Week 11 Ohio Valley Conference Game Breakdowns
The final week in the OVC is a good one. Games feature a few teams wrapping up seasons that just didn’t go as planned, one team faces a powerhouse from the SEC, another matchup pits two playoff hopefuls together, and then one of the most exciting games of the weekend sees two teams face off that are assured playoff spots. It’s been a fun year in the Ohio Valley Conference and with one, but probably two, teams headed to the playoffs, it’s not quite over yet.
Tennessee Tech (3-7) @ Austin Peay (1-9), Saturday, 10:00
The Golden Eagle started the season 2-0, and then lost seven straight games to fall to 2-7 before they broke the streak last week with an overtime upset of a ranked Tennessee-Martin team. Tennessee Tech can back up its win against UTM with a road win at Austin Peay and head into the offseason with their heads a little higher with their seven game losing streak behind them. The Governors jumped out to 14-0 lead at Jacksonville State last week, but ultimately, like most of their games this year, they lost the lead in the second half and dropped to 1-9. Tech is the favorite, but Austin Peay has shown they have quality pieces, and if they can put it together for four quarters they could finish a disappointing season on a better note.
Projection score: Tennessee Tech 38, Austin Peay 28
Jacksonville State (6-4) @ Florida (9-1), Saturday, 11:00
The Gamecocks were sluggish early last week falling behind Austin Peay but turned it around to win and complete an undefeated home schedule for the first time since 2008. The season could be so different for the 6-4 team with two OVC losses coming in the final seconds to UTM and Eastern Illinois. With the playoffs out of the foreseeable future, the Gamecocks head to The Swamp to face BCS #6 team Florida. Every time JSU steps up for a big game everyone remembers their double OT win at Ole Miss, and while this is a much better team, the Gators will start their backup QB after Jeff Driskel was injured in the 20-27 win over UL-Lafayette.
Projection score: Florida 29, Jacksonville State 17
Southeast Missouri State (3-7) @ Murray State (4-6), Saturday, 12:00
The Redhawks put up a valiant effort a week ago against Eastern Illinois, but eventually lost in the game the clinched the OVC title for the Panthers. The three wins for SEMO have come against their weaker opponents, and Murray State’s Casey Brockman doesn’t fit that category. The Racers may be the most underperformed team in the conference, and the nation. With their explosive offense the Racers could beat anyone in the country on any given weekend, but they just haven’t gotten up for the games against big opponents.
Projection score: Murray State 37, SEMO 24
#19 Tennessee State (8-2) @ #25 Tennessee-Martin (7-3), Saturday, 1:00
This is the biggest matchup of the weekend for the OVC. With both teams on the bubble for a playoff spot, the loser is automatically out, and the winner more than likely will be in. It already has the feel of a playoff game. Tennessee State has not looked as impressive over the past month, losing their perfect record to JSU, then escaping Tech with a last second TD to win by one, and then being blown out by the Racers. UT- Martin will ride the hot arm of Derek Carr as they have all season looking to reach the postseason.
Projection score: Tennessee-Martin 45, Tennessee State 31
Eastern Illinois (7-3) @ #8 Central Arkansas (8-2), Saturday, 4:00
Outside of the great TSU/UTM matchup, one of the best games across the country is Eastern Illinois on the stripes against Central Arkansas. This game features two teams already locked into the playoffs with conference titles. It’s like a playoff game already, only the loser plays again next week. However, with that said, neither team wants to enter the postseason on a loss, but for both teams it will be a good chance to compare their team against a similar opponent they will soon meet.
Projection score: Central Arkansas 38, Eastern Illinois 35 OT
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
