ure almost going down to the third man on the depth chart when youre talking to a lot of these teams, and then you also have the issue if you highlight a certain guy you have the realization that you have

(STATS) -- The numbers are impressive -- the best in the FCS -- but all Samford and Chattanooga want on Saturday is one.One big victory in the Southern Conference.The direction of the conferences title race would change dramatically if Samford pulls a road upset at Finley Stadium. Fifth-ranked Chattanooga (3-0) has claimed at least a share of the last three SoCon titles and is favored to win it again, but the unranked Bulldogs (2-0) think they were mostly overlooked in the preseason.Their matchup pits a Chattanooga squad that ranks No. 1 nationally in fewest points (4.7), total yards (164.3) and passing yards (102.7) allowed per game against a Samford squad that is top-ranked in scoring offense (56 ppg).Its really impressive, Chattanooga linebacker Nakevion Leslie, the teams leading tackler, said about the big start to the season. We are going to have a lot of targets coming at us and we will need to prepare and do everything we can to try and stay at the top. Thatll win us football games. We dont like giving up points at all, but there are a lot of good offenses that are evolving so we need to evolve as a defense as well.The Mocs are bracing to face much more passing Saturday. Samford has been a different team since Devlin Hodges became the starting quarterback midway through last season. As a redshirt sophomore this season, hes been highly efficient while completing 62 of 84 attempts (73.8 percent) for 595 yards and eight touchdowns with only one interception.The Bulldogs will spread out the Chattanooga defense with four-wide receiver sets, led by Emmanuel Obajimi, TaDarryl Marshall and Kelvin McKnight. But the Mocs have smothered opponents, going the first 171 minutes, 51 seconds of the season -- over 11 quarters -- before allowing a point.The Mocs defensive line has been particularly stout. With Keionta Davis, the SoCon preseason defensive player of the year, commanding attention, the other defensive end, Vantrel McMillan, has roamed into backfields for 6 1/2 tackles for loss and four sacks.Theyre the best in the league, Samford coach Chris Hatcher said. Theyre the three-time champs. Theyre very simple in what they do, theyre very well coached and they play hard. Theyre not a top-five team in the country for nothing. Theyll be the best team thats left on the schedule.The gaudy statistics may be a bit deceptive. Samfords first game was a 77-7 win over Division II Mars Hill, although the Bulldogs then went on the road for an impressive 35-29 win over Central Arkansas. Chattanoogas opponents are a combined 1-8, its toughest being Furman last Saturday.---=FCS GAME OF THE WEEK=The Matchup: No. 4 Eastern Washington (2-1, 0-0 Big Sky) at Northern Arizona (1-2, 0-0)Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET Saturday at Walkup Skydome (10,000) in Flagstaff, ArizonaTelevision: Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Prime Ticket, SWX, WatchBigSky.comSeries: Eastern Washington leads 19-12 (most recent meeting: NAU won 52-30 last Nov. 8 in Cheney, WashingtonThe Skinny: Northern Arizonas second straight win in the series last season started Eastern Washington on a three-game Big Sky losing streak which ended its three-year run as conference champion.The visiting Eagles are deep at quarterback and could keep Gage Gubrud as the starter or go with Reilly Hennessey, who came off the bench against Northern Iowa. They are hopeful of getting All-America Cooper Kupp (shoulder injury) back on their deep wide receivers unit. The defense, maligned through the years, has played well in the second half of the Washington State and UNI wins. Linebacker Zach Bruce has a team-high 29 tackles.Eastern contained Northern Arizona QB Case Cookus relatively well in last years game, but the sophomore is coming off the second seven-touchdown performance of his career. WRs Elijah Marks and Emmanuel Butler are off to strong starts, but one of the keys to the offense is to get running backs Kendyl Taylor and Corbin Jountti chewing up yards against the EWU defensive front. The Lumberjacks defense has done a good job of applying a pass rush from all directions.Prediction: This could be a track meet. Northern Arizona, 38-35.