Enjoy the FCS Playoffs!

While the major universities continue to moan and groan about their upcoming four-team College Football Playoffs, the smaller division schools are already battling in their playoffs and are now into the Sweet 16 round of games this weekend. The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are in the very unusual position of being the #1 overall seed in the FCS football playoffs as the games continue on Saturday. Despite having been a part of the FCS playoffs for the past eleven seasons, the Jackrabbits have watched as fellow Missouri Valley Conference competitor North Dakota State has hoisted the championship trophy nine times in the past eleven seasons.   It must have been hard for South Dakota State’s fans and players to watch. This season, South Dakota State won this year’s annual match-up with a 23-21 win over North Dakota State in Fargo.  The team also posted a perfect Missouri Valley Conference record for the first time in 2022.  The Jackrabbits have never won the FCS title since the division started in 1978.   Will this finally be their year to breakthrough? The final 16 teams are playing on Saturday.  Unfortunately, you’ll need to pay for ESPN+ to watch each of this week’s games as the major networks continue to ignore these interesting and meaningful games in favor of the major college conference championships. The FCS finals will be played in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas on Saturday, January 8, 2023. Let’s take a brief look at all eight games being played on Saturday and become more familiar with the teams. Delaware Blue Hens (8-4) @ #1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (11-1) The Blue Hens advanced to this week’s game after destroying Saint Francis 56-17 last weekend in the play-in round.  Their “reward” is now a long, cold road trip to play the number one team in this year’s FCS division, South Dakota State.  Delaware is led by quarterback Nolan Henderson.   He has thrown 32 touchdown passes already this season. South Dakota State earned the #1 seed by going 8-0 against a very tough Missouri Valley Conference schedule.   The Jackrabbits’ only loss this year came in a very close 7-3 fourth quarter loss at Big Ten member, Iowa.   The team’s balanced offense (160 yards per game on the ground and 207 via the air) and a stifling defense (allowing just 14 points per game) are the calling cards for the top-rated FCS team of 2022. New Hampshire Wildcats (9-3) @ #8 Holy Cross Crusaders (11-0) New Hampshire comes into this weekend’s match-up after surviving a tough 52-42 win over Fordham in their opening round game.  Junior running back Dylan Laube posted a Wildcat record 424 total yards along with four touchdowns in last week’s win.