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 conference play still a few weeks away, Ohio Valley Conference programs will continue navigating a challenging non-conference schedule this weekend. Several teams face FBS opponents, while others renew regional rivalries that could provide an early indication of where each program stands heading into October.   As fans make their way to stadiums across the country this Saturday, let us take a moment to remember the lives lost and the heroes who emerged on September 11, 2001. The freedoms we celebrate every fall weekend, including gathering with family and friends to enjoy college football, were defended by the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of countless Americans. May we honor their legacy by remembering, reflecting, and remaining united.

TOP STORYLINES 
• Best FCS on FCS matchup: Take your pick: SEMO at Sothern Illinois or Indiana State at EIU
• Top rivalry game: Charleston Southern at The Citadel
• Biggest challenge: UT Martin at West Virginia.
• Could Be A Tight Game : Lindenwood at Missouri State.
• The Game Formerly Known as “The Baptist Bowl”: Gardner Webb at Liberty
• An HBCU Classic Renewed: Tennessee State at Alabama A&M

 
MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINEERS 
UT Martin at West Virginia
1:00 PM ET, ESPN+ | Morgantown W.Va.
UT Martin travels to Morgantown West Virginia on Saturday for a road FBS game. Last week’s win over Chicago State was helpful to cure a few huge gaps following a home loss to Central Arkansas to open the season.  The Skyhawks now face their most difficult test of the early season against a West Virginia squad with superior size, depth, and athleticism at virtually every position. The running game for both teams will be key.  For UT Martin, the backfield tandem of Tommy Ansley and Chris Franklin have accounted for seven touchdowns so far this season, while the Mountaineers rushed for 281 yards against Coastal Carolina last week. OVC Defensive Player of the Week Reggie Allen Jr. will be a big part of stopping the WVU run game. For the Skyhawks to remain competitive, they must establish balance offensively and avoid putting their defense in difficult situations. West Virginia's home-field advantage and physical style make the Mountaineers heavy favorites, but UT Martin has traditionally embraced these challenge games and will seek to build momentum before conference play begins.

Prediction: Rich Rod’s Guys
   
THE LOWCOUNTRY BOIL BOWL
Charleston Southern at The Citadel
5:00 PM ET, ESPN+ | Charleston, S.C. 
Seventeen miles separate Charles Southern and The Citadel, so it makes sense this game represents one of the nation’s top rivalries. On this week’s Media Call CSU HC Gabe Gardina said that even “Darren from facilities feels it (the intensity of the rivalry)”. And he’s right. After opening the season against Lindenwood and Georgia Southern, Charleston Southern hopes the familiarity of this matchup can help produce its first victory of the season. The Citadel pulled off one of the early season’s FCS over FBS wins last week in overtime against Charlotte after losing their season opener. The Buccaneers have shown flashes defensively but need greater consistency offensively. Rivalry games often produce unpredictable results, and Charleston Southern will attempt to capitalize on that factor against a Citadel team that traditionally thrives on physical football and discipline.

Prediction: The Citadel 24, Charleston Southern 17
 
A BIG SOUTH RIVALRY RENEWS 
Gardner-Webb at Liberty
6:00 PM ET, ESPN+ | Lynchburg, Va.
The classic football talking points apply Saturday when Gardner-Webb heads north to meet Conference USA member Liberty. The Runnin' Bulldogs who have battled through a demanding opening schedule meet up with a Flames program that has become one of the stronger Group of Five programs in recent years. Gardner-Webb's success will depend on controlling the tempo and avoiding costly turnovers. Liberty possesses significant offensive firepower, which means the Bulldogs must string together sustained drives and limit explosive plays if they hope to keep the game within reach. The kicking game “got us” in the GWU loss to Wofford last week according to HC Pete Bennett, after his team gave up a return for touchdown on the opening kick.  GWU had twice as many first downs and yards gained but only scored 13 points in the 17-13 loss. A controversial offensive pass interference call against GWU in the final drive sealed the loss.

Prediction: As a proud descendant of Patrick Henry, I say “Give Me Liberty….”
   
