In the FCS Huddle: Week 2 Preview

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/09/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - "For the warrior, the seasons are marked not by these sweet measures, nor the calendar years themselves, but by battles," - Xeo, Gates of Fire

For the warriors in the FCS, the season of battle presses forward. Welcome to Week 2.

There is a new No. 1 in town following Villanova's 31-24, season-opening loss at FBS opponent Temple.

It wasn't a bad loss for the Wildcats, but Montana is now perched atop the FCS. And the Grizzlies face an intriguing opponent in Cal Poly, who earlier this week accepted an invitation to join the Big Sky Conference for football only, likely for the 2012 season.

Jacksonville State, which shocked college football with a double-overtime win over Ole Miss last Saturday, looks to continue its Top 25 ascension as it hosts Chattanooga on Saturday.

In the only showdown of ranked opponents, No. 9 South Dakota State travels to the east to duel with No. 16 Delaware.

Following are games involving teams in The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 plus other selected matchups for Week 2 (all times are EST):

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

NO. 2 VILLANOVA (0-1) AT LEHIGH (1-0)

Kickoff: Noon

Series record: Villanova leads, 6-5

What to know: Villanova fell from the top spot in The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 following its tough loss to Temple last Friday night.

'Nova held a 21-13 lead early in the fourth quarter before the offense went quiet. The Wildcats were outscored 18-3 the rest of the contest.

Returning to FCS play should invigorate the defending FCS champs, but Lehigh's defensive unit is no pushover.

In the Mountain Hawks' season-opening, 28-14 victory at Iowa, the defense forced two turnovers and registered seven sacks.

Senior linebacker Al Pierce was named the Patriot League's Defensive Player of the Week, tallying nine tackles and two sacks.

Prediction: Villanova, 33-13

MAINE (0-1) AT MONMOUTH (0-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Series record: Maine leads, 2-0

What to know: Monmouth was an extra-point away from sending its season opener with No. 22 Colgate into overtime. The Hawks shut out Colgate during the final 22 minutes of the game and notched 16 points of its own, but a missed extra- point following the final touchdown was the decider in a heartbreaking, 30-29 loss.

Maine will face an NEC challenger for the second straight week after being shut out by Albany in Week 1. The defense played well despite the loss, surrendering only three points. Defensive back Jerron McMillian led the unit with 13 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Maine and Monmouth last met on Sept. 6, 2008, with Maine winning 21-17 en route to making the FCS playoffs.

Prediction: Monmouth, 17-16

NO. 9 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (0-0) AT NO. 16 DELAWARE (1-0)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: Saturday's contest against Delaware marks the first of many tough road challenges for SDSU in 2010. Also on the docket are Nebraska (Sept. 25), Northern Iowa (Oct. 2) and Southern Illinois (Oct. 16).

SDSU was picked to finish second behind defending champion Southern Illinois in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Highlighting a strong group of returners is Walter Payton Award (sponsored by Fathead.com) nominee Kyle Minett at running back.

Delaware tuned up with a 31-0 defeat of Division II opponent West Chester in Week 1. Andrew Pierce gained 119 yards on 13 carries and another Walter Payton nominee, Pat Devlin, threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

Respect SDSU's willingness to cover the miles and challenge themselves in a tough road opener. Be aware that this is a true and meaningful Top 25 battle, pitting two hungry FCS teams in direct opposition of one another.

Prediction: Delaware, 32-30

HAMPTON (0-1) AT HOWARD (0-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Series record: Hampton leads, 46-39-1

What to know: "The Battle for the Real HU" gets underway Saturday as both teams open MEAC play.

Hampton was blanked 33-0 by Central Michigan in Week 1 in its first-ever game against an FBS opponent. Prior to the loss, Hampton had not been shut out in a game since the 1984 season opener, when the Pirates lost 44-0 to Tennessee State.

Howard struggled in a 38-7 Week 1 loss at Holy Cross. Junior receiver Willie Carter was a rare bright spot, accounting for 147 yards of total offense and tallying six receptions for 130 yards.

Hampton has won 13 straight games against Howard dating back to the 1997 season.

Prediction: Hampton, 21-13

NO. 6 NEW HAMPSHIRE (1-0) AT PITTSBURGH (0-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Series Record: First meeting

What to know: New Hampshire opened the 2010 season with a dominating 33-3 home victory over Central Connecticut State last Saturday.

