Must Watch Week 6

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Week 6 presents some unique challenges in picking the twelve best games to watch. Without further ado, here are the Must Watch games for Week 6 and a breakdown of why you need to be watching.

• Colgate entered 2016 as the clear-cut favorite to repeat as the Patriot League champions. The Raiders are coming off of a quarterfinal appearance in 2015 and they returned quite a bit of their squad. Their season is off to a rough 1-3 start, including last weeks 1 point loss to Cornell.  Lehigh was picked 3rd in the preseason PL poll. After losing their first two games to Monmouth and Villanova, by a total of 7 points the Mountain Hawks picked up 3 straight wins over the Ivy League. This is both teams first PL game of the 2016 season and it could be the deciding factor in who gets the league’s 2016 auto-bid.

• Cornell and Harvard are both off to a 3-0 start. The Big Red picked up a one point win over Colgate last weekend which gives the impression that they might be able compete with Harvard and Penn for the Ivy League title. Cornell was picked last in the league’s preseason poll. We will find out where they stand on Saturday.

• Jacksonville State is the returning runner-up in FCS football and they are undefeated against FCS opponents in 2016 (their only loss came to LSU). Tennessee Tech is coming off of an overtime upset over Eastern Kentucky. Can the Golden Eagles keep the magic coming?

• When I woke up on Saturday morning I would have never thought this game would be on my list for Week 6. Then the unexpected happened: Missouri State beat Indiana State (who beat Illinois State, who beat Northwestern). The only thing that really demonstrates is that the Bears have a pulse. I would be shocked if this was a game, but it seems worth checking out what the Bears can do against the Bison. Worst case scenario you are watching the #1 team in the country.

• Illinois State is on a 3 game losing streak to FCS opponents since their Week 2 win over Northwestern (FBS/Big Ten). Youngstown State is off to a 3-1 start with their only loss on the road to West Virginia (FBS/Big 12). Youngstown State has been notorious for fast starts and falling off as the season moves on, but the Redbirds really need a win here with their backs up against the wall. Should be a good one.

• Early in the season Richmond was seen as a team with the best chance to dethrone North Dakota State. Then they got blown out by Stony Brook and voters weren’t sure what to make of them. They have bounced back and now it’s time to see what Albany is made of. The Great Danes are off to a 4-0 start with a FBS win under their belt, but there are a lot of non-believers. With a win this weekend Albany would have to completely fall apart to miss the playoffs.

• William and Mary went from the Top 10 to out of the polls after back-to-back losses to Elon and New Hampshire. Things don’t get easier as they take on their in-state rival, James Madison who has yet to be challenged by and FCS opponent. They have won their four FCS games by an average of 35 points. Will James Madison roll the Tribe on their way to the top of the CAA?

• Western Illinois is looking to get back on track after a beat down in Brookings against South Dakota State. Indiana State fell to Missouri State, giving the Bears their first MVFC win since Oct 2014. Which team bounces back and fights for a playoff spot?

• Northern Colorado is 3-1 after picking up a surprising win over a Northern Arizona squad that many expected to be at the top of the Big Sky. This week they head to Eastern Washington where the Eagles are the clear pick to win the Big Sky at this point in the season. Are the Bears up for the challenge?

• This game would be huge if Mercer hadn’t lost to the Citadel by one point in Week 1 of the season. Chattanooga hasn’t been challenged outside of their Week 3 game against Furman. Can the Bears (3rd game involving Bears in a row? That has to be a new record.) liven up the SoCon race ?

• Tennessee State is off to a 4-0 start including a win in their first OVC game of the season. Eastern Illinois is riding a roller coaster of highs and lows, winning three straight after their season opening loss to Western Illinois, but then losing a head scratcher to Southeastern Missouri State. Will the Tigers continue their undefeated season or will the Panthers get back on track for a playoff spot?

• Stony Brook has been hard to read in 2016. They have alternated wins and losses every week for a 2-2 start. The Seawolves shocked the country with a 42-14 win over Richmond and then turned around the next week and lost 38-10 to Sacred Heart. Towson’s season is on life support. They are already 0-2 in the CAA and can’t afford another loss if they want this to be a meaningful season.