Grant and Portland take on Atlanta, Sunday, in non-conference action from

Grant and Portland Take on Atlanta Tomorrow in Non-Conference Matchup

Portland (5-6) at Atlanta (2-10) on Sunday, August 17, 2023, at 5:30 pm CT

Grant and Portland head to Atlanta for a non-conference battle on Sunday

In their first non-conference matchup of the 2023 season, the Portland Pilots will face off against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, August 17, 2023. The game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia and is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm CT.

Atlanta looks to find their first home win of the season

The Falcons are coming off a tough 2-10 season in 2022 and are looking to improve their record in 2023. They have started the season 0-2, with losses to the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Portland looks to continue their momentum after a big win

The Pilots are coming off a big win over the San Diego Toreros last week and will be looking to continue their momentum against the Falcons. The Pilots are 5-6 this season, with wins over the Toreros, the University of San Diego, and the University of California, Davis.

X-factors in the matchup

There are a few key x-factors that could decide the outcome of the game.

The play of Portland quarterback Davis Alexander: Alexander has been solid for the Pilots this season, completing 60% of his passes for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He will need to have a big game against the Falcons' defense.
The Falcons' pass rush: The Falcons have one of the best pass rushes in the FCS, led by defensive end Arnold Ebiketie. Ebiketie has 4.5 sacks this season and will be looking to put pressure on Alexander.
The weather: The weather in Atlanta is expected to be hot and humid on Sunday. This could favor the Falcons, who are more accustomed to playing in warm weather. However, The Pilots played well in the heat against San Diego last week.
Turnovers: The Falcons have struggled with turnovers this season, committing 8 turnovers in their first two games. The Pilots have been relatively turnover-free this season, with just 2 turnovers in 6 games.

Prediction

The Falcons are a slight favorite in this game, but the Pilots have a chance to pull off the upset if they can play a clean game and avoid turnovers. The Pilots are a well-coached team with a lot of talent, and they will be looking to make a statement in their first non-conference game of the season.