(STATS) - If Washington State's Mike Leach and his coaching staff are doing their job this week, they're not letting their players look past Eastern Washington to next week's conference opener at USC.
That shouldn't be a problem considering Eastern went into Pullman two years ago and pulled an upset. The star of that game, Eagles quarterback Gage Gubrud, is back to lead the visitors again.
But college-age minds can be a fickle thing and teams lose focus and, suddenly - sometimes too late - find themselves caught in a trap game, trying to avoid an upset.
While FCS can sneak up on FBS opponents, so, too, do FCS teams find themselves in the same predicament.
Here are six potential trap games in the FCS this week (all time ET):
Thursday, Sept. 13
Richmond (1-1) at Saint Francis (1-1), 5 p.m.
The threat of Hurricane Florence has moved this game from Saturday in Richmond to Loretto, Pennsylvania. The Spiders had to scramble Wednesday to prepare for the unexpected road trip. Saint Francis' veteran players are accustomed to playing tough nonconference opponents, including a win over Liberty last season.
Friday, Sept. 14
Western Carolina (1-0) at Gardner-Webb (1-1), 6 p.m.
A seven-win team in three of the last four seasons, the visiting Catamounts are desperate to break through the closed door of the FCS playoffs. To do that, this is a must-win game. But their minds might be elsewhere with going on the road while Hurricane Florence moves toward the Carolinas.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Mercer (1-1, 0-0 Southern) at No. 9 Samford (1-1, 0-0), 2 p.m.
After Samford posted an excellent showing at Florida State - never trailing until the final 4:03 - the Bulldogs may be emotionally spent as it shifts into the Southern Conference schedule against dangerous Mercer.
Wagner (1-1) at Montana State (1-1), 3 p.m.
The Bobcats are coming off two games against Missouri Valley teams that made the playoffs a year ago. It may be hard to get up emotionally for an unfamiliar Northeast Conference foe. Wagner senior Ryan Fulse finished fifth in the FCS in rushing yards per game last season, and he's fourth early this season.
Cornell (0-0) at Delaware (1-1), 3:30 p.m.
Delaware handled Lafayette last week and figures to do the same to Cornell, which is playing its first game of the season. Except the Big Red have a veteran quarterback (Dalton Banks) and team, and the Blue Hens have been anticipating next week's trip to reigning FCS champ North Dakota State for a long time.
No. 24 Stony Brook (1-1) at Fordham (0-2), 6 p.m.
Stony Brook, which finished second in CAA Football last season, opens conference play next week against Richmond, and those Spiders just hammered Fordham. It's the Rams' home opener; their talent is better than their early results.
