The FCS regular season is winding down, and with just 3 Saturdays left until playoff time, it is relevant to start looking at FCS games that matter down the stretch. This week there are some pretty big time match ups in terms of National Seeding, as well as ones with bubble implications. All of these games effect Liberty in different ways, but the ones that involve the bottom of the bracket have pretty huge consequences. So here they are, A Sea of Red’s Games That Matter – Week 10 Edition:
#7 James Madison @ #6 Richmond (-6.5) 3:30 PM
Saturday’s match up in Richmond will likely determine both a national seeding and the CAA title. These two 7-1 teams have gotten to this point in different ways, with JMU’s only loss to a P5 team, and UR dropping a head scratcher to Stony Brook.
#10 Villanova (-8.5) @ Maine 12:00 PM
Maine sits at 4-1 in the CAA, 5-3 overall, but they have won 5 in a row. Villanova is a solid playoff pick at this point, but if Maine can win at home, the Black Bears will have a big quality win on their resume when the committee makes its selections. Liberty fans should definitely be rooting for a Nova win.
#3 Eastern Washington (-4.5) @ #14 Cal Poly 9:05 PM
This one is pretty important at the top and bottom of the bracket. EWU is fighting to get a top 3 seeding, and Cal Poly will be looking for an at-large bid in a couple of weeks. No reason to believe Eastern doesn’t cover here though. It still looks like Cal Poly is going to be in, but a loss this week can only help the Flames.
UT-Martin @ Eastern Illinois (EVEN) 2:00 PM
Eastern sneaked into the playoffs last season with 6 division 1 wins, going against the primary unwritten rule of FCS playoff selection. It was a bad pick by the committee, but nevertheless Eastern Illinois must be looked at as a playoff contender out of the OVC again this year. These two 5-4 teams are vying for the same spot, so this is a likely elimination game of sorts. UT-Martin only holds 4 D1 wins at the moment, and Jacksonville State is still there to close out their season. So, it seems to make sense that Liberty fans will want UT to put a hole in Eastern’s resume this week.
#20 Samford @ #5 The Citadel (-6.5) 2:00 PM
The Citadel is looking to lock up the SoCon as well as a National Seed, and a win this week would make both very likely. Samford is looking like a pretty good bet for a playoff spot as well this season, and a loss to a top 5 team probably won’t hurt them much in the eyes of the committee. Still, Flames fans have to hope for a Samford loss.
#15 Youngstown State @ #4 North Dakota State (-15.5) 3:30 PM
Huge game this week in the Missouri Valley, as Youngstown State visits the Fargo Dome. As per usual, the Bison will be favored big at home, but the Penguins have been very good all season. Few implications for Liberty here, as both of these teams are basically a lock for the playoffs at this point, but this game is highly important in what is perceived to be the best league in FCS.
A few other games of note to pay attention to this week:
William & Mary @ #25 Stony Brook (-7.5) 2:00 PM
Delaware @ Albany (-10.5) 1:00 PM
Northern Arizona @ Weber State (EVEN) 2:00 PM
#16 North Dakota (-7.5) @ Northern Colorado 2:05 PM
