NAIA-CFB Game Preview: Taylor Trojans (0-1) vs. St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints (0-0)

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Venue, Date & Time

Conference: Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) – Midwest League

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Kickoff: 2:00 PM CDT

Venue: Joliet Memorial Stadium, Joliet, Illinois

Weather Forecast (Joliet, IL – Game Day)

Conditions: Mostly sunny skies, low humidity

Temperature at Kickoff: ~79°F (26°C)

Wind: Light breeze from the southwest at 5–7 mph

Precipitation Chance: <10%

Impact on Play: Ideal conditions for both passing and rushing attacks; minimal weather-related variance expected.

Injury Report (as of latest available updates)

Taylor Trojans

No confirmed major injuries reported entering Week 2; depth chart expected to be intact.

Coaching staff monitoring minor knocks from Week 1 vs. Olivet Nazarene.

St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints

No official injury list released; preseason camp reports indicated full participation from key starters.

Will monitor late-week practice reports for any changes.

Recent Team Form

Taylor Trojans

2024 Record: 5–6 overall, 3–4 MSFA Midwest

Closed 2024 with a 58–36 win over Saint Francis (IN) but fell to USF (IL) earlier in the season.

Offense averaged over 30 PPG in final four games.

St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints

2024 Record: 4–7 overall, 2–5 MSFA Midwest

Ended 2024 with a 28–20 loss to Saint Francis (IN) but showed defensive improvement late in the year.

Passing game was inconsistent but defense forced turnovers in key spots.

Series History

All-Time: Taylor leads 3–1 since 2009

Last Meeting: Sept. 23, 2023 – St. Francis (IL) 24, Taylor 7 (Upland, IN)

Notable: USF snapped a three-game losing streak to Taylor with the 2023 win.

Betting Trends

Taylor is 3-1 ATS in last 4 meetings vs. USF (IL).

The Under has hit in 3 of the last 4 matchups.

USF (IL) is 1-4 SU in last 5 home games.

Taylor is 2-6 SU in last 8 road games.

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

Historical scoring averages in series (~43 total points/game last 4 years)

Taylor’s rushing efficiency vs. USF’s run defense (2024: USF allowed 165 rush yds/game)

USF’s home-field performance vs. conference opponents

Weather: Neutral impact

Game Odds

Taylor Trojans                                    – 3.5

St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints     51.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025