Tag: FCS playoffs

North Dakota State at Sam Houston Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

North Dakota State vs Sam Houston prediction and FCS Playoffs quarterfinal game preview.

North Dakota State vs Sam Houston prediction and FCS Playoffs quarterfinal game preview.

North Dakota State vs Sam Houston Broadcast

Date: Sunday, May 2
Game Time: 3:00 pm CT
Venue: Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Network: ESPN3

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North Dakota State vs Sam Houston FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why North Dakota State Will Win

Just when it seemed like Eastern Washington was in control of the first round FCS playoff game against North Dakota State (7-2), the national title level kicked in for the home side.

The Bison roared back for a 42-20 win with 35 unanswered points thanks to a running game that ripped off big dash after big dash on the way to 433 yards while holding on to the ball for over 35 minutes.

Sam Houston (7-0) had to hang on for dear life in a 21-15 win over Monmouth in a rough day for the O. Monmouth ended up holding the ball for almost 40 minutes as it finally broke through for 15 fourth quarter points and a shot to win, but …

Why Sam Houston Will Win

The Bearkat defense held on at the end and is just good enough to keep the North Dakota State running game from going off like it did against Eastern Washington.

The Bison ended up taking over by converting third down try after third down try, but the Sam Houston defense is among the best in the FCS at getting off the field on the big downs.

Monmouth had a little bit of success, but it didn’t run effectively enough to get in the game over the first three quarters. The Sam Houston defense brings a devastating pass rush that lives in the backfield and finished fourth in the nation against the run.

What’s Going To Happen

This isn’t your North Dakota State team of the last few years, but it finds ways to get the job done.

It should’ve had more problems against Eastern Washington after the first 20 minutes, but the offensive line took over. It’s not going to do that this time around, and QB Cam Miller will have to do more than 6-of-11 for 50 yards, but the team will find a way.

The Bison have adjusted, tweaked, and figured out how to keep this all going even if it hasn’t been smooth. Sam Houston’s defense has the ability to be a brick wall of frustration, but the Bison – despite not being quite as good as the Bearkats – will grind it out and hang on to get into the FCS football final four.

North Dakota State vs Sam Houston FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

North Dakota State 23, Sam Houston 20
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 5

5: 2021 NFL Draft
1: The Laundry Guy

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South Dakota State vs Southern Illinois Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

South Dakota State vs Southern Illinois prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

South Dakota State vs Southern Illinois prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

South Dakota State vs Southern Illinois Broadcast

Date: Sunday, May 2
Game Time: 9:00 pm CT
Venue: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Network: ESPN3

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Southern Illinois vs South Dakota State FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Southern Illinois Will Win

Southern Illinois (6-3) pulled off the mild upset on the road with a 34-31 win over Weber State on an eight-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds to move on.

The Salukis got the passing game going when they had to, QB Stone Labanowitz pulled through in the clutch, and now they get a second shot at South Dakota State after losing in late March.

While the defense wasn’t always solid against Weber State, and it took a big comeback to pull it off, the offense that was so good all year on third downs and the passing game that was so efficient got the job done.

Again, the Salukis are getting another shot at the Jackrabbits, but …

Why South Dakota State Will Win

It really wasn’t pretty the first time around.

South Dakota State (6-1) was down 3-0 to Southern Illinois. It won 44-3.

The Jackrabbits forced four turnovers, allowed just over 200 yards of total offense, and they ran and ran and ran, cranking out over 300 yards on the ground in the blowout.

They rocked Holy Cross 31-3 in the first round of the FCS Playoffs, rolling behind their great offensive line with Isaiah Davis rushing for 156 yards and a score and Mark Gronowski having all day to throw three touchdown passes.

Southern Illinois has own the trenches to pull this off. The offensive line has been great all year, but it didn’t quite dominate Weber State like it needed to – at least until late – and it’s not going to push around the South Dakota State defensive front. And …

What’s Going To Happen

The South Dakota State running game is just too strong.

