The 2018 FCS Playoffs are here and we noticed some interesting trends in the second weekend. Below you can find a recap of these "trends" as well as recaps on all eight of the second-round games.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams|
BRACKET CONTEST: The Fan Leaderboard After The 2nd Round (to be updated)[divider]
Last week, we praised the OVC and the Southland for busting through the rhetoric and making some noise. Well, the OVC and Southland are out of the picture now.
Time to give some cred to the Big Sky — who saw all three of its seeds fend off competition. Also the MVFC, who saw its two seeds win handily and its 6-5 (regular season) Northern Iowa team take UC Davis down to the wire in the fourth quarter before falling on the road.
Oh, and kudos to the FCS Selection Committee. We all like to shred them every year, but guess what? They're a perfect 8-for-8 on the seedings. This isn't hindsight is 20-20, it's foresight is 20-20.
Sorry, it's true.
The media darling of the week has to be Colgate. The Raiders knocked off James Madison — a monster program that had been to Frisco two straight years. Whether the Dukes were even partially distracted by the coaching rumor situation this week (thanks a lot, Charlotte, for the leaks — that's what I'm guessing they're saying/thinking), the truth is Colgate is scrappy as hell and punched its way to a big win and to the quarterfinals. Fargo's the next stop, so fasten your safety belts.
Weber State and Eastern Washington both looked impressive after being challenged early in their games. NDSU and SDSU … um, were never challenged.
Look, it's time for the FCS Titans to do their business. We're strapped in. Grab the popcorn and cream soda and be ready for Friday night, when No. 6 seed Maine travels to Utah to face No. 2 seed Weber State. Then on Saturday we get three in a row. Or you could enjoy the Bahamas Bowl or something. Oh wait, that's the next week.
Here's next week's sked:
FCS QUARTERS – ALL TIMES ET
FRIDAY
Maine at Weber St, 8 p.m – ESPN2
SATURDAY
Colgate at NDSU, Noon – ESPN
SDSU at Kennesaw, 2 p.m. – ESPN3
UC Davis at Eastern Wash, 4 p.m. – ESPN3
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THE REST OF THE GAMES
Nicholls at Eastern Washington
[divider]TODAY'S GAME MVPS
MAINE – Ramon Jefferson, RB
COLGATE – T.J. Holl, LB
KENNESAW ST. – Anthony Gore, LB
NDSU – Lance Dunn, RB
SDSU – Mikey Daniel, RB
WEBER STATE – Jordan Preator, CB
EASTERN WASH. – Sam McPherson, RB
UC DAVIS – Max O'Rourke, PK
