Around FCS: Week 1 - Top 25 Predictions

Cfootball Betting Lines

08/28/2008 - Philadelphia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -

No. 1 Appalachian State at No. 6 (FBS) LSU (Saturday, 5:00)

Everyone knows about Appalachian's historic 34-32 upset over college football winningest program, Michigan, to jump-start a wild 2007 season in college football. The Mountaineers went on to win an unprecedented third-consecutive national title and set themselves up to reach an even higher peak, beating the defending BCS champion to start the road towards the goal of a fourth straight national title.

It will be the first battle of the defending national champions since the inception of the BCS in 1998. ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards could duplicate the feat he accomplished at Michigan last season, and produce many jaw- clenching moments for the former Bo Schembechler protege, Les Miles. In fact, Miles' initial encounter with Appalachian State was not exactly an easy one, as the Tigers won a closer-than-the-score-indicated 24-0 win over a Richie Williams-led Appalachian squad in 2005. Ten fourth quarter points broke open a 14-0 game. The Tigers were out-rushed by the Mountaineers in that contest.

LSU has lost a lot of talent since 2005, including last year's starting quarterback Matt Flynn. With the dismissal of heir apparent Ryan Perrilloux, the Tigers will go with Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch at QB. But expect LSU to try to dominate the Mountaineers on the ground, an approach Michigan mistakenly failed to employ last year.

ASU will hope its speed will allow it to keep up with the Tigers. The Mountaineers need to put points on the board early to build confidence and make it a competitive game.

LSU 28, ASU 17

Austin Peay at No. 2 North Dakota State (Thursday, 8:00)

North Dakota State fans have been extremely impatient. But thankfully for Bison fans, the wait is over as their team will finally be deemed eligible for the FCS postseason.

Austin Peay was an overachieving squad last season, finishing 7-4 to post just its second winning campaign in 23 years. Unfortunately the Governors will play without the services of leading rusher Chris Fletcher (1,343 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns, 5.4 yards-per-rush in 2007), who has graduated. Hope should be restored on the defensive side of the football with 21 of the team's top 22 tacklers returning for the 2008 campaign.

The Bison must replace ultra-efficient signal-caller Steve Walker. Walker's backup Nick Mertens will assume the starting role. Mertens will have plenty of offensive talent around him with RB Tyler Roehl (1,431 yards, 21 TDs), WR Kole Heckendorf and TE Jeremiah Wurzbacher returning.

The defense should be stout as well, as seven starters return from a unit that yielded 329 yards per game in 2007. With the departure of top linebacker Joe Mays to the NFL, Ramon Humber, Mike Maresh will need to step up. DE Joe Lardinois and safety Nick Schommer are other standouts.

North Dakota State 42, Austin Peay 20

No. 3 Northern Iowa at No. 16 (FBS) Brigham Young (Saturday, 6:00)

Northern Iowa was the top-ranked team in FCS last season before seeing its season come to an end in the FCS quarterfinals, losing 38-24 to eventual national runner-up Delaware at the UNI-Dome. During its near-flawless 12-1 season, the Panthers knocked off an FBS foe in Iowa State, defeating the Cyclones 24-13 in Ames.

This season the Panthers won't have four-year starting quarterback Eric Sanders, but will turn the controls of the offense over to Pat Grace. Corey Lewis is one of the best running backs in the nation entering the 2008 season, after rushing for 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall.

If there is a team that could be the non-BCS conference qualifier for a BCS bowl, BYU has to be it. Coming off an impressive 11-2 season and 17-16 win over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Cougars return 12 starters on what looks to be the most talented BYU team since legendary coach LaVell Edwards roamed the sidelines and Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer handled the quarterbacking responsibilities nearly two decades ago.

Northern Iowa, despite returning six starters from a unit that led the Missouri Valley in nearly every defensive category last fall, will be asked to stop one of college football's most potent offensive attacks.

Brigham Young 35, Northern Iowa 14

Albany at No. 5 Massachusetts (Saturday, 6:00)

Don Brown's UMass club is looking to continue its string of success in the CAA this fall, returning one of the nation's top signal-callers on offense, Liam Coen (3,091 yards, 30 TDs), and two of the nation's top pass defenders in Courtney Robinson (47 tackles, six pass break-ups and three interceptions) and Sean Smalls (49 tackles, 10 pass break-ups).

Albany enters the campaign coming off an impressive 8-4 record in 2007, to go along with a Northeast Conference title. The Great Danes welcome back 12 starters, including the talented offensive tandem of quarterback Vinny Esposito (1,810 yards, 12 TDs) and All-NEC running back David McCarty (1,503 yards, 13 TDs).

