Sam Houston @ Villanova

[Mvemjsunpx]

We're already down to the final unseeded team in Sam Houston State. Can they keep up their surprising run? My guess is no, because Villanova has a good run D and a coaching staff with a lot of playoff experience, but the Bearkats have found ways to win in tough situations the last couple weeks.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Villanova
      
      Running Backs - Sam Houston St.
      
      Receivers/TEs - Villanova
      
      Offensive Line - (push)
      
      
      Defensive Line - Sam Houston St.
      
      Linebackers --- Villanova
      
      Secondary ---- (push)
      
      
      Kicking ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Punting ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Return Teams - Villanova
      
      Kickoffs ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      
      
      
      
      • Sam Houston St. 24-34 Villanova

[Gil Dobie]

Sam 35, Nova 26

[Rob Iola]

We're already down to the final unseeded team in Sam Houston State. Can they keep up their surprising run? My guess is no, because Villanova has a good run D and a coaching staff with a lot of playoff experience, but the Bearkats have found ways to win in tough situations the last couple weeks.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Villanova
      
      Running Backs - Sam Houston St.
      
      Receivers/TEs - Villanova
      
      Offensive Line - (push)
      
      
      Defensive Line - Sam Houston St.
      
      Linebackers --- Villanova
      
      Secondary ---- (push)
      
      
      Kicking ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Punting ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Return Teams - Villanova
      
      Kickoffs ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      
      
      
      
      • Sam Houston St. 24-34 Villanova

Coaching Staff - Sam Houston St.

[bluehenbillk]

I'm going with the Bearkats, I don't think Villanova has enough to pull the upset.

[Rob Iola]

I hope you are as wrong this week about Sam Houston State playing Villanova as you were last week when Sam Houston State played Jacksonville State! Go Kats!!

Hey there new guy! Are you Catholic?

[htownbearkat]

JSO how you like the Kats now?

[RavenManiac]

We're already down to the final unseeded team in Sam Houston State. Can they keep up their surprising run? My guess is no, because Villanova has a good run D and a coaching staff with a lot of playoff experience, but the Bearkats have found ways to win in tough situations the last couple weeks.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Villanova
      
      Running Backs - Sam Houston St.
      
      Receivers/TEs - Villanova
      
      Offensive Line - (push)
      
      
      Defensive Line - Sam Houston St.
      
      Linebackers --- Villanova
      
      Secondary ---- (push)
      
      
      Kicking ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Punting ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Return Teams - Villanova
      
      Kickoffs ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      
      • Sam Houston St. 24-34 Villanova

Eat 'em up Kats!

[vutomcat]

JSO how you like the Kats now?

Good luck in Fargo! Nice win.

We had to suffer a good number of Hen fans caming out to root KC on. Bad day for Nova all the way around. JR is back next year so get ready for 2015. We will probably see each other again. This was one of those years that we thought we had a chance for a CHIP run. Maybe we were right , but not w/o the best QB in FCS. Beat the Bison!

[JohnStOnge]

JSO how you like the Kats now?

Well, obviously, they were playing a team that was playing without a starting quarterback who was a Payton Award finalist and, as I understand it, the favorite to win it.

If you'd told me last week that he was not going to play I would not have predicted that Villanova would soundly beat Sam Houston State.

Of course that's an example of what makes predicting what is going to happen in football so difficult. You never know what's going to happen. It's kind of like when Alabama played Texas in the BCS title game. You may have predicted that Texas would win but as soon as Colt McCoy got knocked out of the game that was out the window.

What I think of the Kats is that they have had a very fortunate draw all the way through the post season so far. They got Southeastern Louisiana with a hobbled Brian Bennett in the first round, got an overrated OVC team in the second round, then got Villanova playing without its Payton Award candidate quarterback in the third round.

I think they're a team that has no business being in the final four that is somehow in the final four. We'll see what happens next. Obviously my gut says they have NO shot at North Dakota State. But they've been so lucky so far I"m wondering if something's going to happen like all of North Dakota State's players eat oysters 24 hours before the game and come down with norovirus and can't play.

[htownbearkat]

JSO how you like the Kats now?

