2014 FCS Playoffs: Round 2 Predictions

[GetEmGriz]

Matchups:

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

Moving On:

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

Who are your picks?

[Grizalltheway]

Same as above ^^

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Bison56]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[melloware13]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[NDSUSR]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Sammy94]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[thebootfitter]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga
This. Although there are a few that wouldn't surprise me the other way around. Richmond vs Coastal and ISUb vs Chattanooga are the first two that I'd call toss ups.

[mamberso]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Daytripper]

Matchups:

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Silenoz]

Holy people picking Montana. Not that I couldn't see it

[PantherRob82]

UNH
NDSU
Jax St
Montana
UNI
Nova
Richmond
UTC

[Thunderstruck]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire- New Hampshire rolls 44-13.
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State The Bison start the quest for 4peat. 45-17
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State This could be the best game of the weekend. 38-35
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington Close but Adams gets the Griz in the end. 38-34
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State- D Johnson makes his Walter Payton Award claim. 30-28
Liberty @ 6. Villanova- Villanova on upset alert but pull it out. 27-23
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina- Coastal has the game won, but lets it slip away in last 4 minutes. 35-31
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga- A couple feel good stories. 30-24

[Professor Chaos]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire - Fordham was unimpressive against SHU, unless they improve a lot UNH rolls them.
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State- Much of the same as the past as SDSU's offense is cooled by NDSU's defense and the Bison control the game with their run game.
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State - I like the Gamecocks at home with a week of rest. I think JSU's defense controls this game.
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington - An old fashioned shootout where the Griz take the lead late but leave too much time for Vernon Adams and the prolific EWU offense.
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State - Game of the weekend IMO. Sooner or later UNI's awful QB play will come back to bite them but I think Carnes makes enough plays with his legs to keep the Redbirds off balance and David Johnson is his normal self in a close Panther win.
Liberty @ 6. Villanova - Didn't get a chance to watch much of Liberty last week but it did seem like they held Vad Lee in check, problem is Robertson is better and coming off a bye week Nova is too much.
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina - Ok, I'm just picking CCU in this one because I want to get another week of quotes from Joe Moglia in a matchup against NDSU (provided my pick in that game is correct too).
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga - I think Chatty's defense is up to the challenge against a one dimensional offense in Indiana St. I'd like to see my MVFC brethren pull this out but I think the Mocs prevail at home.

[RabidRabbit]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire 'Cats maul Rams. Nebrich doesn't get time to pass long.
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State Rabbits thump Bison in a LLLOOONNGGG overdue win for these SDSU seniors.
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State 'Cocks stuff Kats.
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington Eagles win shoot-out
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State 'Birds shut down Cats O. UNI D doesn't get points off TOs.
Liberty @ 6. Villanova Cats flame Flames.
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina Spiders eats Chix.
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga Soft shoes get splinters, but still chop down 1-D Trees.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

UNH
NDSU
JSU
EWU
Ill State
Villanova
Richmond
ISU

[TheKingpin28]

UNH 45-24
NDSU 34-17
SHSU 27-24 GW FG in the last minute
EWU 41-28
UNI 20-17 UNI grinds out last 6 minutes to "upset" ISUr
Villanova 34-20
Richmond 34-27 It's not even going to be close. CCU will try to stage a comeback but it won't happen
ISUb 27-16

[Bisonator]

All the home teams.

[BigHouseClosedEnd]

I hope you guys are correct but i fear there is way too much love for an erratic Spider team that's a 9 point road underdog against a team coming off a bye.

It does feel great playing football in December again. We needed this.

[McNeese75]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Catsfan90]

I hope you guys are correct but i fear there is way too much love for an erratic Spider team that's a 9 point road underdog against a team coming off a bye.

It does feel great playing football in December again. We needed this.
Liberty really exposed CCU. Especially with your starting QB back, they don't stand a chance IMO.

[Cocky]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[skinny_uncle]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State (iffy on this one)
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga (could be a close call)

[swaghook]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

I hope you guys are correct but i fear there is way too much love for an erratic Spider team that's a 9 point road underdog against a team coming off a bye.

It does feel great playing football in December again. We needed this.


I saw CC in person last year in the FD and they were average at best and were blown off the field.

I like Richmond, having seen them twice on TV this year. Richmond's defense is pretty good....ranked #30 and I'll take a good defensive team in the playoffs. If they do not turn it over they will beat CC.

