The non-conference analysis is simply a look at who each FCS team is playing as of late May / early June. Occasionally schedules change, FBS schools buyout contracts and swap opponents, causing a domino effect. So these are tentative opponents, subject to change.
Ohio Valley
Austin Peay: @ Cincinnati, @ Miami (OH), vs. Morehead State
Eastern Illinois: @ Indiana State, @ Northern Illinois, vs. Illinois State
Eastern Kentucky: @ Western Kentucky, @ Kentucky, vs. St. Francis
Jacksonville State: vs. Chattanooga, @ Georgia Tech, vs. Liberty
Murray State: vs. Kentucky Wesleyan, vs. Central Arkansas, @ Missouri State, @ Louisville
Southeast Missouri State: @ Kansas, @ Dayton, vs. Southern Illinois
UT-Martin: vs. Clarion, @ Mississippi, @ Chattanooga
Tennessee State: @ Georgia State, vs. Jackson State, vs. Florida A&M, vs. Lynchburg
Tennessee Tech: vs. Western Illinois, @ Kennesaw State, @ Ball State
The Ohio Valley spreads themselves out, playing a team from almost everywhere, though most of their games will come from the other Valley (Missouri). As seen above, Murray State and Tennessee State play four non-conference games while everyone else plays three. This is because of TSU’s provision with the OVC to only have to play seven conference games. Murray State is the odd team out this season, so they get the extra non-conference game, replacing what would have been Tennessee State. Eastern Illinois plays their normal schedule of teams within driving distance - smart. All nine teams play at least one FBS, with Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky double-dipping. Three-time champion, Jacksonville State, has three juicy opponents, one being Liberty, the team transitioning to FBS.
