Alright folks. The 2017 FCS Playoffs are here. We've shown you the top FCS highlights, broken down the matchups, and previewed every game. Now, on that we're in the second round of the FCS Playoffs — it is time to get into the meat and potatoes of the predictions. Read on:
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
RANKING: Every Special Teams Unit In The Playoffs
ATTENDANCE: Who had the top first-round crowd?
HERDER: Ranking the 2nd round upset potential[divider]
First, let's look at the games:
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
(all games ET on Saturday – ESPN3; links are statistical matchups)
No. 1. James Madison (11-0) vs. Stony Brook (10-2), 2 p.m.
2. North Dakota St. (10-1) vs. San Diego (10-2), 3:30 p.m.
3. Jacksonville St. (10-1) vs. Kennesaw St. (11-1), 2 p.m.
4. Cent. Arkansas (10-1) vs. New Hamp. (8-4), 3 p.m.
5. South Dakota St. (9-2) vs. UNI (8-4), 3 p.m.
6. Sam Houston St. (10-1) vs. So. Dakota (8-4), 3 p.m.
7. Wofford (9-2) vs. Furman (8-4), 2 p.m.
8. So. Utah (9-2) vs. Weber St. (9-3), 8 p.m.[divider]
Now let's take a look at the second-round predictions — from HERO Sports FCS writer Brian McLaughlin.
What's the best chance for a true upset? I'll go with Kennesaw State over Jacksonville State. Nobody would have seen that coming in the preseason. I'm not picking that one myself (trust me, I've considered it), but I think it'll be an outstanding matchup and you know JSU is prepping big time. The Owls are not going to make it easy for the Gamecocks.
Of the other games where a seed may fall, Furman-Wofford, South Dakota–Sam Houston, Northern Iowa–SDSU and Weber State–Southern Utah are games that don't have a team that is considered a 'heavy underdog', so there are no 'upset' labels to be awarded there — they're just great matchups. Could a South Dakota or Northern Iowa be this year's Youngstown State, making a long run from the first-round to Frisco? There's some tough work to be done, but it's not impossible.
If Stony Brook, San Diego or New Hampshire were to win, those would be bigger upsets than Kennesaw State — but the likelihood of those happening is very low.
B-MAC'S PICKS:
STONY BROOK AT JAMES MADISON: Well folks, they didn't get to face off during the regular season — even though they were the two top teams in the Colonial Athletic Association standings. Though the CAA trophy has already been handed out and there was no share of that trophy (Stony Brook had a regular season loss to Delaware), the Seawolves would love to ruin JMU's year and stake it's own unique claim to the league title. I just think the Dukes are going to find another gear in the playoffs like they did last year, and I don't see Stony Brook being able to move the ball well in this one. B-MAC'S PICK: JMU 24-7.[divider]
SAN DIEGO AT NORTH DAKOTA ST.: Last year, San Diego got past Cal-Poly in the first round and was considered the darling of the second round — traveling to NDSU. It was a love fest all the way around. With the way the Toreros disposed of Northern Arizona last weekend, the word 'darling' doesn't apply here this time around. San Diego has won nine games in a row in dominating fashion. Now granted … none of those opponents was of the level of NDSU. But still, you know the Bison staff isn't letting its team overlook the non-scholarship Pioneer League champs. B-MAC'S PICK: NDSU 35-13.[divider]
KENNESAW ST. AT JACKSONVILLE ST.: Get this stat matchup: KSU has the No. 1 rushing offense in the country. JSU has the No. 2 rush defense in the country. Let's call that a stalemate. Neither team is a passing juggernaut on offense, either. Folks, you're staring at a killer matchup here — one between the three-year old upstart that has won 11 in a row and was six points from being undefeated this year (KSU) and the one that has been strong for many years (JSU). Fasten your seatbelts here, folks. A Kennesaw upset is possible. B-MAC'S PICK: Jacksonville State 21-20.[divider]
NEW HAMPSHIRE AT CENTRAL ARKANSAS: New Hampshire got into the playoffs by a hair, and got past its first-round opponent by the skin of its teeth. Now the Wildcats go and face a true tactician in QB Hayden Hildebrand, who is as efficient as any signal caller in the nation. UCA also plays stout defense (11 ppg to FCS teams) and hasn't lost in 10 games since a blowout at Kansas State. B-MAC'S PICK: Central Arkansas 30-14.[divider]
NORTHERN IOWA AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE: When these two teams met on Oct. 14, it was a turning point for both programs. UNI limped into this one in Brookings with a 2-3 record, and SDSU really wasn't performing up to preseason expectations when it met UNI. The Panthers won decisively and have only one blemish (NDSU on the road) since, while the Jackrabbits haven't lost since (including a win over NDSU). There is no such thing as a heavy favorite in this one, folks, this is just a classic Missouri Valley Conference rematch — one that as usual could go either way. B'MAC'S PICK: SDSU 21-20[divider]
SOUTH DAKOTA AT SAM HOUSTON ST.: This one has me perplexed. Take their common opponent, for instance — Sam Houston State throttled Nicholls early in the year by nearly 50 points. It was 38-3 at the half. Yes, you read that correctly. On the flip side, the Coyotes traveled to Louisiana Saturday and barely escaped with a first-round win. I just don't know what to make of the Bearkats. Some days they have a Nicholls game in them, or a game like they had against Richmond in the opener when they were up 41-20, again with the italics — at the half. On my full bracket prior to the first round? I had USD winning in this round. After the Coyotes nearly were knocked off at Nicholls? I'm switching this 50/50 game to Sam Houston. #Perplexed. B-MAC'S PICK: Sam Houston State 35-34.[divider]
FURMAN AT WOFFORD: Prior to the first round — when filling out the entire bracket — I went with Furman to beat Elon (correct) and then to knock off Wofford in the second round (correct?). I'm sticking with that original pick, as the Paladins get revenge for the second time this season. These two teams met in Clay Hendrix's coaching debut for Furman, and Wofford came away with a one-point win at home on Sept. 2. Since then, the Paladins have found themselves with a stellar three-headed rushing attack and by playing tough defense. Keep in mind though, the Terriers know how to win close games — two of its wins were in overtime, and 7 out of the 9 were by a TD or less. B-MAC'S PICK: Furman 28-20[divider]
WEBER ST. AT SOUTHERN UTAH: What a matchup for the state of Utah, eh? And I'm not talking about the BYU Cougars vs. the Utah Utes. This is a rematch of the game in Ogden on Oct. 14 in which Southern Utah pulled away late and won 32-16. This time it is at Southern Utah. Neither team has lost a game since that day, by the way. Weber State's win over Western Illinois was clearly the most impressive of the season, holding an outstanding WIU offense to only 19 points. What is it they say, it's tough to beat a good team twice in a season in football? With Weber State possessing the top special teams unit of any FCS playoff team and the best defense in the Big Sky conference, statistically (16.8 ppg), I think they get revenge — barely. B-MAC'S PICK: Weber State 21-20.
