Commentary
The ranked team matchups pretty much speak for themselves. You need only decide which higher-ranked team might be overrated.
After a number of down years, Stephen F. Austin has had a surprisingly hot start. Their only loss was to Texas Tech and they kept that game close (28-22 final). Being at home may be just the edge they need to knock off Sam Houston. (Some on eGriz have wondered why SFA isn’t ranked.)
After an opening win at home, Illinois State went on the road, where they lost to an FBS and a ranked FCS opponent. So they’re a solid team and a return home might be just what they need for an upset against Missouri State.
Much the same pattern goes for Western Illinois, which opened with a murderer’s row: FBS Ball State, the Griz, and then EWU. But last week they went on the road and won at Youngstown State. I suspect they can hardly wait to take on Southern Illinois at home.
After their glamorous upset of Vanderbilt, ETSU ran through two cupcakes and barely won in overtime against a mediocre Samford (2-2) team. So, their undefeated record is a bit suspect. Wofford, on the other hand, lost to ranked FCS opponents and won at Elon.
Rhode Island’s undefeated record also seems a bit suspect … their opponents’ combined record is 2-7. Stony Brook may not be a powerhouse, but one of their losses was to a ranked FCS opponent and another to a ranked FBS team.
I tacked on the last matchup for those who think Central Arkansas is better than their record: Those losses have been to an FBS and two ranked FCS teams. On their record, of course, Abilene Christian looks like the stronger team, with their only loss to SMU. But, aside from that, they’ve haven’t faced much in the way of opposition. This game is one of my picks and I see the Bears in a win going away.