[dewey]

Moving on;
New Hampshire
North Dakota State
Jacksonville State
Eastern Washington
Illinois State
Villanova
Richmond
Chattanooga

Dewey

[mvemjsunpx]

I saw CC in person last year in the FD and they were average at best and were blown off the field.

I like Richmond, having seen them twice on TV this year. Richmond's defense is pretty good....ranked #30 and I'll take a good defensive team in the playoffs. If they do not turn it over they will beat CC.

Perhaps, but Richmond is minus-12 in turnover-margin.

[FargoBison]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

I'll go with this, Richmond is my upset special.

[URMite]

I hope you guys are correct but i fear there is way too much love for an erratic Spider team that's a 9 point road underdog against a team coming off a bye.

It does feel great playing football in December again. We needed this.
If we play like the last two weeks it might be justified. If like the two weeks prior, not so much.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

UNH 48 Fordham 31 - UNH nearly unbeatable at home....
NDSU 34 SDSU 17 - The Bison are unbeatable at home....
Jacksonville State 42 SHSU 27 - JSU is legit this year...
EWU 31 Montana 28 - This should be a great game...
UNI 30 Illinois State 21 - UNI keeps rolling along...
Villanova 27 Liberty 17 - Talley will have 'Nova well prepared...
CCU 44 Richmond 35 - CCU is really good....
Chatty 28 Indiana State 20 - I'll take the rested Mocs....

[Samalum'10]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

Upset Saturday

Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. Safe travels to everybody this upcoming weekend. EatEmUpKats!

[RollBirds]

UNH- Fordham looked unimpressive
NDSU- don't lose at home
JSU- SHSU Isn't who they were 2 years ago
Montaña- just have a feeling about this one
ILSTU- don't lose at home
Nova- don't see them losing to liberty
CCU- they will find a way to win this game
INSTU- is the better team

[birdsflyhigh]

Went 6-2 on the opening playoff round, so want to set the bar higher this round:

UNH (could see Fordham getting hammered)
NDSU (Jacks give the Bison all they can handle)
JSU (not sold at all on the OVC, but....)
UM (upset special of the day)
ISU Redbirds (special teams were the problem last time out, but corrections are made and UNI goes down at beautiful Hancock Stadium in Normal)
VU (could get ugly)
UR (close game, but CCU gets caught up in the Spiders web)
ISU Trees (Indiana State is indeed a better team than the overrated Mocs)

Really looking forward to some great games this Saturday.

Got my tickets at midfield for the Birds vs. UNI, so go get 'em ISU! :)

[caribbeanhen]

are those that are picking the Spiders even giving it any thought? Coastal wins this game..

I dont think Nova is going to have another bye week either, if Delaware can play them that close than Liberty should make this a very interesting game, not going to say Nova get's beat but they will be in a fight...

also alot of love for Sammy, Jacksonville St finds a way to win this game

I have no feel for the Iowa North vs the state of Illinois game - coin flip just dont let the purple team do the flippin

East Wash should beat Montana

no reason to pick any Jack Rabbit upset, they just cant beat the Bzn

UNH is overrated and will not be going that far, but they should will be better than Fordy especially at home

no reason to show the Southern conf any respect, Larry Bird U should win but they can be inconsistent.... Chatty might have a win in them somewhere.. but if you put a gun to my head I'll take the valley team

[forbidden]

I understand that due to the fact the Liberty has never been in the play-offs its very easy to pick against them, but after knocking off the last two teams the last two weeks, its seems the "ez" pick is to pick whomever they are playing against, because sooner or later the dance has to end, I get that. But in looking at Villanova they are a very beatable team, and just not seeing how some are saying that not only a LU loss but a blowout. Seeing as how LU has only been dominated twice since Gill has been there, and those were FBS UNC which we held the lead until 5 min of the third when wheels fell completely off the wagon, and last year out in Montana.

[knucklehead]

Winners:
New Hampshire
NDSU
Jax ST
EWU
Ill St
Liberty
Richmond
Chattanooga

[bluehenbillk]

New Hampshire
North Dakota State
Sam Houston State
Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa
Villanova
Richmond
Indiana State

[Grizzlies82]

Fordham @ New Hampshire. Don't see the #1 making title game but they advance here.
Indiana St @ Chattanooga. Don't know much about these two so saying home field is edge.
Montana @ E. Washington. Won't be easy but Grizzlies hold Eagle's offense below 30 and win at the Infernal.
No Iowa @ Illinois St. Should be a very tight game but the Panthers keep momentum going.
So Dakota St @ No Dakota St. Zenner finally has a big day versus the Bison, but NDSU still won't lose.
Richmond @ Coastal Carolina. In the game I watched the Spiders did not look good. CC advances.
Sam Houston @ Jacksonville St. This year the hallmark of the Southland has been inconsistency. Sam folds.
Liberty @ Villanova. Liberty just won two huge upsets on the road. They make it three in Philly.

