Week 6 Other Conference Breakdowns
It is kind of a lackluster week in college football as far as the other FCS college conferences are concerned. The Ivy League has a strong matchup, as does the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Pioneer League. Otherwise, the Big South Conference and Patriot League features first vs. last matchups and nothing really stands out. Still, college football fans will get their fix of FCS action with a few solid matchups on Saturday.
Cornell at #20 Harvard, Saturday, 1:00
It is the clash of the colors in the Ivy League when the Big Red and Crimson clash in Massachusetts this weekend. Cornell (2-1, 1-0) had a non-conference clash with Bucknell last weekend, which it won 15-10, and this came on the heels of a 45-6 crushing of Yale in the Ivy opener. Cornell quarterback Jeff Campbell overcame three sacks to throw for 278 yards and a touchdown in this contest. Harvard (3-0, 1-0) pasted Holy Cross last week, 52-3, behind Colton Chapple’s 260 yards passing. Brown, by 14 points, is the closest team to approach Harvard in terms of victory margin. It looks like Harvard will have another good season, but the reality is both quarterbacks are good and this game could go down to the wire. Expect a dramatic finish.
Projected score: Harvard 17, Cornell 13
Florida A&M at Howard, Saturday, 1:00
This MEAC clash pits a pair of 2-0 conference schools against each other, although Florida A&M has the worst record of the two teams. The Rattlers dropped to 2-3 last week courtesy of a 21-14 loss to Southern University. Damien Fleming threw for 256 yards and a pair of scores in the loss, which came when an A&M fumble led to a game-winning touchdown for Southern. Fleming only missed six passes all game, so his accuracy looks fairly strong. Howard (3-1, 2-0) put it all together last week in a 56-9 blasting of Savannah State. The dawning of the age of Aquarius – running back Aquarius Freeman – took place in this game as Freeman ran 13 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns. It was the highest rushing total in conference for Howard since Antoine Rutherford in 2003.
Projected score: Howard 37, Florida A&M 27
Wagner at Sacred Heart, Saturday, 1:00
This Northeast Conference matchup pits a pair of middle-tier teams against each other. Wagner (2-3, 2-1) is currently tied with Monmouth for third place in the NEC, and the Seahawks have a two-game winning streak following an 0-3 start. Wagner beat Central Connecticut State and Bryant. Jordan Harris accounted for 201 receiving yards off quarterback Nick Doscher, who had 246 passing yards himself. Sacred Heart (1-3, 1-1) is tied for fifth place with St. Francis, Pa., and the Pioneers topped Central Connecticut State 34-21 for their first win of the season last weekend. Luke Wischnowski only had 86 yards passing in the game, which could mean trouble if Sacred Heart can’t match the Wagner passing attack. Running Back Keshaudas Spence (123 yards) will have to pick up the slack.
Projected score: Wagner 20, Sacred Heart 13
San Diego at Drake, Saturday, 1:00
It may seem strange that the Toreros have to travel to Iowa for a Pioneer League game, but welcome to Football Championship Subdivision play. Even the FCS conferences have been affected by national realignment. San Diego (2-2, 1-0) sits a half-game behind the conference leaders. It has been an alternating game for San Diego, which dropped its odd-numbered games and won its even-numbered contests, including last week’s 51-14 win over Valparaiso. Mason Mills threw for 242 yards and Kenn James rushed for 128 yards. Whether San Diego can keep that up against Drake (3-2, 2-0) is another question. Drake is tied with Butler and Jacksonville. The Bulldogs have a two-game winning streak with victories over Morehead State and Campbell.
Projected score: San Diego 30, Drake 21
Jackson State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Saturday, 6:00
The best Southwest Athletic Conference contest of the week is an inter-divisional matchup. Jackson State (2-3, 2-1) is in third place in the SWAC East division following a 34-13 win over Prairie View A&M. Jackson State gained 256 of its 336 yards on the ground, which could spell trouble if it has to go to the air to score points. Dedric McDonald threw for only 63 yards but gained 63 on the ground to go with one touchdown. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-2, 2-1) leads the SWAC West, but the team ran into trouble last week when it lost to Tennessee State 40-13. Ladarius Eckwood caught five passes for 117 yards for the Golden Lions, who may play in the weaker division of the two. That may spell the outcome of this game rather early.
Projected score: Jackson State 24, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10
