2022 Predictions Record: 38-13 (Last Week: 7-2)
We predict the top FCS Football games on the Week 6 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.
Towson @ #14 Elon (1pm/CT; FloSports)
Elon has emerged as a legit CAA contender after back-to-back ranked wins over conference foes. Matthew McKay (1371 Passing Yards; 14 Total TDs) has looked impressive this season, but could have one of the most dangerous WR duos in the country in Bryson Daughtry (437 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) and Jackson Parham (338 Receiving Yards; 4 TDs). LB Marcus Hillman (38 Total Tackles; 8 TFLs) is the leader of this Elon defensive unit and will be a name to watch this weekend in this CAA matchup.
The key for Towson will be finding some offensive consistency, which has cost the Tigers some games through the first five weeks of the season. RB Devin Matthews (245 Rushing Yards; 3 TDs) has been a consistent playmaker for the Tigers and will look to make plays against an Elon defense only allowing 3.5 yards per carry this season. Linebackers Mason Woods (39 Tackles; 1 INT) and Ryan Kearney (42 Tackles; 4 PBUs) have been the top contributors for the Tigers, but DL Jesus Gibbs has an opportunity to have a breakout game after overcoming an injury from last season.
Prediction: Elon (35-20)
Tennessee Tech @ #21 Southeast Missouri State (2pm/CT; ESPN+)
Southeast Missouri State will be led by RB Geno Hess (419 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) who became the school’s all-time leading rusher in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season. Paxton DeLaurent (1175 Passing Yards; 9 TDs) has emerged as one of the top FCS quarterbacks this season and All-Conference WR Johnny King (379 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) is still the #1 target for the Redhawks.
My younger self would've looked up to me…💐👑 #RiPGranny pic.twitter.com/CztlWXOVlc
— Geno Hess (@GenoHess) October 4, 2022
Tennessee Tech will have their third consecutive ranked matchup this season and will look to pull off the upset this weekend against the Redhawks. The Golden Eagles have played multiple QBs this season, but the key will be Jeremiah Oatsvall (813 Passing Yards; 7 TDs) limiting his turnovers against a stingy Southeast Missouri State defense. All-Conference DB Josh Reliford (30 Total Tackles; 2 PBUs) is going to be a player to watch for the Golden Eagles on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Southeast Missouri State (42-23)
Florida A&M @ South Carolina State (1pm/CT; ESPN+)
Florida A&M has bounced back from an 0-2 start with three straight wins and the Rattlers could have their sights set on another run at the FCS Playoffs if they can win out this season. Jeremy Moussa (1245 Passing Yards; 8 TDs) and WR Xavier Smith (446 Receiving Yards; 6 TDs) have developed an explosive connection for the Florida A&M offense. Isaiah Major (39 Total Tackles; 2.5 TFLs) is putting together a case for SWAC Newcomer of the Year and will be a key piece this weekend for the Rattlers defense.
The offense for the Bulldogs has been the Achilles’ heel for Buddy Pough’s squad this season. Corey Fields (511 Passing Yards; 6 TDs) is completing less than 44% of his passes and has thrown 5 interceptions, which could be a recipe for disaster against a talented Florida A&M defense. Shaquan Davis (311 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) is averaging over 25 yards per reception and is an absolute matchup nightmare for most programs in the country. BJ Davis (40 Total Tackles; 2 INTs) will be the x-factor for the South Carolina State defense this weekend.
Prediction: Florida A&M (23-17)
Charleston Southern @ Campbell (3pm/CT; ESPN+)
Campbell comes off a dominant 48-18 win over North Carolina Central and will look to continue that momentum into conference play this weekend. Bryant Barr (296 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs) has emerged as the #1 rushing threat for the Camels behind a dominant offensive line that paved the way for over 300 yards on the ground last weekend. Josh Johnson (6.5 TFLs) and Brevin Allen (12 Tackles; 2 TFLs) are going to be the x-factors on the defensive side of the ball against a struggling Charleston Southern offense.
