Commentary
On the surface, the Tennessee Tech at SE Missouri State game looks like a mismatch, and that may well be so. What makes it interesting is the fact that the two are tied for the lead in the Big South-OVC. That may be enough to spur the Golden Eagles into an upset.
Although Missouri State is not ranked, it would seem to have a credible chance for an upset. After losing to the Griz and an FBS, they have won three straight.
Furman and Chattanooga have identical records, yet Chattie is ranked and Furman doesn’t get any votes at all. In fact, the Paladins lead the Mocs by a half game in the SoCon standings.
The Stephen F. Austin game at Lamar is another case where the pollsters rank a team but totally ignore another in the conference, with the same record. Each has lost to an FBS and to a ranked FCS opponent, so that evens out.
The Brown at Rhode Island game is included mainly because they won over Harvard and this is another chance to measure an Ivy against a good FCS opponent.
The Samford game at ETSU is another case where the pollsters totally ignore a competitive in-conference rival. Samford actually leads ETSU in the SoCon standings.
I admit that the Southern Illinois versus NDSU game is here only as long shot. The Salukis went into free fall when they hit the tough part of their schedule. Two factors may help. First, the Salukis are at home. Second, the Bison could be looking ahead to their next game … a showdown with South Dakota State.
