FCS Week 0 Predictions: North Alabama-Mercer, Fordham-UAlbany, Jackson State-SC State

The 2023 FCS tackle football season is here. Once a spotlight week for one top-tier FCS matchup, Week 0 has been taken over by TV networks and FBS games. This has also resulted in multiple FCS games being played.

We have three to watch on Saturday.

Let’s predict some scores.

PredictionsRecord:
2019-2022 record: 337-158

North Alabama vs. No. 20Mercer (in Montgomery, AL)

The FCS Kickoff will be played on ESPN again.

Last year, North Alabama head coach Chris Willis was let go during the season as UNA finished 1-10. FAU offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon was hired as the next HC this offseason. The Lions have their hands full to start 2023.

Mercer has its highest expectations in years after going 7-4 last season. Nine All-SoCon players return, highlighted by the elite WR duo Devron Harper and Ty James. Ten of the top 11 tacklers are back, led by LB Isaac Dowling. Carter Peevy looks to lead the offense again as the starting QB. He started multiple games in the 2020-21 season but was replaced by standout Fred Payton in 2021 and 2022.

Mercer wins big, pulling away in the second half.

Prediction: Mercer 38-14

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Fordham at UAlbany

This could turn into an entertaining game.

UAlbany QB Reese Poffenbarger returns after throwing for 3,000 yards, 24 TDs, and four interceptions last year as a freshman. Although the Great Danes went just 3-8 overall.

Fordham, meanwhile, loses its All-American QB Tim DeMorat, its top two WRs, and its top RB from a team that scored 49.5 points per game. But some firepower is still on the roster. Julius Loughridge rushed for 932 yards and eight touchdowns. MJ Wright had 62 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 scores. And Mekai Felton recorded 37 catches for 525 yards and six TDs.

Fordham will have just enough to pull out a one-possession win.

Prediction: Fordham 35-28

Jackson State vs. South Carolina State (in Atlanta, GA)

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will air on ABC.

JSU returns just one of its 12 All-SWAC players from last year (TE DJ Stevens). It loses its starting QB, top three rushers, top four pass-catchers, and top eight tacklers. It lost 19 transfers to the FBS and nine transfers to other FCS programs. And it brings in 17 FBS transfers and 12 FCS transfers.

Frankly, it’s hard to offer much analysis on JSU’s roster. We know the individual talent is there through recruiting and Power Five transfers, but it’s unknown who the new star players are. As of this writing, we don’t know who the starting QB will be.

South Carolina State hopes to rebound after a 3-8 record last year, a disappointing season coming off of a Celebration Bowl win over JSU. Ten All-MEAC players return in Buddy Pough’s last season as head coach.

SC State will have to be solid in its in-game adjustments. Whether it’s personnel, offensive scheme, or how JSU defensively plays a certain look, the Bulldogs don’t fully know what they’ll see Saturday.

I still lean JSU here. Jason Brown was an excellent FCS quarterback as a 2019 Sophomore All-American at Saint Francis before transferring to the Power Five. He transferred to JSU this offseason. If he’s not the starting QB, then the Tigers have another good option there. The skilled talent will be strong surrounding whoever QB1 is.