Defensively, the Danes lost top tackler Colin Disch, but return two of their top four linebackers in Justin Brancaccio (63 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss in 2007) and Emerson Kinsey at outside linebacker.

Though the Danes boast plenty of talent, this will be a tough game for them against a UMass squad that is a national-title contender.

Massachusetts 31, Albany 14

No. 6 James Madison at Duke (Saturday, 7:00)

James Madison normally takes a low-key approach to FBS opponents, but don't expect the Mickey Matthews-coached team to show any mercy for Duke coming off an 8-4 season,

JMU has some of the best returning talent in FCS, with quarterback Rodney Landers and tailback Eugene Holloman leading the way. The Dukes should also be tough defensively, with free safety Marcus Haywood leading an experienced defense.

It is a ripe time to be playing Duke, which dropped its last CAA encounter to Richmond, 13-0, in 2006. The Blue Devils are rebuilding again under former Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe.

JMU needs to tune up for an early schedule that includes No. 5 UMass and No. 1 Appalachian State, so expect the Dukes to go all out for a win in this one.

James Madison 20, Duke 13

No.7 Eastern Washington at No. 13 (FBS) Texas Tech (Saturday, 7:00)

If you like offense, this is definitely the game to partake in as a college football fan. Eastern Washington boasts some of the most prolific FCS players on the offensive side of the football, as does Texas Tech in the BCS.

The Eagles again possess perhaps the nation's best quarterback-receiver duo, with the return of quarterback Matt Nichols (3,744 yards, 34 TDs) and receiver Aaron Boyce (85 receptions, 1,308 yards, 10 TDs). Dale Morris, the cousin of current Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris, posted 930 rushing yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

The Eagles have talent on defense as well, especially along the defensive line with end Greg Peach (63 tackles, 11 sacks in 2007) and tackle Lance Witherspoon leading from up front.

They will be charged with the task of pressuring one of FBS' most-prolific passers, Graham Harrell (512-of-712, 5,705 yards, 48 TDs and 14 interceptions), who throws early and often to fellow Michael Crabtree (134 receptions, 1,962 yards and 22 TDs) in Mike Leach's high-powered Red Raiders attack.

It's hard to out-score a Mike Leach offense and even an offense of the Eagles' level will be hard-pressed to keep pace with Harrell and Crabtree.

Texas Tech 45, Eastern Washington 28

No. 9 Delaware at Maryland (Saturday, 3:45)

Delaware welcomes the services of another transfer in the signal-caller's role as Rob Schoenhoft (Ohio State) follows Andy Hall (Georgia Tech), Sonny Riccio (Missouri) and Joe Flacco (Pittsburgh). Hall, of course, delivered Delaware's first FCS national championship back in 2003, while Flacco led the Blue Hens to the national title game last season.

The Terrapins are coming off a 6-7 season and a 21-14 loss to Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl. With the return of 13 starters, the Terrapins are looking to return the kind of success they enjoyed in the first four seasons of the Ralph Friedgen regime.

Although Delaware enters this season-opening match-up boasting a 5-3-1 all- time series advantage against Maryland, this is the first encounter between the two in 60 years.

With the return of 14 starters, including one of the CAA's best trios of receivers - Aaron Love, Mark Duncan and Kevin Michaud - and premier tight end Rob Agnone, the Blue Hens are potentially talented on offense. Maryland certainly has one of its own answers at wide receiver in Darius Heyward-Bey, who is coming off a solid season of his own, with 51 receptions for 783 yards and three touchdowns.

It's a winnable game for the Blue Hens, who will be looking to claim the league's first win over an ACC foe since the 2006 campaign when Richmond blanked Duke. Interestingly, the Terps have opened their past two campaigns with a matchup against a team from the CAA, boasting a 27-14 win over William & Mary in '06 and a 31-14 triumph over Villanova last season. Expect this one to be competitive if the Blue Hens can be effective at the quarterback position.

Maryland 28, Delaware 10

No. 10 McNeese State at North Carolina (Saturday, 6:00)

McNeese State will be in search of its first win over an FBS opponent outside the state of Louisiana. McNeese State's last outing against an FBS foe was a forgettable one, the Cowboys dropping a 41-10 decision at South Florida in 2006.

Aspirations are high for McNeese State entering the 2008 campaign, after a season in which the Cowboys won a league title for the second-consecutive year and finished 11-1. The Cowboys return 12 starters, including seven on the offensive side of the ball. Experienced QB Derek Fourroux leads the show.

