Bob Belvin has broadcast games across the OVC for over a decade, and served as host of league Media Day events. Each week this season he will share his thoughts and opinions on matchups and happenings around the OVC and FCS.
With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, every conference game carries major implications in the race for the OVC championship and the league's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs. Four conference matchups highlight this week's slate.
Game of the Week: Western Illinois at Eastern Illinois
Archive this column for the ages. Rarely has this matchup drawn much attention, let alone calling it the “Game of the Week.” Typical November weather for Charleston too, mostly cloudy, 51, and winds 15-20 mph. Enjoy.
Lindenwood at Gardner-Webb
1:30pm ET, ESPN+ | Boiling Springs, N.C.
Two teams near the top of the standings tackle in Carolina when Gardner-Webb returns home to host Lindenwood. This matchup could have a significant impact on the upper half of the league standings.
GWU HC Pete Bennett on Lindenwood: “ (Pops) Battle is a guy that can beat you several ways with experienced wide receivers to throw to” As for his team “we are in the bottom of the country in turnover margin and that has set us back." Lindenwood HC Jed Stugart noted “we’ve played complimentary football three weeks in a row and now it gets really challenging and tough right now heading to GWU”.
Homecoming at Gardner Webb, albeit a bit late compared to seasons past.
UT Martin at Charleston Southern
2:00pm ET, ESPN+ | Charleston, S.C.
UT Martin makes a long trip to the Carolina coast to take on Charleston Southern in a key conference showdown. The Skyhawks have consistently been one of the OVC's premier programs and will look to keep momentum rolling as postseason aspirations come into focus. Charleston Southern will be seeking a statement win at home in front of its fans. CSU HC Gabe Giardina described last week’s loss (42-35) at Western Illinois as “one of the more chaotic, interesting and not- how -you- draw- it-up type of games I have ever seen.” His team is still in the OVC race but must protect the home field this Saturday. UT Martin is coming off a stunning Homecoming rout at the hands of Eastern Illinois (45-16) with HC Jason Simpson noting “we’ve been exposed the last few weeks on defense, and I am the Head Coach and I am responsible for it”.
Western Illinois at Eastern Illinois
2:00pm CT, ESPN+ | Charleston, Ill.
Expect an intense atmosphere at O'Brien Field as both team’s battle for conference positioning entering the stretch run. The Battle for Illinois should be as competitive as ever this Saturday. This game features two outstanding quarterbacks. WIU’s Kennedy McGill continues to gain national recognition: In the last two games he has thrown for 824 yards and accounted for 10 touchdowns. Eastern’s Cole LaCrue rushed for 112 yards and passed for 269 in last weeks’ surprising rout of UT Martin. EIU HC Chris Wilkerson called WIU “a red hot team that is much improved football team” and took some time on this week’s media call to calling his QB Cole LaCrue ‘ An elite competitor and he has learned how to minimize some of the violent hits that he took last season.” WIU HC Chris Davis called EIU’s win at UT Martin last week as “impressive” later calling it a “breakout performance”. He added EIU always “maximizes the talents that they have and playing to the strengths of the talent they have.”
Southeast Missouri at Tennessee State
2:30pm CT, ESPN+ | Nashville, Tenn.
With championship implications on the line, an unpredictable SEMO squad heads to The Music City. This contest could prove pivotal in shaping the OVC title picture. Both teams lost in their last outing. SEMO HC Tom Matukewicz on needed corrections for this game in Nashville- “we’ve done what we always do and tried to make it a life lesson and respond in a good way” adding TSU is “similar to GWU in that their defensive front is their strong suit, they are athletic, explosive and able to get a lot of TFL’s.” TSU is undoubtedly the league’s most unpredictable team. Head Coach Reggie Barlow on SEMO- “one of those programs that is the ‘standard’ “their defense has 15 turnovers, and 12 picks, and they run a three down look which will force you into different offensive blocking schemes.” SEMO needs a road win badly to offset last week’s home loss. TSU needs a conference win, period.