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2026 Monmouth vs Hampton

FCS Football Insider: 5 Predictions For Week 8 Of The 2026 Season

FCS Football Insider: 5 Predictions For Week 8 Of The 2026 Season

Here's a look at some key matchups in the FCS during Week 8 of the 2026 season, along with analysis & predictions. Will the playoff outlook get clear soon?

Oct 21, 2026 by Matt Cannizzaro
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D1R 245 - Nate Uselding, D2 NPI Rankings, D3 Mid-Year Transfers, MASSIVE NAIA battles1:22:33

We’ve reached the time of year when parents of college students are looking forward to having their loved ones home for Thanksgiving, and they probably don’t want to wait on the travel arrangements, since that’s one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

However, the parents with athletes playing in the Football Championship Subdivision should be reading the fine print about refunds and hoping their student-athletes are spending the holiday at the Old Country Buffet with their teammates, rather than enjoying a long weekend sleeping in their childhood bedrooms.

There’s a point to this tangent, right? Yes. Keep reading.

The 2026 college football season is rolling along, and while nearly 130 FCS teams will continue battling into November, only 24 will advance to the FCS Championship.

So, while families are missing each other and hoping to be reunited, they’re also hoping the players have to skip the home-cooked holiday meal because there’s more football to be played.


The only guaranteed way to reach the postseason is to win a conference title, an honor that goes to just 11 teams. The other 13 spots in the 24-team playoff bracket are at-large selections, and those teams won’t find out their fate until the official NCAA selection show on Nov. 22.

The first round of the playoffs will take place Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving is Nov. 26), and the bracket will get whittled down until Dec. 19, when the second finalist is determined.

Then, the two remaining teams will have some time to rest and practice before getting to play for a national title Jan. 11 at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University.

Between now and then, most teams have nothing but conference games ahead, and we’re still far from knowing who the champions will be. Plus, the national rankings have been a blender, so no team is safe.

With that said, there will be dozens of compelling games each week, and we’ll continue to pick out a few and offer some analysis and predictions.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to FloCollege, there’s still time to get in before the heat of the conference races.

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 8 of the 2026 season:

Monmouth (5-2, 4-0 CAA) at Hampton (1-6, 0-3 CAA)

On paper, this game probably should be great for Monmouth's momentum and bid for this year’s Coastal Athletic Association title, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks can underestimate a Hampton team that doesn’t have much else to lose.

MU is 5-2 overall and tops the CAA standings at 4-0, but Campbell and Bryant are close behind at 3-0.

Hampton is 1-6 in 2026 and riding a six-game losing streak into this conference showdown with the Hawks.

The Pirates opened the campaign in convincing fashion, notching a 45-0 win against Virginia University-Lynchburg, but the following week was a 62-0 loss to Maryland that started the downhill slide.

Even better for Monmouth is that the Hawks have won their last five meetings with Hampton going back to 2017, including a 28-10 win on the road last year and a 61-10 victory in New Jersey in 2023.

This will be one of four CAA games being broadcast live on FloCollege and the FloSports app this week.

*This game will be broadcast live on FloCollege on Saturday at 2 p.m. Eastern.

Prediction: Monmouth 42, Hampton 17

UPCOMING

2026 Monmouth vs Hampton

Sat, Oct 24 · 6:00 PM UTC

WATCH

All FCS Games On FloCollege This Week

All Times Eastern

Saturday, Oct. 24

No. 1 Tarleton State (7-0, 2-0 UAC) at West Georgia (1-6, 0-2 UAC)

Tarleton State has reached the top of the FCS rankings, and now it’s time to really perform, especially since being the No. 1 team across most of college football this year has not gone favorably for those programs.

The Texans are coming off a 12-2 season and a playoff appearance, and they’ve been perfect in 2026, while scoring 40 or more points in their last four wins, including their first two United Athletic Conference contests.

