OTHER FCS CONFERENCES WEEK 11 BREAKDOWN
There are fewer games listed on the other schedule this week because most of the conferences, like the MEAC and the Big South among others, lack a marquee game that will decide the league title. There are a few other strong games, however, and here are a few worth checking out as we dive deeper into November.
#24 Harvard at Penn, Saturday, 12:00
This game will likely decide the Ivy League championship as these are the last two teams tied atop the conference at 4-1. Harvard sports a 7-1 overall record and Penn is 4-4, but this won’t be an automatic win for the Crimson. Harvard tore apart Columbia, 69-0, last week as it gained 585 yards in total offense. Colton Chapple threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns, and Damani Wilson rushed eight times for 121 yards. Meanwhile, Penn squeaked by Princeton 28-21 a week ago, as it recovered from a 28-14 deficit in the third quarter and won the game on a 3-yard Billy Ragone touchdown with 2:59 remaining. Harvard won’t win this one running away, but it should win.
Projected score: Harvard 32, Penn 10
#11 Lehigh at Colgate, Saturday, 12:30
Here it is, the big Patriot League showdown that was promised last week. Lehigh (9-0) and Colgate (6-3) enter this game with identical 4-0 marks in Patriot play, and the winner of this game will take the league championship. If Lehigh wins it will be for the 11th time, and a Colgate win would give the school seven Patriot titles. Colgate blasted past Lafayette to a 65-41 victory, but the big story came when Lehigh barely outlasted Holy Cross and prevailed 36-35. That was a close call for Lehigh, as its season could have ended in disaster had Holy Cross pulled off the huge upset. Should Lehigh win it would be 19 straight victories in Patriot play, a mark Holy Cross set from 1988 to 1992. Colgate’s Gavin McCarney could be a one-guy wrecking crew, as he ran for 288 yards and passed for 224 more. Oh, did we mention he also scored five touchdowns?
Projected score: Lehigh 20, Colgate 17
Butler at Drake, Saturday, 2:00
In a game that might decide whether the Pioneer League puts one or two teams into the playoffs, Butler travels to the Des Moines area to take on Drake. Butler (8-2, 7-0) has already won the Pioneer championship, and this is the Bulldogs’ final regular-season game. Butler topped Jacksonville, 19-16, in a thrilling contest last week, to stay unbeaten and bring the Pioneer title to its Indianapolis campus. Meanwhile, Drake (6-3, 5-1) lost its chance to catch Butler when it fell 28-13 to Dayton. Had Drake won it might have had a shot at the championship. Instead Drake goes for a 7-3 record overall going into a game next week against Jacksonville. Drake’s best chance is an 8-3 record, and that may not be enough to get in.
Projected score: Butler 28, Drake 17
Jackson State at Alabama A&M, Saturday, 4:00
The Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division has two teams, Alabama A&M and Alabama State, tied at 6-2 in the SWAC. Jackson State (5-4, 5-2) is only a half-game back. Alabama State takes on Southern. If Jackson State wins this game and both Alabama teams lose, Jackson State would be a half-game up on its competition and the whole SWAC East balance of power would swing in the other direction. If A&M wins and Alabama State loses, then Alabama A&M is alone in first place. Yes, this is definitely the weekend the SWAC East gets decided. Jackson State won last year’s meeting, 34-6, and quarterback Clayton Moore and his 17 total touchdowns have this year’s team looking strong again.
Projected score: Jackson State 35, Alabama A&M 32
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