Sophomore running back Dontra Peters rushed for a career-high 197 yards and two touchdowns.

Linebacker Matt Evans tallied a game-high 14 tackles, including five solo stops, to lead a smothering defensive effort.

Pittsburgh will be hungry for a victory following a 27-24 overtime loss at No. 24 Utah.

Pittsburgh is 8-0 all-time versus FCS opponents.

Prediction: Pittsburgh, 35-24

WOFFORD (0-1) AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (1-0)

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

Series record: Wofford leads, 12-0

What to know: Wofford welcomes a move back to the FCS ranks this week after falling to FBS opponent Ohio University, 33-10, in the season opener.

Wofford relied on a strong running attack and was within seven points late in the third quarter, but three turnovers and zero pass completions ultimately led to the Terrier's demise.

Following its 41-31 victory over North Greenville on Saturday, Charleston Southern is riding a five-game winning streak dating back to last season.

In the past, Charleston Southern's defense has struggled to slow down the Wofford attack. Of the teams' previous 12 meetings, Charleston Southern has allowed at least 30 points on eight occasions.

Prediction: Wofford, 33-26

NO. 12 JAMES MADISON (1-0) AT VIRGINIA TECH (0-1)

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

Series record: Virginia Tech leads, 6-0

What to know: JMU took care of business in Week 1, defeating Morehead State, 48-7. Receiver Kerby Long had a career-high 112 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

JMU dominated on both sides of the ball, outgaining Morehead State, 483-152, including outrushing Morehead, 294-67.

Unfortunately for JMU, it encounters FBS squad Virginia Tech, which is ranked No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll, and is salivating for redemption after a heartbreaking, 33-30 loss to Boise State.

Prediction: Virginia Tech, 48-20

NO. 25 COLGATE (1-0) AT FURMAN (0-0)

Kickoff: 2 p.m.

Series record: Furman leads, 1-0

What to know: Colgate senior quarterback Greg Sullivan was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week following last week's 30-29 victory over Monmouth. Sullivan completed 11-of-14 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown and rushed 15 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns.

Furman will play its first game of the season on Saturday. The team returns Preseason All-SoCon receiver and return specialist Adam Mims. Furman also is buoyed by the return of 2008 All-SoCon running back Chris Brown. The defense is led by linebacker Kadarron Anderson.

These teams last met in 2008, with Furman earning a 42-21 road victory.

Prediction: Colgate, 30-20

CENTRAL ARKANSAS (1-0) AT NO. 23 EASTERN ILLINOIS (0-1)

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: EIU faced the highest-ranked opponent it has ever faced last week in the No. 9 Iowa of the FBS. The team, which will return to FCS play this week against Central Arkansas, was frankly outmatched, dropping a 37-7 decision.

Central Arkansas won its opening game against Division II's Elizabeth City State, 47-20. Quarterback Nathan Dick, playing in his first game for UCA after transferring from Arkansas, completed 26-of-35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns

Eastern Illinois alum and Super Bowl champion head coach Sean Payton will be in attendance, as the Panthers will retire his No. 18 jersey at halftime.

EIU has won four straight home openers at OBrien Field.

Prediction: Eastern Illinois, 23-20

JACKSONVILLE AT (1-0) AT NO. 3 APPALACHIAN STATE (1-0)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.

Series record: Appalachian State leads, 1-0

What to know: Appalachian State quarterback DeAndre Presley scoffed at the shadow of Armanti Edwards in his 2010 debut, leading a thrilling Appalachian State comeback and earning The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com Offensive Player of the Week honors in a 42-41 victory over Chattanooga last Saturday.

Jacksonville racked up 493 yards of total offense in last week's 35-25 over second-year program Old Dominion. The win was impressive as ODU went 9-2 as a start-up in 2009, with one of those wins coming over Jacksonville.

JU is 0-5 all-time against nationally ranked teams.

Prediction: Appalachian State. 35-17

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (0-1) AT NO. 15 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (0-1)

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Series record: Mississippi Valley State leads, 2-0

What to know: Both teams are coming off week one road losses.

South Carolina State dropped a 41-10 decision to ACC champion Georgia Tech and Mississippi Valley State suffered a 34-6 defeat at the hands of Alabama State.

