FCS PLAYOFFS ROUND 1:

[JBB2]

Playoffs Round 1

FROM THE GAM:

Illinois State* @ SE Louisiana

• ISU -8
  Total 58
  Mythical Score Redbirds 33-25

If SEL is up to it, they are on paper the better team. The loss to Lamar makes that doubtful.


UND* @ Ten Tech

• UND -7
  Total 65
  Mythical Score UND 36-29

Two good offenses. Ten Tech is explosive and has scored more points and gained more yards than UND. Unfortunately their defense has given up an average of 400 yds/game. That should put UND well into the 30s and enough to win.

Central Con State @ Rhode Island*

• RI -4
  Total 48.5
  Mythical Score RI 30-26

Back home these are good teams. Rhode Island has the statistical profile of an FCS elite. Central not far behind. Both bring 400 yd offenses. GAM picks Rhode Island.
UPDATE 5/25: Cent Con had a slow start and finished strong. Overall they averaged 320 yds/game, over 400 late in season.

Harvard* @ Villanova

• Harvard -8
  Total 70
  Mythical Score Harvard 39-31

Two ordinary teams Harvard is extra efficient, hence the numbers show some signs of a route with a 39-18 Harvard win. Better to respect the opponent.

**WINTER WEATHER WARNING**
New Hampshire* SDSU

• SDSU -7
  Total 49
  Mythical Score SDSU 28-21

New Hampshire is from back east.

Drake @ USD*

• USD - 21
  Total 63
  Mythical Score USD 42-21

I don’t think Drake even has scholarships?

Lamar* @ Abilene Christian

• Lamar -4
  Total 56
  Mythical Score Lamar 30-26

Abilene is playing good ball. I like them but they simply allow too many points. Abilene may outrun them but Lamar has a knack for turning yards into points. Neither is an elite team but this promises to be a good game with upset potential.

Yale @ Youngstown*

• YSU -6
  Total 66
  Mythical Score YSU 36-30

Yale is the best the IVY has. USD has an elite offense with the power to overwhelm. Their defense might give those Ivy League fans hope but as the game wears on it should fade

[JBB2]

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[JBB2]

Winter in Brookings. It’s nice out for now. Beautiful with the snow

20°Hi
RealFeel® 4°
RealFeel Shade™ 4°
Breezy and cold with snow and flurries, accumulating a coating to an inch; storm total snowfall 4-8 inches; roads could be slippery
ALERTS
Winter Weather Advisory
12:00 PM Friday - 12:00 AM Sunday

Could change game dynamics.

[JBB2]

Dramatic change in UND spread and odds.

Und money rolls in reversing spread: UND -1.5/-106 TT 1.5/-114 Tech fans are in too price on und down price on tech up. Fans and MIDAS expecting good game. UND is now favored by a hair and 3-3 on the road. Temps should be in high 40s and sunny in Cookville.

Total score reduced to 48.5 from 50. GAM suggests over.

Unusual money line UND -115. TT -105. It costs $5 to bet the dog, usually the dog is free. Tech fans are expecting a game.

Looking forward to all 3 Dakota games. The timing is bad but espn has the mighty replay feature.

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[JBB2]

GAM BOOK FOR TODAY:

NUMBER TO BEAT 2,127

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ATTENTION: Membership in the GAM is closed. Remember these are predictions of the future. Take your chances win a prize!

Gambling is hazardous to your future well being. Play for fun and have fun. It’s all on you.

[JBB2]

NDSU fans thinking they own the division are at odds with the betting public.

Things are tightening and Montana State is emerging as the nations top challenger to the coveted FCS National Championship.

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[JBB2]

Extended future projections show a 4th round und re-rematch in Fargo. Penny short of a nickel the Trophy is still on the line, in possession of the State, and owned by NDSU.

Pre-game betting lines for most games are getting tweaked. My impression is the money lines and over unders are getting juggled around but as the money flows spreads, o/u and odds are in all flux.

[JBB2]

FINAL: RAMS 27-19
The Rams leading Con State 14-0 in the first.
All right 16 plays 75 yds 14-7. We have Con State +17.5. Go go go!
4th Qtr 24-13 Con State misses extra point.


FINAL: Yale 43-42
The Ivy finding out bouncing off The penguins trailing 14-0 in the first.
All right! Yale scores bringing us closer to the over 21-7
The MVFC is finding out Yale 43-42 late.
Bison fans take note: Yale beats a tough MVFC team in the second half ending on the YSU 1 yard line YALE 43-42. They outsmarted them.

FINAL: Nova 52-7
Coming up on half bad news Nova 31 Crimson 0. Going to get wiped out here.

FINAL: SDSU 41-3
In the Snow Bowl SDSU 7-0 and driving.
27-3 coming up on half. Promising NH drive ends in INT.

FINAL: USD 38-17
At the Dakota Dome Drake is keeping pace 3-3.
USD opens a 19-3 lead near half. Drake is playing inspired ball. Great first half.

FINAL: 31-6
Halftime UND 10-0 over Tech. Tech lost 2 fumbles. Both teams missed FG. Good hard hitting game.
10-6in the third Tech scores on long pass misses EP. Great game they are talking second half teams.
UND asserting itself 17-6 in the fourth and just intercepted TT at their 24. 4th qtr told the tale

FINAL: Abilene Christian 38 Lamar 20

FINAL: Illinois State 21 SE Louisiana 3 we think. No open line for us

[JBB2]

Tough battle all day. We dug in at the 50 and it was back and forth at mid field. In the end we pushed those Vegas computers back for a safety and a big win $2-$0! GOGAM!!

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Most games looked good until they didn’t, Yale showing the most grit and Texas Tech battling a physical und2 squad into the 4th. Results for the most part belie the effort expended by the teams. It gives hope to the division of improvement among its top teams. Year-after-year I expect more parity. Not from a step back as in D2, rather effort and pride from many rising programs.

Inovation and growth. Stoney Brook connects players/agents with fans for support directly from their roster page. New stadiums @ Texas Tech, Tarleton, Sac State come to mind. The Montanas are there with the Grizz providing the division with the original model of success. This year looks good for NDSU. There are tough games ahead but the Bison are strong.

Does The Herd move FBS? Because there is no place they really fit and their profile is clearly FCS I think they should stay put. What kind of offer would it take to buy NDSU out of its current position? There is no better sports bargain for a university than the FCS championship. The Ivies and the improving parity, in part made possible by the porthole, will bring more eye balls. It’s a great brand of football.

[kevin]

Glad Youngstown was eliminated today.