FCS Week 3 Preview: Top 10 Showdown and More
The article previews the biggest FCS games of Week 3, including a Top 10 matchup between South Dakota State and Youngstown State. It also examines South Carolina State's dominant start and Furman's defensive win over Mercer. The author provides predictions for several contests.
South Carolina State enters the Furman matchup having outscored opponents 184-13 across three games, though two of those came against non-Division I competition. The Bulldogs' defensive front has recorded 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks while limiting opponents to 1.4 yards per carry. Head coach Chennis Berry carries a 22-6 career record and a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play, including last season's HBCU national championship. Running back Mason Pickett-Hicks leads all FCS players with 11.5 yards per carry, highlighted by a 210-yard, two-touchdown performance in the team's lone FCS contest. Furman, meanwhile, allowed six tackles for loss and four sacks against Mercer, a vulnerability the Bulldogs' defensive line could exploit.
This matchup could carry significant playoff implications for both programs, as non-conference wins against quality opponents often factor into selection committee decisions. A South Carolina State victory would strengthen the case that HBCU programs deserve broader national recognition in FCS title conversations, while a Furman win would validate the Paladins' defensive identity. Fans of mid-major college football may see this game as a measuring stick for how competitive the subdivision's non-power programs truly are, potentially influencing future scheduling decisions and media coverage.