---=STATS FCS TOP 25 SCHEDULE=X-Predicted WinnerSaturday, Sept. 24All Times ETX-No. 11 James Madison (2-1, 0-0 CAA) at Maine (0-2, 0-0), noon -- So, youre the team weve heard about. These CAA programs havent met since 2012, and the host Black Bears will have a hard time keeping up with JMUs offense.X-No. 12 Charleston Southern (1-2, 0-0 Big South) at Monmouth (2-1, 0-0), 1 p.m. -- This is the earliest Big South conference opener in its 15-year history. The Buccaneers players who were suspended for the Florida State game will have gone three weeks between games.Samford (2-0, 0-0 Southern) at X-No. 5 Chattanooga (3-0, 1-0), 2 p.m. -- The last time the Mocs started a season with at least four straight wins was 1979, when coach Russ Huesman was playing defensive back.Austin Peay (0-2, 0-1 OVC) at X-No. 18 Eastern Illinois (2-1, 0-0), 2 p.m. -- Many of the Panthers statistics arent overwhelming, but theyve made big plays when they count. OK, want impressive? The Panthers have beaten Austin Peay by an average of 58-11 in the last four meetings.X-No. 9 Illinois State (2-1, 0-0 Missouri Valley) at Indiana State (2-1, 0-0), 3 p.m. -- The Redbirds have owned Indiana State, winning five straight and 16 of the last 18 games in the series, but theyre facing this weeks MVFC offensive player of the week, Sycamores QB Isaac Harker.X-No. 6 Montana (2-0, 0-0 Big Sky) at Cal Poly (2-1, 0-0), 3:05 p.m. -- The Grizs not-so-easy-road-assignment: try to slow Cal Polys FCS-leading rushing offense (392.3 ypg) and fullback Joe Protheroe, whose 467 yards pace the nation.No. 13 Western Illinois (2-0) at X-Northern Illinois (0-3), 3:30 p.m. -- Three MVFC teams have beaten FBS opponents this season. The Leathernecks have lost 15 in a row against the FBS and are 6-29 all-time, but all of the wins are against Mid-American Conference programs.X-No. 23 Colgate (1-1) at No. 7 Richmond (2-1), 3:30 p.m. -- The Road Warriors from the Patriot League have yet to play at home. Actually, with their success in the playoffs last year, this is Colgates sixth straight road game. Richmond looks to find a run game and clear out the cobwebs from Stony Brook.Furman (0-3) at X-No. 17 Coastal Carolina (2-1), 6 p.m. -- Seven of the Chanticleers final nine games are at home. With quarterback Josh Stilley (knee) out, junior Tyler Keane hopes to solidify himself at the position.X-No. 19 Villanova (2-1) at Lafayette (1-2), 6 p.m. -- Lafayette leads the series 4-0 with a 77-3 advantage in points. OK, these eastern Pennsylvania teams havent played since 1920.Sacred Heart (3-0) at X-No. 20 Stony Brook (2-1), 6 p.m. -- With three opening wins, Northeast Conference program Sacred Heart has a head start on winning the Pioneer League. The Pioneers finally veer away from the Pioneer to visit Stony Brook, which is coming off its demolition of CAA power Richmond and has bigger goals in mind.Saint Francis (1-2) at X-No. 22 Albany (3-0), 7 p.m. -- The surprising Great Danes, who have matched last years win total, are first in the FCS in turnovers forced (12) and interceptions (seven), and second in turnover margin (plus-10).X-No. 24 McNeese (1-2, 0-1 Southland) at Incarnate Word (1-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. -- It must be a season of passing if McNeese is allowing only 108 rushing yards per game yet is only ranked 25th nationally in the category. After two close losses, coach Lance Guidry says the Cowboys best is yet to come.X-No. 3 Jacksonville State (2-1) at Liberty (1-2), 7 p.m. -- Instead of at Williams Stadium, they should meet halfway between their schools in a stadium that fits both of their Top 10 fan bases. The Flames beat Montana and Coastal Carolina in prime-time home games last season.Elon (1-2, 0-0 CAA) at X-No. 8 William & Mary (2-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. -- The Tribe need All-CAA running back Kendell Anderson to be healthy, but redshirt freshman Albert Funderburke is averaging 8.8 yards per carry. It helps to have a veteran offensive line that includes 6-foot-8 right tackle Jerry Ugokwe.X-No. 2 Sam Houston State (2-0, 1-0 Southland) at Houston Baptist (2-1, 1-1), 8 p.m. -- Well, the Bearkats did rack up 63 points and 727 yards in last years game.No. 25 Portland State (1-2, 0-0 Big Sky) at X-Southern Utah (1-1, 0-0), 8 p.m. -- The defending champion Thunderbirds are still playing solid defense despite the losses of James Cowser, Miles Killebrew and LeShaun Sims. Its up to Portland State QB Alex Kuresa to get the Vikings on track.Idle: No. 1 North Dakota State, No. 10 The Citadel, No. 14 Northern Iowa, No. 15 South Dakota State, No. 16 Youngstown State and No. 21 North Carolina A&T Vans Shoes Sale . