# Week 6 FCS Football Preview & Predictions > FCS Football Central predicts key Week 6 matchups including Montana vs Northern Arizona and Southern Illinois vs South Dakota. - Title: Week 6 FCS Football Preview & Predictions | Shortify - Summary: FCS Football Central predicts key Week 6 matchups including Montana vs Northern Arizona and Southern Illinois vs South Dakota. FCS Football Central forecasts… - Keywords: fcs, southern illinois, south dakota, montana, northern arizona, week 6, fcs football, predictions, big sky, fcs preview, sports, Week - Source: FCS Football Central On SI — https://si.com/college/fcs/big-sky/week-6-fcs-football-preview-predictions-montana-nau-apsu-tarleton-usd-siu-lamar-uiw - Published: 2026-10-10T02:05:03+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: fcs, southern illinois, south dakota, montana, northern arizona, week 6, fcs football, predictions, big sky, fcs preview, sports ## Week 6 FCS Football Preview FCS Football Central previews major Week 6 matchups with predictions for the season. ## 2026 Prediction Record 2026 Prediction Record: 74-23 2022-25 Prediction Record: 540-175 (75.5%). > 2026 Prediction Record: 74-23 2022-25 Prediction Record: 540-175 (75.5%) ## Southern Illinois vs South Dakota Southern Illinois at No. 10 South Dakota with Salukis needing win to secure playoff bid. > No. 25 Southern Illinois at No. 10 South Dakota ## Storylines to Watch Salukis must win after early loss to West Florida to avoid playoff complications. > Storylines to Watch: I hate saying that games this early in the season are must-win games, but whichever team loses will be in a really uncomfortable position in the mvfc race. ## Matchup to Watch Southern Illinois run defense vs South Dakota's rushing attack. > Matchup to Watch: Southern Illinois Run Defense vs. South Dakota's Rushing Attack ## X-Factor DJ Williams (Southern Illinois, QB) needs more efficiency and rushing yards. > X-Factor: DJ Williams (Southern Illinois, QB) ## Prediction South Dakota predicted to win 27-21 against Southern Illinois. > Prediction: South Dakota (27-21) ## Montana vs Northern Arizona No. 2 Montana at No. 13 Northern Arizona with key momentum games. > No. 2 Montana at No. 13 Northern Arizona ## Storylines to Watch Both teams carry positive momentum into crucial Big Sky matchup. > Storylines to Watch: Both of these teams carry some positive momentum into this major Big Sky matchup. ## Matchup to Watch Northern Arizona's secondary vs Montana's passing game. > Matchup to Watch: Northern Arizona's Secondary vs. Montana's Passing Game ## X-Factor Eli Gillman (Montana, RB) & Jeter Purdy (Northern Arizona, TE) could impact game. > X-Factor: Eli Gillman (Montana, RB) & Jeter Purdy (Northern Arizona, TE) ## Prediction Montana predicted to win 35-28 against Northern Arizona. > Prediction: Montana (35-28) ## Tarleton State vs Austin Peay No. 3 Tarleton State at No. 9 Austin Peay with Top 10 matchup implications. > No. 3 Tarleton State at No. 9 Austin Peay ## Storylines to Watch Winner establishes path to Top 8 seed and national contender status. > Storylines to Watch: Not only does this game potentially have major postseason implications, but it's also the first Top 10 matchup in UAC history. ## Matchup to Watch Austin Peay passing attack vs Tarleton State secondary. > Matchup to Watch: Austin Peay Passing Attack vs. Tarleton State Secondary ## X-Factor Turnovers & negative plays could determine game outcome. > X-Factor: Turnovers & Negative Plays ## Prediction Austin Peay predicted to win 41-38 against Tarleton State. > Prediction: Austin Peay (41-38) ## Quick-Hit Predictions No. 4 North Dakota 38, Northern Iowa 21 and No. 11 Lamar 27, Incarnate Word 24. > Quick-Hit Week 6 Predictions: No. 4 North Dakota 38, Northern Iowa 21 ## Other Notable Predictions Tennessee Tech 28, Furman 10 and Harvard 23, Cornell 13. > Other Notable Week 6 Predictions: No. 15 Tennessee Tech 28, Furman 10 ## Key takeaway FCS Football Central forecasts Montana to beat Northern Arizona 35-28 and South Dakota to defeat Southern Illinois 27-21 in Week 6.