Well, obviously, they were playing a team that was playing without a starting quarterback who was a Payton Award finalist and, as I understand it, the favorite to win it.

If you'd told me last week that he was not going to play I would not have predicted that Villanova would soundly beat Sam Houston State.

Of course that's an example of what makes predicting what is going to happen in football so difficult. You never know what's going to happen. It's kind of like when Alabama played Texas in the BCS title game. You may have predicted that Texas would win but as soon as Colt McCoy got knocked out of the game that was out the window.

What I think of the Kats is that they have had a very fortunate draw all the way through the post season so far. They got Southeastern Louisiana with a hobbled Brian Bennett in the first round, got an overrated OVC team in the second round, then got Villanova playing without its Payton Award candidate quarterback in the third round.

I think they're a team that has no business being in the final four that is somehow in the final four. We'll see what happens next. Obviously my gut says they have NO shot at North Dakota State. But they've been so lucky so far I"m wondering if something's going to happen like all of North Dakota State's players eat oysters 24 hours before the game and come down with norovirus and can't play.

Your right for the most part but doesn't being wrong for the last 4 years feel like crap?

How will you get through the next 4 years, hahahaha.
Semis, again. Suck it hater.

[93henfan]

Congrats Coach Keeler and SHSU fans.

[slulionsfan]

I think Sam Houston wins today regardless if Robertson played or not. The backup played very well and put up similar numbers which tells me it's more the system than the QB. In fact, I've watched several Villanova games on TV and tape and the kid who played today looks more talented. Obviously Robertson was the starter for a reason but you can't fault QB play for Nova's demise. Sam won because they were able to throw the football. play with good balance and won the penalties and special teams battle. I agree with JSO that Sam is living a charmed playoff life with us being banged up on offense, catching JSU at the right time and not having to face Robertson today, but they've earned their keep in my opinion. It's the playoffs and the only thing that matters is winning. Plus they've had some injuries too.

[htownbearkat]

JSO how you like the Kats now?

Good luck in Fargo! Nice win.

We had to suffer a good number of Hen fans caming out to root KC on. Bad day for Nova all the way around. JR is back next year so get ready for 2015. We will probably see each other again. This was one of those years that we thought we had a chance for a CHIP run. Maybe we were right , but not w/o the best QB in FCS. Beat the Bison!

Thanks had a great time in philly. Met some great people. Hard fought game
Good luck next season

[vutomcat]

I think Sam Houston wins today regardless if Robertson played or not. The backup played very well and put up similar numbers which tells me it's more the system than the QB. In fact, I've watched several Villanova games on TV and tape and the kid who played today looks more talented. Obviously Robertson was the starter for a reason but you can't fault QB play for Nova's demise. Sam won because they were able to throw the football. play with good balance and won the penalties and special teams battle. I agree with JSO that Sam is living a charmed playoff life with us being banged up on offense, catching JSU at the right time and not having to face Robertson today, but they've earned their keep in my opinion. It's the playoffs and the only thing that matters is winning. Plus they've had some injuries too.

Is this for real? Please tell me you are just looking for a reaction. I've been watching Nova since the early 60's when they had some top 20 teams (FBS) and they have never had a QB like Robertson. He is already being slotted as a top 10 QB for the 2016 NFL draft.

Polony went 13-24 yesterday and threw at a 30% clip in the second half. Robertson has been throwing over 65% for the last two years to say nothing about being the best running QB in FCS. Polony played well in the first half. He was a disaster in the second. Sam won because Nova has no kicking game and Robertson was out.

[htownbearkat]

Does JR play defense and special teams?

Nova was a very physical team but no more so than SHSU or SELU. So ill answer my own question JSO, yes both ewould of made the playoffs in the CAA.

[BDKJMU]

I don't have a dog in this hunt, but watching VU numerous times this season and over the last 3 seasons with Roberts, no way in hell does SHSU win if Roberts had played. SHSU got a gift. Sucks for VU, but dems the breaks.

[CAA Flagship]

Yup. If Robertson played, Nova wins.

[Aho Old Guy]

John Robertson play defense, too ?