This won’t be the total wipeout the first meeting was, but the Jackrabbits will get all of the parts of the backfield going right away, the defense will continue to be a rock, and the No. 1 seed in the tournament will push its way through after a rough start.

Southern Illinois will come out hot with a few early scores, but the Jackrabbits will settle in, take over the time of possession battle, and things will open up in the second half.

South Dakota State vs Southern Illinois FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

South Dakota State 37, Southern Illinois 17
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

5: 2021 NFL Draft
1: The Laundry Guy

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Sam Houston vs Monmouth Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

Sam Houston vs Monmouth prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Sam Houston vs Monmouth prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Sam Houston vs Monmouth Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, TX
Network: ESPN3

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Sam Houston vs Monmouth FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Monmouth Will Win

The Hawks were only able to get in three games of work, but they were terrific in their little bit of time. It’s like they got a three-game preseason to prepare for this game.

Monmouth (3-0) just doesn’t screw up. QB Tony Muskett threw eight touchdown passes with no picks and the team gave away just one lost fumble. The passing attack is dangerous, the ground game behind Juwon Farri is solid, and the O as a whole should be able to keep up.

Monmouth makes other teams screw up. The pass rush is a killer, with the pressure coming from everywhere averaging an FCS-leading five sacks per game. However …

Why Sam Houston Will Win

Sam Houston (6-0) is second in the nation in sacks, and it has a bigger body of work.

The defensive front lives in opposing backfields, the offensive line is fantastic in pass protection, and the numbers are eye-popping.

The Bearkats average 45 points per game with a balanced offense, the passing game averages a whopping 16.1 yards per pass, and the ground attack comes up with 187 yards per game. Monmouth might have a solid offense and it should be able to keep up, but it doesn’t have this kind of firepower.

What’s Going To Happen

Monmouth will make this fun for at least a half.

The Sam Houston defense will generate the pressure throughout, but the Hawks will go on a few efficient scoring drives. The Bearkat offensive explosion will kick in late to finally pull away, but this won’t be a layup …

Expect fun.

Sam Houston vs Monmouth FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

Sam Houston 38, Monmouth 34
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 5

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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North Dakota State vs Eastern Washington Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

North Dakota State vs Eastern Washington prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota State vs Eastern Washington prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota State vs Eastern Washington Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Fargodome, Fargo, ND
Network: ESPN3

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

North Dakota State vs Eastern Washington FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Eastern Washington Will Win

Eastern Washington (5-1) needed a game to warm up, and then the passing game became the EWU passing game.

The Eagles had the third-best passing game in the FCS averaging 389 yards per game thanks to a massive run by Eric Barriere, a veteran who threw six picks but did just about everything else right. He threw for close to 2,200 yards with 18 touchdowns, showed off the big arm to push it deep, spread it around well, and did a great job cranking up the offense.

Now it has to roll against the Bison.

This is still a great North Dakota State team, but it’s not the killer of years past and it doesn’t have the big-time passing game to keep up in a shootout. NDSU is averaging a paltry 137 passing yards per game, but …

Why North Dakota State Will Win

The offensive line has taken over.

No, the North Dakota State (5-2) passing game hasn’t been anything great, but the ground game continues to be excellent, hitting over 200 yards in three of the seven games behind a front five that’s not allowing anything in the backfield.

The Bison defense is fine against the pass. It could stand to come up with more takeaways – just two interceptions in the seven game spring run – but the problem is against the run. NDSU is 5-0 when allowing fewer than 170 rushing yards and is 0-2 when it doesn’t.

Eastern Washington is about the passing game, but …

What’s Going To Happen

The Eagles average 174 yards per game on the ground.

It’s never a positive to go against North Dakota State in a huge game, and there’s a shot the offensive line takes over and the team takes its level up a few notches, but Eastern Washington has too much offense along with the quarterback in Barriere.

