FCS Playoffs: South Dakota State vs. New Hampshire preview, prediction, live stream
South Dakota State looks to avoid being the second national seed in the FCS Playoffs to fall at the hands of New Hampshire.
South Dakota State (10-2) are the winners of six straight including last weekends 37-22 victory over Northern Iowa.
The Jackrabbits have hit their stride offensively. During this six game win streak the Jackrabbits are putting up 40 points and 461 yards of total offense per game.
The offense runs through dual-threat quarterback Taryn Christion. The second team all MVFC quarterback has passed for 3,091 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for another 467 yards and eight touchdowns.
Christion’s favorite targets are senior wide receiver Jake Wieneke and senior tight end Dallas Goedert. Wieneke is a four-time All MVFC first team reciever. He has a big body at 6-foot-4 and has breakaway speed that has allowed him to compile 720 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.
Goedert is an absolute nightmare for opponents. At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, he is too big for a corner but will run away from any linebacker who tries to cover him. Goedert has 1,049 yards and six touchdowns on the year continuing to back the case for him to be the first tight end drafted this year.
New Hampshire (9-4) is coming off an upset win over fourth ranked Central Arkansas and looking to carry its momentum through the weekend. The Wildcats defense led the way forcing four turnovers in their tight 21-15 victory.
New Hampshire has been able to grind out victories by a narrow margin outscoring opponents by an average of 23 and 19 points per game. They are led by junior quarterback Trevor Knight who has thrown for 3,197 yards and 25 touchdowns on the year.
The Wildcats have their own deep threat in junior wide receiver Neil O’Connor. O’Connor, a first team all CAA selection has 93 reception for 1,358 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Brookings, SD
Venue: Dana J. Dykhouse stadium
TV: ESPN3
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
South Dakota State does not need to do anything spectacular. SDSU will have to have a balanced offensive attack and use the run, pass, option to perfection as they have been recently. Trust Taryn Christion to make good decisions and continue to play at an elite level. Making sure the ball gets in the hands of their playmakers such as Goedert and Wieneke will be huge. Get them out in space and let them take over.
For New Hampshire to pull off another upset, their defense will have to play their best game all year. Forcing turnovers but also putting pressure on the quarterback will be key for the Wildcats. Defensive lineman, Rick Holt and Jae’Wuan Horton have wrecked havoc in opponents backfields combining for 17.5 sacks. In order to win this game, these two will have to make plays in South Dakota State’s backfield all game.
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Prediction
Look for this game to be close for the first half but the second half to be all South Dakota State. The Jackrabbit’s have too many offensive weapons and will expose a New Hampshire defensive giving up 11.5 yards per catch. South Dakota State will push their winning streak to seven this weekend with a big win over New Hampshire.
Final Score: SDSU 35, NHU 17