The Charleston Southern defense is going to have to step up this weekend and have been a major issue for the Buccaneers (495 Yards Per Game Allowed). Wide receivers Vinson Davis (225 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) and Seth Anderson (268 Receiving Yards; 3 TDs) have been the most consistent offensive weapons this season. Quarterbacks Ross Malmgren and Isaiah Bess have to protect the football after combining for 7 interceptions in the first four games of the season.
Prediction: Campbell (34-17)
South Dakota @ #2 South Dakota State (2pm/CT; ESPN+)
South Dakota shocked South Dakota State last season on a Carson Camp hail mary and the Coyotes look to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the FCS this season. Camp (733 Passing Yards; 4 TDs) is going to have to improve on his 2022 season performance this weekend if the Coyotes have a shot to upset the Jackrabbits. Travis Theis (297 Rushing Yards; 3 TDs) will be the key for the South Dakota offense, while Myles Harden (3 INTs; 4 Forced Fumbles) is going to be the player to watch on the defensive side of the ball.
South Dakota State may have unlocked the full potential of Isaiah Davis (518 Rushing Yards; 2 TDs) and could take advantage of a South Dakota defense giving up almost 240 yards per game on the ground. Adam Bock (43 Total Tackles) has an amazing ability to be everywhere for the Jackrabbits defense, while Reece Winkelman (3 TFLs; 2 Sacks) will be a huge factor against a South Dakota offensive line that has allowed 15 sacks this season.
Prediction: South Dakota State (30-21)
Western Carolina @ #12 Mercer (3pm/CT; ESPN+)
Mercer has been one of the biggest surprises in FCS Football this season as the Bears are looking to climb into the Top-10 for the first time in program history. Fred Payton (1186 Passing Yards; 13 TDs) has taken a major step forward in his development at the QB position, while Ty James (5 Receiving TDs) and Devron Harper (7 Receiving TDs) have been explosive targets for Payton. Isaac Dowling (39 Total Tackles; 4.5 TFLs) and Solomon Zubairu (4.5 TFLs; 3 Sacks) are the names to watch defensively for the Bears.
Have a day @DevronHarper @TruistNews TD 🤙#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/XJeOcquD6Y
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) October 1, 2022
Western Carolina is going to bring one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the country to Macon, GA this weekend. Carlos Davis (1303 Passing Yards; 12 TDs) is not afraid to air it out especially to his #1 target WR Raphael Williams (25 Catches; 343 Receiving Yards). The question will be turnovers as the Catamounts have a -6 turnover differential and have thrown 9 interceptions this season. K.J. Milner (5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) and Chris Morgan (4.5 TFLs; 4 Sacks) will be two key defensive pieces for the Catamounts to slow down the Mercer offense.
Prediction: Mercer (45-35)
#8 Jackson State @ Alabama State (2pm/CT; ESPN3)
Jackson State comes off a bye week and looks to play spoiler on homecoming for the second straight season in the state of Alabama. Shedeur Sanders (1394 Passing Yards; 14 TDs) has been spectacular this season and Western Illinois transfer Dallas Daniels (372 Receiving Yards) has emerged as the #1 target for the explosive Jackson State offense. Aubrey Miller Jr. and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig are the two names to watch on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers, which leads the FCS in total defense (185.5 Yards Per Game) entering this weekend.
Alabama State is going to have to play one of their best games of the season to pull off the huge upset over the Tigers. The Hornets rank 3rd in the SWAC in scoring defense (21.6 PPG Allowed) this season and will look to slow down the #1 offense in the conference. Colton Adams (41 Total Tackles) and Irshaad Davis (31 Total Tackles) have been the leaders on the defense for the Hornets. Dematrius Davis (539 Total Yards; 3 TDs) will be the x-factor for the Hornets and will have to live up to the 4-star hype out of high school this weekend against the Tigers.
