Top FCS Matchups week 9 | What are the best games to watch this week?

Hello, I am Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter with my week 9 FCS Matchups

1.Southern Illinois University at University of Northern Iowa

• This should be a tough Missouri Valley matchup. The Panthers of Northern Iowa offensively has redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Weston who has 578 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns who is definitely one to watch on Northern Iowa’s offense. Southern Illinois defense has Qua Brown who has 46 tackles and 1 interception. The Salukis offense has senior wide receiver Landon Lenoir who has 627 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. The Panthers defense has junior Benny Sapp III who has 35 tackles and 3 interceptions. This one should be very interesting and a tough road game for the Salukis.

2.College of William and Mary at Villanova University 

• Another interesting CAA matchup this time for week 9 as the Tribe heads off to see Villanova on the road. At QB Villanova has grad Daniel Smith who has 1,394 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021. The Tribe defensively has junior defensive lineman Nate Lynn who has 30 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 8.5 sacks. Offensively, William and Mary, have junior running back Donavyn Lester who has 487 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Nova senior defensive back Christian Benford who has 26 tackles, 10 PBUs, and 5 interceptions is the force of the Wildcats defense.

3.Davidson College at Morehead State University 

• This should be a fun matchup in the Pioneer Football league. Morehead State offensively has senior wide receiver BJ Byrd who has 764 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. For Davidson’s defense, you have sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Hammond who has 24 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 6 sacks. The Wildcats have a big tight end worth noticing in senior Jackson Sherrard. Morehead State’s Vaughn Taylor is a beast on the defensive line.

4.Furman University at University of Tennessee Chattanooga 

•  This is another fun matchup probably more on the defensive side of things. The Mocs are led defensively by beast junior defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell who has 19 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks. For Furman offensively you are watching redshirt junior tight end Ryan Miller who has 505 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively for Furman, you are watching junior defensive back Travis Blackshear who has 30 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 PBUs. And offensively for Chattanooga, you have sophomore Ailym Ford who has 728 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.

5.University of North Dakota at Missouri State University 

• Another interesting Missouri Valley matchup even though North Dakota has had it rough lately they could still pull off the upset. The Bears offensively have redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Scott who has 573 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. North Dakota defensively has 5th-year defensive back Evan Holm who has 29 tackles and 4 PBUs. North Dakota’s offense has junior running back Otis Weah who has 429 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. And the Bears defense has junior defensive lineman Kevin Ellis who has 36 tackles, 8 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.