FCS-CFB Game Preview: Fordham Rams (1-10) vs. Merrimack Warriors (3-8)

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Venue & Event Details

Location: Duane Stadium, North Andover, MA

Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+

Capacity: ~4,000

Weather Forecast

Temperature: 46°F at kickoff, dropping into low 40s by evening

Conditions: Cloudy with light winds (8–12 mph)

Impact: Cooler conditions favor run-heavy offenses; wind may affect deep passing

Injury Report

Fordham Rams:

QB Gunnar Smith (healthy, 697 yards, 4 TDs, 4 INTs, 52.1% completion)

RB Jamell James (healthy, 85 rushing yards, 0 TDs)

WR Jack Freeburg (healthy, 152 yards, team leader in receiving)

Merrimack Warriors:

QB Ayden Pereira (healthy, 563 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs; also 201 rushing yards, 1 TD)

RB Brendon Wyatt (healthy, 139 yards, 1 TD)

WR Jalen McDonald (healthy, 169 yards, team leader in receiving)

Key Player Matchups

Smith (Fordham QB) vs Merrimack Secondary: Fordham averages 220.7 passing YPG, but faces a defense allowing just 197.5 YPG.

Pereira (Merrimack QB) vs Fordham Defense: Pereira’s dual-threat ability against a defense surrendering 299.2 YPG.

Wyatt (Merrimack RB) vs Fordham Front Seven: Merrimack’s rushing attack (187.5 YPG) against Fordham’s defense allowing 136.8 rushing YPG.

Recent Team Forms

Fordham: Lost 14–0 vs Georgetown (Nov. 15); offense shut out.

Merrimack: Lost 42–37 vs Sacred Heart (Nov. 15); Pereira threw for 187 yards, 1 TD.

Series History

All-time: Merrimack leads 1–0.

Last meeting: Merrimack won 19–7 in 2024.

Betting Trends

Fordham is 2–9 ATS this season.

Merrimack is 6–4 ATS overall, but 1–2 ATS at home.

Fordham unders have hit in 5 of last 7 games.

Merrimack overs have hit in 2 of last 3.

Historical Betting Results

Fordham has failed to cover in 4 of last 5 games.

Merrimack has covered in 3 of last 5.

Last year’s matchup (Merrimack 19–7) went under the total.

Prediction: Merrimack 24 – Fordham 13

Game Odds

Fordham Rams                  44.5

Merrimack Warriors       – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 21, 2025