No. 8 seed UC Davis hosts No. 9 seed Rhode Island in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The winner will face either Illinois State or No. 1 North Dakota State.
Check out our preview and prediction below.
UC Davis vs. Rhode Island On TV
The matchup between UC Davis and Rhode Island airs on ESPN2.
Kickoff is at 9 p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 6. It takes place at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, California.
UC Davis vs. Rhode Island Odds
UC Davis is a 7-point favorite on BetMGM with the total points at 57.5.
Rhody is +185 on the moneyline compared to UC Davis at -225.
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UC Davis vs. Rhode Island Preview
ESPN2 will broadcast this late-night game. It kicks off at 7 p.m. local time, 9 p.m. CT, and 10 p.m. for the Rhody body clocks.
It could turn into an entertaining one.
Devin Farrell has been excellent this year, ranking No. 2 in FCS passing yards with 3,452 while tossing 22 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Marquis Buchanan is one of the more talented receivers in the FCS, tallying 73 catches for 1,224 yards and six TDs. Greg Gaines III adds 935 receiving yards. It’s not just all passing for Rhody to do damage, though. Antwain Littleton Jr. has rushed for 1,125 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Rhody could find some success on a UC Davis defense that has lost several players to season-ending injuries. The Aggies are allowing 29.5 points per game, 181.7 rushing YPG, and 232.9 passing yards per game. Nothing to fear really, although the Rams have to contain Jacob Psyk on the d-line. He has been a disruptor with 15 TFLs, nine sacks, five QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
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UC Davis is also a highly entertaining offense. Caden Pinnick has had a dazzling freshman season, throwing for 2,527 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s had some young mistakes, though, throwing eight interceptions, most of them in a three-week stretch. A.J. Pena looks to make his presence felt and get after Pinnick. Pena has registered 67 tackles, 19 TFLs, 10 sacks, and 11 QB hurries this season. Rhody allows just 19.2 points per game, ranking No. 17 in the FCS.
Rhody looks like the more complete team on paper. But the Rams also haven’t been tested a whole lot this season. Their best win is over New Hampshire, who just got blown out in the first round. UC Davis played at Montana State (a 38-17 loss), while also playing three teams who were in the playoff hunt (Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, and Sac State), going 3-0 in those games.
I expect this to be a close contest. It’s a key game for Rhody and the CAA, which is looking to get some respect from the playoff committee. There could be some late-game heroics here. If Pinnick takes care of the ball, Davis gets the win.
Prediction: UC Davis 35-31
