FCS Football Betting: Weekly Odds and Game Picks: Week 7 (2021)
As much of the college athletic world is keyed in on the hardwood, some college football teams are putting out products this spring that are nothing to slouch at. In the FCS ranks, the main story was North Dakota, who started the season off 4-0, dismantling opponents along the way. Ultimately, the Fighting Hawks got as high as #2 before being knocked off last week in blowout fashion to in-state rival (and FCS powerhouse) North Dakota State, who moved into #2 themselves with the win.
Among the other movers, South Dakota State State moved to #4 (from #6) in the rankings following their fourth win of the season, and Sam Houston State moved up two spots to #5 following their 62-7 shellacking of Lamar.
With Week 7 now just hours away, let’s take a look at where the edges remain this week.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Saturday
James Madison vs. William & Mary (+15.5, O/U 44.5)
For # 1 ranked JMU, their 3-0 start to the 2021 season has been anything but smooth. Having last played on March 6, an underwhelming 20-17 win over Elon, the team has had two games postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the program.
Conversely, William & Mary just knocked off Elon 31-10, dominating for much of the game in a matchup that was never really close. Going back over the history of the series, while JMU leads W&M all-time 25-17, the Tribe have the edge (12-11) when at home.
While I like JMU’s talent to win this one outright, I see W&M keeping it close well into the third quarter.
Pick: William & Mary +15.5
University of Incarnate Word (UIW) vs. Nicholls State (-6.5, O/U 66.5)
Another big mover this last week inside the top 25 was UIW, from #22 all the way to #13. In what turned into one of the best offensive displays of the season thus far, freshman quarterback Cameron Ward threw for a school-record six touchdown passes and ran for another in their 56-45 win over SE Louisiana.
For Nicholls State, who is averaging 47.5 points per game themselves to rank #3 in all of FCS, points have been just as bountiful. Led by NFL wide receiver prospect Dai’Jean Dixon on the outside, the Colonels should be fresh following a bye week and more than dialed in to get back on track following an embarrassing defeat their last time out.
Featuring two teams averaging a combined 90+ points per game, I like this game to sail well over the total.
Pick: Over 66.5
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for this weekend’s FCS action! >>
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.