Who knew you CAA guys were such whiny-ass sore losers?

[BDKJMU]

John Robertson play defense, too ?

Who knew you CAA guys were such whiny-ass sore losers?

Its not being a sore loser. Its called using your brain, esp if you have watched Roberts play before. Would be like if Mariota didn't play against FSU, and FSU won by 3, saying that Oregon would have won if Mariota had played would be common sense. You could say the same thing vice versa with last year's Heisman winner in Winston if he didn't play vs Oregon and Oregon won by 3.

The Payton and Heisman winners are worth more than 3 points in a ballgame.

[kalm]

John Robertson play defense, too ?

Who knew you CAA guys were such whiny-ass sore losers?

Its not being a sore loser. Its called using your brain, esp if you have watched Roberts play before. Would be like if Mariota didn't play against FSU, and FSU won by 3, saying that Oregon would have won if Mariota had played would be common sense. You could say the same thing vice versa with last year's Heisman winner in Winston if he didn't play vs Oregon and Oregon won by 3.

The Payton and Heisman winners are worth more than 3 points in a ballgame.

We lost Taiwan Jones before the semifinal game and were still able to beat Nova.

[BDKJMU]

Its not being a sore loser. Its called using your brain, esp if you have watched Roberts play before. Would be like if Mariota didn't play against FSU, and FSU won by 3, saying that Oregon would have won if Mariota had played would be common sense. You could say the same thing vice versa with last year's Heisman winner in Winston if he didn't play vs Oregon and Oregon won by 3.

The Payton and Heisman winners are worth more than 3 points in a ballgame.

We lost Taiwan Jones before the semifinal game and were still able to beat Nova.

Apples to Oranges. Jones was an AA, but he wasn't a Payton winning AA QB. VU's offense was built around Roberts. To make matters worse for VU, their backup didn't get the starter reps during the week- Roberts did, as he was cleared to play.

From my local paper (I live about a doz miles from VU):
"...Robertson, a redshirt junior, suffered the injury in last week’s 29-22 come-from-behind victory, according to a university spokesperson. During the week, Robertson went through the concussion protocols and was cleared to play. However, he woke up Saturday morning with a headache and other concussion symptoms. He was examined by the team’s medical staff scratched, the spokesperson said....."
http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/201412 ... anova-game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JohnStOnge]

Your right for the most part but doesn't being wrong for the last 4 years feel like crap?

How will you get through the next 4 years, hahahaha.
Semis, again. Suck it hater.

Actually I was 2-2 in predicting what would happen with them in the playoffs in 2011 then 4-0 the second year. In 2011 I thought they'd beat Stony Brook then lose when they played the two Big Sky teams. Then I thought they'd lose when they played North Dakota State. In 2012 I thought they'd win each of their first three but lose to North Dakota State again.

Now I'm 0-1 this year because I didn't say anything about the first two games except that I said that they had a real good draw in Jacksonville State. I was not surprised at all to see them beat Jacksonville State. I'll admit that though I didn't write anything I would've picked Southeastern Louisiana in the first game playing at home but not with a lot of confidence because I don't think Southeastern Louisiana was all that good this year. They got whacked by Tulane and lost to Southeast Missouri State. For whatever reason they just weren't what they were last year.

Anyway bottom line is that I'm 6-3 over 2011, 2012, and 2014 in publicly picking who's going to win Sam Houston State playoff games on this board. I'll go ahead and pick North Dakota State Friday night. As always I could be wrong. But if I am I'm going to have a lot of company.

[JohnStOnge]

We lost Taiwan Jones before the semifinal game and were still able to beat Nova.

I agree with the other guy who said that's not as big a loss. To me it really is similar to when Texas lost Colt McCoy early in the BCS title game. You've got a quarterback who is extremely important to your offense and you lose him. It changes every thing. It's like if New England gets to the AFC title game this year then at the start of the game you find out they don't have Brady. As soon as you know that all bets are off.

It's POSSIBLE that the backup quarterback could be really good but odds are it's going to severely curtail the offense.

