Week 5 OVC Game Breakdowns
What a weekend for FCS football in week 4? Old Dominion and New Hampshire put up a regular barnburner in a thrilling 64-61 game that broke several NCAA records. What appeared all week to be the top matchup between Northern Iowa and Youngstown State didn’t disappoint in a back and forth game that came down to an incomplete pass in the end zone to end things. Well, the OVC wasn’t lacking excitement either (for the most part) as two games went to overtime, one team improved to 4-0, and a couple teams are left battling for their lives the rest of the season. This week should be just as fun.
#12 Eastern Kentucky (3-1) at Tennessee Martin (3-1), Saturday, 12:00
So far the Colonels have looked better and better each week this season and seem to be turning into the top team in the conference that everyone will now try to knock off. After Jacksonville State couldn’t even challenge EKU in the 51-21 game last week, UT-Martin gets the next shot. The Skyhawks are having a good season too, only losing to FBS Northern Illinois, and may give the Colonels a good fight being at home. Last week UT-Martin shutdown the Govs of Austin Peay, 31-6, the second straight week only allowing six points against them. If the Skyhawks can slow down Matt Denham and T.J. Pryor they may have a shot. If it comes down to a field goal however, EKU may be safe as UTM’s kicker Sandlin is just 4 for 10 on the season.
Projected score: Eastern Kentucky 31, UT- Martin 27
Austin Peay (0-4) Eastern Illinois (2-2), Saturday, 2:30
Austin Peay is really struggling, each week they almost look more unimpressive than the week before. This game has to go the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. Just two weeks ago EIU went to double OT with #14 Illinois State before falling 54-51. Last week against Murray State the Panthers found themselves in OT again, but after scoring in the first OT, EIU didn’t want to extend the game. Down 48-49 the Panthers went for two to win. Eastern Illinois receiver Erik Lora, who had already set an OVC record with 21 receptions for over 200 yards earlier in the game, caught a pass in the end zone to lift EIU over Murray State 50-49. The Panthers are now 1-0 in the OVC and 2-2 overall, losing only to Illinois State and FBS Western Michigan. They should improve to a winning record after this weekend.
Projected score: Eastern Illinois 34, Austin Peay 14
Southeast Missouri State (2-2) at #20 Jacksonville State (1-2), Saturday, 4:00
Like Eastern Illinois, the SEMO Redhawks are also riding high into week five coming off an OT victory. Southeast Missouri wouldn’t go away last week against Tennessee Tech and really proved they were in the game to stay after a 100 yard interception return by SEMO’s Branden Spann resulted in a TD. After SEMO tied the game in the fourth and sent it to overtime, both teams scored in OT number one. In the second overtime, the Redhawks couldn’t reach the end zone and settled on a field goal which turned out to be the winning score after Tech’s ensuing field goal attempt failed. Jacksonville State on the other hand had one of their worst showings in seasons in a 51-21 debacle loss at EKU. The Gamecocks have their back against the wall starting 1-2 and may be a little more focused when SEMO comes to town this weekend.
Projected score: Jacksonville State 41, SE Missouri State 34
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-1) at Tennessee State (4-0), Saturday, 6:00
The Tigers of Tennessee State continue to roar with their best start since 2008. Tennessee State held a 21-0 lead over ranked Bethune-Cookman last week following a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. Bethune made it a 21-14 game by halftime, but a scoreless second half led to a win for the Tigers. Tennessee State should be able to put one more in the win column before they face EKU next weekend in their OVC opener.
Projected score: Tennessee State 31, Ark- Pine Bluff 22
Tennessee Tech (2-2) at Murray State (1-3), Saturday, 7:00
The good news here is that somebody is going to walk away with a win. Last week Tennessee Tech and Murray State both lost in heartbreaking fashion in overtimes. Now, with two good teams who are off to bad starts facing off, it should be a good battle with each team giving all they have. For either team a loss would almost place that team out of the OVC title race with a 0-2 OVC record. Not to mention, it would put a strain on teams needing to basically win out the rest of their games to have a respectable record to be considered for a playoff wildcard spot.
Projection score: Tennessee Tech 38, Murray State 24
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