[deez_na]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[WrenFGun]

UNH -- I expect something like 48-35; Fordham's offense is too good for a blowout, IMO.
NDSU -- 20-17; think SDSU will hang tough.
Jacksonville St. -- SLC was overrated this year, JSU was underrated; 31-17 JSU.
EWU -- No defense; EWU 55, Montana 41
UNI -- 31-28 in a coinflip; UNI seems hot, but IMO, Carnes is going to cost them at some point in the playoffs. Can't win with a mediocre QB.
'Nova -- I like Nova a fair amount, don't know Liberty will have an answer for Robertson; 'Nova 31, Liberty 13
Coastal -- Richmond's defense and consistency are meh; Coastal's better than their swiss cheese schedule wins say, IMO.
ISU-b -- Low scoring game, maybe 13-10. MVFC is much better than SoCON and I think it'll show here.

[Sam_Kats]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Daytripper]

Fordham @ New Hampshire. Don't see the #1 making title game but they advance here.
Indiana St @ Chattanooga. Don't know much about these two so saying home field is edge.
Montana @ E. Washington. Won't be easy but Grizzlies hold Eagle's offense below 30 and win at the Infernal.
No Iowa @ Illinois St. Should be a very tight game but the Panthers keep momentum going.
So Dakota St @ No Dakota St. Zenner finally has a big day versus the Bison, but NDSU still won't lose.
Richmond @ Coastal Carolina. In the game I watched the Spiders did not look good. CC advances.
Sam Houston @ Jacksonville St. This year the hallmark of the Southland has been inconsistency. Sam folds.
Liberty @ Villanova. Liberty just won two huge upsets on the road. They make it three in Philly.


I agree with your assessment of our team, but respectfully disagree with the result. SHSU is very capable of going on an offensive tear. I think they are primed to do just that beginning this Saturday. Quarterback Johnson just has to be "good" for the team to be great. So many freak players at the WR and RB positions. If Johnson can just get them the ball in space, the speed will kill.

[Griz23]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Gil Dobie]

Going with upsets of over half the seeds, hoping the Bison are not one of them.

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5.Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Grizzlies82]

I agree with your assessment of our team, but respectfully disagree with the result. SHSU is very capable of going on an offensive tear. I think they are primed to do just that beginning this Saturday. Quarterback Johnson just has to be "good" for the team to be great. So many freak players at the WR and RB positions. If Johnson can just get them the ball in space, the speed will kill.

Just going with my "impressions" from the season. I observed how SHSU & the other Southland teams seemed to be up and down. I can't really say how good Sam Houston is this year. They may well win this one. My hunch is they have a tall order with Jacksonville State likely pumped up and playing at home. At this point nobody can afford to be inconsistent. Good luck to your Bearkats. Hope they keep things rolling for you.

[Theee Catrabbit]

1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State
3. Jacksonville State
Montana
Northern Iowa
Villanova
Richmond
Indiana State

Just to be difficult....

[unigriff]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

Though I'd love to see the Jacks finally win against the Bison.

[Panther-State]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga




Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

Though I'd love to see the Jacks finally win against the Bison.

2 people think both Illinois St and UNI will win. Bold move Cotton. I'd really love for the MVFC to get 4!!! teams into the quarters, but I'm tempering expectations ;)

[tomq04]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5.Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

I think that Richmond/CC, Liberty/Villanova will be a good games that can go either way.

[World]

Fordham @ 1. New Hampshire
South Dakota State @ 2. North Dakota State
Sam Houston State @ 3. Jacksonville State
Montana @ 4. Eastern Washington
Northern Iowa @ 5. Illinois State
Liberty @ 6. Villanova
Richmond @ 7. Coastal Carolina
Indiana State @ 8. Chattanooga

[Houndawg]

This. Although there are a few that wouldn't surprise me the other way around. Richmond vs Coastal and ISUb vs Chattanooga are the first two that I'd call toss ups.

This, although I like Montana's chances. I have a gut feeling that the bye will be bad for the 'turds. I look for UNI to punch them in the mouth.

[unigriff]

2 people think both Illinois St and UNI will win. Bold move Cotton. I'd really love for the MVFC to get 4!!! teams into the quarters, but I'm tempering expectations ;)

The game will end in a 129-129 tie. Game called due to they ran over the 24 hour time period for sanity