Ok, this is what they're saying this week - Part #6

2011 FCS Football Playoffs: Semifinal Preview and Predictions

by Shaun Bummer

It's the Final Four of FCS college football, ladies and gentleman.
The FCS playoffs enter the semifinals this weekend. The Montana Grizzlies will venture to Huntsville, Texas to take on the Sam Houston State Bearkats Friday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. On Saturday, the North Dakota State Bison will be visited by the Georgia Southern Eagles in a 2:30 p.m. Eastern showdown on ESPNU.
It will be an exciting weekend of FCS College Football, as teams are only one game away from a trip to the FCS National Championship in Frisco, Texas.

Semifinal Round (Dec. 16/17)
No. 4 Montana @ No. 1 Sam Houston State
No. 3 Georgia Southern @ No. 2 North Dakota State

Sam Houston State is still the only undefeated team in the FCS an extremely impressive 13-0. Additionally, whatever doubts I had in the Bearkats in playing a medicore schedule were shattered in a 49-13 stomping of the Montana State Bobcats.
The Bearkats put up 501 yards of offense against the Bobcats, with 428 of those on the ground and an average of 10.4 yards per rushing attempt.
Throughout the entire season Sam Houston State has put up 3,297 yards of rushing offense leading the Southland Conference. This is more than double of McNesse State's rushing total of 1,629 yards which is second in the Southland.
Additionally, running backs Tim Flanders and Richard Sincere are first and second respectively for total rushing yards in the Southland Conference.
Montana may be on even more of a roll than the Bearkats. The Grizzlies have now won nine straight, including the last three against FCS playoff opponents. Additionally, they have been winning games comfortably. Their last five victories have been won by an average of 30 points per game.
Montana's quarterfinal match up with Northern Iowa was no different. The Grizzlies sparked in the second quarter and never let up, leading to a 48-10 pounding over the Panthers.
Grizzly quarterback Jordan Johnson played outstanding overall. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 196 yards for three touchdowns, and rushed for 86 yards and one touchdown. Among Montana's great tandem of running backs, the Grizzlies rushed for 267 yards.
This game is honestly a toss up. These are the two hottest teams in the FCS right now. However, Montana has been playing more consistent as of late, and the Grizzlies have more weapons on defense to slow down Sam Houston State's offense. Expect the Grizzlies to upset the Bearkats in this shootout.
Prediction
Montana 41
Sam Houston State 37