The Argos’ first two FCS victories earned national respect. Beating No. 14 Austin Peay would prove they can handle everything that comes with it.
The surprise is over.
Everybody in the FCS knows about West Florida now.
UWF climbed to No. 17 in both major national polls despite being idle last weekend. Austin Peay comes to Pensacola ranked No. 14, setting up a Top 20 showdown Saturday at PenAir Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Argos jumped five spots from No. 22 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and three spots from No. 20 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Those rankings are the latest sign that UWF’s 2-0 start is no longer being treated as a nice story about a newcomer.
The Argos are being taken seriously.
UWF opened its first FCS season with a 34-31 victory over No. 16 Southern Illinois. One week later, it went on the road and dominated No. 24 Central Arkansas 42-14.
Austin Peay will be the third consecutive ranked opponent UWF has faced.
The first two entered with the pressure of trying to avoid an upset. This time, the Argos will share that pressure.
UWF is nationally ranked, playing at home and coming off an open week. The Argos have had two weeks to study Austin Peay, correct their mistakes and prepare for their first home United Athletic Conference game.
They will not catch the Governors by surprise.
Austin Peay is 2-1 after beating Gardner-Webb 35-17, losing 28-9 at Vanderbilt and crushing Morehead State 63-7. The Governors have already experienced a difficult road environment against an SEC opponent and responded by producing their most dominant performance of the season.
They are coming to Pensacola knowing exactly what UWF has done.
That is what makes Saturday different.
UWF was the unknown against Southern Illinois. The Argos were still viewed as the Division II power attempting to find out how quickly their success could translate to the FCS level.
They answered that question immediately.
UWF then went to Central Arkansas and showed the opening victory was not a one-night surprise. Ty’Ray Davis completed 14 of 17 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 75 yards and another score.
The Argos did not survive Central Arkansas. They controlled the game.
Those two victories earned UWF national respect. They also gave every future opponent a reason to take the Argos seriously.
Austin Peay has seen UWF’s speed. It has seen Davis’ ability to hurt defenses with his arm and legs. It has seen an aggressive defense create turnovers and turn them into scoring opportunities.
There is no element of surprise left.
The first two games proved UWF belongs in the FCS. Saturday will test something different.
Can the Argos protect their ranking, defend their home field and beat a team that has spent the entire week preparing for their best?
The surprise is gone.
The target has arrived.
