FBS Opportunity and Bounce-Back Games: MVFC Week 2 Preview

Another week of results is down, and we are starting to see some trends and data around teams’ form. The top teams continue to show strengths, but they are also starting to have their flaws emerge.

Week 1 Results

Southern Illinois (1-1) 22, Samford (0-2) 18

The Saluki offense continues to look lost without DJ Williams, mustering only 333 yards of total offense and 22 points against a bad Samford team.

The defense did its part this time, though, with Ben Fiegl leading the charge with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Ibrahim Sanogo also had a notable 2.5-sack performance.

I know Samford, as stated, is not great, but this is the kind of performance the Saluki defense will need to bring until they can get Williams back.

Purdue (1-0) 44, Indiana State (0-2) 19

Not much to say here.

Indiana State’s passing game continues to flash in moments. Elijah Owens and Brady Allen both got some run at QB, and both hit on explosives, combining for three completions of 40-plus yards.

But not much else went the Sycamores’ way in this one.

Kentucky (1-0) 45, #7 Youngstown State (1-1) 13

I thought Beau Brungard played well, as always. Kentucky did a good job of keeping him in the pocket, but he still did some damage, going 23-of-35 for 243 yards and a score.

I know it is still probably a little early to overreact, but I still think this team has some massive holes in the form of a rushing attack outside of Brungard using his legs and the down-to-down consistency of the defense.

#6 North Dakota (2-0) 62, St. Thomas (1-1) 26

UND dominated its Pioneer League foe, almost doubling St. Thomas’ total yardage and punting only once after the game was finally out of hand.

The backup secondary for UND once again showed some flaws. That is certainly something to continue monitoring, as they gave up some yards and a couple of scores, or, I should say, plays that led to scores. One was a 1-yard touchdown run set up by a 55-yard completion. However, UND continues to look strong.

Middle Tennessee (1-0) 38, Murray State (0-2) 14

This game ended early due to storms at the start of the fourth quarter after a separate delay earlier in the game.

That was enough time for Murray State to show that it may have found a little bit of rushing offense, though.

Tyrell Campbell led the way with 75 yards on eight carries and a score. As a team, the Racers finished with a respectable 27 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

An expected loss to an FBS opponent, but with some upside!

#8 Illinois State (2-0) 41, Western Illinois (1-1) 10

As expected, Illinois State was completely dominant in this one.

I think my main takeaway is that Illinois State does not trust anyone in its backfield outside of Victor Dawson.

Despite coming off a scary injury the week prior, they gave it to him 20 times, and he didn’t quite look like himself.

That could be a problem down the stretch in as physical of an MVFC season as this one figures to be.

Secondly, I think they need to close the quarterback competition.

Gage Roy continues to look much more confident and efficient than Beckham Pellant has through two games. It is time to give Roy some extended run before they get into the meat of the season.

Eastern Washington (1-1) 34, Northern Iowa (0-1) 24

Pick your perspective in this one: glass half empty or glass half full.

Glass half full, UNI’s offense did some good things and led 24-20 at halftime.

Glass half empty, they got outscored 14-0 in the second half.

Jaxon Dailey had a great game for the Panthers, going 20-of-28 for 287 yards, although he did toss an interception. However, there was no rushing attack to speak of.

I didn’t think the UNI defense played horribly, honestly. Nate Bell for Eastern Washington is just that special of a player.

#12 South Dakota (2-0) 38, Northern Colorado (0-2) 23

Gritty win for USD on the road.

The Coyotes historically do not travel especially well, and Greeley can be a tough place to play.

This win was manufactured on the lines on both sides of the ball. All three featured Yote backs averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry, while their front seven held Northern Colorado to just 3.3 yards per carry.

Northwestern (1-0) 34, #2 South Dakota State (1-1) 18

To continue repeating the refrain we have heard in the media, this one truthfully was closer than the final score would indicate.

The obvious stories of the game are the Jacks going just 1-for-7 on red-zone touchdown opportunities and 5-for-7 on scoring opportunities overall, while also giving up 14 points off explosive plays on defense.

I think there has been some criticism of Chase Mason in this one, and not entirely undeserved, as he had a rough first half.

But what is getting lost is that he put some balls into extremely tight windows while taking some big hits, and he had six catchable passes dropped according to Pro Football Focus.

Speaking of PFF, Mason was actually graded on film as a Top-20 FCS quarterback last week while facing what was probably a Top-5 secondary among those any FCS quarterback faced, and likely the toughest secondary the Jacks will see all season.

