Week 13 “Other” Conferences Breakdowns
We’ve made it, we’re to the final regular season weekend in what has been a wildly entertaining FCS season. Now all we have is to play a few games that don’t really matter and wait for the big playoffs, right? Wrong! The playoffs might as well start now, because for almost half the teams playing the weekend, playoff implications are on their games so they might as well win or not worry about getting up early for the selection show Sunday morning. For the final time we’ve highlighted six great matchups in week 13 to watch for. The predictions finally got back on track last week going 4-1 and the season total now sits at a respectable 42-21.
Liberty (7-4) vs Charleston Southern (10-2), Saturday, 11:00 ET
If CSU wins they clinch the Big South Conference title and the automatic bid to the playoffs. A loss however, puts them in danger and on the bubble with eight to ten other teams fighting for the final few at-large bids. With a loss Coastal Carolina would take the Big South title and CSU would have to see if the committee would be willing to add another team from a relatively weaker conference, one who would have just lost for the second straight week. Liberty isn’t entirely out of the equation either, however, it would appear even an 8-4 season may not be enough either from a Big South school despite the Flames playing really well as of late.
Projected Score: Liberty 27 – Charleston Southern 21
Wofford (5-5) vs Furman (6-5), Saturday, 12:00 ET
Even just a month ago who could’ve imagined that Furman would be heading into the final regular season weekend with a chance to win the Southern Conference championship? The Paladins are in that position and could find a home in the playoffs with a win over Wofford. Other bubble teams may be pulling against Furman because if the Paladins do, in fact, take the automatic bid, that leaves SoCon schools Samford and Chattanooga out and who could take at-large spots away from others. Wofford’s season, as far as a postseason, is over after the Terriers were in five of the last six playoffs, but there’s still something to play for; a chance at a winning record and to possibly take someone else’s playoff hopes away.
Projected Score: Wofford 35 – Furman 20
Lafayette (4-6) vs #18 Lehigh (8-2), Saturday, 12:30 ET
That’s right, in a conference where one team is 10-1, the automatic playoff bid may go to a team with a sub.500 record. Fordham, of course, is ineligible to receive the Patriot League title, which leaves this rivalry in the final weekend for the winner take all in the conference title race. Lafayette could steal their way into the postseason with an upset over the Mountain Hawks. It’s not impossible seeing as just a weeks ago Lafayette gave previously undefeated Fordham its first loss of the season. Lehigh, having a much better season, is still stuck in the same ‘win-or-go-home’ scenario. A win obviously locks in the auto bid, but a loss means even an 8-3 season likely won’t get an at-large bid with the tight bubble field that exists this season.
Projected score: Lafayette 24 – Lehigh 22
#17 Fordham (10-1) vs Colgate (4-7), Saturday, 1:00 ET
This is a contest that lots of bubble teams will keep an out for the end box score. A Fordham win and the Rams likely seal an improbable season with an at-large bid to the playoffs out of the Patriot League. However, an upset win by Colgate would put Fordham, who would have lost two straight to end the season, in a pressure spot and would most likely open the door for one of the first teams out to sneak into the postseason field.
Projected Score: Fordham 21 – Colgate 17
#2 Eastern Illinois (10-1) vs #19 Tennessee-Martin (7-4), Saturday, 2:00 ET
This particular matchup won’t catch the eyes of many across the nation with the thought that EIU, securely in the field, will just run over another opponent before the playoff field is set. However, bubble teams should pay attention. UT-Martin is 7-4 with wins over Chattanooga (also on the bubble) and Central Arkansas (who could have a big win this weekend). So an upset over EIU would make UTM 8-4 with a pretty decent body of work throughout the season. Still, UTM’s biggest problem would likely come battling teams within the OVC for one of those last at-large spots. Jacksonville State (8-3) and Tennessee State (9-3) are also trying to get in and they both have sound wins over UT-Martin.
Projected score: Eastern Illinois 42 – Tennessee-Martin 23
#11 Sam Houston State (8-3) vs Central Arkansas (6-5), Saturday, 4:00 ET
The two-time defending runner-up in the FCS championship game likely needs a win in one of the last regular season games of the season. Sam Houston State already lost to Southland schools McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana and doesn’t have a strong resume outside of those games with only one quality win against Eastern Washington early in the season. If SHSU lost to UCA, it would be a big question if the committee would take the two-time runner-up out of the Southland with an 8-4 record coming off multiple losses. Not to mention, quality players for the Bearkats are banged up. If SHSU wins, all this is for not and the Southland should see three bids, but Central Arkansas (who had hoped prior to the season to be a contender before star quarterback Wynrick Smothers went down with injury) is hoping to not make the final decision so easy for the committee late Saturday night.
Projected score: Central Arkansas 33 – Sam Houston State 27
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