The Big Sky lead is on the line, two Missouri Valley powers are fighting for playoff positioning, and five CAA contenders are separated by just one conference loss.
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Saturday, Oct. 24, brings another important slate of FCS football as conference championship races tighten and teams look to strengthen their résumés ahead of the 24-team playoffs. Here are three things to know about the Week 8 schedule.
1. Weber State Can Take Control Of The Big Sky Race
Weber State (5-3, 4-1 Big Sky) at No. 3 Montana State (6-1, 3-1 Big Sky) | 3 p.m. ET
Weber State wasn't supposed to be the team challenging Montana State for the Big Sky lead this late in October. Yet here we are.
The Wildcats have won three straight games, including a 27-20 victory over Idaho State, and enter Saturday tied with Northern Arizona atop the Big Sky standings at 4-1.
Montana State sits just behind them at 3-1, but the Bobcats already defeated Northern Arizona 28-14 earlier this season. That head-to-head advantage means Saturday's winner will be in first place in the conference standings while Northern Arizona enjoys its bye week.
The race doesn't end there. Montana and Cal Poly are both 3-2 in conference play, while UC Davis remains within striking distance at 2-2.
Weber State also has a difficult road ahead, with matchups against UC Davis on Oct. 31 and Northern Arizona on Nov. 14.
The Wildcats have already earned a spot in our latest FCS Playoff Bubble Watch, but a victory over the defending national champions would provide an even stronger argument for their postseason inclusion.
Montana State, meanwhile, enters Saturday ranked No. 1 in the FCS Playoff Committee's initial Top 10, despite sitting No. 3 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
2. North Dakota And South Dakota Battle For Missouri Valley Positioning
No. 8 North Dakota (6-2, 3-1 MVFC) at No. 6 South Dakota (6-2, 3-1 MVFC) | 2 p.m. ET
North Dakota just knocked off the nation's top-ranked team. Now the Fighting Hawks have another Top 10 opponent standing in their way.
The Fighting Hawks defeated then-No. 1 South Dakota State 21-10 in Week 7, earning their first victory over an FCS No. 1-ranked team since moving to Division I in 2008.
That victory helped North Dakota jump seven places to No. 8 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, while South Dakota climbed to No. 6.
Both programs enter Saturday at 3-1 in Missouri Valley play, trailing Youngstown State (4-1) in the conference standings.
South Dakota enters on a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating Murray State 48-20.
Both teams were included in the FCS Playoff Committee's first Top 10 rankings, with North Dakota at No. 6 and South Dakota at No. 8.
South Dakota State (2-1 MVFC) and Northern Iowa (2-1) remain in the conference race, making Saturday's showdown particularly important.
3. Five CAA Contenders Are Fighting For The Conference Crown
Three undefeated conference teams. Two more sitting just one loss behind. The CAA championship race is far from settled.
Monmouth (5-2, 4-0 CAA) leads the conference entering Week 8, but Campbell (6-1, 3-0) and Bryant (5-2, 3-0) remain unbeaten in league play.
Stony Brook (4-3, 2-1) and UAlbany (4-3, 2-1) are also in contention, giving the Coastal Athletic Association five teams with one conference loss or fewer.
All five are in action Saturday.
Key CAA Games On FloCollege
- No. 16 Campbell (6-1) at Maine (1-6) | 1 p.m. ET
- No. 18 Monmouth (5-2) at Hampton (1-6) | 2 p.m. ET
- Stony Brook (4-3) at Bryant (5-2) | 2 p.m. ET
- UAlbany (4-3) at Rhode Island (4-3) | Noon ET
Campbell has been one of the biggest surprises in the FCS this season. After winning just two games in 2025, the Camels are 6-1 and riding a four-game winning streak.
Monmouth has also won four straight and is looking to improve to 5-0 in conference play before its highly anticipated Nov. 21 meeting with Campbell.
But the matchup between Stony Brook and Bryant could be the most consequential CAA game this weekend.
A Bryant victory would keep the Bulldogs undefeated in conference play, while a Stony Brook win would hand Bryant its first CAA loss and tighten the championship race.
UAlbany also has an opportunity to improve its position against defending CAA champion Rhode Island, which enters at 1-2 in conference play.
For a closer look at each matchup, check out CAA Football Week 8: What To Watch.
With the CAA automatic playoff bid still up for grabs, Saturday could significantly change the conference standings.
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