In our final FCS Playoffs matchup of the day, Sacred Heart will head to Delaware to try and pull off the upset. Delaware had a great run to end the regular season. The Blue Hens defeated Villanova last Saturday to claim the CAA’s automatic bid to the playoffs. As for Sacred Heart, it’s a different story. After losing to Duquesne in the first week of the spring, they bounced all the way back and defeated the Dukes in overtime last Saturday. The Pioneers will need more clutch play, and a little bit of luck, to beat the Blue Hens.
Let’s take a look at this FCS Playoffs matchup of Sacred Heart vs Delaware, review the betting odds and give our official FCS football prediction.
Sacred Heart vs Delaware | FCS Football Playoffs
Date: Saturday April 24th, 2021 | Time: 7 PM ET
Stream: ESPN3
Location: Delaware Stadium — Newark, DE
Sacred Heart vs Delaware Betting Odds
Spread: SHU +19.5 (-105) | UD -19.5 (-115)
Moneyline: SHU (+700) | UD (-1200)
Total: 43 — Over (-105) | Under (-115)
In our last first round FCS Playoffs game, the Blue Hens from Delaware will look to make quick work of the Pioneers. The Hens come into the game with a 5-0 record and something to prove. Even though they were the CAA’s automatic playoff bid, it was rival James Madison who got seeded third. Right now, the Hens have outscored opponents, 164-58, in their five games this spring. Running back Dejoun Lee, a Walter Payton Award finalist, has been the heart and soul of this Delaware team. He’s averaging nearly 100 yards rushing per game and has found the end zone five times on the ground. Quarterback Nolan Henderson has been a steady hand for the Hens. He’s thrown for nine touchdowns this year to only two interceptions.
One thing to note, former Delaware coach K.C. Keeler is looming on the other side of the bracket with his Sam Houston State Bearkats. Keeler and UD didn’t have a great separation, so that would be an incredible championship game.
As for the Pioneers, they’re going to need some luck to pull this one out. Sacred Heart has been averaging nearly 31 points per game this year. Running back Julius Chestnut, another finalist for the Walter Payton Award, has been sensational this spring. He’s carried the rock 93 times, picking up 717 yards. Chestnut did this all in FOUR games. He’s averaging 180 yards rushing per game. He also has eight rushing touchdowns, good for two per game this year. On top of that, he has three receiving touchdowns as well. The Pioneers have a chance to pull the upset if Chestnut continues to play like he has been. If quarterback Marquez McCray can play above average, and limits his mistakes, watch out! The Blue Hens could be headed for another early FCS Playoffs exit, just like in 2018.
FCS Football Prediction: Delaware 30, Sacred Heart 24 (SHU +19.5, Over 43)
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