Eastern Illinois at South Dakota State FCS Playoffs Game Breakdown
Eastern Illinois (7-4) at South Dakota State(8-3), Saturday, 3:00
Eastern Illinois brings a passing attack with the dynamic duo of QB Jimmy Garapollo and WR Erik Lora. The Jackrabbits will ride running back Zach Zenner as far as they can until they melt the clock at the end of the game or they must abandon the pass early trying to play catch up. These two teams have traveled similar paths to make their playoff appearances. In week one South Dakota State lost to FBS Kansas, and while Kansas is anything but tough with only one win this season, still, FCS schools rarely get punished for losing to FBS schools. In weeks two EIU lost to FBS Western Michigan. The loss looks better than SDSU’s since the Broncos have won four game and EIU played close with them. The teams match up with tough FBS playoff team losses with the Jackrabbits falling to top seed North Dakota State a few weeks ago by only three points and the Panthers losing to Southland champ Central Arkansas. Both have loses to good teams that failed to make the playoffs...Northern Iowa for SDSU and Tennessee-Martin for EIU. The only loss that puts EIU behind South Dakota State is a double overtime loss on the road to rival Illinois State, who also is now in the playoffs. The Panthers have faced tougher teams along the way and even with one more loss are more prepared to face the challenge of what a playoff game against another really talented team brings. For the loser, they fall back on what has been a good season for a team that made a nice run into the playoffs after some downs seasons. For the winner, congrats, you get to face the top seeded, defending champion, North Dakota State Bison waiting at home in Fargo.
Projection score: Eastern Illinois 38, South Dakota State 27
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