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 around the corner for most Ohio Valley Conference members, Week 4 provides some intriguing non-conference tests that could help shape momentum heading into the heart of the 2026 season. OVC teams are all over the place on Saturday while Lindenwood has an early bye.
Tennessee State, Southeast Missouri, Gardner-Webb, and Eastern Illinois all have great FCS vs. FCS matchups while UT Martin faces a major challenge against Memphis, an American Athletic Conference opponent.
THE 114TH MID-AMERICA CLASSIC
Eastern Illinois at Illinois State
2:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Normal, Ill.
The Eastern Illinois Panthers travel west to renew an in-state rivalry with the Top 5 ranked Illinois State Saturday. The Panthers will be looking to make a statement against a perennial Missouri Valley Football Conference contender. For Eastern Illinois, limiting explosive plays and winning the turnover battle will be critical against an Illinois State program that annually contends for FCS playoff positioning. Charles Kellom continues to deliver for EIU, rushing for 106 yards last week, while QB Cole LaCrue passed for 282 yards and three touchdowns. Illinois State is coming off a big win last Saturday over FBS Northern Illinois and are coached by Brock Spack, who was on EIU legendary Coach Bob Spoo’s staff and recruited EIU HC Chris Wilkerson to Charleston. Wilkerson further described the Redbirds as an “old” football team, experienced and loaded at all positions.
Key Storyline: Can Eastern Illinois get off to a better start on the road?
GETTING TO THE POINT AT HOME
Point at Charleston Southern
6:00 PM ET, ESPN+ | Charleston, S.C.
Charleston Southern scored a huge, double overtime win last week in the Lowcountry Boil Bowl against The Citadel. After two very physicals games in a row, CSU should see a little relief this Saturday as it plays its first real home game of the season against Point University. Finally playing a home game will serve as “stress relief” according to CSU HC Gabe Giardina, who saw Hakeem Watters rush for 56 yards on 11 carries and scored what proved to be the game winning TD in the second overtime. In celebratory fashion the Bowl Trophy has been on prominent display at various campus locales this week. Fans attending this week’s game should have plenty of chances, too, to strike a poise as Giardina did during his media availability earlier this week.
Key Storyline: Can Charleston Southern take a breather this week?
THE BATTLE FOR NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Central at Gardner-Webb
6:00 PM ET, ESPN+ | Boiling Springs, N.C.
One of the week's most intriguing matchups features Gardner-Webb hosting traditional FCS power North Carolina Central. This will be the home opener for The Runnin' Bulldogs. GWU is looking for its first win under Head Coach Pete Bennett who take over after Week 0. This game marks the seventh all-time meeting between the schools and as one might image, the series is tied at 3-3. The line of scrimmage will be key in this one. NC Central has averaged 193 yards rushing per game while GWU has only rushed for 70 with the difference being offset as QB Cole Pennington is averaging 292 passing yards per game.
Key Storyline: Can Gardner-Webb secure its first victory against a solid FCS in-state opponent?
CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI
Central Arkansas at Southeast Missouri
6:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Cape Girardeau, Mo.
This is the most even matchup involving an OVC team this week. Southeast Missouri State welcomes Central Arkansas to Houck Field in a matchup featuring two programs with playoff aspirations. SEMO returns to Houck Field for the first time this season after opening with three consecutive road games. The Redhawks defeated Indiana State before suffering losses to Iowa State and Southern Illinois, and they'll be eager to re-establish their home-field advantage. Under head coach Tom Matukewicz, SEMO has won four straight home openers. Central Arkansas arrives with a 2-1 record after victories over UT Martin and Central Oklahoma. This will be the 18th meeting between the programs, with the all-time series deadlocked at 8-8-1. The teams last met in 2023 when Central Arkansas rallied for a dramatic 38-33 victory in Conway after SEMO built a sizable second-half lead. Central Arkansas quarterback Donovyn Omolo has been one of the Bears' most productive players, contributing through both the air and on the ground. Through three games, he has thrown for 573 yards and six touchdowns while also adding 275 rushing yards. His counterpart at SEMO, Braylen Ragland, has thrown for 732 passing yards through the first three games.
Key Storyline: Can SEMO’s defense hold Central Arkansas to under 300 yards of total offense
WILL THE TIGERS AGAIN BE RATTLED
Tennessee State at Florida A&M
7:00 PM ET, HBCUGO | Tallahassee, Fla.
The renewal of one of the most historic rivalries in HBCU football takes center stage Saturday evening when Tennessee State travels to meet the Florida A&M Rattlers. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs since 2017 and the 56th all-time contest in a series Tennessee State leads 31-24. TSU is struggling, to put it mildly, without a win in the season’s first three games. The Tigers are giving up nearly forty points a game and have been outscored 119 to 30. Now granted these stats are greatly skewed by the loss at Georgia, but the Tigers scored only three points in last weeks loss to Alabama A&M.
Key Storyline: Can Tennessee State secure a nationally significant road win against a respected FCS opponent?
A TENNESSEE RIVER BATTLE
UT Martin at Memphis
6:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Memphis, Tenn.
The UT Martin Skyhawks step up to face FBS opponent Memphis in the newly-renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl Stadium. The Skyhawks enter a difficult stretch of road games and will need a disciplined defensive effort to stay within striking distance. These matchups also provide valuable experience before conference play begins. The Skyhawks lead the FCS in defensive touchdowns with two, one coming last week in the loss to West Virginia and sits fifth in blocked kicks (2). Running back Tommy Ansley has rushed for 200 yards and 5 TD’s in the early season and figures to be key in a offense that looks to control the ball.
Key Storyline: Can the Skyhawks reclaim the magic of 2012, when they beat the Tigers in Memphis.
LEATHERNECKS HOST THE EAGLES
Morehead State at Western Illinois
6:00 PM CT, ESPN+ | Macomb, Ill.
Western Illinois returns home to face Morehead State on Saturday. The Leathernecks look to rebound from a challenging early schedule and gain confidence before opening conference play in October. A strong rushing attack and improved defensive consistency could be the difference. WIU HC Joe Davis praised his team for their effort against FBS Wisconsin last week, noting his team was “leaned on by a much bigger Badger team” in the games final frame after seeing the score 23-9 midway through the third. Kennedy McGill continues to develop at QB getting praise from his coach from his composure in front of a large crowd at Camp Randall, accounting for just under 200 yards of offensive production.
Key Storyline: Can Western Illinois build on last week’s effort? If so, a win could be within reach.