Rivalry games are in the spotlight this weekend with Montana and Montana State squaring off in the “Brawl of the Wild,” which began in 1897. Meanwhile, Lehigh and Lafayette meet for the 155th time since 1884 in “The Rivalry,” which is the longest-standing rivalry in college football.
The Ivy League title is still in play, and Dartmouth controls their own destiny. A win against Brown clinches the Ivy crown for the Big Green, otherwise they’ll have to root for Harvard to beat Yale in the Big Game.
North Dakota State (11-0) already won the Missouri Valley Conference title, but the Bison will attempt to keep their perfect season going with a road game against Southern Illinois.
Weekend Warrior College Football Lineup
Dartmouth (8-1) at Brown (2-7)
Lafayette (3-8) at Lehigh (4-6)
Montana (9-2) at Montana State (8-3)
North Dakota State (11-0) at S. Illinois (7-4)
UTEP (1-9) at New Mexico State (1-9)
San Diego State (8-2) at Hawaii (7-4)
Two bad teams, UTEP and New Mexico State, will also slug it out, and the loser becomes a front runner for worst college football team in America. UTEP currently rides a nine-game losing streak.
In the Gotta Get Unstuck Game of the Day, the San Diego State Aztecs visit the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the last game on the college football schedule. Both teams are fighting for first place in the Mountain West.
Ivy League Title at Stake in Crayola Bowl
Dartmouth (8-1) at Brown (2-7)… The Dartmouth Big Green had a chance to lock up the Ivy League title last week. However, they got caught off guard by Cornell, and had their undefeated season ruined by the Big Red. The Big Green head to Providence to take on the Brown Bears, who are a +24 home dog. A victory will clinch the Ivy League title for Dartmouth. If, by chance, they lose two games in a row, then Dartmouth will be rooting for Harvard to defeat Yale in the annual Big Game. Yale has the same record at 8-1, but Dartmouth won the tie breaker with a victory over Yale in Week 4.
Old School Pigskin
Lafayette (3-8) at Lehigh (4-6)… If you don’t know about “The Rivalry,” then you’re missing something. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks and Lafayette Leopards have the oldest running rivalry in college football history. The annual meeting between two universities in Pennsylvania dates back to 1884. Lafayette leads the series 78–71-5, but Lehigh is riding a four-game winning streak. The Leopards started out 0-7, but they’re 3-1 since then, with all three victories by less than one score. Lafayette is 1-5 on the road this season, but they’re also 8-3 ATS. Lehigh dropped three games in a row, but the Mountain Hawks are a 4-point favorite.
Brawl of the Wild: Griz-Cats
Montana (9-2) at Montana State (8-3)… The Montana Grizzlies lead the Big Sky with a 6-1 conference record, but it’s all about bragging rights in the annual Brawl of the Wild. The Montana State Bobcats are a +5 home dog, and they’re 7-4 ATS this season. The Grizzlies are 7-0 at home, but only 2-2 on the road, with one of their losses coming against the Oregon Ducks in Week 3. Montana is 6-1 ATS in their last seven games, and 4-0 ATS in their last four games. Last season, Montana blew a second-half lead, and Montana State scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull off a comeback victory and win the Great Divide Trophy. Montana leads the series 72–40–5.
Will Salukis Spoil the Bison’s Perfect Season?
North Dakota State (11-0) at S. Illinois (7-4)… The Bison, ranked #1 in the FCS, already clinched the Missouri Valley Conference title, but the Salukis of Southern Illinois stand in the way of a perfect season. The Bison outscored their opponents 459-140 on the way to an 11-0 record. They crank out 41.7 points per game while holding opponents to 12.7 points per game. Freshman QB, Trey Lance threw 24 touchdowns with zero interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for nine scores. NDSU is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games. The Salukis started the season 2-4, but won five games in a row since then. S. Illinois is a +20 home dog.
The 1-9 Bowl
UTEP (1-9) at New Mexico State (1-9)… UTEP is the doormat of Conference USA with an 0-7 conference record. The Miners won their first game of the season with a 2-point victory over Houston Baptist. The Miners dropped nine in a row since then. They square off against the New Mexico State Aggies. New Mexico State is in Las Cruces, which is located only 42 miles away from El Paso, Texas. New Mexico State is favored by a touchdown at home. They won their first game of the season last week against Incarnate Word to snap a nine-game skid. NMSU is 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
Gotta Get Unstuck Game of the Day
San Diego State (8-2) at Hawaii (7-4)… The best defense in the Mountain West faces the top offense in this Mountain West After Dark game. Hawaii is trying to catch SDSU for first place in the Mountain West’s West Division. San Diego State’s defense allows only 13.7 points per game. The Aztecs will have to stop Hawaii’s passing offense, ranked #4 in the nation, and which generates 340.7 yards per game. Junior QB, Cole McDonald threw 25 touchdowns and rushed for six more. He’s been in a bit of a slump after a torrid start. McDonald threw four touchdowns in four of the first five games of the season. He threw zero touchdowns last week, and only has two passing touchdowns in his last three games. San Diego State travels well and they’re 5-0 on the road. The under is 9-1 for SDSU this season, including 5-0 in their last five games. Hawaii is a -3 favorite at home in Honolulu, where they Rainbow Warriors are 4-2 this season.