South Carolina State, last year's MEAC champ, was led by sophomore running back Asheton Jordan who ran for 129 yards on 18 carries.

The SCS defense, which held Georgia Tech to eight yards passing in the first half, was led by Julius Wilkerson, who finished with 11 tackles.

Mississippi Valley is rebuilding under first-year head coach Karl Morgan and will likely struggle against the MEAC leader.

Prediction: South Carolina State, 42-9

BUTLER (1-0) AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE (0-1)

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: Youngstown State and Butler are familiar schools, as each is a member of the Horizon League for its non-football programs.

Senior Dominique Barnes tied a Youngstown State single-game record with 11 catches for 134 yards and redshirt freshman Kurt Hess threw for two touchdowns in head coach Eric Wolford's debut against No. 14/19 Penn State. Despite the admirable performances, YSU fell 44-14.

Butler opened the 2010 season against Division III foe Albion, notching a 29-13 victory. Saturday's game against YSU will mark the first time Butler has played a full-scholarship Division I program in nearly a decade.

Prediction: Youngstown State, 31-21

HOLY CROSS AT (18) MASSACHUSETTS

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Series record: Massachusetts leads, 22-21-5

What to know: Massachusetts cracked the The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 this week following a 27-23 upset of No. 4 William & Mary in a CAA Football showdown.

Juxtaposing Massachusetts' Top 25 berth was Holy Cross' Top 25 exit. Despite a 38-7 victory over Howard, Holy Cross relinquished its No. 25 preseason ranking.

Holy Cross and UMass last met in 2008, with UMass place-kicker Armando Cucko hitting a 42-yard field as time expired to seal a 45-42 Minutemen victory.

Prediction: Massachusetts, 28-27

SHAW (1-0) AT NO. 8 ELON (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: Elon quarterback Scott Riddle, and running back Brandon Newsome each rushed for scores in a 41-27, Week 1 loss to FBS opponent Duke.

Elon senior linebacker Brandon Wiggins was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts, as he matched a career-high with 19 tackles.

Quarterback Scott Riddle needs only 79 yards to become the all-time leading passer in SoCon history and will exceed that mark against CIAA opponent Shaw.

Prediction: Elon, 52-15

ALBANY (1-0) AT NO. 10 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN (0-1)

Series record: First meeting

What to know: SFA fell two spots in The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 following a 48-7 loss to FBS opponent Texas A&M last Saturday.

Quarterback Jeremy Moses, a Walter Payton Award candidate, will look to crank up an offense which managed just one touchdown.

Points may be at a premium, however, as Albany's defense recorded its first shutout in an opener since 1979 - a 3-0 victory over Maine.

The victory marked the lowest scoring game in the 38-year history of University of Albany football.

Look for Moses and SFA to get back on track.

Prediction: Stephen F. Austin, 35-20

NO. 22 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (1-0) AT SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: Prairie View is coming off a hard-fought opening week victory over SWAC rival Texas Southern. Senior cornerback Yvarian Richardson sealed the 16-14 decision with an interception in the closing minutes of the game.

Southern Mississippi looks to rebound after a 41-13 shellacking at the hands of Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 1.

The challenge will be tough for Prairie View, as Southern Mississippi is 3-0 all-time versus the SWAC, and has won 11 straight openers.

Prediction: Southern Mississippi, 42-9

NO. 24 MONTANA STATE (1-0) AT WASHINGTON STATE (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: Washington State leads, 6-0

What to know: Montana State whipped Division II opponent Ft. Lewis, 59-10 in Week 1. The Bobcats rushed for 287 yards and threw for 245 more in the win.

In Week 2, the challenge is significantly harder as Montana State travels to FBS opponent Washington State.

Washington State particularly enjoys beating up on Big Sky competition, as the team has not lost to a Big Sky member in nearly 60 years. Overall, Washington State is 41-2 all-time against the Big Sky, including a current string of 13 consecutive victories, with its last loss coming in 1947.

Prediction: Washington State, 31-17

VMI (1-0) AT NO. 11 WILLIAM & MARY (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: William & Mary leads, 51-33-2

What to know: William & Mary dropped its season opener to fellow CAA Football member Massachusetts last week, and VMI provides the perfect opportunity to get back on track. William & Mary has won 23 consecutive games against VMI.