North Carolina has high hopes of its own going into the 2008 season, returning 18 starters off of Butch Davis' inaugural 4-8 team. There was significant improvement at the quarterback position with T.J. Yates garnering the starting role, however the Tar Heels haven't exactly been world-beaters when it comes to facing teams from the FCS.

Despite last season's 37-14 over perennial FCS power James Madison, North Carolina has had its share of struggles against the FCS, with close calls against William & Mary (49-38) in 2004 and Furman in 2006 (45-42). And speaking of Furman, it might not be a bad idea for McNeese State head coach Matt Viator to pop in Furman's 1999 encounter against the Tar Heels in Kenan Stadium. McNeese State could very well pull a similar upset in this one.

McNeese State 24, North Carolina 21

No. 12 Youngstown State at No. 2 (FBS) Ohio State (Saturday, 12:00)

Jim Tressel built his winning reputation at Youngstown State, taking the Penguins to four national championships and six title game appearances in the 1990s. Now, he has given back to YSU by playing his old team for the second year in a row. Ohio State beat YSU 38-6 last season.

This game could be pretty similar. Todd Boeckman's presence at quarterback for Ohio State caused two other players, Rob Schoenhoft and Antonio Henton, to transfer to Delaware and Georgia Southern, respectively. But the Buckeyes are still looking for a BCS title after loses to Florida and LSU in the past two title games.

This contest will give Tressel plenty of opportunity to look at a number of young players, including freshman Terrelle Pryor.

YSU will be breaking in a new quarterback, Todd Rowan, after four years with Tom Zetts at the helm. What a way to start your career. Exciting Ferlando Williams Jr. might get a chance to break a big play for YSU.

The Penguins will try to run time off the clock with its running game, but Ohio State will be too tough on both sides of the line.

Ohio State 42, Youngstown State 14

Presbyterian at No. 13 Wofford (Saturday, 7:00)

Bobby Bentley developed a national prep power at Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C., compiling a 107-52 record with four class AAAA state titles. Now he is trying to do the same at Presbyterian.

Bentley's optimism was warranted in his first season at PC, as his offense set single-season school standards in points scored (404), overall yardage (3,817), and passing yards. Quarterback Tim Webb (1,797 yards, 15 TDs) is back with running back S.J. Worrell (725 yards) and wide receiver Terrance Butler 65 catches, 16.5 average).

Wofford isn't immune to opening-game lulls against reputable opponents. The Terriers opened the season against NAIA school Georgetown (KY) last season, and it took a 60-yard Jeremy Marshall scoring run to break open a close game in the fourth quarter and deliver Wofford the 38-21 win.

The Terriers will be a vastly different team than the one that was SoCon co- champion and a FCS quarterfinalist. Losing 10 starters is significant, but the losses of Kevious Johnson and Josh Collier are the most detrimental. Johnson finished his career as the school's second-leading career rusher, and Collier was a veteran offensive leader who was arguably the most-improved quarterback in the SoCon last fall. Ben Widmyer, who split time with Collier last season, takes over the wingbone attack and should move the ball against a PC team that allowed 30 points per game last year.

Wofford 38, Presbyterian 24

No. 17 Georgia Southern at No. 1 (FBS) Georgia (Saturday, 12:30)

If Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher and his Eagles weren't already facing a daunting task, add to that the fact that eight starters have been suspended from the lineup. This is a far different Georgia Southern team than the one that kept pace with the Bulldogs for three quarters in 2004, before losing 48-28.

The Eagles have plenty of question marks heading into a new year, including how to replace Payton Award winner Jayson Foster. However, there is talent waiting in the wings in Ohio State transfer Antonio Henton and talented redshirt freshman Lee Chapple, who are battling it out at quarterback. The Eagles defense should be a strength entering the 2008 season, with the return of nine starters.

Despite a litany of injuries and suspensions to reputable players, the Bulldogs are ranked as the No. 1 college team in the land and are as deep as any Georgia team in recent memory. Heisman Trophy candidate and talented signal-caller Matthew Stafford will expose the Eagles' main strength heading into the 2008 season, and depending on the tactic Mark Richt takes, this game could be very ugly or just a resounding win.

Georgia 55, Georgia Southern 21

No. 18 Eastern Illinois at Central Michigan (Thursday, 7:00)

Hall-of-Fame coach Bob Spoo is approaching cult status in Illinois, given his success in 20 seasons at the helm of Eastern Illinois.

