QF - SoDak State @ #5 Villanova

[Mvemjsunpx]

(Time is MST)


Spread - Jackrabbits by 7.5
Sagarin - Jackrabbits by 9
Massey - Jackrabbits by 8

[Gil Dobie]

Go Bunnies!!!

[BDKJMU]

Last week vs Holy Cross announced attendance 5109. I imagine a goodchunk were Holy Cross.

Last time vs hosted a quarterfinals (2014 vs SHSU), Keelers 1st season, the announced attendance was 2,333. Granted playoff #s are typically lowballed since the NCAA gets a cut of the gate, but I also think a # of UD fans went because if Keeler..

At least VU’s basketball game is Sun. I’m going with the announced attendance over/under of 2.5k..

[SuperHornet]

This ain't going to happen. Villanova by 14....

[Mvemjsunpx]

The Jackrabbits are a good team, but the oddsmakers/computer rankings (which seem to be practically the same thing for FCS games) having them as the #2 team in all of FCS is extreme. I mean, they have 3 FCS losses. That being said… Villanova is definitely the weakest home team in the quarterfinals, and this game features the biggest strength-of-schedule gap (per Sagarin) of any matchup this round. I also think SDSU's rushing attack is good enough to crack Nova's defense. It had better, though, because the Wildcat pass defense is superb.

I'll go with South Dakota State 28-24

[vutomcat]

Last week vs Holy Cross announced attendance 5109. I imagine a goodchunk were Holy Cross.

Last time vs hosted a quarterfinals (2014 vs SHSU), Keelers 1st season, the announced attendance was 2,333. Granted playoff #s are typically lowballed since the NCAA gets a cut of the gate, but I also think a # of UD fans went because if Keeler..

At least VU’s basketball game is Sun. I’m going with the announced attendance over/under of 2.5k..

The attendance last week was more like 8k. There were a few thousand students there. Friday night partying was in full flight. The largest crowd I can recall for a playoff game at Nova and a real playoff atmosphere for a change. The Holy Cross fans traveled well. Nice group of people. Reminded me of the W&M fans. Definitely nicer than the Duke fans. Won't miss getting streamers thrown at me when attending down in Va. Maybe the students will be back for a Saturday party and we will get two good turnouts in a row.

Good luck tonight. Crush the Griz and give the CAA some cred.

As for Nova's chances, I think this game is a toss up. Nova is a mature, talented team and is injury free which is always good at this time of year. They have three elite defenders in Fisher, Rhyne and Benford which will make it tough on SDSU's offense. Our QB is inconsistent, but when he is good, he is very good.

GO CATS!

[BDKJMU]

The Jackrabbits are a good team, but the oddsmakers/computer rankings (which seem to be practically the same thing for FCS games) having them as the #2 team in all of FCS is extreme. I mean, they have 3 FCS losses. That being said… Villanova is definitely the weakest home team in the quarterfinals, and this game features the biggest strength-of-schedule gap (per Sagarin) of any matchup this round. I also think SDSU's rushing attack is good enough to crack Nova's defense. It had better, though, because the Wildcat pass defense is superb.

I'll go with South Dakota State 28-24

No they aren’t, unless they have some injuries I don’t know about. ETSU is clearly the weakest left lol.
The bottom 4 left:
5. SDSU
6. VU or MT St..
8. ETSU.

SDSU was hands down the best 3 or more loss team in thr playoffs. They and EWU were clearly the 2 best non-seeds. Only reason I have VU winning in a close one- SDSU‘s 2nd straight week on the road..

Edit: Nevermind, I missed the HOME part. Yeah I know, reading is fundamental. Agreed VU is the weakest or least strong of the. 4 HOME teams left.

[BDKJMU]

For those who might have forgot, these teams have played before. 2016 2nd round @ #8 seed SDSU 10, VU 7. VU had weak offense, but a heck of a defense, that season. They had that manchild at De end.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanoh_Kpassagnon

[Gil Dobie]

The Jackrabbits are a good team, but the oddsmakers/computer rankings (which seem to be practically the same thing for FCS games) having them as the #2 team in all of FCS is extreme. I mean, they have 3 FCS losses. That being said… Villanova is definitely the weakest home team in the quarterfinals, and this game features the biggest strength-of-schedule gap (per Sagarin) of any matchup this round. I also think SDSU's rushing attack is good enough to crack Nova's defense. It had better, though, because the Wildcat pass defense is superb.

I'll go with South Dakota State 28-24

No they aren’t, unless they have some injuries I don’t know about. ETSU is clearly the weakest left lol.
The bottom 4 left:
5. SDSU
6. VU or MT St..
8. ETSU.

SDSU was hands down the best 3 or more loss team in thr playoffs. They and EWU were clearly the 2 best non-seeds. Only reason I have VU winning in a close one- SDSU‘s 2nd straight week on the road..

I thought ETSU was on the road, not a home team?

[Gil Dobie]

SDSU 25, Nova 16

[BDKJMU]

No they aren’t, unless they have some injuries I don’t know about. ETSU is clearly the weakest left lol.
The bottom 4 left:
5. SDSU
6. VU or MT St..
8. ETSU.

SDSU was hands down the best 3 or more loss team in thr playoffs. They and EWU were clearly the 2 best non-seeds. Only reason I have VU winning in a close one- SDSU‘s 2nd straight week on the road..

I thought ETSU was on the road, not a home team?

I missed the home part.

[BDKJMU]

Villanova 20, SDSU 17.

[SuperHornet]

Tied 7-up 2Q.

[BDKJMU]

VU just scored TD to tie it at 14 with 8+ min left 2nd qtr. . Pringle, VU’s stud WR, is having a field day (as he did vs JMU). 5 catches for 101 yds and a TD, 1 rush for 14 yds.

[BDKJMU]

Not watching, but following on Gamecast. WTF happened to Strong? No carries since the opening SDSU possession.

[BDKJMU]

VU scores on 55 YD Smith TD pass with :44 seconds left in the half. 21-14

[UNI88]

The Jackrabbits are a good team, but the oddsmakers/computer rankings (which seem to be practically the same thing for FCS games) having them as the #2 team in all of FCS is extreme. I mean, they have 3 FCS losses. That being said… Villanova is definitely the weakest home team in the quarterfinals, and this game features the biggest strength-of-schedule gap (per Sagarin) of any matchup this round. I also think SDSU's rushing attack is good enough to crack Nova's defense. It had better, though, because the Wildcat pass defense is superb.

I'll go with South Dakota State 28-24

No they aren’t, unless they have some injuries I don’t know about. ETSU is clearly the weakest left lol.
The bottom 4 left:
5. SDSU
6. VU or MT St..
8. ETSU.

SDSU was hands down the best 3 or more loss team in thr playoffs. They and EWU were clearly the 2 best non-seeds. Only reason I have VU winning in a close one- SDSU‘s 2nd straight week on the road..

Edit: Nevermind, I missed the HOME part. Yeah I know, reading is fundamental. Agreed VU is the weakest or least strong of the. 4 HOME teams left.

Good thing JMU is moving over to the SunBelt. Reading comprehension isn't as big of a deal.

[BDKJMU]

Had to go away from the game 3rd-early 4th. SDSU has scored 21 unanswered to go up 35-21 with 8:13 left.

[Gil Dobie]

Looks like the Bunnies have woke up. Can't believe this Nova team beat The Dynasty this year.

[SuperHornet]

I am in utter shock at this and a few other games this weekend. I didn't think SDSU had it in them to beat TWO ranked teams in consecutive weeks. I'm also reeling from the fact that the only BSC team still standing is the Kitties....