| Daily Blog •September 9, 2011 |
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Today I am going to switch my blog schedule up a bit and give you forecasts for all the FCS vs FCS games for week two. Tomorrow I will have all predictions for all the FBS games including the games involving FBS vs FCS teams. Now while I do not personally scout FCS players, Josh Buchanan who follows all the small schools does and he has been offering his picks on here for the past several years and helps me write my FCS magazine. His website is JBScouting.com
If you’re an FCS coach, AD, conference coordinator, SID or FCS fan please help me promote each and every one of the 126 FCS schools by purchasing my 2011 FCS preview and by putting the word out to your associates and known FCS fans. I want to put out a FCS Preview each year as college football is a labor of love for me but with printing costs, plus time and effort I have to see that there is a significant demand out there. If you have a twitter or facebook account or a blog spread the word to anyone that you know is a FCS fan. Last year we sold just under 1,000 copies of the FCS magazine that was located in one of our regional magazines but this year with it being a stand-alone magazine I want to sell many more copies. Since there will be a limited distribution of the magazine in book stores and newsstands the best way to get your hands on the 2011 FCS Preview is ordering online at the PhilSteele.com store or by purchasing thru our offices at 1-866-918-7711. Let’s make the FCS Preview a standard tradition much like what my National College Preview has become the last 17 years!
FCS Predictions - WEEK 2
Florida A&M at Hampton
Rush Pass Pts TO
FAMU 106 165 18 1
HU 144 230 17 3
Analysis: FAMU and Hampton were average in scoring offense last week but Hampton got a big game from Antwon Chisholm and FAMU had a monster day from Austin Trainor. Expect a good game but Hampton pulls the upset.
Josh’s Pick: Hampton 24 FAMU 20
Old Dominion at Georgia St
Rush Pass Pts TO
ODU 186 235 39 2
GSU 129 285 35 2
Analysis: This should be a shoot out with ODU coming out on tape thanks to QB Thomas DeMarco.
Josh’s Pick: ODU 42 GSU 37
New Hampshire at Lehigh
Rush Pass Pts TO
UNH 136 210 24 2
Lehigh 94 305 26 3
Analysis: This is a big game with two teams considered to be possible contenders to make real noise in the playoffs this year. This could be a big upset in the eyes of most as Lehigh is not a team anyone would usually expect to win this game. I see UNH in a close one though.
Josh’s Pick: UNH 24 Lehigh 21
Duquesne at Dayton
Rush Pass Pts TO
Duq 171 225 28 2
UD 174 175 26 2
Analysis: Dayton has fallen way off from where they were last year and neither team appears primed to be a contender in their respective leagues. I still look for the home team to pull out the win.
Josh’s Pick: Dayton 31 Duquesne 27
Colgate at Holy Cross
Rush Pass Pts TO
Colgate 276 90 26 2
Holy Cross 104 260 28 1
Analysis: Colgate’s rushing attack is led by RB Nate Eachus and should have no problem against Holy Cross. While HC should do well in the air. I see Colgate winning a close one.
Josh’s Pick: Colgate 31 HC 28
Wagner at Richmond
Rush Pass Pts TO
Wagner 81 140 7 3
Richmond 249 285 43 1
Analysis: This should be a blowout as Richmond has proven to be a very good team after their win over Duke and Wagner doesn’t have the speed to hang in with them.
Josh’s Pick: Richmond 45 Wagner 10
William & Mary at VMI
Rush Pass Pts TO
W&M 191 215 33 0
VMI 89 155 5 2
Analysis: After a tough loss by more than expected last week W&M looks to rebound and should easily against a weaker VMI team. W&M wins in a blowout.
Josh’s Pick: W&M 38 VMI 7
Butler at Indiana State
Rush Pass Pts TO
Butler 91 80 8 3
Indiana St 219 270 33 1
Analysis: If Indiana State is going to compete for a playoff berth this year this is a must win. However, even an expevted big win will not tell us ho good ISU really is this year.
Josh’s Pick: ISU 35 Butler 10
Jacksonville at Western Illinois
Rush Pass Pts TO
JU 86 190 16 2
WIU 249 265 32 3
Analysis: Jacksonville QB Josh McGregor will have to play big to pull an upset here but I don’t see it happening. WIU by a couple scores.
