FCS Football Insider: 5 Predictions For Week 6

We're back for another peek at what's happening in the FCS this week, along with five featured games and predictions for each. Here's what's going on.

Oct 7, 2026 by Matt Cannizzaro

Breakfast with a Wildcat | Central Washington's Ryder Bumgarner5:44

Nine of the teams ranked in the top 25 of the latest American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll will get some well-deserved rest this week, but they know that what's on the other side of the break will be some of the most important football they'll play all year.

That's because the majority of FCS teams have schedules backloaded with conference games, and the only guaranteed way to reach the playoffs is to win the conference title.

After five weeks of action, some teams are making things very difficult for their rivals, others have dug themselves early holes and a growing number already know they'll have to wait until next year to win it all, though there still might be an opportunity to spoil things for someone else.

Even with the plethora of byes across the FCS, the Week 6 schedule includes more than 50 games featuring over 100 teams, and four of those contests will be broadcast live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

New No. 2 Tarleton State might have the toughest test this week on the road against No. 8 Austin Peay, while No. 3 Montana travels to face No. 14 Northern Arizona.

In the Ivy League, No. 19 Harvard will visit Cornell looking to stay undefeated overall, and the winner of that one will earn at least a share of the top spot in the league standings.

As always, we're going to pick five games, explain why they're compelling and offer a prediction. Definitely trust that the facts and info are correct and logical, even if it seems like the picks have been made by someone with bad luck flipping a coin.

If you haven't yet subscribed to FloCollege, what are you waiting for? Things are only going to get more exciting over the next six weeks.

Also, make sure to find FloCollege or FloFootball on social media to share your own thoughts and predictions.

Here are our featured games and picks for Week 6 of the 2026 season:

Stony Brook (3-2, 1-0) at Towson (0-6, 0-2)

This might be one of the best games of the week and probably still would've been elite entertainment, even with all of the top FCS teams and the rest of the Coastal Athletic Association in action.

Now, the spotlight will shine a little brighter on two programs rolling into the week with a lot of momentum.

Stony Brook is still riding high after a 56-24 dismantling of two-time defending CAA champion Rhode Island on Sept. 19 and looking to fully join the upper echelon of the conference standings with another win this week against Towson.

The Tigers, on the other hand, have been performing far better than their 0-6 overall record indicates and nearly knocked the Monmouth Hawks off their perch atop the standings last week in a 41-40 nail-biter in New Jersey.

Actually, three of Towson's six losses, including both CAA games, have been by five points or less. Two others came against FBS teams, but they still were competitive contests, despite the wider margins.

The Tigers may be winless, but they're consistently on the verge of a breakthrough.

Last week against Monmouth easily could've been that moment, but flaring tempers and some errant kicking proved to be the difference.

Coming into Week 6, Stony Brook actually has one of the top-performing offenses in the CAA.

The Seawolves are No. 1 in scoring (34.8 points per game) and rushing (185.6 yards per game), No. 2 in total offense (425.2 ypg) and No. 3 in passing (239.6 ypg). They also lead the conference in kickoff returns (28.4 yards per return) and sacks (17).

The Towson offensive attack is a little less balanced and offers a pretty clear strategy for opposing teams.

The Tigers rank fifth in the CAA in scoring (22.7) and sixth in total offense (333.8 ypg), but the latter is wacky. They're second in passing (258.7) but last in rushing at just 75.2 yards per game.

The blueprint is there for stopping the run game, but Stony Brook will have to find a way to corral Towson quarterback Andrew Indorf, who is second in the CAA in passing, and conference receiving leader Aaron Enterline, who is averaging nearly 100 receiving yards per game.

Stony Brook followed its victory over Rhode Island with a 31-16 win against Fordham and then a bye week. Is that enough time for the momentum to have fizzled?

Towson probably should've beaten Monmouth last week, but costly mistakes stood in the way.

If the Tigers can clean up those things, and maybe balance the offense a bit to keep the Seawolves guessing, this could be the week they break out of the CAA cellar.

*This game will be broadcast live on FloCollege on Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Prediction: Towson 31, Stony Brook 24

UPCOMING

2026 Stony Brook vs Towson

Sat, Oct 10 · 8:00 PM UTC

WATCH

All FCS Games On FloCollege This Week

All Times Eastern

Saturday, Oct. 10

No. 19 Harvard (3-0, 1-0) at Cornell (2-1, 1-0)

We're only a few weeks into the Ivy League football season and a long way from knowing which of the eight teams will snag this year's league title and automatic playoff bid.

All of the teams have played one league game. Four teams are 1-0, and four are 0-1.

