What a time to be a football fan. Not only is the 2021 NFL Draft going on this weekend, but on top of that, the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs are all set to take place on Sunday.
South Dakota State will host MVFC rival Southern Illinois on Sunday night. The Jackrabbits almost shut out Holy Cross last weekend, winning 31-3. As for the Salukis, they took down previously unbeaten Weber State. The winner of South Dakota State vs Southern Illinois will face the winner of Delaware vs Jacksonville State. The Hens and Gamecocks easily took care of their first round opponents. Delaware held on to beat Sacred Heart,19-10, last weekend. As for the Gamecocks, they crushed Davidson, 49-14. On the other half of the FCS Playoffs bracket, James Madison will host a good North Dakota team. The Dukes were faced a tough VMI team last weekend, 31-24. The Fighting Hawks dominated MVFC rival Missouri State, 44-10, to advance to the quarterfinals. Finally, in the biggest matchup of the weekend, Sam Houston State will host North Dakota State for the right to go to the semi-finals.
It should be a great day of FCS Playoff Football on Sunday. Let’s take a look at the best matchup of the weekend!
NDSU vs Sam Houston State | FCS Playoffs
Date: Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 | Time: 3 PM ET
Coverage: ESPN
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium — Huntsville, TX
NDSU vs Sam Houston State Betting Odds
Spread: NDSU -3 (EVEN) | SHSU +3 (-120)
Moneyline: NDSU (-135) | SHSU (+115)
Total: 47.5 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
The best FCS matchup of the weekend will kick off Sunday at 3 PM ET in Huntsville, Texas on ESPN. The Bison enter the game having dominated their first round matchup against Eastern Washington. What was supposed to be a tightly-contested game turned into a blowout. NDSU running backs Dominic Gonnella and Jalen Bussey each had over 100 yards rushing and combined for two scores. The Bison defense held the Eagles to under 65 yards rushing. Cam Miller, the Bison freshman quarterback, will need to have a big game if NDSU wants to beat K.C. Keeler and the Bearkats.
Offense is the name of the game for Sam Houston State. The Bearkats nearly averaged 500 yards per game this year on offense. Quarterback Eric Schmid had a decent outing last weekend, throwing for a touchdown. If the Bearkats have any chance of walking out of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium as winners, it will be because of their defense. The NDSU offense will be the toughest they’ve played all year. This could end up in a shootout, which would favor the Bearkats.
