Week 8 Southern Conference Game Breakdowns
It’s a relatively light week coming for the OVC with Austin Peay, Murray State, and Eastern Illinois have bye weeks leaving only three games. The Conference race is still tight but a few teams are poised to set themselves apart in the coming weeks if they keep winning. Tennessee State represents the OVC across the nation as one of only four unbeaten teams remaining in FCS along with Lehigh, Cal Poly, and Harvard.
#18 Tennessee State (7-0) at Jacksonville State (3-3), Saturday, 12:00
The undefeated Tigers left no doubt last week against SEMO that the current OVC leader was ready to fight for the conference title. Trabis Ward rushed for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns in TSU’s 40-28 win over the Redhawks. Jacksonville State had a big rushing game too with Washuan Ealey scoring three touchdowns on the ground, but a late touchdown pass by EIU’s Jimmy Garappolo followed by poor clock management by the Gamecocks led to the Panthers stealing a 31-28 win. Tennessee State is 7-0 this season and has won nine of their last ten games, the last team they lost to was Jacksonville State at the end of 2011.
Prediction score: Tennessee State 45, Jacksonville State 28
Tennessee-Martin (5-2) at Southeast Missouri State (2-4), Saturday, 2:00
SEMO was no match with 18th ranked Tennessee State last weekend and will look to slow down UT-Martin quarterback Derek Carr who tossed seven touchdowns last week against Murray State. The Skyhawks are lurking to steal a conference championship if the top teams slip. UT- Martin shouldn’t have a problem carving away at the Redhawks’ defense.
Projection score: Tennessee-Martin 52, Southeast Missouri State 31
#23 Eastern Kentucky (5-2) at Tennessee Tech (2-4), Saturday, 8:00
Eastern Kentucky has to continue to win to keep pace with Tennessee State, the Colonels didn’t have a problem with winless Austin Peay last week, but face a little stronger challenge this weekend. Tennessee Tech has come to realize the disappointing season, they are in the midst of a four game losing streak, but did have an off week last weekend to regroup and plan for EKU. The Golden Eagles will be putting all they have into the home game against a ranked opponent and should give the Colonel a tough fight.
Projection score: Eastern Kentucky 28, Tennessee Tech 27
See All FCS Games of the Week Breakdowns
