Presbyterian at #8 Chattanooga 2pm ET, (SOCON Network)
The Blue Hose lost to the Mocs at home last year 21-0. Last week Presbyterian managed just 126 yards while giving up 492 against a pretty good Central Michigan squad and lost 49-3. UTC crushed Div II Shorter while putting on a defensive clinic, even with 5 new starters on D. UTC will roll big at home as QB Bennifield settles in as the MOC play caller for an offense that remains fairly intact from last year.
Mercer at Georgia Tech 3pm ET, (ACC Network)
The Bears play their first FBS opponent since restarting their program. They actually have a 1-15-1 record against the Yellow Jackets with the lone win coming in 1892. They certainly hope that their reps last week against The Citadel will pay dividends in slowing the Yellow Jacket rushing attack. Last week, Ga Tech played BC in Ireland and had an uninspired offensive output while Mercer held The Citadel to a meager 262 yards on the ground. Ga Tech scored with less than minute to play to win their game 17-14, but Mercer came up short and lost by a point. With the excitement and spotlight of an FBS game, expect the Bears and Sr QB John Russ to make some noise, but be overwhelmed by a few scores before it is over.
Wofford at #19 Ole Miss 4pm ET, (SEC Network)
The Terriers do have a history of playing FBS teams close. The timing for Ole Miss will also help Wofford’s effort since the Rebels have a short week due to a Monday game at Florida St which they blew in the second half going down 45-34. In their first ever meeting, Wofford might also be banking on Ole Miss not preparing for the option attack very well. But that might not matter as the Rebels had one of the stingiest D’s in FBS against the run last year. Looks like they picked up where they left off allowing FL St only 161 yards rushing including only 14 in the first half. Wofford might have success here and there, but in the end SEC depth will prevail. Ole Miss by at least 40.
Furman at #14 The Citadel 6pm ET, (ESPN3)
With Furman scaring Michigan St last week in a losing 28-13 effort, The Citadel will be on alert. Having escaped Mercer, yet again, with a RS Freshman QB at the helm, the big question for the Dogs will be whether veteran Dominique Allen returns to the line up. The Bulldog defense will be tested by Furman’s confident QB Blazejowki after he had a respectable outing against the Spartans. Expect Furman to line up in a pistol formation. Both Furman and The Citadel have played each other more than any other opponent since their first meeting in 1913. The Paladins lead the series 58-34-3, but The Citadel has taken 3 of the last 4. In a somewhat odd situation, the visitor side of Johnson Hagood Stadium has been condemned due to lead paint issues. So while the home side will hopefully be packed, the visitor side will be empty and result in a max attendance of 10-12K each game for the rest of this season. As always, it will be a hard fought game, but give the edge to The Citadel at home in a close one.
VMI at Morehead State 6pm ET, (OVC Network)
VMI escaped Morehead St 43-40 last year at home on a last minute FG. VMI QB Al Cobb threw 3 interceptions in that game. Last week he put a scare into Akron by keeping it close through 3 quarters in a losing effort, but he didn’t turn the ball over. The Eagles of Morehead St got throttled by James Madison 80-7 this past Saturday giving up 607, mostly rushing yards. If Cobb and VMI stay disciplined, they will roll this year on the road and win by a few scores.
Gardner-Webb at Western Carolina 6pm ET, (WCU Radio)
The Runnin’ Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb pulled off the upset on the road last week at Elon 31-6 behind a strong rushing attack of 327 yards. WCU sported a new RS Freshman at QB with Tyrie Adams, but got blitz by ECU 52-7 as the Pirates rack up 688 yards. With WCU returning home to Cullowhee, if they can regroup on defense, they can rebound. This will also depend on how much success Adams can have against a G-W defense which held Elon to 271 yards. Detrez Newsome, WCU’s RB with numerous preseason honors, needs to have a better day than the 50 yards he tallied against ECU. WCU by 10.
#23 Samford at Central Arkansas 7pm ET, (Samford Radio)
Last week both Samford and Central Arkansas had Thursday games where they dominated. The Samford Bulldogs racked up 573 pass heavy yards cruising 77-7 over Div II Mars Hill, while the Bears of Central Arkansas totaled 554 balanced yards winning 56-13 over Southland bottom dweller Houston Baptist. Last year at home, Samford won easily 45-16 in the first ever meeting between these teams. Expect a big day for Samford QB Devlin Hodges and a two score victory for Samford in Conway.
ETSU has a bye week where they will be tuning up for their return to the SOCON against WCU in a game to be played at the Bristol Motor Speedway.