Josh’s Pick: WIU 31 JU 20
Cal Poly at Montana
Rush Pass Pts TO
CP 216 45 25 3
UM 164 245 30 3
Analysis: Montana is coming off a tough loss but should rebound nicely this week. This is a big matchup with two future NFL corners in UM’s Trumaine Johnson and Cal Poly’s Asa Jackson both on the field. Expect a close one with UM pulling out a victory.
Josh’s Pick: UM 35 CP 28
UC Davis at Montana St
Rush Pass Pts TO
UCD 151 185 23 1
MSU 174 265 26 2
Analysis: QB Denarius McGhee had a rough debut but should bounce back and will have to or else the Bobcats could be in trouble. Look for a close win by MSU.
Josh’s Pick: MSU 28 UCD 21
Sacramento St at Southern Utah
Rush Pass Pts TO
SSU 151 255 30 1
SUU 119 280 26 2
Analysis: After they pulled an upset over Oregon State, Sac State has the FCS world buzzing and QB Jeff Fleming looks to be primed for a big year. Sac State wins easily.
Josh’s Pick: SSU 35 SUU 21
N Carolina A&T at Appalachian St
Rush Pass Pts TO
NCAT 96 115 15 4
ASU 294 250 50 3
Analysis: This game should not be close despite ASU looking unimpressive last week against the Hokies. Expect WR Brian Quick to have another good game and ASU to win by a few scores.
Josh’s Pick: ASU 38 NCAT 13
S Carolina St at Bethune Cookman
Rush Pass Pts TO
SCSU 126 155 24 5
BCC 139 150 24 2
Analysis: Bethune-Cookman notched a big win last week and looks to prove those who believed they would be down this year. This is a big game early on and should affect the top of the MEAC standings.
Josh’s Pick: BCC 28 SCSU 21
Valparaiso at Youngstown St
Rush Pass Pts TO
Valpo -14 145 -2 3
YSU 414 330 64 1
Analysis: Valpo won’t have negative two points obviously but this should be a blowout either way. Expect YSU to play just about everyone who dresses out and completely shut down the Valpo rushing attack.
Josh’s Pick: YSU 56 Valpo 7
Murray St at Miss Valley St
Rush Pass Pts TO
MSU 266 365 52 1
MVSU 99 155 8 4
Analysis: After a loss that knocked them out of the polls when Payton candidate Casey Brockman threw three picks they should rebound. Look for Mike Harris to have a big day.
Josh’s Pick: MSU 49 MVSU 10
Lamar at South Alabama
Rush Pass Pts TO
Lamar 126 225 28 2
USA 149 150 15 4
Analysis: This is a game to watch as Lamar WR Marcus Jackson is a player getting NFL looks. This should be a close one but I expect Lamar’s passing attack to lead the way.
Josh’s Pick: Lamar 24 USA 17
E Washington at South Dakota
Rush Pass Pts TO
EWU 141 305 32 2
USD 139 255 21 2
Analysis: This game features serious NFL talent with USD’s Tom Compton and EWU’s Renard Williams worth watching on the lines. I don’t see this game quite as close as the computers do. EWU wins by two touchdowns.
Josh’s Pick: EWU 35 USD 21
Marist at Bucknell
Rush Pass Pts TO
Marist 46 245 17 3
Bucknell 159 185 21 1
Analysis: Bucknell DE Josh Eden is one of the best players you haven’t heard of. Keep an eye on him and expect a Bucknell win.
Josh’s Pick: Bucknell 24 Marist 21
Jacksonville St at Chattanooga
Rush Pass Pts TO
JSU 111 195 30 2
UTC 134 345 33 3
Analysis: Everyone is picking UTC in a close one and I agree. QB B.J. Coleman should bounce back and get them their first win of the season.
Josh’s Pick: UTC 28 JSU 24
Missouri St at E Kentucky
Rush Pass Pts TO
MSU 166 185 17 2
EKU 119 250 31 1
Analysis: A big time matchup to watch for is EKU CB Jeremy Caldwell against MSU WR Jermaine Saffold. Both will be in NFL camps next year. I am picking EKU in a close one.