A marked home-field advantage will benefit the Tribe, as the team went 6-0 and outscored the competition 176-44 at Zable Stadium last season.

VMI won its sixth consecutive season opener last Saturday in a 48-6 rout of Lock Haven. The dominating performance may not indicate future success however, as VMI has not tallied a winning season since 1981.

Prediction: William & Mary, 52-12

COASTAL CAROLINA (0-1) AT TOWSON (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: Tied, 1-1

What to know: Towson opened the 2010 season in challenging fashion, as it encountered Indiana on the road. Despite suffering a 51-17 defeat, junior quarterback Chris Hart, a transfer from Georgia Military College, excelled, running for 123 yards and throwing for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Hart became the first Towson quarterback to ever run for more than 100 yards in a game.

Coastal Carolina also opened with a daunting opponent in No. 24 West Virginia and Heisman Trophy candidate Noel Devine. The Chants held Devine to 2.8 yards per carry through three quarters, but were ultimately overmatched in a 31-0 loss.

On Saturday, Towson will host Coastal Carolina in its home opener for the second consecutive year. Towson won last year's contest, 21-17, and this year home field should once again give Towson the edge.

Prediction: Towson, 27-17

CHATTANOOGA (0-1) AT NO. 5 JACKSONVILLE STATE (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: Chattanooga leads, 25-9

What to know: These teams contributed to two of the most thrilling finishes in all of college football last week.

Jacksonville State shocked the football community at large with a come-from- behind double-overtime victory over FBS opponent Ole Miss. JSU outscored Ole Miss 21-3 in the fourth quarter, culminating with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Marques Ivory to Alan Bonner with just 18 seconds left in regulation. The victory catapulted JSU from No. 17 to No. 5 in The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25.

Chattanooga on the other hand, was on the wrong side of a late comeback. Appalachian State quarterback DeAndre Presley was named The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS National Offensive Player of the Week after engineering a 42-41 comeback victory over the Mocs.

The JSU/Chattanooga series dates back to 1904.

Prediction: Jacksonville State, 35-32

NO. 13 MCNEESE STATE (1-0) AT MISSOURI (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: McNeese barely edged out a Lamar program which hadn't fielded a team since 1989, notching a 30-27 victory on Saturday.

Quarterback Jacob Bower, playing in his first game for McNeese, completed 18- of-31 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The Tulsa transfer also added a rushing touchdown.

McNeese's season will become exponentially more difficult in Week 2, as it faces FBS competitor Missouri. Missouri earned a tough 23-13 victory over border rival Illinois in Week 1, and is 9-0 all-time against FCS opponents.

Prediction: Missouri, 42-10

NO. 19 LIBERTY (1-0) AT BALL STATE (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Series record: First meeting

What to know: Liberty quarterback Mike Brown was named the Big South Offensive Player of the Week for his hand in a 52-7 shellacking of St. Francis. Brown threw for career highs in yards (338) and touchdown passes (four).

Liberty will face a Ball State squad that defeated Southeast Missouri State, 27-10. Ball State relied heavily on the running attack, as sophomore quarterback Kelly Page completed just 10-of-17 passes for 85 yards and one interception.

If Liberty can control the line of scrimmage, Brown should again be able to take control of the game.

Prediction: Liberty, 25-20

NO. 4 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (1-0) AT ILLINOIS (0-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Series record: Illinois leads, 2-0

What to know: Southern Illinois owns the Missouri Valley Conference's only win against a Big Ten opponent, a 35-28 triumph at Indiana in 2006.

The Salukis hope to control the game clock by running the ball behind their David Pickard-led offensive line. Lucien Walker and Shariff Harris combined for five touchdowns in a 70-7 win over NAIA program Quincy, and Paul McIntosh is a running quarterback who relieves starter Chris Dieker.

When the Salukis scored 10 touchdowns against Quincy, senior kicker Kyle Dougherty did not try a field goal. With 49 in his career, he is one shy of Craig Coffins school record.

Illinois opened its season with a 23-13 loss to Missouri, letting a 13-3 halftime lead slip away. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will look to get on track after a rough debut, but he has support in junior running back Mike Leshoure, who rushed for 112 yards on 5.6 yards per carry.