The Panthers have solid talent returning on both sides of the ball entering the 2008 season, with the return of quarterback Bodie Reeder (1,726 yards passing, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions) and the addition of Florida transfer Chevron Walker at running back.

Defensively, the Panthers return six starters, including defensive end Pierre Walters (47 tackles, three sacks, three tackles-for-loss in 2007) and second-team All-OVC defensive back Rashard Haynes (52 tackles, five interceptions in 2007).

Central Michigan is one of the strongest teams in the MAC Western Division, picked by many prognosticators to take the MAC title in 2008. That is due in large part to having arguably the league's top signal-caller in Dan LeFevour (4,774 total offense, 3,264 passing, 27 TDs). But CMU did lose to North Dakota State last year, 44-14. Eastern Illinois has the potential to keep this one close, but the Chippewas could take over with their offensive might in this one.

Central Michigan 35, Eastern Illinois 17

No. 19 South Dakota State at Iowa State (Thursday, 8:00)

Another team excited about its status as playoff-eligible is South Dakota State, and the Jackrabbits are celebrating by taking on Iowa State. The Jackrabbits have subtly been establishing themselves as a player on the FCS national scene, particularly with wins over the likes of North Dakota State (29-24) last season and McNeese State (20-17) in 2006.

There are 11 starters returning for SDSU, but not leading rusher Cory Koenig, who ran for 1,266 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. That leaves the rushing responsibilities to Kyle Minnett (476 yards, five TDs).

The quarterback position should be in fine shape with the return of Ryan Berry for his senior campaign (2,132 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions).

Things also look promising on the defensive side of the football for the Jackrabbits, with Jimmy Rodgers and Chris Johnson (216 combined tackles) returning as a linebacking tandem.

Iowa State suffered a 24-13 loss to Northern Iowa in 2007. The Cyclones are coming off a 3-9 campaign with only an incremental increase in talent entering Gene Chizik's second season at the helm. Look for the Jackrabbits to continue Chizik's struggles at Iowa State, giving him subsequent seasons with a loss to an FCS opponent.

South Dakota State 23, Iowa State 21

No. 20 Eastern Kentucky at Cincinnati (Thursday, 7:30)

For the sixth consecutive season, Eastern Kentucky opens the season facing an FBS opponent, this time Big East-member Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium. The Colonels and Bearcats met just two seasons ago, with Cincinnati blanking the Colonels 31-0. Unfortunately for EKU, it hasn't knocked off a team from the FBS sub-classification since the 1985 season when it beat Louisville, 45-21.

With Danny Hope's departure to apprentice Joe Tiller for a season at Purdue before taking over the head coaching responsibilities in 2009, the Colonels will usher in new coach Dean Hood, a former Colonels (1994-98) defensive coordinator. Hood has been the defensive coordinator for Jim Grobe at Wake Forest for the past seven years.

The Colonels were hit especially hard by graduation, returning only nine starters from last season's Ohio Valley Conference championship squad. However, the cupboard is by no means bare, as OVC Offensive Player of the Year Allan Holland (1,990 passing yards, 14 TDs, four interceptions) returns at QB.

EKU will be buoyed by their defense in 2008, especially along the defensive front. Senior defensive end Chris Coy is one of the nation's premier bookends after posting league highs in tackles-for-loss (18.5) and sacks (8) as a junior. The secondary is anchored by one of the top safety tandems in the nation, in two-time All-OVC performer Brandon Gathof (91 tackles, six PBU's, five INT's and three TFL's in '07) and Zach Denton (69 tackles, 1.5 tackles- for-loss, half-a-sack and five interceptions in 2007).

Cincinnati has a relatively successful recent track record against FCS foes, having trounced fellow OVC member Southeast Missouri 59-3 last season. However, the Bearcats despite a couple of successful seasons, have been known to struggle in games against FCS opponents, as proven by their narrow 7-3 win over Western Carolina in 2005.

Cincinnati 34, Eastern Kentucky 13

No. 21 Villanova at No. 8 (FBS) West Virginia (Saturday, 3:30)

Villanova has some of the best young talent in FCS, but it might be too much to expect them to beat quarterback Pat White and the Mountaineers' lethal spread in their first game of the season.

Former VMI coach Bill Stewart starts his first full season as West Virginia's coach, replacing Rich Rodriguez. He might take it easy on the Wildcats, considering he dealt with his share of blowouts on the other side of the ball while with the Keydets.

Villanova will be excited to get quarterback Antwon Young back from knee surgery, something that should spark the Wildcats offense in 2008. End Tim Kukucka is one of the stars of the Villanova defense, and should become a FCS household name very soon.