The West Georgia Wolves have had mixed success since jumping from Division II to the FCS level, and they been unable to getting their footing against Tarleton State.

TSU won their first meeting in 2024 (38-21) and handled business again last year at home in Texas (45-10).

They’ll be back in Georgia this week, where the Wolves secured their only win this season. That came Sept. 26 against Fort Valley State, and it was a 49-7 blowout, marking the only time this year that UWG has scored more than 30 points.

Early in the 2026 UAC conference schedule, Abilene Christian sits atop the standings at 3-0, with Tarleton State at 2-0. West Georgia is one of two winless teams, joining Central Arkansas at the bottom of the stack at 0-2 and 0-3, respectively.

Prediction: Tarleton State 33, West Georgia 13

Southern Utah (3-4, 2-2 Big Sky) at Idaho (2-5, 2-2 Big Sky)

Idaho has been causing havoc in the Big Sky Conference this season, and even at 2-5 overall, the Vandals have used to shock wins over BSC favorites Montana State and Montana to keep themselves in contention for a run at the Big Sky title.

The Vandals were merciless against the Bobcats and Grizzlies, but they have to bring that same intensity to their meeting with Southern Utah.

After completing the biggest win in program history, a 35-34 home win over then-No. 1 Montana State on Oct. 2, Idaho went on the road and lost a conference game to Weber State.

Last week was another upswing with the memorable win over Montana, but the roller coaster ride needs to stop if there will be any hope for the Vandals and their 2026 season.

This contest with Southern Utah ultimately breaks up a cluster of two-loss teams in the 2026 Big Sky standings. But it also means one team still has a shot at conference glory, while the other start making holiday plans and looking ahead to next season.

The clash should be a good one, as the Thunderbirds also picked up a huge win last week, a 38-17 conference upset of No. 12 UC Davis.

In the win, SUU scored the only 29 points in the second half and turned a 17-9 halftime deficit into its first win against UC Davis since 2017 and first win over a ranked opponent since posting two last year.

Prediction: Idaho 24, Southern Utah 21

No. 2 Stephen F. Austin (7-0, 4-0, Southland) at Southeastern Louisiana (4-3, 2-2 SLC)

Stephen F. Austin is the No. 2 team in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, so it’s only natural to keep an eye on the Lumberjacks, as a win keeps them in control in the Southland Conference and gives them an opportunity to move to the top of the polls if Tarleton State falters.

SFA’s last two games were a 28-26 squeaker against Incarnate Word on Oct. 3 and a 56-0 throttling of Nicholls last weekend.

Southeastern Louisiana comes to town after a 34-31 upset of No. 8 Lamar. It was homecoming, it was special and it helped the Lions jump back into the AFCA Top 25.

The win was SLU’s fifth over an opponent ranked in the top 10 under ninth-year head coach Frank Scelfo, who coached his 100th game at the helm of the SE Louisiana football program.

The Lions’ success last weekend helped Stephen F. Austin’s conference standings. Had that game gone the other way, Lamar would be tied with the Lumberjacks in conference play at 4-0. Instead, Lamar and Houston Christian are tied for second place at 3-1, and they are followed by three teams at 2-2, including SLU.

The series between SFA and Southeastern Louisiana began in 1950 and has spanned 22 editions.

The Lumberjacks lead 11-10-1 all-time, but the Lions won their last three meetings, which came in 2016, 2019 and 2024. In 2024, held in Louisiana, SLU won a 24-23 nailbiter.

Both teams have momentum coming into their 2026 showdown, so it easily could go either way.

SFA has the home-field advantage and the motivation to end a losing skid to the Lions, but SLU has won five of their seven meetings since 2012.

Prediction: Stephen F. Austin 45, Southeastern Louisiana 35

No. 8 North Dakota (6-2, 3-1 MVFC) at No. 6 South Dakota (6-2, 3-1 MVFC)

Many would argue that this is the biggest game in the FCS this week.