SHOW ME STATE MEET UP
Lindenwood at Missouri State
6:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Robert Plaster Stadium Springfield, Mo.
Few games on the OVC schedule this weekend carry more intrigue than Lindenwood's trip to Missouri State. The Lions have already shown they can compete against quality competition and now take on a longtime regional foe in a contest that could be one of the weekend's most entertaining matchups. Lindenwood's offensive attack has demonstrated the ability to generate big plays, but C-USA Missouri State presents a significant challenge on both sides of the football. If the Lions can win the turnover battle and establish their ground game, an upset opportunity could emerge during the second half. Finishing games has been an early season problem for Lindenwood.  LU blew a late lead last week at Stony Brook and lost, and the message Jed Stugart has headlined to his team following the loss is  “we just aren’t making plays”. They’ll need to make plenty on the road at Missouri State Saturday night. The Bears are 20-9 in their last 29 homes games and held their own at Texas A&M last week.

Prediction: Missouri State 30, Lindenwood 21
    
NUMBER 91 ON TOP
Indiana State at Eastern Illinois
6:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Charleston, Ill.
Eastern Illinois returns home after its difficult trip to Minnesota and welcomes longtime rival Indiana State to O'Brien Field. This contest offers the Panthers a chance to regroup against a regional and FCS opponent. These two schools are separated by just 45 miles. The Panthers displayed offensive potential in their season-opening win over Murray State and understandably they struggled against Minnesota. Eastern Illinois holds a narrow 45-41-4 edge in the all-time series against the Sycamores who hit the road following a home loss last week at Purdue. Last season, ISU outscored EIU 38-14 in the red zone, proving to be the difference.  Panther RB Charles Kellom enters the game needing 98 yards to eclipse 1,000 yards in his career after seeing limited touches last week at Minnesota.
 
Prediction: Eastern Illinois 27, Indiana State 20
   
THE WAR FOR THE WHEEL
Southeast Missouri at Southern Illinois
6:00 PM CT,  ESPN+ | Carbondale, Ill.
One of Saturdays most compelling FCS matchups pits Southeast Missouri against longtime regional rival Southern Illinois. The Redhawks have endured a demanding start to the season, including a trip to Iowa State last week, but this contest should provide a much better indication of SEMO's place within the FCS landscape. Southern Illinois annually fields one of the best MVC’s programs, making this an important opportunity for the Redhawks. SEMO's ability to create explosive plays offensively could determine whether it leaves Carbondale with a signature non-conference victory. SEMO HC Tom Matukewicz noted during this week’s media call that losing this game last season was the impetus for numerous staff and personnel changes made in the offseason, noting that the rivalry hasn’t gotten “nasty, weird or ignorant” and that he has total respect for the Salukis. The winner of this game in season’s past has generally found themselves in the FCS playoffs.

Prediction: Southern Illinois 28, Southeast Missouri 24
 
THE LEATHERNECKS HEAD TO CAMP
Western Illinois at Wisconsin
6:15 PM CT, BTN | Madison, Wis.
Western Illinois concludes a rugged early-season stretch with a trip to Camp Randall Stadium to face Wisconsin. The Leathernecks have already faced Illinois State and now encounter another physical Midwestern power eager to tune up before Big Ten play intensifies. For WIU Carson Caswell and Kennedy McGill have split time at quarterback this season with McGill sporting a 154.4 QB rating through two games. While the challenge is significant, games like this provide valuable experience for a WIU roster seeking improvement throughout the season. The Leathernecks will need strong special teams play, disciplined defense, and timely offensive production to remain competitive. Wisconsin is coming off a nationally televised loss to Notre Dame last Sunday.

Prediction: Bucky The Badge
   
THE LEGACY SERIES
Tennessee State at Alabama A&M
6:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Huntsville, Ala.
After opening the season with a pair of difficult losses, Tennessee State heads south to Huntsville looking for its first victory of 2026 when the Tigers face longtime HBCU rival Alabama A&M in the latest installment of the "Legacy Series." The matchup gives TSU an opportunity to reset its season following losses to Jackson State and nationally ranked Georgia. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M enters the contest at 1-1 after bouncing back from an opening-week defeat with a 38-23 win over Miles College. TSU HC Reggie Barlow mentioned that last year’s oss at home to A&M was the result of his team not playing with the needed “juice” in all three phases of the game. For Tennessee State, the key will be finding offensive consistency and limiting mistakes against an Alabama A&M defense that has shown an ability to create pressure. Alabama A&M quarterback C. Brown IV has already thrown for 435 yards this season and gives the Bulldogs a dangerous passing attack, while running back T. Bruce has provided balance on the ground.

Prediction: Tennessee State in a tight one