Week 3 “Other” Conferences Game Breakdowns
For the most part, this will be the final week for teams to tweak and make adjustments against non-conference teams before they begin play against familiar foes. Some teams, like Sam Houston State, get back into the regular swing of things against a team with similar talent to what they will face the rest of the year. Others, like Stony Brook or Bethune-Cookman, want to make a statement before entering conference play. Then there are just the quality all-FCS matchups that make each weekend around the league so fun! Last week’s predictions went 4-2, making the season total 7-4. Here’s a look at five entertaining games for week three.
Texas Southern (0-1) vs #9 Sam Houston State (1-1), Saturday, 3:00 ET
Texas Southern will have its hands full as the ranked Bearkats finally get into some true competition after opening with a blowout win and then falling last week in College Station. With Southland foes rising like Central Arkansas and McNeese State, two-time national runner-up SHSU is out to prove there’s still one team on top. Sam Houston State looked strong even against a powerful Texas A&M squad as Tim Flanders rushed for nearly 200 yards and had two TDs.
Projected Score: Texas Southern 13 – SHSU 38
#20 Stony Brook (1-0) vs Buffalo (0-2), Saturday, 3:30 ET
After pitching a shutout against Rhode Island to open the season last week, the Seawolves look ready to climb even higher in the polls and may be able to do so with an “upset” this weekend. It could be called an upset being FCS and FBS, but if Stony Brook were to top the struggling Bulls, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. However, at home, and finally against a team they match up well against, Buffalo will likely come out ready to play knowing this is about as good of a chance as they have to win.
Projected Score: Stony Brook 27 – Buffalo 30
#15 Bethune-Cookman (2-0) vs FIU (0-2), Saturday, 6:00 ET
The Wildcats sit in the same position as Stony Brook; a win would get called an upset, but after reeling off 66 points in a win last week, the BCU offense should do just fine against a winless FIU team. Bethune-Cookman jumped to 15th in the CSM poll and whether they win this weekend or not, the Wildcats are primed for a strong playoff push.
#14 Coastal Carolina (2-0) vs Eastern Kentucky (1-1), Saturday, 6:00 ET
This is one of the best all-FCS games of the weekend, and maybe only second to the following game. The Big South’s Chanticleers head to Richmond, KY to face a powerful Colonel squad out of the OVC. EKU took the meeting 35-17 last season and hopes to do the same again this year. Coastal is 2-0 but won both games by only a touchdown each while EKU is coming off a tough beat down from Louisville. The Colonels are often overlooked in the OVC with Eastern Illinois grabbing all of the attention, but they’re a solid team with a good chance to take this one.
Projected Score: CCU 27 – EKU 34
#10 Central Arkansas (1-1) vs Tennessee-Martin (1-1), Saturday, 7:00 ET
This has the making to be a great game. The Bears are going to have a strong season in the Southland and will be back in the playoffs, while UT-Martin has survived an offensive OVC. UCA was right with Colorado last week heading into the fourth quarter but fell late by two scores. The Skyhawks weren’t as close on the blue turf in Boise. Wynrick Smothers is one of the most explosive players around and will make plays on the ground and in the air. He attempted 55 passes last week. UTM throws a familiar name out under center…Favre. Yes, Dylan Farve is the nephew of NFL QB Brett Favre. Even with a tough showing last week, the Skyhawks had a good defensive game, and topped a strong Chattanooga team in the opening weekend; so don’t rule the Skyhawks out.
Projected Score: UCA 41 – UTM 31
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