West Virginia 45, Villanova 17

Henderson State at No. 22 Central Arkansas (Thursday, 8:00)

With 19 starters returning, Central Arkansas expects to be even better than last year, when the Bears challenged McNeese State for the Southland title.

On offense, the Bears have a signal-caller that rivals the talent of Sam Houston State's Rhett Bomar. Starting quarterback Nathan Brown put up some astounding numbers last fall, throwing for 3,084 yards and 26 touchdowns and threw just 10 interceptions. His top five receivers return, led by wideout Preston Echols and tight end Marquez Branson, who combined to haul in 71 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, as Brown spread the wealth among his receiving options.

Defensively the Bears need to improve a bit after yielding 31.5 PPG last season, however, hope lies in one of the league's top linebacking units, which returns all three starters, including Corey McMurrian(64 tackles, 4.5 tackles- for-loss) and James Lancaster (64 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss).

With a 55-7 win over Division II Henderson State last season, it's hard to imagine the Bears will take it easy on their former lower-division foe in 2008.

Central Arkansas 64, Henderson State 7

Webber International at No. 23 The Citadel (Saturday, 7:00)

Last year, The Citadel routed Webber International, an NAIA foe, 76-0 en route to setting a school record with 434 points on the 2007 season.

Not only did the Bulldogs put up points last year, they also got the job done on the defensive side of the football, sporting the league's top total defense (356.5 yards per game). Eight starters return on the defensive side of the football, including DL Terrence Reese (41 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss in 2007) and Jonathan Vest, who makes the transition from the secondary to linebacker after sitting out the 2007 season.

Offensively, the Bulldogs will again be loaded, returning an eager Bart Blanchard (58-of-91 passing, 824 yards, seven TDs) at quarterback. Blanchard replaced the school's all-time passing leader Duran Lawson, who went down with a knee injury last season. The school's first 1,000-yard receiver since 1975 also returns in 2007 All-American Andre Roberts (78 receptions, 1,060 yards, 10 TDs).

The game may not approach 80 again this fall, but the Bulldogs' margin of victory could be substantial once again.

The Citadel 63, Webber International 0

No. 25 Western Illinois at Arkansas (Saturday, 7:00)

After being on the cusp of a breakthrough season the past couple of years, the Leathernecks might have what it takes to return to the Don Patterson glory days in 2008. Eighteen starters return from a team that finished 6-5 record in 2007, including All-American Herb Donaldson in the backfield. Donaldson rushed for 1,491 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Linebacker Jason Williams is one of the nation's elite linebackers, coming off an All-American season in which he tallied 107 tackles, eight sacks and four pass breakups.

Arkansas fans are anxiously anticipating the debut of Bobby Petrino as the head coach. The offense is likely to be in stark contrast to Houston Nutt's run-based offenses of the past. Returning QB Casey Dick's role will be vastly different in the signal-caller's role, as he will be asked to do more than hand the ball to Darren McFadden or Felix Jones this fall.

The Leathernecks should take comfort in the fact that Arkansas isn't an invincible FBS program, getting pushed by 2-9 Chattanooga last season in a 34-15 victory. And everyone should remember current Jacksonville State head coach Jack Crowe's darkest day as head coach of the Razorbacks, when he lost his job after a 10-3 loss to The Citadel in 1992. The Leathernecks should have enough in the tank to keep this contest close for a while, but Arkansas should pull away for a win in the second half.

Arkansas 35, Western Illinois 10

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 4 Richmond at No. 15 Elon (Saturday, 7:00)

This has to be the most mouth-watering matchup between two FCS foes in the opening week of the 2008 season.

Richmond has high hopes after its run to the FCS semifinals last season. It also has a new coach in former Spider player Mike London, who replaces Dave Clawson, now the offensive coordinator at Tennessee.

The Spiders have talent on both sides of the ball, with quarterback Eric Ward, tailback Josh Vaughan and defensive ends Sherman Logan and Lawrence Sidbury, Jr.

Elon enters the season with some unfinished business after such a promising start to the 2007 season that saw the Phoenix get out of the gates with a 6-2 start before falling just short of the playoffs.

The pass-catch duo of Scott Riddle (3,817 yards, 31 TDs) to Terrell Hudgins (117 catches, 18 TDs) returns to spark Elon's wide-open offense. Linebacker Corey Weaver (80 tackles) leads what should be an improved defense.

This game should go a long way in defining the seasons of two FCS teams with high aspirations, and could come down to the final moments.

Elon 27, Richmond 24