Preferred Walk-On
October 20th, 2019, 11:18 PM
Although there is only one game with two teams ranked in the top 5, there are a number of matchups (1) involving two AGS-ranked teams, (2) having conference title implications, and/or (3) having playoff implications (or at least one of these criteria, if you are an Ivy or a SWAC).
#1 North Dakota State @ #3 South Dakota State - Dakota Marker game, College Gameday, and rematch of last year's 1 vs. 3 game (see https://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?213415-2018-09-29-AGS-GOTW-Week-5).
#17 (#21) Towson @ #2 James Madison - With a 1-2 conference record, this feels like one of those games the Tigers need to win to keep in the thick of the conference race. Realistically, even with a loss, Towson could finish 8-4 and make the playoffs. The Dukes need to keep clicking away to keep on track for a 1 or 2 seed and play all their December games in Harrisonburg.
#21 (#23) Stony Brook @ #6 Villanova - On paper, this is the last hurdle for the Wildcats to end up 11-1, stay in the conference title race, and earn a seed. Then again, games aren't played on paper.
#20 (#26) Tennessee-Martin @ #25 (#28) Southeast Missouri State - Raise your hand if you thought the Skyhawks would be in the lead for the OVC title AND could control their own destiny at week 9 of the season. That's what I thought. Yet, this game is the first of a three game gauntlet towards that very goal. The Redhawks will surely have something to say about that.
#22 (NR) Sam Houston State @ #12 (#14) Central Arkansas - There is a 1-loss log-jam in the Southland. The Bearkats' two FCS losses are by a combined 7 points, and they have one more conference win than Central Arkansas. The Bears, besides having one of the best looking fields in the FCS, need this win, as they finish with one of the toughest remaining conference schedules of the Southland contenders.
#35 (#40) Chattanooga @ #24 (#29) Wofford - The Mocs look to keep a hold on the top spot in the SoCon. The Terriers are trying to put their slow start in the rearview mirror and force a three-way tie for first place in the SoCon (sound familiar?).
Harvard @ #14 (#18) Princeton - Battle of the 2-0's in the Ivy. The Tigers are trying to keep their record clean until their rematch with Dartmouth in two weeks. The Crimson could make a statement these next two weeks in their pursuit to tie the Tigers and Big Green for most Ivy League conference titles all-time, by starting with a win over Princeton.
Southern @ Alcorn State - Battle of the only conference undefeateds in each division of the SWAC. This is a rematch of last year's SWAC championship and could very well be the preview of their potential 2nd matchup in the SWAC championship game this year.
The Big Sky Bonus: One team in each of these games is playing for playoff survival. Since eleven Big Sky (or former BSC) teams are in the top 13 for Massey SOS, these games must be considered for GOTW, right...right? But seriously, these will likely be very good games, with something at stake in each, but I am not sure if they will provide more clarity or more confusion to the Big Sky picture.
#11 (#12) Montana State @ #37 (NR) North Dakota (Ind) - The Fighting Hawks can probably only withstand one more loss and still have a chance at a playoff invite...and they play the Bobcats and Weber State in back-to-back weeks. The Bobcats look to rebound after their Sac State beatdown and have had two weeks to prep for North Dakota.
Eastern Washington @ #7 (#5) Montana - I don't think many thought the Eagles would be in a position of "must-win", but a loss would mean a 7-5 record at best. The Grizzlies look to rebound after the Sac State game and must do so with questions about the health of their dynamic QB.
#4 Weber State @ #23 (#25) UC Davis - The Wildcats look to keep pace with Sac State. Meanwhile, the Aggies need to win 3 of their last 4 remaining games to end up 7-5...opponents in their last 4 games are (in order): Weber State, Portland State, Montana State, and Sac State.
#1 North Dakota State @ #3 South Dakota State - Dakota Marker game, College Gameday, and rematch of last year's 1 vs. 3 game (see https://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?213415-2018-09-29-AGS-GOTW-Week-5).
#17 (#21) Towson @ #2 James Madison - With a 1-2 conference record, this feels like one of those games the Tigers need to win to keep in the thick of the conference race. Realistically, even with a loss, Towson could finish 8-4 and make the playoffs. The Dukes need to keep clicking away to keep on track for a 1 or 2 seed and play all their December games in Harrisonburg.
#21 (#23) Stony Brook @ #6 Villanova - On paper, this is the last hurdle for the Wildcats to end up 11-1, stay in the conference title race, and earn a seed. Then again, games aren't played on paper.
#20 (#26) Tennessee-Martin @ #25 (#28) Southeast Missouri State - Raise your hand if you thought the Skyhawks would be in the lead for the OVC title AND could control their own destiny at week 9 of the season. That's what I thought. Yet, this game is the first of a three game gauntlet towards that very goal. The Redhawks will surely have something to say about that.
#22 (NR) Sam Houston State @ #12 (#14) Central Arkansas - There is a 1-loss log-jam in the Southland. The Bearkats' two FCS losses are by a combined 7 points, and they have one more conference win than Central Arkansas. The Bears, besides having one of the best looking fields in the FCS, need this win, as they finish with one of the toughest remaining conference schedules of the Southland contenders.
#35 (#40) Chattanooga @ #24 (#29) Wofford - The Mocs look to keep a hold on the top spot in the SoCon. The Terriers are trying to put their slow start in the rearview mirror and force a three-way tie for first place in the SoCon (sound familiar?).
Harvard @ #14 (#18) Princeton - Battle of the 2-0's in the Ivy. The Tigers are trying to keep their record clean until their rematch with Dartmouth in two weeks. The Crimson could make a statement these next two weeks in their pursuit to tie the Tigers and Big Green for most Ivy League conference titles all-time, by starting with a win over Princeton.
Southern @ Alcorn State - Battle of the only conference undefeateds in each division of the SWAC. This is a rematch of last year's SWAC championship and could very well be the preview of their potential 2nd matchup in the SWAC championship game this year.
The Big Sky Bonus: One team in each of these games is playing for playoff survival. Since eleven Big Sky (or former BSC) teams are in the top 13 for Massey SOS, these games must be considered for GOTW, right...right? But seriously, these will likely be very good games, with something at stake in each, but I am not sure if they will provide more clarity or more confusion to the Big Sky picture.
#11 (#12) Montana State @ #37 (NR) North Dakota (Ind) - The Fighting Hawks can probably only withstand one more loss and still have a chance at a playoff invite...and they play the Bobcats and Weber State in back-to-back weeks. The Bobcats look to rebound after their Sac State beatdown and have had two weeks to prep for North Dakota.
Eastern Washington @ #7 (#5) Montana - I don't think many thought the Eagles would be in a position of "must-win", but a loss would mean a 7-5 record at best. The Grizzlies look to rebound after the Sac State game and must do so with questions about the health of their dynamic QB.
#4 Weber State @ #23 (#25) UC Davis - The Wildcats look to keep pace with Sac State. Meanwhile, the Aggies need to win 3 of their last 4 remaining games to end up 7-5...opponents in their last 4 games are (in order): Weber State, Portland State, Montana State, and Sac State.