Here's what Austin Peay football can do to beat Tarleton State, play way into FCS playoffs
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Jeff Faris believes that talking about it would be a disservice.
Heading into its final regular-season game, at No. 5 Tarleton State on Nov. 22 (4 p.m. CT, ESPN+), Austin Peay football sits firmly on the bubble of the FCS playoffs. The Governors (7-4, 4-3 United Athletic Conference) are projected by Sports Illustrated, HERO Sports, FootballScoop and The Analyst as either one of the final teams in the field or first teams left out of the 24-team bracket.
Unlike in its previous two playoff appearances in 2019 and 2023, in which it won a conference title and automatic bid, APSU must rely on earning an at-large berth. But Faris says that’s not on his mind as he prepares his team for what he hopes won’t be its final game of 2025.
“None at all,” the Austin Peay coach said. “Our focus is 100% on Tarleton. I think that’s why we’ve been able to have the body of work that we’ve had.”
The Governors’ case for making the bracket rests heavily on their season-opening win over Middle Tennessee State, a thoroughly dominant performance against an FBS team (albeit one that’s 1-9). APSU beat the Blue Raiders 34-14 and outgained them by nearly 200 yards in one of just four FCS-over-FBS upsets this season. It followed that by holding its own in a 28-6 loss at defending SEC champion Georgia on Sept. 6.
The Govs also have a 44-30 win over No. 23 West Georgia (8-3, 5-3 UAC), making them one of only two FCS teams to have beaten an FBS team and a ranked FCS team.
“To go between the hedges and fight like we did against Georgia, to go 6-0 at home for the first time since 1949, those are all huge accomplishments,” Faris said. “They only occur when you take it week-to-week and day by day. We’ve got to run our best race. And we really don’t care how anybody else comes out the blocks, we’re gonna have our best job coming out the blocks early this week in preparation, and now it’s our job to finish.
“If I went up there and talked about ramifications of a game, they’d look at me like I was crazy. Every week, we’re hammering and doubling down on our process, and I don’t know why we would change that.”
Drawbacks of Austin Peay’s résumé include a 1-4 record away from Fortera Stadium, with a 34-20 loss at Eastern Kentucky (4-7, 2-5) and a 33-17 loss at Southern Utah (6-5, 5-2), which is on the bubble itself. If Southern Utah beats North Alabama on Nov. 22 while the Govs lose to Tarleton in Stephenville, Texas, the Thunderbirds might jump them with an identical record and head-to-head win.
But the Texans (10-1, 6-1) are good enough that Austin Peay might be able to play itself into the field with a victory. After reaching the playoffs in 2024, they have the No. 1 scoring offense in FCS at 45.2 points per game and No. 7 defense (16.09).
Quarterback Victor Gabalis has thrown 22 touchdowns to four interceptions, and running backs Tre Page III, James Paige and Caleb Lewis have combined for 1,778 rushing yards. Tarleton has forced 35 turnovers (15 fumbles, 20 interceptions), which leads the country by 13.
Pressure will be on APSU quarterback Chris Parson, who has totaled 31 touchdowns (19 passing, 12 rushing) and 3,259 yards (2,710 passing, 549 rushing) to keep the offense on the field or generate explosive plays. Defensive backs Ellis Ellis Jr., Deandre Creary, Raylyn Manley and Rishi Rattan may find themselves in plenty of single-coverage against the Texans’ wideouts.
“Offensively, what a great system they run, and (Gabalis) has been it, he understands it,” Faris said. “He knows exactly where to go with the football. He knows when to give the football. I think they’ve really recruited well personnel-wise to that system.
” . . . For a team that plays as much man as they do, when you play man, you get less interceptions than zone, but they find the way to make plays. They’re in the right spot the right time. They play really hard, they run to the football, and they’re great at getting the ball out.”
The FCS playoff selection show will be Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. CT (ESPNU). First-round games will take place Nov. 29.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Austin Peay football vs Tarleton State FCS playoff bracket predictions
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos