In our weekly FCS Spring Football Power Rankings, Weber State took over control of the top spot. North Dakota kept up it’s winning ways last week versus South Dakota, but struggled to put them away, which is the reasoning behind the drop in the power rankings.
Heading into the fifth weekend of the spring season, there are a lot of games on the slate that should be closely contested. There are a couple of great matchups that could have playoff implications come the end of the regular season. New crowned number one (1) Weber State hosts UC Davis on Saturday. Also on Saturday, (2) North Dakota travels to Western Illinois, and (4) South Dakota State hosts a reeling Youngstown State Team.
The marquee game on the slate for this weekend will be taking place in Texas, as the high scoring Colonels of (3) Nicholls State head down to Huntsville, Texas to take on Sam Houston State. This should be a high-scoring affair that will be a great watch on Saturday.
There are more good games this weekend to keep you entertained, so here are the four best FCS Spring Football games this weekend, along with a betting preview for each game.
FCS Spring Football Betting Odds, Predictions and Stream
FCS College Football Betting Odds can be found at Bovada Sportsbook
(1) Nicholls State (2-0) vs Sam Houston State (1-0)
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021 | Time: 1 PM ET
Coverage: ESPN+
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium — Huntsville, TX
Nicholls State vs Sam Houston State Betting
Spread: NICH +3 (-120) | SHSU -3 (EVEN)
Moneyline: NICH (+125) | SHSU (-145)
Total: 62 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
Both teams come into this huge matchup undefeated. Nicholls State is 3-0 and has outscored their opponents by a combined score of 173-27. Last week was the first time they played a competitive team, and they snuck past Northwestern State, 31-24.
Sam Houston State will be playing their second game of the spring season. They opened the season with a close win over Southeastern Louisiana, 43-38. The high-flying Bearkat offense is led by quarterback Eric Schmid, who eclipsed the 400-yard passing mark in last weekend’s win.
Not surprisingly, this game should be a high-scoring affair. It should also be great entertainment. Lindsey Scott Jr. and Eric Schmid are two of the most exciting players in all of the FCS. This will be Nicholls State’s first true test, and it will come on the road. You can bet that Schmid and Bearkat head coach K.C. Keeler will be ready to give the Colonels all they can handle on Saturday afternoon.
Prediction: (3) Nicholls State 45, Sam Houston State 41 (Nicholls State ML/+3, OVER 62)
[sc name=”nfl-fa-date” ]UC Davis (1-0) vs (1) Weber State (1-0)
Date: Saturday March 13, 2021 | Time: 3 PM ET
Coverage: Pluto TV
Location: Stewart Stadium, Ogden, UT
UC Davis vs Weber State Betting
Spread: UCD +11 (-110) | WEB -11 (-110)
Moneyline: UCD (+300) | WEB (-400)
Total: 52.5 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
After having a week to rest and prepare for UC Davis, Weber State should come out strong. The Wildcats brushed the Idaho State Vandals to the side in Week 1, winning by a score of 49-21. The Wildcats can score with the best of them. Freshman quarterback Bronson Barron looked good in his FCS debut, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns.
The Aggies also downed a team from Idaho in their opener. UC Davis used a run-heavy attack, mixed with play-action deep passes to dispatch Idaho, 27-17, in their opener. Running back Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. carried the ball 26 times for almost 150 yards for the Aggies.
Punits and fans across the country seem to think Weber State being number one is a travesty. I think otherwise. The Wildcats breeze past the Aggies easily on Saturday afternoon.
Prediction: (1) Weber State 38, UC Davis 13 (Weber State -11, UNDER 52.5)
(8) Northern Iowa (2-1) vs (7) Southern Illinois (4-0)
Date: Saturday March 13, 2021 | Time: 1 PM ET
Coverage: ESPN+
Location: Saluki Stadium, Carondale, IL
Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois Betting
Spread: UNI -4 (-110) | SIU +4 (-110)
Moneyline: UNI (-175) | SIU (+155)
Total: 38 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
This game features two of the top teams in the Missouri Valley football conference. Southern Illinois shocked the entire FCS world when they upset powerhouse NDSU, 38-14, in Week 2. The Salukis struggled early last week to a struggling Youngstown State, but still pulled out the win, 30-22. The Salukis put up 443 yards on the Bison the week before, so if they can score easily, watch out.
In this weird world of FCS Spring Football, it’s nice to know that some things stay the same and never change. The Panthers of Northern Iowa are the pillar of consistency in the midwest. They win football games with tough, nasty, aggressive defense. If the Panthers offense can sore early, it’s entirely possible the defense can take care of the rest.
In a battle of polar opposites, some things never change. And the fact is that good offense has replaced good defense, and it’s possible to win now with just an incredibly explosive offense.
Prediction: (7) Southern Illinois 27, (8) Northern Iowa 17 (Northern Iowa +11, OVER 38)
Illinois State (0-2) vs North Dakota State (2-1)
Date: Saturday March 13, 2021 | Time: 3:30 PM ET
Coverage: ESPN+
Location: FargoDome, Fargo, ND
Illinois State vs North Dakota State Betting
Spread: NDSU -12.5 (-110) | ILST +12.5 (-110)
Moneyline: NDSU (-500) | ILST (+350)
Total: 37 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
The Bison are a puzzling team this year. In the past, they have been led by great quarterbacks like Carson Wentz, Easton Stick and most recently Trey Lance. Zeb Noland is the NDSU quarterback this year, and he’s struggled early. He’s completing just over 55% of his passes for only three touchdowns and two interceptions. However, the running game, led by sophomore running back Kobe Johnson and freshman speedster Jalen Bussey, is leading the way. On top of that, just like always, the Bison defense is playing well this year.
I don’t think I would be surprising anyone if I said that if Illinois can pull off the upset of the road, it would be the biggest win in program history. They have struggled all year when trying to run the ball. On top of that, quarterback Bryce Jefferson has been down-right bad, completing 45% of his passes for only one touchdown and four interceptions.
On paper, NDSU should dominate all facets of this football game. But, they don’t play the game on paper. I have serious doubts Illinois State can stick with the Bison for more than a quarter, but hey, that’s why they don’t play the game on paper.
Prediction: North Dakota State 34, Illinois State 10 (NDSU -12.5, OVER 37)
