Tough break last week with my Montana Grizzlies losing at home to Coastal Carolina. It was -4 degrees F at kickoff, with windchills up to -22 below zero. I was sitting 5 rows up from the Griz bench on the 30 yd line...., 2 beers up each sleeve, and a flask in each boot...one filled with Blackberry Brandy, and the other filled with Seagrams 7. None of it helped. Montana laid an absolute egg.
Oh well, on to today:
1) Coastal Carolina @ NDSU (-13.5) I got this line when it opened...you can suit yourself regarding buying the hook. Last week I was very impressed with the coaching of Coastal Carolina...they were buffaloed early on in the game @ UM, but as the game went on they really controlled the action. The big difference between last week and this one, is that NDSU is light years better than Montana. UM's playcalling on both sides of the ball is very vanilla, and the O-line is not as strong as in year's past. NDSU is quite simply the best team in 1AA.....excellent O-line, top notch defense, and an amazing home crowd advantage. Look for NDSU to really push around an undersized Coastal Carolina front 7, and control the clock, on the ground. On defense, NDSU has the Corners to be able to play man, and blitz. CC's QB ran for 123 vs the Griz last week, and was the key reason why they were able to extend drives. The UM didn't pressure the QB...NDSU will, early and often.
This one is not close......35-10 NDSU Bizon.
Pick: NDSU -13.5
2) Jacksonville St @ Eastern Washington (-8) I am very surprised that EWU is only favored by 8 in this one....again, much like last week, the number is more of a knock on the Big Sky Conference, than it is on EWU. Eastern is an absolute machine on offense, and there is very little chance that anyone other than NDSU can hold them under 40 points. Last season EWU barely lost a shootout to Sam Houston State in the Semi-Finals.....they were down by 38 points at one juncture and ended up losing by 3, and actually led the game late!!! This is significant because the SHSU game was played at home, just as this one is, and they are returning nearly everyone from that team. EWU will play NDSU for the National Title with EIU now out of the picture.
Pick: Eastern Washington -8
EWU hangs up 50 in this one......not sure anyone can keep pace on that hideous red turf.
New Hampshire, Jax St and Coastal Carolina are the only hold overs remaining from the first round left in the tourney. I think New Hampshire may hang with SE Louisiana, but nothing solid to hang my hat on there...... Jax St and CC are playing the 2 best teams in the country, and both of them get rude dismissals today.
GL with your picks.
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