It has the best combined rankings and is huge for the race in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Youngstown State has quietly risen to the top of the standings at 4-1, but North Dakota and South Dakota both are 3-1.

YSU is off this week, which means there will be a tie for first place in the MVFC, no matter what.

However, if North Dakota prevails Saturday against South Dakota, that means next week’s ND-Youngstown showdown will be for solo control of the conference.

If the South Dakota gets the win, in its first home game against a top-10 opponent, the Coyotes will join the Penguins in first place, but they’ll then have to defend that position on the road next weekend against another top-10 team, South Dakota State.

Even without the MVFC title, teams from the loaded conference still have a great chance to make the playoffs, so every minute of action is important.

After Week 7, there are five MVFC teams ranked in the top 25, with four of them in the top 10.

South Dakota comes into the North Dakota game on a three-game winning streak, including a 48-20 road win over Murray State last Saturday.

North Dakota, since we somehow waited this long to mention it, hits the road after knocking off then-No. 1 South Dakota State last week, 21-10.

What comes with more momentum – three straight wins or a win over the top team in the country?

Prediction: North Dakota 17, South Dakota 10

How’d We Do With Our Predictions Last Week?

There certainly was some improvement with the picks last week on the way to a 3-2 performance, with the two misses being significant upsets.

If you pick those right, you’re a genius. If you don’t, you probably did the logical thing and picked the favorite.

Follow that strategy, and you’ll be right more times than you won’t. Unless one of the teams is ranked No. 1. Or one of the teams is Idaho.

Here’s a look at the picks and results from Week 7:

Monmouth vs. New Hampshire

  • Prediction: Monmouth 35, New Hampshire 14
  • Result: Monmouth def. New Hampshire, 42-21

South Dakota State vs. North Dakota

  • Prediction: South Dakota State 28, North Dakota 24
  • Result: North Dakota def. SDSU, 21-10

Youngstown State vs. Northern Iowa

  • Prediction: Youngstown State 42, Northern Iowa 33
  • Result: Youngstown State def. Northern Iowa, 35-22

Tarleton State vs. Central Arkansas

  • Prediction: Tarleton State 48, Central Arkansas 13
  • Result: Tarleton State def. Central Arkansas, 49-35

Montana vs. Idaho

  • Prediction: Montana 28, Idaho 9
  • Result: Idaho def. Montana, 42-35

AFCA FCS Rankings After Week 7 Of 2026

As of Oct. 17

  1. Tarleton State (7-0) – 648 – Prev. 2
  2. Stephen F. Austin (7-0) – 623 – Prev. 3
  3. Montana State (6-1) – 591 – Prev. 5
  4. Youngstown State (6-2) – 567 – Prev. 6
  5. South Dakota State (5-2) – 520 – Prev. 1
  6. South Dakota (6-2) – 491 – Prev. 9
  7. Northern Arizona (6-2) – 482 – Prev. 10
  8. North Dakota (6-2) – 457 – Prev. 15
  9. Austin Peay (6-2) – 452 – Prev. 11
  10. Illinois State (5-2) – 396 – Prev. 13
  11. Tennessee Tech (6-1) – 380 – Prev. 14
  12. Lehigh (6-1) – 375 – Prev. 4
  13. Mercer (6-2) – 305 – Prev. 16
  14. Montana (5-3) – 296 – Prev. 7
  15. Lamar (5-2) – 288 – Prev. 8
  16. Campbell (6-1) – 265 – Prev. 18
  17. Harvard (5-0) – 264 – Prev. 17
  18. Monmouth (5-2) – 200 – Prev. 20
  19. Richmond (5-2) – 152 – Prev. 22
  20. East Tennessee St. (5-2) – 144 – Prev. 24
  21. UC Davis (4-3) – 124 – Prev. 12
  22. Jackson State (6-1) – 108 – Prev. NR
  23. West Florida (4-2) – 57 – Prev. NR
  24. Southeastern Louisiana (4-3) – 39 – Prev. NR
  25. South Carolina State (5-2) – 37 – Prev. NR

