has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball this season after only allowing 8 points per game this season. Johnny Buchanan (38 Tackles), Noah Plack (22 Tackles), and Liam Trainer (21 Tackles) have played excellent for the Blue Hens defense and will be players to watch this weekend. QB Nolan Henderson will be the key for the offense this weekend and will need to create some explosive plays for the Blue Hens.
Rhode Island has looked impressive in both of their wins against both Stony Brook and Bryant this season. QB Kasim Hill (526 Passing Yards) has done an excellent job of running the Rams offense, while RB Marques DeShields (170 Yards Rushing) has been dominant on the ground after averaging over 6.3 yards per carry. LB A.J. Pena will be a huge factor this weekend after totaling 3.5 sacks last week against Bryant for the Rams defense.
Prediction: Delaware (34-28)
About The Author
