FCS Football Week 4 Deep Dive: Big Sky After Dark, MVFC Gauntlets, and Potential Traps

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FCS Football Week 4 Deep Dive: Big Sky After Dark, MVFC Gauntlets, and Potential Traps

The sprint of September is officially giving way to the grueling marathon of conference play. As the FCS schedule shifts into Week 4, the pretenders are being separated from the contenders, and the top 25 polls are beginning to face major shakeups.

From a late-night gauntlet in the Big Sky to a massive statement by Stony Brook out East, here is a deep dive into the biggest games, the looming trap spots, and the defining storylines of the FCS weekend.

Stan Becton’s games of the week 🍿👀#FCS pic.twitter.com/I0EYCM76aP

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) September 24, 2026

The Main Events: Big Sky After Dark

Go ahead and brew a late pot of coffee, because Saturday night unequivocally belongs to the Big Sky Conference. In a span of just 30 minutes, four ranked Big Sky heavyweights will kick off in two separate showdowns.

No. 4 Montana at No. 9 UC Davis (10:00 p.m. ET)

The Montana Grizzlies (3-1) are looking for a violent response after getting bullied by FBS Oregon State 52-17 last week—a loss that dropped them out of the top three. Montana brings a punishing run game and stout rush defense, an identity that usually travels well. However, UC Davis (3-1) is a dangerous team at home and boasts a run defense allowing just 102 yards per game. If the Aggies can force the Grizzlies to the air, this game could devolve into a chaotic shootout.

No. 17 Northern Arizona at No. 1 Montana State (10:30 p.m. ET)

The defending national champions survived their biggest scare of the young season last week. Montana State trailed Central Connecticut 21-7 in the third quarter before rallying to stay undefeated. Now, the No. 1 Bobcats host No. 17 Northern Arizona. As long as Montana State is sitting atop the polls, every opponent is going to treat a trip to Bozeman like their personal Super Bowl.

The MVFC Gauntlet

No. 12 South Dakota at No. 13 Youngstown State (2:00 p.m. ET)

The schedule makers have shown absolutely no mercy to Youngstown State. Last week, the Penguins pushed No. 2 South Dakota State to the brink in a 27-20 loss. Their reward? Another top-tier Dakota powerhouse.

No. 4 South Dakota is fresh off a valiant showing against FBS Boise State, where quarterback Austyn Modrzewski had the Coyotes tied 21-21 in the third quarter before eventually falling. South Dakota proved it can trade punches with top-level talent. For Youngstown State (2-2), falling to 0-2 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play before October would be a devastating hole to dig out of.

Trap Games on the Radar

Campbell at Hampton

Campbell is sitting at 3-1, riding the hot hand of senior quarterback Kamden Sixkiller—who currently ranks No. 3 in the FCS in passing yards. The Camels have outscored FCS opponents handily and are heavily favored against 1-3 Hampton, a team picked to finish last in the CAA. But this has all the makings of a letdown spot. Campbell needs to start 2-0 in conference play, and matching Hampton’s chaotic, desperate energy on the road could lead to an unexpected dogfight.

No. 7 Lehigh at Penn

The Ivy League does not ease into its schedule. Penn is opening its historic 150th season of football at Franklin Field, and they get to host No. 7, Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks are a flawless 4-0 and the defending Patriot League champions. However, Ivy League teams fresh out of the gate are historically tricky to gauge, and the emotion of Penn’s milestone home opener makes this a dangerous out-of-conference test for Lehigh.

Key Storylines: Poll Shakeups and Statements

Stony Brook Crashes the Party

The most emphatic statement of the season so far belongs to the Stony Brook Seawolves. Entering unranked, Stony Brook absolutely dismantled previously No. 10 Rhode Island 56-24 in their CAA opener. Behind a dominant rushing attack featuring four touchdowns from CJ Hester and three from Jeremiah Coney, the Seawolves crashed the FCS Top 25, debuting at No. 21 and putting the rest of the conference on high alert.

#4 Illinois State’s Quiet Dominance

While the Dakota schools command the spotlight, Illinois State is methodically climbing the ranks. Now sitting as high as No. 3 or No. 4 depending on the poll, the Redbirds followed up their massive road upset over FBS Northern Illinois by thoroughly crushing Eastern Illinois 49-13. With an FBS win secured and absolute dominance over FCS opponents, Illinois State is proving they belong squarely in the national championship conversation.