FCS Football Betting: Weekly Odds and Game Picks: Week 9 (2021)
Having been everything but orthodox, the 2021 spring FCS season is just two weeks from reaching the end of its regular season. With selection Sunday slated for next week, teams have at most just two games left to prove their worth.
With COVID-19 effecting a string of games in Week 8, there was still plenty of action to digest. Most notably, two previous unbeatens in VMI and Murray State suffered losses by unranked opponents, and three other ranked teams fell victim to the same.
As Week 9 arrives, let’s take a look at two games I have my eye on where I believe some value remains as kickoff approaches.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Get a risk-free bet up to $500 at FanDuel Sportsbook >>
Sunday
Sacred Heart vs. Duquesne (-2.5, O/U 49.5)
The Northeast Conference will go through Pittsburgh this spring as the #25 Dukes host the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Having just played in early March (Duquesne 30 Sacred Heart 27), this time, an automatic playoff bid is on the line.
Like the first game where he had four touchdowns on 209 yards from scrimmage, the Pioneers will rely heavily on running back Julius Chestnut. The Duke’s also lean on their run game in the form of a two-headed monster that is QB Joe Mischler and RB Garrett Owns.
With both teams having improved significantly on the defensive side of the ball since their March meeting, I like that paired with a heavy dose of the run game to allow this game to stay well below the 50s.
Pick: Under 49.5
Jacksonville State vs. Murray State (+9.5, O/U 52.5)
Game #2 takes us to the Ohio Valley for another matchup with postseason implications. When #10 Jacksonville State visits #17 Murray State, the regular-season title will be up for grabs.
For Jacksonville State, quarterback Zion Webb has exceeded expectations, but the defense is where the story is once again. Through their last 80, no rusher has surpassed 80 yards on the ground, as the team leads the OVC in nearly every major defensive category.
The Gamecocks’ will certainly have their hands full this week, as freshman running back Damonta Smith ranks #2 in the OVC for Murray State. Ultimately, I like for Smith to be the difference for a Murray State team with the talent and coaching staff to win this one outright.
Pick: Murray State +9.5
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for this weekend’s FCS action! >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.
TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.