Staff Records:
CJ Sweat: 21-4
Chris Mason: 20-5
Parker Hall: 21-4
Elon @ JMU
If you looked at Vegas odds and ignored everything else, you probably wouldn't realize that this game features two FCS top 10 programs. Despite both teams being ranked, 5Dimes has the Dukes favored by 37.5. While that seems like a big number, JMU is outscoring their FCS opponents 237-17. Their one loss was at NC State, who is undefeated and ranked 23rd in FBS.
CJ Sweat: JMU 41 Elon 17
Chris Mason: JMU 41 Elon 10
Parker Hall: JMU 42 Elon 10
Lane @ Hampton
The biggest problem with Hampton being 1-3 isn't the fact that they've only won one game, it's that their only win was against a division 2 opponent and they only have two FCS opponents remaining. Hampton is flirting with a win-less season against the FCS. This week they'll welcome division 2 opponent Lane, who is 0-4 on the year.
CJ Sweat: Hampton 34 Lane 14
Chris Mason: Hampton 22 Lane 21
Parker Hall: Hampton 34 Lane 14
Albany @ William & Mary
William & Mary had an opportunity last week to prove they could be competitive, and potentially sneak into the FCS bubble list. Yet, despite QB Shon Mitchell completing 69% and throwing for over 250 yards, the Tribe put up a goose egg and lost 23-0. They host Albany this week, who has won their last two games by a combined 10 points.
CJ Sweat: William & Mary 20 Albany 17
Chris Mason: Albany 35 William & Mary 19
Parker Hall: William & Mary 40 Albany 17
Norfolk State @ Florida A&M
This has the potential to be the most underrated game in FCS this weekend. Norfolk State is 3-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of JMU. They've outscored their past two opponents 71-35. Meanwhile, the Rattlers of Florida A&M are 3-2 and coming off a blistering win over North Carolina Central, 55-14. With both teams being undefeated in MEAC play, this game has major conference implications.
CJ Sweat: Florida A&M 28 Norfolk State 27
Chris Mason: Florida A&M 13 Norfolk State 10
Parker Hall: Norfolk State 30 Florida A&M 14
ODU @ Florida Atlantic
Since starting off 0-3 and not scoring more than 25 points in any of their first three games, the Monarchs have scored a combined 86 points in their past two contests. The impressive part about that is they've done it playing against Bud Foster's Virginia Tech defense, and an ECU program that is much better than a year ago. Still though, Bobby Wilder has to figure out what is wrong with his defense as they're allowing 36 points per game.
CJ Sweat: FAU 45 ODU 30
Chris Mason: ODU 38 FAU 30
Parker Hall: FAU 34 ODU 10
Notre Dame @ Virginia Tech
CJ Sweat mentioned on this week's podcast that he believes Trevon Hill actually was causing problems in the Virginia Tech locker room, and that when Fuente kicked Trevon off the team, it provided much needed motivation for the defense. Last week, Virginia Tech went down to Durham to face a ranked Duke squad who was favored by 6.5. Bud Foster's defense returned to perfection and shut down the Blue Devlis, 31-14. This week they return to the national spotlight against a Notre Dame team, that is very capable of reaching the College Football Playoff.
CJ Sweat: Notre Dame 30 Virginia Tech 20
Chris Mason: Notre Dame 42 Virginia Tech 18
Parker Hall: Virginia Tech 21 Notre Dame 17
Liberty @ New Mexico State
Liberty's roller coaster of a season continued last week. After going up 42-10 at halftime, the Flames nearly surrendered the lead entirely as the Lobos narrowed the gap to 6, down 49-43 late in the fourth. An Aaron Peart field goal with a minute left though sealed Liberty's second win of the year. Now, for the first time in program history, the Flames are favored to win a FBS game on the road.
CJ Sweat: Liberty 36 New Mexico State 24
Chris Mason: Liberty 31 New Mexico State 30
Parker Hall: Liberty 45 New Mexico State 34
