FCS Football Betting: Weekly Odds and Game Picks: Week 8 (2021)
While much of the college athletic world remains focused on basketball, there’s another kind of bracket just around. On April 18th, the FCS will have their own “Selection Sunday†for the 16 teams competing in the 2021 FCS Spring playoffs.
Like the basketball world, the world of FCS has at-large bids, auto-bids, and the all-important “bubble†where teams are still jockeying for position to get into one of the coveted 16 slots.
With just three weeks remaining between now and then, let’s take a look at some of the action.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Saturday
Eastern Tennessee State (ETSU) vs. VMI (-2.5, O/U 47.5)
The road to the Southern Conference runs through the No. 10 VMI Keydets, who come into this week fresh off a big 36-31 win on the road at Wofford. Trailing 7-17 in the half, the Keydets dropped 29 in the second half largely behind a monster performance from junior wide receiver Jakob Herres. The wideout reeled in 15 receptions for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Unsurprisingly, he also earned himself National Player of the Week honors.
On the other side of this matchup, the ETSU Buccaneers are also coming off a win. They have relied heavily on their defense to this point. The Buccaneers currently rank second in the conference in scoring defense (18 PPG) and total defense (281.5 YPG).
When all said and done, I see ETSU relying on their strong running game and defense. Also, VMI’s offense should come back down to earth following last week’s performance.
Pick: Under 47.5
Southern vs. Jackson State (+1.5, O/U 58.5)
For the first time the season, the FCS heads to ESPN. Deion Sanders’ Jackson State will host Southern in a SWAC matchup with a ton of implications. While Southern has won the last seven head-to-head matchups, Jackson State has one of its most talented teams in a decade.
For the Southern Jaguars, they last saw the field in a 51-23 rout of Texas Southern. Senior quarterback Ladarius Skelton threw for three touchdowns and 363 yards in a game that was never close.
On the other hand, Jackson State is coming off their first loss of the season. After tying the game with less than two minutes remaining, Alabama State running back Ezra Gray ripped off a 50-yard run to hand head coach Sanders his first loss in the FCS ranks.
I expect the Sanders-led Tigers to rise to the occasion in true “Primetime†fashion in front of a raucous home crowd.
Pick: Jackson State +1.5
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.