Prediction: Jackson State (55-13)
Texas A&M-Commerce @ #19 Southeastern Louisiana (4pm/CT; ESPN+)
Southeastern Louisiana has bounced back after two early FBS losses with a 3-game FCS win streak, including a Top-10 upset over Incarnate Word in Week 4. The Lions have established a strong rushing presence behind Carlos Washington Jr. (316 Rushing Yards; 5 TDs) as the Lions are averaging over 170 yards per game on the ground. An interesting quarterback rotation has emerged between Eli Sawyer and Cephus Johnson Jr., but both players have performed extremely well this season.
The Southland Conference era begins for Texas A&M-Commerce this weekend in Hammond, LA. The x-factor for the Lions will be QB Eric Rodriguez (556 Total Yards; 7 TDs) who has emerged as one of the most explosive playmakers for Texas A&M-Commerce this season. J.T. Smith (19.8 Yards Per Carry) will be a player to watch after being limited through the first four weeks of the season. Leon Young (4 TFLs; 2 Sacks) and Darius Williams (28 Total Tackles; 1 INT) will be the names to watch for the Lions on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Southeastern Louisiana (41-20)
#17 Southern Illinois @ #20 Missouri State (2pm/CT; ESPN+)
This a must-win game for the Bears if they want to realistically have a shot to make their 3rd consecutive FCS Playoffs appearance. Jason Shelley (1376 Passing Yards; 13 TDs) is always the player to watch offensively for Missouri State, but wide receiver Ty Scott (414 Receiving Yards; 4 TDs) will be the x-factor against a talented Southern Illinois secondary that is led by All-Conference DB PJ Jules (28 Tackles; 2 PBUs).
Southern Illinois enters this game on a 3-game win streak including a FBS win over Northwestern. Nic Baker (1104 Passing Yards; 9 TDs) is the name to watch for the Salukis, but running back Ro Elliott (308 Rushing Yards; 3 TDs) has emerged as a real threat on the ground this season for the Southern Illinois offense. Missouri State has allowed 23 sacks this season which could be a perfect matchup for Dewey Greene (3.5 Sacks) and Richie Hagarty (3.0 Sacks).
Prediction: Southern Illinois (34-31)
#24 Eastern Washington @ #7 Weber State (7pm/CT; ESPN+)
Weber State is going to lean on one of the best defenses in the country as the Wildcats rank 2nd in scoring defense and 9th in total defense. Maxwell Anderson (4 INTs; 4 PBUs) leads the country for interceptions, while Weber State leads the country for total interceptions (10 INTs) this season. Ty MacPherson (313 Receiving Yards; 5 TDs) has been the most explosive offensive weapon for the Wildcats. Josh Davis (306 Rushing Yards) and Damon Bankston (254 Rushing Yards) will be two other names to watch this weekend against the Eagles.
INTERCEPTION!
Maxwell Anderson with his 4️⃣th interception of the season! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/xNsOMwv8MM
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) September 18, 2022
Eastern Washington has had one of the toughest schedules in the country and will look to bounce back on the road in their 2nd Top-10 matchup of the season. Gunner Talkington (886 Passing Yards; 11 TDs) has done an excellent job replacing Eric Barriere and will be the x-factor against the talented Weber State secondary. Mitchell Johnson (3 TFLs; 2 Sacks) is a player to watch for the Eagles as he has been one of the most impactful players on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Weber State (27-17)
#6 Delaware @ #16 William & Mary (2:30pm/CT; FloSports)
The biggest matchup to watch this weekend will be the William & Mary pass rush against the Delaware offensive line. The Blue Hens offensive line has allowed 13 sacks this season, while William & Mary is tied for 5th in the country for total sacks this season. John Pius (12.5 TFLs; 7.5 Sacks) and Nate Lynn (5.5 TFLs; 3 Sacks) can completely change the game this weekend for the Tribe.
Nolan Henderson (1457 Passing Yards; 16 TDs) has been electric for the Blue Hens and Thyrick Pitts (274 Receiving Yards; 5 TDs) emerged as Henderson’s #1 target in a loaded wide receiver room this season. William & Mary will aim to run the football as Bronson Yoder (416 Rushing Yards; 4 TDs) and Malachi Imoh (306 Rushing Yards; 7 TDs) have been one of the most explosive RB duos in the country.
Prediction: Delaware (35-31)
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