Though all of the programs will be in action this week, only four will have the opportunity to improve their league standings.

Harvard and Cornell, both 1-0, will be battling to secure at least a share of the top spot, while Dartmouth and Yale also face off.

Dartmouth is 1-0 and hoping to share that top rung. Yale, the 2025 co-champion with Harvard and the 2026 preseason favorite, is looking to at least stay in the conversation. A loss Saturday likely would be the end of any repeat title hopes.

Harvard and Cornell really aren't doing anything particularly noteworthy statistically this year, but they're doing enough to win, and they're doing it in the right places.

Now, it's time to step up with a little more on the line - early control of the league and another chapter in the long history between the two teams.

They've played 89 times already, with the initial meeting taking place in 1890. The Crimson won the first 10 clashes and own a 53-34-2 advantage in the series, including their last six meetings. Harvard won last year, 34-10.

Cornell has shown itself to be a second-half team in 2026, outscoring its opponents 52-29 after the break, so the Crimson might consider being extra aggressive early and putting on the pressure before halftime.

Other things to note are that the Big Red have eight rushing touchdowns this year, compared to 18 all of last season, and have been uber efficient in the red zone in 2026, scoring on nine of 10 opportunities.

Easier said than done, but Harvard should work on stuffing the run, especially inside the 20, and containing senior quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio, who has four rushing touchdowns.

It's clear Cornell has leveled up this season, proven by the win over a ranked Yale squad, but it feels like Harvard still is the stronger team overall.

Prediction: Harvard 24, Cornell 14

No. 2 Tarleton State (5-0, 3-0) at No. 8 Austin Peay (5-1, 1-0)

Tarleton State had a great 2025 season that included a 12-2 record and a playoff appearance, and the Texans were rewarded with a top-five ranking for the new campaign.

The team's momentum has continued into 2026, and TSU has climbed to No. 2 in the latest AFCA poll. That's the result of a huge Montana State loss at the top and a fifth consecutive win for the Texans, making Tarleton State one of five undefeated teams in the top 25.

TSU picked up a victory over FBS Bowling Green in September and is coming off a 56-21 home win against football newcomer Chicago State, but this week brings a couple of new challenges.

First, the Texans are going on the road after two straight games at home. Though they won both road contests so far, those also were the slimmest wins for Tarleton State this season - seven points and three points against Bowling Green and McNeese, respectively.

This week's journey to face Austin Peay in Tennessee will be TSU's first 2026 game against a ranked opponent (No. 8 in the AFCA poll) and a major test in United Athletic Conference play.

The hosts also have been working their way up the rankings this year with a 5-1 overall performance and probably would want nothing more than redemption against the Texans after seeing their 2025 season come to an end with a 45-44 overtime loss to TSU.

Plus, Tarleton State owns a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series with Austin Peay, which kicked off in 2024.

It will be the first top-10 matchup in UAC history, and it will have the attention of FCS followers across the country, especially players and fans from teams that have the week off.

With top-ranked South Dakota State on a bye this week, Tarleton State shouldn't have to worry about potentially going to practice next week as the No. 1 team, so the Texans can focus on the task at hand - a successful outing in UAC play.

On paper, this game is pretty close, but it's important to note that Tarleton State has the top offense in the FCS so far this year, averaging 516.2 yards per game. AP is 33rd at 408.8.

Then, while TSU has history on its side, Austin Peay will have the home crowd.

Prediction: Austin Peay 28, Tarleton State 16

No. 3 Montana (5-1, 3-0 Big Sky) at No. 14 Northern Arizona (4-2, 2-1 Big Sky)

There was a huge shakeup in the Big Sky Conference last week when defending FCS national champion Montana State lost to winless Idaho.

That allowed Montana to claim the top spot in the Big Sky standings at 3-0, and the Grizzlies can create a little more separation this week with a win over No. 14 Northern Arizona, which is 4-2 overall and one of five teams tied at 2-1 in conference games.

Montana has scored 98 points in its last two games, including a 62-22 statement blowout against top-10 UC Davis on Sept. 26. Northern Arizona is home after a 38-31 road win over Idaho State.

Along with trying to be the pride of Montana, the Grizzlies are looking to win in Flagstaff, Arizona, for just the second time since 2011. The last was a 30-3 victory in 2021. NAU won there in 2023, and Montana won at home in 2024.

Montana leads the all-time series 38-15, but the Lumberjacks own a 17-10 advantage in Arizona.