This is a multi-level Eagle attack that can score in a variety of ways, and it has an offensive line that can hold up just line North Dakota State’s front five can.

No matter what – and forgetting that these two aren’t quite the superstars they normally are – this is the marquee matchup in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.

You’re never right to go against the Bison – especially at home – but …

North Dakota State vs Eastern Washington FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

Eastern Washington 30, North Dakota State 27
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 5

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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North Dakota vs Missouri State FCS Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

North Dakota vs Missouri State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota vs Missouri State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota vs Missouri State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Alerus Center, Grand Fork, ND
Network: ESPN3

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North Dakota vs Missouri State FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Missouri State Will Win

Bobby Petrino’s team got hot at just the right time.

Missouri State (5-2) started out with a home loss to Central Arkansas, and it looked like it would be just another lost, rebuilding season. But after a 25-0 loss to North Dakota State – and a 1-2 spring start – everything kicked in with four straight wins, the defense got tough in key moments, and now there’s a shot at pulling off something special in the FCS Playoffs.

The Bears are great at taking the ball away, helped by a pass rush that’s among the best in the FCS and able to bring constant pressure. The North Dakota defense isn’t anything amazing, it can be thrown on, and …

Why North Dakota Will Win

Missouri State doesn’t do much through the air. It needs to run well to win, and that’s an issue against a North Dakota (4-1) team that allowed just 657 total rushing yards and 131 per game.

One of the fun surprises this season, the Fighting Hawks were in the mix for the No. 1 spot in the FCS Playoffs – or should’ve been – right up until a March loss at North Dakota State. Two late-season games weren’t able to go, so to spin it into a positive, this is a rested team that’s about to try blasting away with the ground game.

Missouri State’s run defense has been okay, but the pass defense has been a problem. Against a fresh Otis Weah – the North Dakota back averaged 7.5 yards per carry with seven scores – the Bears are about to get hit on the ground.

What’s Going To Happen

These two were supposed to play on April 3rd, but the game was cancelled – the FCS Playoffs would’ve been a whole lot different is that was played.

North Dakota started out great and kept playing well before getting rolled by North Dakota State, and now it’s going to get its groove back.

The Fighting Hawk offensive line was one of the most effective in the FCS, and it’ll be the difference. North Dakota will generate the defensive pressure that Missouri State won’t, controlling the clock and the game from the start.

North Dakota vs Missouri State FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

North Dakota 27, Missouri State 17
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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James Madison vs VMI FCS Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

James Madison vs VMI prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison vs VMI prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison vs VMI Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 2:00 pm ET
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, VA
Network: ESPN3

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James Madison vs VMI FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why VMI Will Win

The passing game keeps on going.

The Keydets cranked up one of the best and most efficient passing games in the nation with Reece Udinski being everything he was expected to be as a Big Ten-caliber passer – he’s expected to go to Maryland – but he suffered a torn ACL.

Seth Morgan didn’t miss a beat, hitting 76% of his passes for 1,088 yards and eight scores with just one pick, and he runs better than Udinski.

VMI (6-1) will challenge the James Madison secondary from the start, and the pass rush will be a problem on the other side. The Keydets are outstanding at getting into the backfield averaging 3.4 sacks per game. However …

Why James Madison Will Win

The James Madison (5-0) defense is one of the best in the FCS at slowing down passing games. In the five games, the Dukes allowed just 651 passing yards and three touchdowns.

It wasn’t just the pass D.

JMU allowed a grand total of 878 yards on the season, leading the FCS in total defense and second in scoring D, giving up just 9.8 points per game. How dominant was the defense? The Dukes allowed 33 points in the second quarter this season.

It allowed 16 in the other three, winning the first quarter 54-6. If VMI doesn’t get out to a hot start, forget it.

However …

What’s Going To Happen

Yeah, James Madison was able to dominant defensively, and it came up with one of the strongest offenses in the FCS, too, but it’s not like it played a who’s who of powerhouses. VMI will press and make this a fight throughout.

