D2 CFB Game Preview: Slippery Rock “The Rock” (0-0) vs. Franklin Pierce Ravens (0-0)

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Venue & Game Info

Date & Time: Friday, September 5, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Sodexo Field, Rindge, New Hampshire

Surface: Artificial Turf

Capacity: ~2,500

Broadcast: ESPN+ / NE10 Now

Weather Forecast (Rindge, NH – Kickoff)

Conditions: Partly cloudy

Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling to ~64°F by the 4th quarter

Wind: Light WSW at 4–6 mph

Humidity: ~55%

Impact: Ideal football weather — minimal effect on passing or kicking.

Injury Report

Slippery Rock: No major injuries reported; starting QB and top WR corps intact.

Franklin Pierce: No significant absences; RB rotation and starting QB both available.

Both teams enter Week 1 healthy, allowing for full playbook execution.

Recent Team Form

Team

Slippery Rock

Last 5 games (2020): L 38–48 @ Ferris State (NCAA Semifinal), W 31–13 @ Cal U (PSAC Final), W 25–24 OT @ Kutztown, W 14–7 vs New Haven, W 27–7 vs Bloomsburg

Notable Trends: Finished 13–1; averaged 33.6 ppg; defense allowed 29.2 ppg in last 5.

Team

Franklin Pierce

Last 5 games (2020): W 21–19 (2OT) @ Assumption, L 26–34 vs Bentley, L 28–42 vs St. Anselm, W 35–24 @ Southern Conn St., W 55–20 vs Post

Notable Trends: Finished 5–5; averaged 31.2 ppg; defense allowed 26.6 ppg.

Series History

All-Time: First‑ever meeting between the programs.

Notable: Franklin Pierce only began NCAA Division II football in 2019; Slippery Rock is a perennial PSAC title contender and national playoff team.

Betting Trends

Slippery Rock: 4‑1 SU in last 5; 3‑2 ATS in that span.

Franklin Pierce: 3‑2 SU in last 5; 2‑3 ATS.

Over has hit in 3 of FPU’s last 4 games.

SRU has scored 27+ points in 12 of last 14 games.

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

SRU’s offensive efficiency vs. FPU’s mid‑tier NE10 defense.

FPU’s home‑field boost but lack of experience vs nationally ranked PSAC opponents.

Weather favoring balanced offensive play.

Game Odds

Slippery Rock “The Rock”             – 21.5

Franklin Pierce Ravens                  56.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025