The guy led the FCS in passing efficiency and second place wasn't close. His rating was 183.3. The next five guys were at 164.8, 158.7, 157.6, 156.2, and 154.7. He was head and shoulders above the pack in that area. And he averaged 302 yards per game total offense. This guy threw for 35 touchdowns versus only 3 interceptions and also rushed for 1078 yards. Sam Houston State likes to put its defensive backs on islands so it can force the line of scrimmage. Would you not like to have the guy who was head and shoulders above everybody else in FCS in passing efficiency and who can also burn you with his feet if you blitz him to get pressure on the field? It looked to be a very bad matchup for the BearKats in terms of what they like to do on defense. But all that was out the window as soon as it became known that Villanova's starting quarterback wasn't going to play.

Just think of it this way: Put the shoe on the other foot. Think of what it'd have likely been like if Sam Houston State played that game without its starting quarterback while Villanova played with it FCS passing efficiency leader who averaged 308 yards total offense in place. And Sam Houston State's quarterback, obviously, isn't nearly as good as Vilanova's starter was.

[htownbearkat]

Your right for the most part but doesn't being wrong for the last 4 years feel like crap?

How will you get through the next 4 years, hahahaha.
Semis, again. Suck it hater.

Actually I was 2-2 in predicting what would happen with them in the playoffs in 2011 then 4-0 the second year. In 2011 I thought they'd beat Stony Brook then lose when they played the two Big Sky teams. Then I thought they'd lose when they played North Dakota State. In 2012 I thought they'd win each of their first three but lose to North Dakota State again.

Now I'm 0-1 this year because I didn't say anything about the first two games except that I said that they had a real good draw in Jacksonville State. I was not surprised at all to see them beat Jacksonville State. I'll admit that though I didn't write anything I would've picked Southeastern Louisiana in the first game playing at home but not with a lot of confidence because I don't think Southeastern Louisiana was all that good this year. They got whacked by Tulane and lost to Southeast Missouri State. For whatever reason they just weren't what they were last year.

Anyway bottom line is that I'm 6-3 over 2011, 2012, and 2014 in publicly picking who's going to win Sam Houston State playoff games on this board. I'll go ahead and pick North Dakota State Friday night. As always I could be wrong. But if I am I'm going to have a lot of company.

forget about your prediction of the Bearkats demise after Fritz, Bell, and Flanders? I can go to the tape if you like.

[htownbearkat]

We lost Taiwan Jones before the semifinal game and were still able to beat Nova.

I agree with the other guy who said that's not as big a loss. To me it really is similar to when Texas lost Colt McCoy early in the BCS title game. You've got a quarterback who is extremely important to your offense and you lose him. It changes every thing. It's like if New England gets to the AFC title game this year then at the start of the game you find out they don't have Brady. As soon as you know that all bets are off.

It's POSSIBLE that the backup quarterback could be really good but odds are it's going to severely curtail the offense.

The guy led the FCS in passing efficiency and second place wasn't close. His rating was 183.3. The next five guys were at 164.8, 158.7, 157.6, 156.2, and 154.7. He was head and shoulders above the pack in that area. And he averaged 302 yards per game total offense. This guy threw for 35 touchdowns versus only 3 interceptions and also rushed for 1078 yards. Sam Houston State likes to put its defensive backs on islands so it can force the line of scrimmage. Would you not like to have the guy who was head and shoulders above everybody else in FCS in passing efficiency and who can also burn you with his feet if you blitz him to get pressure on the field? It looked to be a very bad matchup for the BearKats in terms of what they like to do on defense. But all that was out the window as soon as it became known that Villanova's starting quarterback wasn't going to play.

Just think of it this way: Put the shoe on the other foot. Think of what it'd have likely been like if Sam Houston State played that game without its starting quarterback while Villanova played with it FCS passing efficiency leader who averaged 308 yards total offense in place. And Sam Houston State's quarterback, obviously, isn't nearly as good as Vilanova's starter was.

Maybe you dint read, but he had the flu and was quarantined from the team until kick off. So if JR started they would of had 550 yards instead of 500 yrds. JR would of been in on punt and place kicking to block, played DB?
what about that physicality you told me about?