OTHER FCS CONFERENCES WEEK 5 BREAKDOWNS
Stony Brook at Army, Saturday, 12:00
The Big South Conference is not underway yet for the unofficial leader. Stony Brook carries a 3-1 overall record into play, having outscored its opponents 175-83 in season action. Stony Brook dropped its lone road contest, 28-17, but that was against Division I Syracuse. Last week the Seawolves needed all they had to beat Colgate, 32-31, thanks to 27 carries and 198 yards from running back Miguel Maysonet. Maysonet had the 1-yard touchdown run with 3:31 to go that gave Stony Brook the lead. Army (0-3) is coming off a 49-37 loss to Wake Forest, and its other losses were to San Diego State and Northern Illinois. The Black Knights average 28 points per game, so this game could be a wild one if Stony Brook’s defense has trouble.
Projected score: Stony Brook 42, Army 36
Penn at Dartmouth, Saturday, 12:00
One half of the Ivy League got its season started last weekend, and now it’s the other half’s turn to play the Ivy openers. Dartmouth (2-0) has started off play by outscoring its opponents, 48-17, to beat Butler and Holy Cross. The win over Holy Cross was close as Riley Lyons kicked a 31-yard field goal with one second remaining to give Dartmouth the 13-10 victory. Dominick Pierre had one touchdown and 85 yards on 24 carries for the Big Green, who have won at home and on the road. Penn (0-2) has lost its games 54-29, one each at home and on the road. After a close 28-21 loss to Lafayette, Penn lost 24-8 to Villanova. This game may be low-scoring, but Dartmouth should win its Ivy opener.
Projected score: Dartmouth 10, Penn 6
Fordham at Lehigh, Saturday, 12:30
Only two of the seven Patriot League teams have started in league play (Lafayette and Bucknell), and two of the better programs get underway on Saturday. Fordham outscored its opponents 122-68 on the way to a 3-1 overall record, including wins over Cornell and Columbia in the last two contests. Lehigh (4-0) hasn’t lost yet this season, even though last week’s 28-26 win over Liberty was too close for comfort. Mike Colvin had five carries, 77 yards and two touchdowns last week in the Liberty victory. Lehigh hasn’t lost yet at home and Fordham is 1-1 on the road.
Projected score: Lehigh 23, Fordham 17
Monmouth at Albany, Saturday, 1:00
A pair of 3-1 teams that are also undefeated in Northeast Conference play meet up this weekend. Monmouth has outscored its opponents 123-64 this season but is 1-1 on the road. After an inauspicious start with a loss to Lehigh, Monmouth has rattled off wins over Rhode Island, Wagner and Sacred Heart. Kyle Frazier rushed for 313 yards and two touchdowns in Monmouth’s win over Sacred Heart. Albany recovered from its loss to Youngstown State to post a 30-20 win over Maine last week, guided by Drew Smith’s 114 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Great Danes have won their only home game so far this season.
Projected score: Albany 27, Monmouth 17
Marist at Jacksonville, Saturday, 1:00
Five teams are atop the Pioneer League after the first week, with Marist and Jacksonville among those teams sporting identical 1-0 records. Jacksonville holds a 3-1 overall mark despite being outscored 95-85, and Jacksonville has won its lone home game of 2012. Jacksonville recovered nicely from a 58-0 pasting by Georgia Southern to top Charleston Southern, Webber International and Dayton. Colby Walden’s 85-yard kickoff return with less than 1:30 remaining in the game was all Jacksonville needed for the win over Dayton. Jacksonville only gained 252 yards total offense so that could be a problem against Marist, which lost back-to-back games to Bucknell and Columbia before recovering last week for a 34-21 win over Davidson. Chuckie Looney’s strong arm (403 yards, four touchdowns against Davidson) will be tough to overcome.
Projected score: Marist 40, Jacksonville 24
Alabama State at Alcorn State, Saturday, 2:00
It is a rather lackluster week in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, as this is the league’s best game but the records aren’t the best. Alabama State (2-2) is 2-1 in the SWAC East, one game behind Alabama A&M. Alabama State has only outscored opponents 97-87 and has come off a 24-21 loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Alabama State only had 330 yards total offense in the loss to Pine Bluff. Alcorn State (1-3) is 1-1 in the SWAC East and is coming off a pair of losses to Arkansas-Pine Bluff (24-6) and Arkansas State (56-0). This might not be an alluring contest, but SWAC football fans will have to put up with it this week.
Projected score: Alabama State 40, Alcorn State 6
Florida A&M vs. Southern, Saturday, 3:30
Despite being outscored 128-95 overall, Florida A&M has a 2-2 record and a 2-0 mark in Mideastern Athletic Conference play. The Rattlers overcame early losses to Tennessee State and Oklahoma for a 44-20 win over Hampton and a nerve-jarring 24-22 victory over Delaware State. Damian Fleming had 399 yards and three touchdowns in Florida A&M’s victory, which was only close because Delaware State scored a late touchdown to close the margin. Southern (1-2), out of the SWAC, won 28-21 over Jackson State for its first victory of the year last week. Dray Joseph’s 249 yards and three touchdowns helped Southern to victory. It will be a battle of the quarterbacks and teams that combined for 856 yards total offense a week ago.
Projected score: Florida A&M 47, Southern 38
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
