FCS NEWS & NOTES TIPSHEET — THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

Stony Brook at Delaware State — 6 p.m. ET

This has been dubbed the “Most Improved Bowl.” Stony Brook produced the biggest year-over-year improvement in FCS wins and winning percentage in 2024, and Delaware State accomplished the same feat in 2025. It is one of the more intriguing Week 0 matchups because both programs enter 2026 after significant recent turnarounds. (Opta Analyst)

Current market: Stony Brook -6.5, total 51.5.

Maine at Towson — 6 p.m. ET

Unlike many Week 0 games, this is immediately meaningful in the conference standings. Maine and Towson open with a CAA matchup, eliminating the typical early-season nonconference feel.

Current market: Towson -3.5, total 45.5.

Mercyhurst at Youngstown State — 6 p.m. ET

Youngstown State enters 2026 with one of the biggest individual stars in the subdivision. QB Beau Brungard returns after winning the 2025 Walter Payton Award and is the reigning Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named a preseason first-team All-American. (Opta Analyst)

There has been defensive turnover. Defensive standout Makai Shahid transferred to Arkansas State, while 2025 interception leader Justin Wimpye transferred to Austin Peay. YSU is installing Ryan Riemedio’s new 3-4 defense, making that side of the ball a significant early-season storyline. (Business Journal)

This is the second consecutive season Youngstown State has opened at home against Mercyhurst. (Business Journal)

Current market: Youngstown State -27.5, total 53.5.

Mississippi Valley State at Nicholls — 7 p.m. ET

One of the largest numbers on the Thursday board. Nicholls is currently laying 30.5 points, with a 52.5 total.

There isn’t enough substantive current personnel news available yet to add anything useful beyond the matchup and market. This is one to revisit when game-week depth charts and final camp reports emerge.

Gardner-Webb at Austin Peay — 7 p.m. ET

Austin Peay begins the season ranked No. 17 in the Stats Perform FCS preseason poll and was picked third in the UAC preseason coaches poll. (Tarleton State University Athletics)

The major name is Governors QB Chris Parson. Among returning FCS quarterbacks, Parson ranked second nationally with 312.2 total offensive yards per game last season and fifth with 37 total touchdowns. (Opta Analyst)

Gardner-Webb begins a new era under first-year head coach Kris McCullough after finishing 7-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play last season. McCullough has specifically referred to Austin Peay as a top-25 opponent in discussing the opening assignment. (Gardner-Webb University)

Current market: Austin Peay -14.5, total 57.5.

Lafayette at Georgetown — 7 p.m. ET

Lafayette is one of the bigger road favorites on the August 27 FCS slate.

Current market: Lafayette -12.5, total 51.5.

This matchup currently lacks enough meaningful fresh personnel/camp information to warrant manufacturing notes. It belongs on the game-week update list.

Charleston Southern at Lindenwood — 7 p.m. ET

This is another conference game right out of the chute. Lindenwood was picked third in the OVC preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote. Charleston Southern was selected fifth. (Lindenwood University Athletics)

There is also recent head-to-head relevance: Lindenwood beat Charleston Southern 35-28 last season, rallying for the victory. The Lions are opening at home for the first time since 2023. (Lindenwood University Athletics)

Current market: Lindenwood -11.5, total 45.5.

Eastern Illinois at Murray State — 7 p.m. ET

This is essentially priced as a toss-up. Murray State is -1.5 with a 51.5 total.

Eastern Illinois was picked seventh in the eight-team OVC preseason poll. (Lindenwood University Athletics)

This is another game where camp developments, quarterback confirmation and the market between now and kickoff should provide considerably more useful information than anything currently available.

Chattanooga at West Georgia — 7 p.m. ET

One of the most important personnel notes on the entire Thursday board is at West Georgia.

UWG has a new head coach in Steve Englehart and essentially an entirely new starting lineup, creating such dramatic turnover that Chattanooga has little useful West Georgia game film to study. (Opta Analyst)

Englehart did bring an important piece with him: QB Collin Hurst, the 2025 Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year at Presbyterian. (Opta Analyst)

That makes West Georgia one of Thursday’s biggest unknowns: new coach, massive personnel turnover and a proven transfer quarterback.

Current market: Chattanooga -1.5, total 52.5.

Southern Illinois at West Florida — 7 p.m. ET

This is a historic game for West Florida: the Argonauts’ first game as an FCS program after moving up from Division II. (Opta Analyst)

West Florida was anything but an ordinary D-II program. The Argonauts compiled an 81-30 record at that level and won the 2019 Division II national championship. Their FCS debut comes at home against a Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent. (Opta Analyst)

Current market: Southern Illinois -20.5, total 54.5.

Central Arkansas at UT Martin — 7:30 p.m. ET

UT Martin enters 2026 as the preseason favorite in the OVC, receiving six of the seven available first-place votes. That puts this near-pick’em opener among the more notable Thursday games involving a preseason conference favorite. (Lindenwood University Athletics)

Current market: UT Martin -1.5, total 51.5.

Long Island at North Dakota — 8 p.m. ET

North Dakota is being priced among the night’s heaviest favorites.

Current market: North Dakota -27.5, total 49.5.

There isn’t enough consequential current camp/personnel reporting yet to add a note merely for the sake of filling space.

Biggest news items to monitor

The most consequential information entering game week is Youngstown State’s Beau Brungard returning as the reigning Walter Payton winner; Austin Peay’s explosive Chris Parson returning at quarterback; West Georgia undergoing enormous roster turnover while importing PFL Offensive POY Collin Hurst; Gardner-Webb beginning the Kris McCullough era; and West Florida making its FCS debut. (Opta Analyst)

No selections or leans attached—the purpose here is strictly actionable FCS intelligence that can be incorporated into the handicap as additional information arrives.