CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — In just its second season back at the FCS level, West Georgia has pulled off something that would have sounded improbable not long ago: a 5–0 start, momentum and swagger to spare. On Oct. 4, the Wolves (5–0) head north to face Austin Peay in a marquee United Athletic Conference showdown that could shake up the FCS landscape.
Say this for the Wolves: they don’t just show up, they announce themselves. Under rising coach Joel Taylor, West Georgia has emerged as a dark-horse brand in FCS circles. Taylor is guiding a program transitioning from Division II roots into FCS legitimacy, and so far he’s doing it with style. The offense, led by quarterback Davin Wydner and breakaway back Latrelle Murrell, has put up solid numbers. On the season, West Georgia is averaging roughly 39.7 points per game. In their most recent outing, they rolled past Eastern Kentucky, 33–12. Their four wins before that included a 34–10 victory over Nicholls, a 34-3 road win at Samford and a last-minute upset of ETSU 35-31. The Wolves recently beat Southern Utah with a wild 27-24 comeback.
Still, this road trip against Austin Peay will be a defining test. The Governors (3–2) have made measurable strides at the FCS level. Their offense is humming — averaging 33.8 points per game and gaining more than 1,000 yards on the ground to this point. They’ve shown they can punch it in, they’ve shown grit, and they’ve shown that they’re not a team that will fold under pressure.
This game is massive not just for conference positioning, but for national FCS cred. Both clubs are rated in the Sagarin hybrid rankings ahead of several FBS programs — which is no small feat.
West Georgia checks in at 138th overall, with a “power rating” of 56.51. Austin Peay sits at 115th overall, carrying a 59.80 rating. That gives Austin Peay a 3.29-point edge just on raw rating difference.
If you like math with your hype, here’s how this turns into a spread: subtract West Georgia’s 56.51 from AP’s 59.80 (yielding 3.29), then add 5.14 for home field to Austin Peay.
That leads to a projected line of about 8.43 points in favor of the Governors. But because we believe in the strength and momentum of West Georgia, we’ll dial that back, predicting this one as a razor-thin battle. We’ll peg it: Austin Peay by 4.
Prediction:
Austin Peay 35, West Georgia 31.
How might it play out? Experience in Athens will favor the Governors — Austin Peay handled a tougher trip in recent memory and they know how to win tight games. But don’t sleep on the Wolves. West Georgia has the kind of indefatigable spirit Taylor has instilled. They’ve already proven they belong in this conversation. If Wydner remains poised in the pocket, if Murrell finds seams against a Peay front, and if the defense bends but doesn’t break, this could go either way.
In short: expect a thriller. Dogs will fly, shoes will slip, and at the end, we tilt with Austin Peay 35, West Georgia 31.
But hats off to West Georgia — if this is the kind of fight they bring at 5–0, they may be the team no one wants to see.
What a cool story over in Carrolton.
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