Josh’s Pick: EKU 28 MSU 24
Lafayette at Georgetown
Rush Pass Pts TO
Lafayette 161 270 27 2
Georgetown 59 205 20 2
Analysis: An early Patriot League tilt worth watching. I expect Lafayette to win behind their passing game.
Josh’s Pick: Lafayette 31 Georgetown 27
Cent Conn St at James Madison
Rush Pass Pts TO
CCSU 81 85 12 2
JMU 264 205 38 1
Analysis: JMU didn’t pull off an upset as some thought they might but they should certainly rebound well this week and get a win. I see JMU winning by double digits despite some media picking a close one.
Josh’s Pick: JMU 35 CCSU 21
Furman at The Citadel
Rush Pass Pts TO
FU 101 140 23 1
Citadel 269 100 23 2
Analysis: Citadel WR Kevin Hardy can fly and Furman CB Ryan Steed can shut down speedy and big receivers. Look for that matchup and expect Furman to bounce back after a loss to CCU last week.
Josh’s Pick: Furman 28 Citadel 21
Alcorn St at Ark Pine Bluff
Rush Pass Pts TO
ASU 126 230 27 3
UAPB 109 230 23 3
Analysis: The SWAC always provides some interesting matchups early in the year and this is one of them. I have Bluff winning a close one.
Josh’s Pick: UAPB 28 ASU 24
Robert Morris at Liberty
Rush Pass Pts TO
RM 51 120 19 3
LU 174 385 43 3
Analysis: Liberty will definitely fall out of the polls this week if they lose and thus making this a must win. Look for WR Chris Summers and company to get it going as they win big against Robert Morris.
Josh’s Pick: LU 35 Robert Morris 17
St Francis PA at North Dakota St
Rush Pass Pts TO
SF 56 85 -2 3
NDSU 329 180 49 1
Analysis: NDSU RB D.J. McNorton leads a potent rushing attack. Look for a blowout win.
Josh’s Pick: NDSU 42 SF 17
Alabama A&M at Southern
Rush Pass Pts TO
A&M 206 135 23 2
Southern 149 235 28 1
Analysis: I don’t expect a big year from either team this season and the loser of this game is really in for a long year. I have Southern taking a close one.
Josh’s Pick: Southern 31 A&M 24
Northern Iowa at SF Austin
Rush Pass Pts TO
UNI 241 185 34 1
SFA 79 270 24 4
Analysis: This is probably the biggest game of the week with early playoff implications as the winner will have a good win on their resume. SFA is having to replace Payton Award winner Jeremy Moses and I don’t see them pulling off the upset as they continue to look for someone to answer the call.
Josh’s Pick: UNI 28 SFA 21
Jackson St at Tennessee St
Rush Pass Pts TO
JSU 21 230 19 2
TSU 219 225 23 2
Analysis: Tennessee State has hope to be solid this year and Jackson State returns some talent but neither school has the horses to win their respective leagues in my opinion. I have JSU winning behind the arm of Therriault.
Josh’s Pick: JSU 27 TSU 21
Villanova at Towson
Rush Pass Pts TO
VU 171 110 28 3
Towson 134 240 25 2
Analysis: Villanova struggled big time last week and with a freshman quarterback that was expected. This is a game they could lose but I see a close win.
Josh’s Pick: Villanova 31 Towson 21
Morehead St at Illinois St
Rush Pass Pts TO
MSU 46 255 27 2
ISU 139 350 44 3
Analysis: ISU QB Matt Brown threw two picks last week and will have to improve on turnovers if they are to have a successful season. I expect him to this week, as they win easy.
Josh’s Pick: ISU 42 MSU 17
Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M
Rush Pass Pts TO
TSU 196 85 18 5
PVAMU 119 150 18 3
Analysis: Based on last week PVAMU is evidently going to struggle this year. I believe they do again this week losing to Texas Southern.
Josh’s Pick: TSU 28 PVAMU 17
Savannah St at SE Louisiana
Rush Pass Pts TO
SSU 81 170 25 1
SELU 229 360 47 2
Analysis: SELU must improve on defense if they are going to win, but in their defense they did play Tulane and their offense looked good. Expect a better performance this week with a big game from RB Zeke Jones.
Josh’s Pick: SELU 42 SSU 14