Game Of The Week.... South Dakota State (6-3) at Southern Utah (3-6) If I were to tell you a little story about two college football teams heading in completely opposite directions... the tale would most likely involve the Southern Utah Thunderbirds and the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits. The Thunderbirds started the season 3-1, while the Bunnies struggled out of the gate at 1-3 and now their respective records are completely opposite... 3-6 and 6-3. Wow. To tell you the truth the crystal ball had both these teams sucking wind by week 11 of the season. The Jackrabbits definitely proved the seuthsayers wrong even after their opening season loss at home to NAIA Wisconsin-LaCrosse. So this game should be a no-brainer... right? Let's take a look. The offensive edge goes to SDSU, while the defenses appear to be pretty even. The special teams also look to be a draw.... the kicking edge goes to the Bunnies, but the return/blocking kick edge is in favor of the T-Birds. Southern Utah gets the +4 for being at home, but the Jackrabbits have a lot of momentum going and are playing with confidence. So right here a question must be asked... Will the Bunnies being looking ahead to the Bison game the following week... or the actual GWFC championship game? Logic tells me 'no'. My gut tells me 'yes'. This game has upset written all over it, because a T-Bird victory makes absolutely no sense. But it is the GWFC... Southern Utah 27, South Dakota State 23.
The Truth Is.... Cal Poly (6-3) at North Dakota State (8-1)
Every Bison fan can talk about the amazing comeback rally over UC Davis last week all they want, but to tell you the truth it's absolutely nothing out of the ordinary for this year's edition of the Bison football team. Anything this NDSU football team does shouldn't surprise any fan or foe. 'Team' being the key word, because trying to pick a MVP on this Bison team is almost impossible. Sure one could pick QB Steve Walker, but what about WR Kole Heckendorf? What about RB Kyle Steffes? What about several members of the Bison defense such as DT Justin Frick, LB Joe Mays or SS Craig Dahl. And how about those young Bison cornerbacks? The search goes on and on. Not one Bison player make this team special, but together this Bison team is a 'freak of nature'.
So the 'Little Ponies' are coming to Fargo this week... Okay, so my analogy is slightly off mark. Let's just say that this Cal Poly team plays more like... well... Mustangs. But like my grandpappy always said, "Every horse has its breaking point."
So once again, year after year, the Bison find themselves in the mix for a conference championship. And as of late, year after year the Bison seem to mess it up. Will this be the year? One answer to the question will be equated this week. But please remember I've always had trouble with gozintas? Get it? Anyway, I'll call the defenses even, while giving a moderate edge to the Bison offense. This is the only week where I'll call special teams even and the Bison get the points for home field advantage. One thing is for certain... the winner of this game will be decided on the ground. Which ever of these two teams runs the ball more effectively WILL win this game. So it's James Noble versus Kyle Steffes. The edge has to go to Steffes because I've never seen a Bison offensive line play better over an entire season. Mark it down... North Dakota State 24, Cal Poly 21.
And The Winner Is.... * 2006 Season: 122-29 81% * Last Week: 12-3 80% * Upset Specials: 4-7 37%
Michigan State 35, Minnesota 21
Nicholls State 28, Stephen F. Austin 24
Hampton 37, Florida A&M 18
San Diego 38, Dayton 13
Montana 31, Northern Colorado 21
Massachusetts 34, Maine 27
New Hampshire 35, Rhode Island 24
Illinois State 42, Indiana State 20
Tennessee-Martin 28, Eastern Kentucky 21
Southern Illinois 27, Northern Iowa 24
Charleston Southern 24, Liberty 13
Upset Specials.... Villanova 34, James Madison 31
Western Kentucky 35, Youngstown State 28
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