Dropped Out: Colgate (19), Idaho State (21), Yale (23), Northern Iowa (25)

Others Receiving Votes: ACU, 26; Northern Iowa, 24; Colgate, 18; Idaho State, 18; Princeton, 17; Bryant, 16; UAlbany, 15; Yale, 13; Weber State, 12; Cornell (N.Y.), 9; Wofford, 9; Morgan State, 5; Alabama A&M, 2; Southeast Missouri State, 2; Central Connecticut State, 1; Delaware State, 1; Marist, 1.

Week 8 Schedule For FCS Top 25

*Based on latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll

All Times Eastern

  • No. 1 Tarleton State (7-0, 4-0 UAC) at West Georgia (4-3, 2-2 UAC), 6 p.m.
  • No. 2 Stephen F. Austin (7-0, 4-0 Southland) vs. No. 24 Southeastern Louisiana (4-3, 3-1 Southland), 5 p.m.
  • No. 3 Montana State (6-1, 4-0 Big Sky) vs. Weber State (4-3, 3-1 Big Sky), 3 p.m.
  • No. 5 South Dakota State (5-2, 3-1 MVFC) vs. Murray State (2-5, 1-3 MVFC), 2 p.m.
  • No. 6 South Dakota (6-2, 3-1 MVFC) vs. No. 8 North Dakota (6-2, 4-1 MVFC), 2 p.m.
  • No. 9 Austin Peay (6-2, 2-1 UAC) at North Alabama (3-4, 1-3 UAC), 7 p.m.
  • No. 10 Illinois State (5-2, 3-1 MVFC) vs. Indiana State (2-5, 1-3 MVFC), 6 p.m.
  • No. 11 Tennessee Tech (6-1, 3-0 OVC-Big South) at The Citadel (2-5, 1-3 SoCon), 2 p.m.
  • No. 12 Lehigh (6-1, 3-0 Patriot League) at Villanova (4-3, 2-1 CAA), noon.
  • No. 15 Lamar (5-2, 3-1 Southland) vs. Houston Christian (4-3, 3-1 Southland), 3 p.m.
  • No. 16 Campbell (6-1, 3-0 CAA) at Maine (3-4, 2-1 CAA), 1 p.m.
  • No. 17 Harvard (5-0, 2-0 Ivy League) vs. Princeton (3-2, 1-1 Ivy League), 1 p.m.
  • No. 18 Monmouth (5-2, 3-1 CAA) at Hampton (3-4, 1-2 CAA), 2 p.m.
  • No. 19 Richmond (5-2, 3-1 Patriot League) vs. Colgate (4-3, 1-2 Patriot League), 2 p.m.
  • No. 20 East Tennessee State (5-2, 3-1 SoCon) at VMI (2-5, 1-3 SoCon), 1:30 p.m.
  • No. 21 UC Davis (4-3, 2-2 Big Sky) vs. Northern Colorado (3-4, 2-2 Big Sky), 4 p.m.
  • No. 22 Jackson State (6-1, 4-0 SWAC) at Bethune-Cookman (2-5, 2-2 SWAC), 3 p.m.
  • No. 23 West Florida (4-2, 3-1 Gulf South) at Eastern Kentucky (3-4, 2-2 UAC), 3 p.m.
  • No. 25 South Carolina State (5-2, 3-0 MEAC) vs. Norfolk State (2-5, 1-2 MEAC), 1 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 will begin in late August, and the playoffs will get underway at the end of November.

Who Won The 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.

A Peek At The Hottest Ticket In Division II Football: Ferris State vs. GVSU

Watch the highlights from the 2026 Anchor-Bone Classic, the intense annual rivalry game between Ferris State and Grand Valley State.

This year, it was No. 1 FSU topping No. 13 GVSU in a 41-34 comeback win.


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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