The Keydets are used to playing tough and nasty games, and they’re not going to buckle against the pressure from the JMU defense. However, the Duke team that allowed just ten second half points this year will clamp down, and the O will get the one scoring drive it needs to finally breathe easily.

James Madison vs VMI FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

James Madison 30, VMI 17
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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Jacksonville State vs Davidson Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

Jacksonville State vs Davidson prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Jacksonville State vs Davidson prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Jacksonville State vs Davidson Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 2:00 pm ET
Venue: JSU Stadium, Jacksonville, AL
Network: ESPN3

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Jacksonville State vs Davidson FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Davidson Will Win

No one does a better job of keeping the chains moving.

Davidson (4-2) leads the FCS during this spring session in third down conversions, hitting on 56% of its chances thanks to a running game that leads the nation averaging 293 yards per game to go along with a passing attack that takes advantage of its chances down the field.

The Wildcats want to run and keep on motoring with Tyler Phelps a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who knows how to keep it all going.

However …

Why Jacksonville State Will Win

Jacksonville State (7-2) has one of the nation’s best run defenses.

The line is aggressive, the linebackers get all over the field, and the D has allowed just 2.6 per carry and 81 yards per game. Davidson is a different animal with what it does on the ground, but JSU has a running game, too.

The Gamecocks have a balanced offense, but it’s able to average 194 rushing yards per game with several options who can get moving to go along with a dangerous downfield passing game.

What’s Going To Happen

Davidson has one trick that it does really, really well, but production-wise, Jacksonville State has the ability to match yard for yard and do a bit more defensively.

The Gamecock D is great on third downs, and the Wildcat D isn’t. Davidson won’t be able to control the clock and the game like it’ll want to.

Jacksonville State vs Davidson FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

Jacksonville State 34, Davidson 17
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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Delaware vs Sacred Heart Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

Delaware vs Sacred Heart prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Delaware vs Sacred Heart prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Delaware vs Sacred Heart Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Delaware Stadium, Newark, DE
Network: ESPN3

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Delaware vs Sacred Heart FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Sacred Heart Will Win

Here comes the Sacred Heart (3-1) ultra-efficient offense.

It’s balanced, it’s effective, and it keeps everything moving with an FCS superstar running back in Julius Chestnut averaging 179 yards per game on the ground, and with QB Marquez McCray a solid passer who doesn’t make mistakes and can take off if needed.

Delaware might have an offense, and the defense isn’t bad, but the front line doesn’t generate a whole lot of pressure, it doesn’t come up with a ton of tackles for loss, and the O line doesn’t do a great job in pass protection.

The SHU Pioneers don’t turn the ball over, the offense is great at closing off long drives with points, and few teams do a better job of controlling the ball and the clock. However …

Why Delaware Will Win

Delaware (5-0) is one of those teams that’s better in the time of possession battle.

The Blue Hens are brilliant at keeping the chains moving – they keep the ball for well over 34 minutes – partly because the offense is great on third downs and mostly because of a secondary that helps the D get off the field fast. They’re fourth in the nation in passing yards allowed, so to win, Sacred Heart has to crank up its great ground game.

Villanova and Rhode Island each ran for over 100 yards against the Delaware defense, and both teams lost.

What’s Going To Happen

Sacred Heart might have an effective and efficient offense, but Delaware knows how to get the attack moving, too. The Blue Hens are amazing at taking the ball away – it might only take one to get the job done – but it’ll be the passing game that keeps things moving and pushes them into the second round.

Delaware vs Sacred Heart FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

Delaware 34, Sacred Heart 20
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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Southern Illinois vs Weber State Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

Southern Illinois vs Weber State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Southern Illinois vs Weber State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Southern Illinois vs Weber State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Stewart Stadium, Ogden, UT
Network: ESPN3

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Southern Illinois vs Weber State FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Southern Illinois Will Win

The high-powered Southern Illinois (5-3) team knows how to score. It’s got the efficient passing game, the ground attack averages close to 200 yards per outing, and it all comes by moving the chains.

