FCS Playoffs 2017: SDSU vs JMU preview, prediction, live stream
South Dakota State looks to end James Madison’s 25-game winning streak and advance to the FCS championship for the first time in program history.
South Dakota State (11-2) steam rolled New Hampshire 56-14 in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. The fifth seeded Jackrabbits were led by quarterback Taryn Christion who found the end zone three times.
South Dakota State imposed their will on the ground rushing for 265 yards and five touchdowns against New Hampshire. The Jackrabbits will face their biggest test of the year as James Madison has the best scoring defense in the country, only giving up 10.8 points per game.
Wide receiver Jake Wieneke and tight end Dallas Goedert continue to terrorize secondaries and create matchup nightmares. Wieneke is 6’4″, 215 lbs receiver who has breakaway speed and has the size to cause corners fits. Goedert is currently the number one tight end on Todd McShay’s draft board and rightfully so. The 6’5″, 260 lbs tight end runs like a receiver and blocks like an offensive lineman making him so versatile.
James Madison (13-0) kept their perfect season and 25 game win streak alive with a 31-28 win over Weber State in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. The first ranked Dukes trailed 28-20 with just over three minutes to play before tying the game with 2:08 remaining. The nations best scoring defense quickly forced a Weber State three and out leading to the game winning field goal as time expired for the Dukes.
During the playoffs, the Dukes have been led by quarterback Bryan Schor who has thrown for 614 yards and three touchdowns through two games. Wide receiver Riley Stapelton has been Schor’s favorite target accounting for 251 yards in the Dukes two playoff wins.
Defensively, the Dukes have bent but not broken yet in the playoffs. During the regular season James Madison only gave up 228 yards per game. Through two playoff games, the Dukes are allowing 320 yards per contest, something that may be problematic against the Jackrabbits high powered offense.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Harrisonburg, Va.
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium
TV: ESPNU
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Keys to Victory
For South Dakota State to move on to the national championship, it all starts with quarterback Taryn Christion. The Jackrabbits put a lot of trust in Christion when running the read option and run pass option, two staples of their offense. Christion has made great decisions all year and will have to play phenomenal in order to end the Dukes 25-game winning streak.
If the Dukes want a chance to repeat as national champions they will have to do something no other team has been able to do, shut down the pass catching duo of Jake Wieneke and Dallas Goedert. The Dukes secondary has been tremendous all year, leading the country with 25 interceptions. For James Madison to win this game, they will have to pick off a few passes and give their offense extra possessions.
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Prediction
James Madison’s quest to repeat as national champions and their 25-game winning streak will both come to an end this weekend. South Dakota State has enough offensive firepower to overwhelm the Duke’s defense. Taryn Christion will continue to play at an elite level and the duo of Wieneke and Goedert will wreck havoc on a talented James Madison defense.
Final Score: South Dakota State 34, James Madison 24