Weekly Preview: 37 Games On Tap This Weekend (UPDATED)

March 11, 2021 by Staff

This weekend's schedule has held up rather well - knock on wood - as a total of just 4 games have been stricken from what was originally a 41-game slate. It all kicks off on Saturday with 29 contests, with the remainder to be played on Sunday. Nearly a quarter (17) of the 74 teams in action will be playing their spring season opener.

Monmouth, the No. 3 team in this week's Congrove Computer Rankings at CollegeFootballPoll.com, had its game at Robert Morris canceled, due to Covid issues within the Colonials' program.

James Madison, the No. 2 team by the computer and No. 1 in the FCS Stats Media Poll, had its home game with William & Mary canceled due to Covid issues within the Dukes' program.

Additionally, Idaho at Arizona State in the Walkup Skydome was scratched by Covid issues within the Vandals' program, and Fordham at Bucknell had been postponed long ago due to a Covid-related pause by both teams.

Still on tap, No. 15 San Diego and No. 40 Drake open the season against each other on Saturday. The Toreros are a 7.38-point computer pick in Des Moines over the Bulldogs.

Other matchups where both sides are opening this week are Holy Cross at Lehigh, Colgate at Lafayette, Cal Poly at Southern Utah, and Butler vs. Valparaiso,

No. 17 Charles Southern takes the field for the first time when the Buccaneers visit No. 4 Kennesaw State as a 11.75-point underdog.

We also get the season opener for Stetson (vs. Davidson), Rhode Island (at Villanova), Cal Poly (vs. Southern Utah), Merrimack (vs. Bryant), Mississippi Valley State (at Jackson), and Wagner (vs. Duquesne).

The computer has 7 outright upset picks this versus the spread. These are all listed below with the favored team first, and the computer's pick last:

- Colgate (-4.5) vs. LAFAYETTE by 0.33
- Davidson (-9.5) vs. STETSON by 1.09
- Tarleton State (-3.5) vs. DIXIE STATE by 3.63
- PRESBYTERIAN (-6.5) vs. Morehead State by 1.98
- Bryant (-3.5) vs. MERRIMACK by 5.46
- Jacksonville State (-8.5) vs. TENNESSEE-MARTIN by 4.98
- Murray State (-3.5) vs. TENNESSEE TECH by 8.89

SEE: Complete Schedule and Picks