Week 6 features a number of interesting games at the FCS level. This week presents our biggest chance so far of seeing some serious changes to the top of the FCS standings.
Let’s dive into three FCS matchups with betting value for Saturday.
Saturday FCS College Football Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click the team logos for one of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
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| Specific bet recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Princeton vs. Lafayette
Saturday, Oct. 8 12:30 p.m. ET ESPN+ |
Under 39  |
I had originally planned to write up Northern Colorado vs. Sacramento State as my third and final game. But once I noticed the statistical matchup between Princeton and Lafayette, I had no choice.
I drove 30 minutes back to Indiana after getting all of my bets in for the weekend just to bet this game.
I’ll be completely honest with you — a lot of people call games “must-watch” and “can't miss.” This is not one of those — unless, of course, you love defensive grinds with little to no offense.
Lafayette squared off with Penn a few weeks back and lost that game, 12-0, but something caught my eye.
The Leopards rank second-to-last in the FCS in total offense, putting up just 192 yards per game.
Penn, which shut out Lafayette, ranks second in total defense. Princeton sits just behind it at third in total defense. The Tigers are also a much better offensive team than Penn.
Lafayette is coming off of its first win of the season, but it won that game due in large part to three turnovers by Bucknell. Its defense is a lot better than the scores of previous games show.
The Leopards lead the Patriot League, holding teams to just 18 points per game and giving up a score on just 68.4% of red-zone opportunities. They also rank second in yards allowed with 353 per contest.
I'm taking the under in this game at 39, and I would take it as low as 38.
Pick: Under 39 (Play to 38)
Delaware vs. William & Mary
Saturday, Oct. 8 3:30 p.m. ET FloSports |
William & Mary -2.5 |
Two CAA teams both ranked inside the top 20 will square off on Saturday. Delaware comes into the game 5-0 on the season, while William & Mary is 4-1 with its only loss coming against Elon as a result of a 19-point fourth-quarter comeback.
William & Mary's offense is built around a plethora of running backs, all of whom present a threat to Delaware. The Tribe average a league-best 241 rushing yards per game, but I don't think they’ll maintain that number against Delaware’s defense.
The Blue Hens defense rank fourth nationally in total defense, holding opponents to just 244.6 yards per game. Delaware has also surrendered just two rushing touchdowns so far this season and ranks 3rd among all FCS teams, allowing third-down conversions on just 23.6% of attempts.
One area of concern for the Blue Hens has been the offensive line, Delaware ranks last in the CAA when it comes to quarterback hurries and sacks allowed. But if it can improve this week and give quarterback Nolan Henderson time, there's no doubt he'll put it to good use. Henderson ranks eighth nationally in passing yards and currently sits third in touchdowns.
The Tribe also have one of the most reliable kickers in the FCS in reigning Special Teams Player of the Week Ethan Chang, who set a school record with a 57-yard field goal in strong winds last week against Stony Brook.
Pairing the advantage on special teams with a Tribe run game that has been one of the most efficient in the FCS gives William & Mary a significant edge. It should find more than enough success to get the job done at home against a Delaware defense that ranks 32nd in defensive rush efficiency.
Back the Tribe as high as a three-point favorite in this one.
Pick: William & Mary -2.5 (Play to -3)
Eastern Washington vs. Weber State
Saturday, Oct. 8 8 p.m. ET ESPN+ |
Eastern Washington +14 |
Eastern Washington's gauntlet of a schedule continues this week as it travels once again to take on Weber State.
The Eagles won their first game of the season over Tennessee State, 36-29, and haven't won since. However, those three losses have come against two Power Five teams in Oregon and Florida with the fourth-ranked team in FCS, Montana State, in the middle.
Now trying to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 2011, they will face the seventh-ranked team in the FCS in Weber State. Oh, and by the way, they haven’t beaten the Wildcats since 2017.
This Eastern Washington team has the toughest schedule in the FCS, and I think that has overshadowed the fact it possesses top-10 talent. Yes, the Wildcats have the longest active winning streak in FCS and have dominated these Eagles over the years, but hungry dogs run faster.
Despite being ranked seventh in the FCS polls, Weber State is the lowest-ranked team Eastern Washington has faced since Week 1, and this team has to be tired of losing. The Eagles might not pull off the upset, but two touchdowns is just too many points in this game. After all, they lost to fourth-ranked Montana State by just three.
The Eagles rank first in offensive drive efficiency, while Weber is 29th when it comes to defensive drive efficiency. I think EWU can keep pace here and would back it at +10 or better.
Pick: Eastern Washington +14 (Play to +10)
