Here are the best games of the week coming up in FBS and FCS football (all rankings based on PRS):
FBS
#7 Arkansas at #20 Texas A&M
Arkansas is averaging over 34 points per game in a 3-0 start, but what is even more important to realize is that they are only giving up just over 20. The defense has improved significantly. Austin Allen has been playing solid football at QB, passing for 218.3 yards per game and a 7/2 TD to INT ratio. Rawleigh Williams is providing solid yards at RB. Defensively, Arkansas has only allowed one passing TD to date, and are allowing under 100 yards per game rushing.
The Aggies are playing solidly out of the gate as well, averaging 42.3 points per game, and defensively, they are only allowing 13 points per game. They are averaging well over 200 yards per game rushing, while Trevor Knight has passed for 276 yards per game, and Myles Garrett is averaging a sack per game.
Expect both offenses to slow down somewhat with the defenses playing as well as they are. The winner ends up in a solid position in the SEC West with Alabama coming up for both.
Pick: Texas A&M
#9 Florida at #10 Tennessee
Florida is having QB issues as Luke Del Rio injured his knee against North Texas, and that was after he had established himself in the position. Enter Purdue transfer Austin Appleby, who will now try to be the guy moving forward. The Gators have been dominant out the gate, outscoring opponents 33-4 on average. This week will be somewhat more interesting. Tennessee plays up for better opponents, and like crap against Group of 5 opponents, so they ought to be up for this week, and they had better, as Florida has dominated this series for most of the last decade. Butch Jones needs this win more than Jim McElwain does, so Tennessee gets the nod this week.
Pick: Tennessee
#25 Georgia Southern at #17 Western Michigan
This is the most interesting game outside of the Power 5 this week, as the Eagles head out to play the Broncos. Western Michigan has two wins against the Big 10 already this season, and are on pace to challenge for a NY6 bowl bid due to strength of their wins outside the MAC. WMU is averaging 42 points per game, while giving up just 17. They have also racked up 844 yards rushing, while giving up just 232, and QB Zach Terrell has still not tossed a pick in three games.
GSU is playing slightly better on defense, giving up just 10 points per game. Tre Griffin is averaging a TFL per game to lead the unit. Four different players average more than 10 carries per game, and that is their strength. Contrasting styles of play will be on full display this week.
Pick: Western Michigan
FCS
Sacred Heart at Stony Brook
Stony Brook is coming off a major 42-14 win over Richmond, who was a top five team last week. They return home to find Sacred Heart waiting for them in what could be a huge showdown. Sacred Heart already has one loss, and needs this win on the road. If they can at Sacred Heart, they become a major favorite in the NEC.
Pick: Stony Brook
Samford at Chattanooga
The Mocs are still the favorite in the Southern Conference, but this will be their biggest challenge to date as Samford comes rolling into town at 2-0. If the Mocs can get by the Bulldogs at home this week, they may have a solid shot for running undefeated until the playoffs.
Pick: Chattanooga
Charleston Southern at Monmouth
Big South supremacy is at stake here. CSU has lost to North Dakota State and Florida State, and Monmouth has only one loss, to Kent State last week. CSU needs this win badly, but Monmouth is playing better than most expected. This could be a Big South war.
Pick: Charleston Southern
Other Top Games
Florida State at USF...FSU needs a bounceback this week, but USF won't lay down.
East Carolina at Virginia Tech...Pirates have a habit of winning at Lane Stadium.
Wake Forest at Indiana...Will the real surprise team please stand up.
Pitt at North Carolina...Huge ACC showdown for both teams.
Oklahoma State at Baylor...Cowboys could be class of Big 12 with road win.
Penn State at Michigan...Michigan looked vulnerable last week, and Penn State could capitalize.
Wisconsin at Michigan State...Badgers have already made a QB change, and Sparty woke up.
Wyoming at Eastern Michigan...Both teams are surprising early, but one will start a bad streak.
USC at Utah...Trojan loss here could lead to serious drama on campus next week.
Stanford at UCLA...Bruins in good spot to break 8 game losing streak to Cardinal.
Colorado at Oregon...Buffs looked solid for a while against Michigan, Ducks look vulnerable.
Cal at Arizona State...Who will actually play defense here? Anyone at all?
East Tennessee at Wofford...Classic SoCon game with both playing keep up with Chattanooga.
Harvard at Brown...Both won openers last week, get Ivy League opener this week.
Illinois State at Indiana State...Red Birds had stunning loss last week, Sycamores are a surprise.
Montana at Cal Poly...Mustangs have been a solid early surprise, but Grizzlies are out to ruin the run,
Colgate at Richmond...Colgate is coming off huge win, Richmond coming off weird loss.
Dayton at San Diego...Pioneer League showdown between top two powers comes early this year.
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