Jacksonville State squeaked by Chattanooga 41-35 in OT.

 

Wow. I was tracking the score while at the NDSU game. It would not have shocked me to see them lose. Hopefully it is just a bad match-up as they played Chattanooga close earlier in the season.

 

The Bison got revenge over Montana. It was rocking in the Fargodome. Their defense brought the wrath. Offense was just ho-hum and they can barely complete a pass. Rumor mill is saying that Wentz 's wrist hasn't healed like they thought. He is set to return any time now, but not sure if he will. This week NDSU hosts Northern Iowa, a team that traditionally plays NDSU well. They should have beaten the Bison earlier this season at home and have the type of team that can win it all. Kickoff is set for 11 am CST on ESPN.

 

Jacksonville State hosts Charleston Southern on Friday night. Their only two losses have been to D1 schools (Troy and Alabama). Now we just need Richmond to take out Illinois State.

Jax State still alive....

JSU advances to the semis by handling Charleston Southern 58-38. It was a 3 point game mid third quarter then they started pulling away. Pope had 16 carries for 250 yards. Jenkins 21 carries for 195 yards. Good golly. Anyone watch?

 

Hoping they hey can make it. My friend's son is coaching there. It has been since 1982 that an OVC school has made it to the Finals.

I will be at the NDSU game later this morning. Most don't have a good feeling. Northern Iowa has continually performed well in Fargo and ain't scared. Should have won here earlier this season.

Would be nice to see Dayton, as I have posted before, put more into their football program.

Really? I do not have much respect for the OVC, but it would be nice to see a team break through. Up until a few years ago when Eastern Illinois broke through and won a couple games, the OVC went on about a decade plus streak of not winning a game in the tournament. Following NDSU and watching the Missouri Valley regularly, the competition level is night and day. Most years the OVC winner would not finish much above .500 in the MVC.

 

OVC football = WCC basketball.

 

Still think Jax State isn't very good?

Still think Jax State isn't very good?

 

Never said they weren't good. Just that I am skeptical of any OVC team until they prove otherwise. Remember we are not at 3 years, 6 years, 15 years... we are 32 years since an OVC made the finals. It took them OT to get by the first round and they didn't separate themselves from Charleston Southern until the mid-third quarter. They have given up 73 points the past two weeks. Now the bracket has opened up nicely for them in getting to host Sam Houston State, so hopefully the OVC drought will end!

In contrast, NDSU has given 19 points the past two weeks. But like Jacksonville State, the bracket has opened up nicely with Illinois State losing and the Bison getting to host Richmond Friday night. NDSU is brutal on offense though. By far their worst team in 6 seasons. JSU should be the favorite from here.

Jacksonville State just demolished Sam Houston State 62-10 today. My prediction for that side of the bracket was spot on. They had to survive a battle with Chattanooga then rolled to the finals. They will be at a bit of a disadvantage given NDSU's experience in the finals but it should be an interesting matchup.

Go OVC...:thumb:

You can't pair up two teams more polar opposite than NDSU and JSU. NDSU doesn't have near the same playmakers as JSU so they will try and win like they do every other game - clock control, running the ball, dink and dunk passing, and stingy defense. They are not as good on the road defensively, and JSU will score so points. I think Wentz has to play to make the offense a tad more dynamic.

As I said, that Jax State team has some bad dudes on the roster. They are huge. NDSU will have to play a near perfect game to come away with another title.