The Salukis are fourth in the nation in third down conversions, they’re solid at controlling the clock, and now they’re going against a solid defense that can do a whole lot of things right, but gives up too many third down conversions.

Yes, there were some blips along with way with the three losses, but they all came against teams in the FCS Playoffs.

Why Weber State Will Win

Weber State (5-0) might bend a bit defensively, but it’s not breaking a whole lot.

The secondary has been fantastic – the team took the ball away ten times – and it all starts with the pressure up front. The Wildcats come up with a whole lot of tackles for loss, there’s a good pass rush, and the pass defense makes up for the yards it gives away with a whole lot of interceptions.

For all of the good things Southern Illinois does, it turns the ball just enough to matter – the ten picks in eight games hurt – there’s not enough of a pass rush to worry about, and considering the offense cranks up a ton of yards, there aren’t consistent points to go with them.

[lawrence-related id=530905]

What’s Going To Happen

Which Southern Illinois team will show up? Will it be the not that couldn’t do anything right in a blowout loss to South Dakota State, or will it be the one that was so strong offensively in a big win over SE Louisiana to push into the FCS Playoffs?

Weber State plays a whole lot of close, tight games, but it knows how to win them. The problem was the competition – beating UC Davis and Northern Arizona was nice, but two of the five wins were against Idaho State.

The Wildcat defense will come up with a few key takeaways at home to overcome an offense that will sputter just enough to matter. The defense, though, has to rise up and control the game – SIU has the offensive ability to turn the lights out, and Weber State doesn’t.

The Saluki offense will be just good enough to get out with a tough, fun win.

Southern Illinois vs Weber State FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

Southern Illinois 26, Weber State 24
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4.5

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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South Dakota State vs Holy Cross Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

South Dakota State vs Holy Cross prediction and FCS playoffs game preview.

South Dakota State vs Holy Cross prediction and FCS playoffs game preview.

South Dakota State vs Holy Cross Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 3:00 pm ET
Venue: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Holy Cross vs South Dakota State FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Holy Cross Will Win

For all of the good things the Jackrabbits do, it all centers around the rushing attack that averaged 233 yards per game. If the Crusaders can do anything slow that down, they’ve got a shot.

Holy Cross (3-0) run defense has been a killer so far.

The team only played three games, and it only dealt with a few okay Patriot League teams, but the front line has been outstanding against the ground game allowing just 132 yards helped by a terrific pass rush and a whole lot of plays in the backfield.

How did South Dakota State (5-1) suffer its only loss of the year? North Dakota got the pass rush going, clamped down after a tough first quarter, forced takeaways, and stopped the run.

However …

Why South Dakota State Will Win

The Jackrabbit secondary has been a rock. Holy Cross should be able to run a little bit, but the passing attack isn’t anything special and it’s not going to be able to keep up.

The Crusaders might be strong on third downs, but that has to start by winning the first two downs. South Dakota State has been solid at holding up early and then getting off the field.

There’s no real worry about a Holy Cross passing game that doesn’t do anything big down the field and doesn’t take a whole slew of chances.

Slow down the run, force third down throws, win the time of possession battle, repeat.

What’s Going To Happen

South Dakota State has the lines, the defense, and the offensive balance to steadily keep producing as it controls the tempo. Holy Cross will have to press a bit and won’t have the passing ability to mount much of a comeback after getting down early.

The Jackrabbits don’t have to do anything crazy or take a whole slew of chances. Don’t turn the ball over, go on a few early scoring drives, and they’ll move on to deal with the Southern Illinois vs Weber State winner.

South Dakota State vs Holy Cross FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

South Dakota State 41, Holy Cross 17
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Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Super League
1: The 93rd Academy Awards

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