Week 2 Preview

Eastern Washington (1-1) at #12 South Dakota (2-0)

1 p.m. CT | ESPN+ / Midco Sports

This game is interesting because both teams have played only FCS scholarship opponents thus far, so we have a pretty good idea of what both teams are, at least relative to the rest of the country.

I think we see a lot of points in this one, but USD having an above-average defense as opposed to Eastern Washington’s below-average defense is a huge turning point in the matchup.

I am curious to see how the USD edges hold up against Eastern Washington QB Nate Bell. He is a true dual-threat quarterback and probably the most similar player to the top guys they will see once Valley play begins.

I think he is good enough to make this a four-quarter game, but USD will run the ball, and outside of Bell’s scrambles, I am not sure how much Eastern Washington will.

Lastly, I should note that both teams will be displaying their nicknames on their helmets in local Native American languages.

Hats off to both schools for making that happen.

Duquesne (0-1) at #7 Youngstown State (1-1)

1 p.m. CT | ESPN+

Interstate rivalry, and one last chance for Youngstown State to polish things up before the start of conference play.

I am really curious to see how much they try to get some offense going outside of Brungard in this one. They are going to need that down the stretch against the better teams left on the schedule.

I will also be watching the defensive performance, but Duquesne’s offense is bad enough that YSU should look good regardless.

Drake (0-2) at Northern Iowa (0-1)

1 p.m. CT | ESPN+

UNI head coach Todd Stepsis faces his old team and in-state rival Drake.

If UNI truly is trending back in a positive direction, this one should not be close.

UNI’s offense looked great for a half last week, while Drake, even by Pioneer Football League standards, has not played especially well.

New Haven (1-1) at #2 South Dakota State (1-1)

6 p.m. CT | Midco Sports / KELOLAND / ESPN+

The Jacks will look to get back on track against FCS newcomer New Haven. I do not think this will be as lopsided as the Stetson game for SDSU, but they should still dominate.

Especially knowing the emphasis this week will be on scoring touchdowns in the red zone and sustaining drives, this should be a perfect opportunity for South Dakota State to clean things up.

#8 Illinois State (2-0) at Northern Illinois (0-1)

6 p.m. CT | Mountain West Network

It is the rare game where the FCS team is favored over the FBS team, and for good reason.

Northern Illinois looked lifeless against Iowa last week.

As discussed, I am very curious to see whether Illinois State decides to turn to one quarterback in this one.

I think the Redbirds will be able to stop Northern Illinois fairly easily, but this will be the best test for their offense so far this season. Honestly, Illinois State is going to have to play tougher opponents later in the year against SDSU and UND, and likely USD too.

This is a major opportunity to prove the #8 ranking is warranted.

Indiana State (0-2) at Eastern Illinois (1-1)

6 p.m. CT | ESPN+

If you are like me and enjoy channel surfing for the closest game just to see what is interesting, this is the one for you.

While neither team is especially great, these are probably two of the more evenly matched teams playing this weekend, and it is a rivalry game.

I do think Elijah Owens may be able to take advantage of what has been a suspect Eastern Illinois secondary thus far, and that may be the difference in the game.

Valparaiso (1-0) at Murray State (0-2)

6 p.m. CT | ESPN+

A sold-out crowd will watch the Racers as they welcome the Pioneer Football League’s Valparaiso to town.

This is one of the few games Murray State will be favored in this year.

I want to see the Racers run the ball down the Beacons’ throat and build on some of the momentum they created last week.

Southeast Missouri State (1-1) at Southern Illinois (1-1)

6 p.m. CT | ESPN+

The War for the Wheel.

There is not a whole lot else that needs to be said.

It is one of the top rivalries in the FCS and, honestly, an underrated one in all of college football.

Neither team has looked overly impressive thus far this season, but a win could go a long way toward setting either team up for success down the stretch.

This will come down to whether Jake Curry, assuming we still aren’t ready for a DJ Williams return, can simply take care of the ball and move the chains a few times, or whether SEMO can find any sort of rushing offense to create balance. Whichever team can do that will have the advantage.

#6 North Dakota (2-0) at Portland State (0-2)

7 p.m. PT | ESPN+

Portland State is a tough place to go play, and the Vikings looked sporty in Week 0 against #5 UC Davis.

However, I think UND is significantly more talented.

It may be close early. It may even be a four-quarter game. I just do not think North Dakota will ever be seriously threatened in this one.