Prediction: Illinois, 42-21

NO. 21 NORTH DAKOTA STATE (1-0) AT NO. 14 NORTHERN IOWA (0-0)

Kickoff: 7:37 p.m.

Series record: Northern Iowa leads, 24-18

What to know: Linebackers Chad Willson, Preston Evans and Matt Anderson were outstanding in North Dakota State's 6-3 win at Kansas last Saturday. The Bison, back to a Tampa 2 structure in their 4-3 alignment, forced three turnovers.

Ryan Jastram's 44- and 32-yard field goals provided North Dakota State with all the points it needed while starting to rebound from last year's 3-8 record.

To likely keep the Bison guessing, Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley has yet to announce his starting quarterback, either redshirt junior Zach Davis, last year's backup, or junior Tirrell Rennie. But Farley's biggest concern must be with the offensive line, which has a combined three starts, all by left tackle Jay Teply.

Visiting teams have a hard time winning at the UNI-Dome. The Panthers have gone undefeated there in seven seasons since 1990 (most recently in 2005) and are 173-43-1 overall.

Prediction: Northern Iowa, 24-17

NORTHERN COLORADO (1-0) AT NO. 20 WEBER STATE (0-1)

Kickoff: 8:05 p.m.

Series record: Weber State leads, 4-0

What to know: Considering the offense has struggled in recent seasons, Northern Colorado wisely opened its season against Division II Adams State to gain momentum. Running back Andre Harris rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns and wide receiver Jace Davis had 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 54-0 rout.

Cornerback Korey Askew earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors for his two-interception outing, including one that he returned for a touchdown. He is part of a solid secondary that also features safety Max Hewitt.

Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins is four passing yards shy of 10,000 in his terrific career. Still he might want to hand off the ball to Bo Bolen, whom Northern Colorado had no answer for last year while he racked up 207 rushing yards in the Wildcats' 28-20 victory.

The Wildcats acquitted themselves well in a 38-20, season-opening loss at Boston College, controlling the ball for 37 minutes, 36 seconds. Vai Tafuna, not Bolen, was their rushing leader with 59 yards on 21 carries.

Prediction: Weber State, 30-21

CENTRAL WASHINGTON (1-1) AT NO. 17 EASTERN WASHINGTON (1-0)

Kickoff: 9 p.m.

Series record: Eastern Washington leads, 33-30-4

What to know: The "Showdown on the Sound" at Qwest Field in Seattle brings together two schools that were long-time rivals in the Evergreen Conference of the NAIA. Central Washington won the last meeting, 21-14 in Cheyney in 2006.

Central Washington is ranked 12th in Division II and is coming off a 24-14 win over Dixie State. Quarterback Alex Cate has started the Wildcats' two games, but Ryan Robertson comes in off the bench and has outperformed him as a passer.

All hail Taiwan Jones after his 322 all-purpose yards against Nevada (145 rushing, 92 receiving and 85 kickoff return). He is a leading candidate for the Walter Payton Award.

Not surprisingly, Nevada racked up yardage (553, in fact) against the Eagles, but All-America linebacker J.C. Sherritt, last year's runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award, figures to settle down the defense.

EWU head coach Beau Baldwin and four assistants are former players and/or coaches at Central Washington.

Prediction: 35-17

NO. 1 MONTANA AT CAL POLY

Kickoff: 9:05 p.m.

Series record: Montana leads, 13-1

What to know: This is a meeting of future Big Sky opponents. Earlier this week, Cal Poly, as well as UC Davis, accepted an invitation to join the Big Sky for football only, likely for the 2012 season.

The top-ranked Grizzlies have won nine straight road games. Quarterback Andrew Selle is their returning quarterback, but Justin Roper (7-for-10 for 105 yards and three touchdowns against Western State last Saturday) continues to push for playing time in first-year coach Robin Pflugrad's wide-open offense.

Cal Poly returned 19 starters from a 4-7 squad, but struggled to get past Division II Humboldt State, 23-17, in its opener. The Mustangs ranked 102nd in total defense in the FCS and were vulnerable against the pass last season.

They will get a huge lift by the return of wide receiver Dominique Johnson from a one-game NCAA-imposed penalty. The former UCLA receiver caught 43 passes for 741 yards and six touchdown in his first season at Cal Poly last season.

Prediction: Montana, 37-21

FCS Executive Director Craig Haley contributed to this preview.