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I-AA Semifinal Predictions

I Looked It Up
Apparently, there is no law to prevent me from picking the remaining three I-AA playoff games. So, I'll be doing that right now.

James Madison at William & Mary. The Dukes have done it all year with defense and special teams play - evidenced by their blocked FG and extra point being the difference at Furman. William & Mary were getting stomped last week until Delaware inexplicably went away from their rushing game, and gave up 21 points in the 4th quarter to tie and eventually lose to the Tribe.

I don't think the Dukes make the same mistake as the Hens. The Dukes have played with a chip on their shoulders through this whole playoff season, and all that stands in their way to Chattanooga is the matter of revenge against the Tribe (to whom they lost a heartbreaker at home, 27-24, in early November).

Think Giants/Bills, 1990 Super Bowl. JMU 20, W&M 19.

Sam Houston St. at Montana. Sam Houston St. could have the most powerful offense in I-AA, with I-AA superstar Dustin Long. They porved they were no fluke after coming back from a 20 point deficit to upset Eastern Washington at home, 35-34. Montana, on the other hand, has steamrolled past Northwestern St. and New Hampshire in the least competitive games of the postseason. Everything to me points to a shootout.

The problem is, who does this benefit? Montana QB Ochs has been great, but he needs a balanced attack to be effective. Bearkat QB Long has simply shredded every secondary he's faced this year (including Montana's earlier in the year).

This game will come down to how the Montana secondary reacts to their second go-around against the Bearkats. And I think they will find a way to get it done in an absolute thriller. Montana 45, SHS 44.

Comments

Anonymous said…
How about them JMU Dukes? They're surprising the heck out of everyone. To think that just one more little break and this might've been us...I'm a little surprised to learn that that Hines kid who ran so well against us and who I think looked like the best RB we faced all year hasn't been their main weapon in the last two wins.
9:43 AM
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