Yesterday, we talked about which teams were ranked too high and too low. Today and tomorrow, we’ll turn our focus to week 1.
Q. Which FCS team will upset an FBS team in week 1?
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
The Spiders are not itsy-bitsy (worst opening of all time) having returned 15 starters from a 10-win team in 2015. They go into Virginia, against a team breaking in a new scheme, style, and culture, and there can be growing pains.
The point is Richmond, though, who will be led by quarterback Kyle Lauletta and a receiving corps that was deemed by coach Kyle Rocco “as talented a position as we have on our football team.”
An overwhelming favorite in the powerful CAA by most folks who predict FCS stuff, the stage won’t nearly be too big for this team. They’re veteran at all spots on the roster, and as long as that passing game clicks as expected, it’ll cause enough terror to be a big upset of an ACC foe in week 1. Remember the name “Brian Brown.”
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
Idaho vs Montana State jumps off the page at me, but Idaho actually made some strides last year and Montana State wasn’t very good.
UTSA had a rough year last season going just 3-9. A match-up against Alabama State (6-5 in 2015) could be more than they want.
The one I would bank on would be South Dakota against New Mexico. New Mexico went 7-6 last year and actually went to a bowl game. They are an improved team under Bob Davie. But South Dakota is no joke. The Coyotes’ losses last season came at the hands of NDSU, UNI, Western Illinois (in 2 OT) and Montana. Those are very formidable opponents. They also beat 3 FCS ranked teams and knocked off Kansas in the season opener last season. If I was a betting man, I’d think South Dakota could pull it off twice in two years.
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
I’ll go with Northern Iowa — ranked fifth in the preseason FCS poll — over Iowa State.
I’m aware that the Cyclones beat the Panthers 31-7 last year. However, it’s worth noting that the UNI defense shut down the Iowa State offense. Sure, the Cyclones scored 31 points, but they didn’t mount a single drive longer than 43 yards. Iowa State simply couldn’t block the Panther front seven, rushing 32 times for just 77 yards and allowing four sacks.
That shouldn’t change this year. Northern Iowa has ranked in the Top 25 in the FCS in sacks in each of the last three seasons. It also did a great job of producing turnovers, finishing with 13 net takeaways over the final seven games of the season.
Of course, the difference in this year’s game will be the Panther offense. The offensive line struggled against the Cyclones last year, allowing six sacks. However, this year’s group is more experienced, and should be a better job of keeping Aaron Bailey upright. Expect him to make a big play early on the game (as he did last year) to set the tone for the contest.
This combination of explosive plays on offense and a smothering defense will propel Northern Iowa over Iowa State.