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Vans Old Skool White Sale .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/vans-old-skool-sale/black.html . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Vans Shoes Wholesale . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Vans Shoes Clearance Sale . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. PITTSBURGH -- Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury likely will get back in the Pittsburgh Penguins net in the next two nights -- a good guess would be Friday against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena -- with back-to-back games on tap.That would leave Matt Murray, who has started a season-high four games in a row, to start the other of the two games, probably Saturday at Toronto.For more than a decade, Fleury was Pittsburghs franchise, go-to goalie. A concussion last spring opened the door for Murray, 22, who backstopped the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.Now Fleury, 32, is learning something new: what to with down time. With coach Mike Sullivan seemingly in the mode of riding the hot hand, Fleury (8-5-2) has not played since Dec. 5 against the Ottawa Senators. It was his third consecutive start, but he got pulled for Murray in the second period.Marcs been great. Hes a good pro, Sullivan said. He controls what he can. He tries to do everything in his power to keep himself sharp, and thats all you can do as a player.It is a different experience for the veteran.I dont know. Its tough to figure it out, Fleury said Thursday of not seeing game action for what would be 11 days if he starts Friday. I just do little things with (goaltending coach Mike Bales) here and there, try to stay sharp, go over technical points, get on the ice early a little bit.If it is weighing on Fleury, he isnt showing it. He was in a jovial mood after practice. Before practice, he went on the ice alone without pads and with a forwards stick, skating and shooting. He joked he was ready to fill in should Pittsburgh need an extra forward.The Penguins, 20-7-3 and riding a seven-game winning streak, seem fine in the forward department. However, they will need to get by without top defenseman Kris Letang, who plays in all situations and has 19 points, including seven assists in the past seven games.Sullivan announced Thursday that Letang will miss a few weeks because of a lower-body injury.It will be by committee, Sullivan said of replacing Letang. We think we have capable people, and well sort it out.dddddddddddd But hes a tough guy to replace.The Kings (15-12-2) also are dealing with a goaltending situation, but its not working out as well as the Penguins.No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Quick has missed most of the season because of a groin injury, and general manager Dean Lombardi said this week that Quick will be out until around mid-February. That has left the Kings just hanging around the playoff cutoff in the West.Peter Budaj was asked to pick up most of the slack, perhaps too much of it. He started 25 of 26 games before former Pittsburgh backup Jeff Zatkoff started Thursday in Detroit. Zatkoff made 17 saves in a 4-1 victory to pick up just his second win to go with five losses.Lombardi told the Los Angeles Times that he looked to trade for goaltending help.Youre almost going down to the third man on the depth chart when youre talking to a lot of these teams, and then you also have the issue if you highlight a certain guy you have the realization that you have a No. 1 goalie (Quick) coming back, too, with (the) expansion (draft) coming, Lombardi told the Times.What are you going to give up for a two-month asset?Hanging around .500 -- 2-2-1 in the five games before the win at Detroit -- and being 5-8-1 on the road is frustrating for the Kings. The players held a closed-door meeting Tuesday after a 6-3 loss at Buffalo.A little bit of panic in our game right now, Los Angeles Dustin Brown told the Times. Thats when you have to come together and support each other.The Penguins expect the Kings to give them a tough game, just as the Boston Bruins did Wednesday, when Pittsburgh overcame a couple of one-goal deficits and won in overtime, 4-3.Theyre structured, just like Boston, Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby said. Theyre comfortable playing in tight games, low-scoring games. We still have to play our game and try to produce, but understand that theyre looking for turnovers, looking for mistakes, and we dont want to give that to them. ' ' '