The D2 Football playoffs are just hours away and the final 28 teams of the 2017 season are ready to get underway and fight their way towards a national title.
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To take a look at each matchup in the first weekend of play, we have gathered resources from here at HERO using our comparison tools, as well as notable statistics for individual players to breakdown each game as only we at HERO can.
To begin our previews, we look towards Super Region Four where conferences such as the GNAC, RMAC, LSC, and NSIC reside.
Super Region Four is home to a couple of teams who could easily sneak their way into the final four in the country, but there are some heavy hitters looking to take the mantle of "favorite" all the way through towards the end-game.
Who will advance into the regional semifinals? Find out below!
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(2) MSU-Mankato vs (7) CSU-Pueblo
Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET
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Team Comparison
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Key Players
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Prediction
Whomever runs the ball better will win the game, plain and simple. Both defenses are strong against the run though, so it will come down to some tough runs that get even inches closer to the end zone and make a field goal or punt that much easier.
In the end, Mankato will get enough stops and start to pull away for the victory. Pueblo is a steady team though, so don't be surprised if this is the biggest upset pulled in the entire first round of the D2 playoffs.
Prosba: Mankato 27 – Pueblo 13
HERO Sports: Mankato -63 (based on BennettRank power rating)