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Robert Morris Colonials at Buffalo Bulls

Sep 26, 20262:30 PM CTBuffalo, NY
By JR·2 min read
Robert Morris ColonialsRMU(2-1)
Buffalo BullsBUF(1-2)
AT
2:30 PM CT

TLDR: Buffalo wraps up its non-conference schedule by hosting an FCS team from the Northeast Conference, which should be the easiest date on the calendar. It won't feel that easy after a 1-2 start, and Robert Morris shows up at 2-1 as of this week.

SAT SEP 26, 2:30 PM CT
Spread
WIN
Total
Robert Morris
(2-1)
LWWLL
Buffalo
(1-2)
LLWLL
Kickoff71°

Buffalo hosts FCS Robert Morris to close non-conference play. As of this week the Bulls are 1-2 and have allowed 35.0 points per game, while the Colonials are 2-1 and have given up only 20.3. The oddsmakers still project a lopsided Buffalo win, so the open question is whether the Bulls' inconsistent offense can put away a disciplined FCS defense early.

Robert Morris
  • 2-1 start, defense allowing 20.3 per game
  • Already played an FBS road game at Akron
  • Buffalo defense has allowed 35.0 per game
  • FCS roster facing FBS size and depth
  • Offense averaging only 22.3 against FCS-level schedule
Buffalo
  • FBS depth advantage should show late
  • Home game in mild, dry weather
  • Last tune-up before MAC play
  • 1-2 start, offense at 18.0 per game
  • Defense has allowed 35.0 per game
  • Hasn't shown it can win comfortably

This is a guarantee game: a MAC program pays an FCS visitor to come to Broadview Stadium on Saturday, September 26. The records flip the usual script, though. As of this week, Buffalo is the team under .500 and Robert Morris is the one with the winning record. The Bulls' first 3 games gave them no margin before MAC play, so a flat Saturday against the Colonials would be a real problem.

The Buffalo numbers so far aren't pretty on either side of the ball. Through 3 games the Bulls have scored 18.0 points per game and given up 35.0. That's how a MAC program ends up at 1-2 before the conference schedule even starts. Robert Morris has scored 22.3 a game and allowed 20.3 under 9th-year coach Bernard Clark. Neither club takes the field again before this one, so what they've shown in September is what they'll bring here.

The Colonials have already been through an FBS road test this month with a trip to Akron on September 12, so the jump in size and speed won't be completely new to them. Even so, the board treats this as a blowout: Buffalo is a 4-touchdown favorite, and one projection model gives the Bulls a 95% chance to win. The question for Robert Morris is whether it can hang around long enough to make Buffalo nervous.

Robert Morris Colonials
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries to report
Buffalo Bulls
(3)
  • OutA. Jones III (WR) — Jones is nursing a knee injury, and he is not projected to play against Penn State on Saturday, September 19th.09/19
  • OutT. Shelton Jr. (RB) — Shelton Jr. is nursing a knee injury, and he is not projected to play against Penn State on Saturday, September 19th.09/19
  • OutE. Holmes (QB) — Holmes is nursing a knee injury, and he is not projected to play against Penn State on Saturday, September 19th.09/19

Look past the records and the matchup is Buffalo's offense against a Robert Morris defense that has played well by FCS standards. A Bulls offense averaging under 3 touchdowns a game can't simply show up and score at will. If Buffalo's line can't wear down a smaller front early, this one stays tighter than a guarantee game is supposed to.

Robert Morris Colonials
(2-1)
09/12L@Akron10-45
09/05WvsWest Virginia State29-9
08/29W@Wagner28-7
11/22LvsDuquesne17-20
11/15L@Mercyhurst13-27
Buffalo Bulls
(1-2)
09/19L@#13 Penn State13-55
09/12L@Florida International20-33
09/03WvsUAlbany21-17
11/28LvsOhio26-31
11/20LvsMiami (OH)20-37

On the other side, Buffalo's defense has to prove it can stop someone. Giving up 35 a game through September is a red flag no matter who the opponents were. Robert Morris doesn't need to win the game to get something out of it. A couple of long drives and some points in the second half against a MAC defense would count as a good afternoon for an NEC program.

The weather shouldn't matter: about 70 degrees, cloudy, a 7 mph wind and no rain in the forecast. This is only the 2nd meeting between the schools and the first since 2019. For Buffalo it's the last tune-up before conference play, and a comfortable win would help a team that needs it. Anything close will get people in Western New York asking hard questions heading into MAC play.

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Robert Morris Colonials at Buffalo Bulls — Robert Morris Takes Its FCS Record Into Buffalo | Polymarket Odds · Barstool Bush