Prediction: Montana 48, Northern Arizona 27

No. 22 Jackson State (5-0, 2-0) at Grambling State (3-2, 1-1)

Jackson State has powered its way to No. 22 in the latest AFCA FCS rankings and is one of the five undefeated teams in the top 25 at 5-0. That includes an unbeaten conference record to reach the top rung of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

JSU has won its division four times in the last five years and won the postseason SWAC title in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Grambling State is stuck in the middle of the West Division, but a win in this noteworthy HBCU matchup would be a huge boost.

Since the SWAC programs don't participate in the FCS Championship, these conference games are important in a different way.

The first goal is to win the division. The division winners then play for the SWAC championship. The SWAC champion then meets the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in the Celebration Bowl in December.

The Celebration Bowl is the ultimate showcase for HBCU Division I FCS football and determines the prestigious HBCU national championship.

While Jackson State has been more successful overall in recent years, Grambling State has had JSU's number, winning 41-20 in 2024 and 26-24 at the HBCU Classic in Las Vegas in 2025.

Since 2009, GSU is 10-3 against the Tigers, but it just feels like this might be a redemption year for Jackson State on the road. It'll be the second consecutive home game for Grambling State, which might still be exhausted after winning a 63-59 Homecoming thriller last week against Alcorn State.

Prediction: Jackson State 19, Grambling State 17

How'd We Do With Our Predictions Last Week?

Yikes. Only two correct. Is it time to try harder or just go with what feels right at first glance?

North Carolina A&T vs. Bryant

Prediction: N.C. A&T 24, Bryant 16
Result: Bryant def. N.C. A&T, 31-30

South Dakota State vs. Illinois State

Prediction: South Dakota State 54, Illinois State 24
Result: South Dakota State def. Illinois State, 31-14

Stephen F. Austin vs. Incarnate Word

Prediction: Stephen F. Austin 49, Incarnate Word 13
Result: Stephen F. Austin def. Incarnate Word, 28-26

Montana State vs. Idaho

Prediction: Montana State 54, Idaho 12
Result: Idaho def. No. 1 Montana State, 35-34

West Florida vs. Abilene Christian

Prediction: West Florida 42, ACU 21
Result: Abilene Christian def. No. 18 West Florida, 35-7

AFCA FCS Rankings After Week 5 Of 2026

As of Oct. 3

South Dakota St. (5-1) - 648 - Prev. 2
Tarleton St. (5-0) - 614 - Prev. 3
Montana (5-1) - 570 - Prev. 4
Stephen F. Austin (6-0) - 558 - Prev. 5
Lehigh (6-0) - 528 - Prev. 6
Montana St. (5-1) - 509 - Prev. 1
North Dakota (5-1) - 496 - Prev. 7
Austin Peay (5-1) - 472 - Prev. 9
Youngstown St. (4-2) - 454 - Prev. 10
Lamar (4-1) - 408 - Prev. 13
UC Davis (4-2) - 358 - Prev. 15
South Dakota (4-2) - 338 - Prev. 16
Illinois St. (4-2) - 288 - Prev. 11
Northern Arizona (4-2) - 287 - Prev. 19
Richmond (5-1) - 277 - Prev. 17
Tennessee Tech (4-1) - 255 - Prev. 8
Idaho St. (4-1) - 197 - Prev. 14
Mercer (4-2) - 194 - Prev. 21
Harvard (3-0) - 180 - Prev. 22
Campbell (5-1) - 171 - Prev. 24
South Carolina St. (5-1) - 152 - Prev. 12
Jackson St. (5-0) - 147 - Prev. 23
Colgate (4-2) - 78 - Prev. 20
Monmouth (N.J.) (4-2) - 48 - Prev. NR
Southeastern Louisiana (3-2) - 41 - Prev. NR

Dropped Out: West Florida (18), Southern Illinois (25)

Others Receiving Votes: West Florida, 37; Bryant, 32; Yale, 24; Southern Illinois, 19; East Tennessee St., 15; Elon, 15; Idaho, 14; Stony Brook, 9; ACU, 8; Dartmouth, 3; Morgan St., 2; Alabama St., 1; Central Connecticut St., 1; North Alabama, 1; Robert Morris, 1.

Week 6 Schedule For FCS Top 25

*Based on latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll

All Times Eastern

No. 1 South Dakota State (5-1, 3-0 MVFC) - BYE
No. 2 Tarleton State (5-0, 2-0 UAC) at No. 8 Austin Peay (5-1, 2-0 UAC), 7 p.m.
No. 3 Montana (5-1, 2-0 Big Sky) at No. 14 Northern Arizona (4-2, 2-0 Big Sky), 5 p.m.
No. 4 Stephen F. Austin (6-0, 2-0 UAC) - BYE
No. 5 Lehigh (6-0, 4-0 Patriot) - BYE
No. 6 Montana State (5-1, 1-1 Big Sky) - BYE
No. 7 North Dakota (5-1, 2-0 MVFC) at Northern Iowa (3-3, 1-1 MVFC), 5 p.m.
No. 8 Austin Peay (5-1, 2-0 UAC) vs. No. 2 Tarleton State (5-0, 2-0 UAC), 7 p.m.
No. 9 Youngstown State (4-2, 2-1 MVFC) at Indiana State (2-4, 0-3 MVFC), 1 p.m.
No. 10 Lamar (4-1, 2-0 Southland) vs. Incarnate Word (2-3, 1-1 Southland), 4 p.m.
No. 11 UC Davis (4-2, 2-1 Big Sky) - BYE
No. 12 South Dakota (4-2, 2-1 MVFC) vs. Southern Illinois (3-3, 1-2 MVFC), 2 p.m.
No. 13 Illinois State (4-2, 2-1 MVFC) - BYE
No. 14 Northern Arizona (4-2, 2-0 Big Sky) vs. No. 3 Montana (5-1, 2-0 Big Sky), 5 p.m.
No. 15 Richmond (5-1, 3-0 Patriot) at Fordham (1-5, 1-2 Patriot), 3:30 p.m.
No. 16 Tennessee Tech (4-1, 2-0 Big South-OVC) vs. Furman (3-3, 1-1 SoCon), 3:30 p.m.
No. 17 Idaho State (4-1, 1-1 Big Sky) vs. Cal Poly (2-4, 1-1 Big Sky), 6 p.m.
No. 18 Mercer (4-2, 2-1 SoCon) vs. Western Carolina (3-3, 2-1 SoCon), 3 p.m.
No. 19 Harvard (3-0, 1-0 Ivy) at Cornell (2-1, 0-1 Ivy), 1 p.m.
No. 20 Campbell (5-1, 3-0 CAA) - BYE
No. 21 South Carolina State (5-1, 2-0 MEAC) at Charleston Southern (2-3, 0-2 Big South-OVC), 6 p.m.
No. 22 Jackson State (5-0, 3-0 SWAC) at Grambling State (3-2, 2-1 SWAC), 5 p.m.
No. 23 Colgate (4-2, 3-0 Patriot) - BYE
No. 24 Monmouth (N.J.) (4-2, 3-0 CAA) - BYE
No. 25 Southeastern Louisiana (3-2, 2-0 Southland) at UT Rio Grande Valley (2-4, 1-1 Southland), 8 p.m.

Some Things To Know About FCS Football

The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, with the top tier being the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).

While the FBS determines its national champion through a 12-team, committee-selected College Football Playoff, the FCS Championship includes 24 teams.

The FCS conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs, and the remaining spots are filled via at-large selection.

This season, there will be 128 programs across 13 conferences. The regular season began in late August, and the playoffs will get underway at the end of November.

Who Won Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

Division I FBS - Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
Division I FCS - Montana State def. Illinois State, 35-34 (OT)
Division II - Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
Division III - University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

When Do The 2026 NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2026 NCAA FCS Playoffs will be Nov. 28.

The format includes 24 teams and five rounds of play - first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game. Everything through the semifinals will be played at the site of the participating schools.

Round 2 is set for Dec. 5, the quarterfinals will be held Dec. 11 (one game) and Dec. 12 (three games), and the semifinals will take place Dec. 19.

The 2026 FCS national championship will be determined Jan. 11, 2027, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Music City first hosted the title tilt in 2025 after 15 consecutive visits to Frisco, Texas.

Every game will be broadcast live on the ESPN family of networks.

How Do The FCS Playoffs Work?

The 24 FCS teams that advance to the playoffs are situated into a single-elimination bracket.

The top 16 teams are seeded, with the first eight earning byes into the second round. Seeds 9-16 must play in the opening round of action, but they get to play host, as do the higher seeds in each game through the semifinals.

The two semifinal winners then make the trip to Nashville to play for the national championship.

In 2025, Montana State defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim the trophy.

Since 2011, North Dakota State had been dominating the FCS landscape, winning 10 national titles, but the Bison have now moved to a bigger pasture - the FBS level as part of the Mountain West Conference.

North Carolina A&T vs. Rhode Island Football Highlights | 2026 CAA Football

Watch the highlights from North Carolina A&T's epic 22-18 upset of reigning CAA champion Rhode Island on Sept. 26.

It still is the only win for the Aggies so far in the 2026 season.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long.

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games.

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