Previewing the weekend's NCAA playoff games
Division I Football Championship Subdivision semifinals
— Friday
Sam Houston State (11-4) at North Dakota State (13-1)
Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET/ESPN2. Surface: Artificial.
Sagarin difference: NDSU by 14.98.
Synopsis: Though the Bison have a mostly new coaching staff in place, the results have been the same as they bid for their fourth consecutive FCS crown. OK, NDSU did actually lose a game this year to Northern Iowa that snapped their winning streak at 33. But the Bison still find themselves a win away from another appearance in the final thanks to RB John Crockett's big day last week against Coastal Carolina. They face a familiar opponent in the Bearkats, whom NDSU defeated twice in the finals and again earlier this season. Sam Houston State QB Jared Johnson, who overcame the flu just in time to lead the road victory against Villanova in last week's quarterfinal round, will need a hot start to silence the Fargo Dome crowd with help from WRs Yedidiah Louis and LaDarius Brown. It will be up to NDSU QB Carson Wentz to counter with air cover for Crockett.
— Saturday
Illinois State (12-1) at New Hampshire (12-1)
Time/TV: 2 p.m. ET/ESPNU. Surface: Artificial.
Sagarin difference: Illinois State by 4.87.
Synopsis: The second semifinal match-up features opponents far less known to each other. It promises, however, to be a high-scoring affair. The Redbirds are putting up big points and needed all of them to topple Eastern Washington on the road last week. They feature the leading rusher in the FCS, RB Marshaun Coprich, who has 2,163 yards and 26 TDs on the ground. But he gets plenty of help from QB Tre Roberson. The Wildcats, who also had to survive a track meet a week ago vs. Chattanooga, will counter with QB Sean Goldrich and his big-play WR R.J. Harris.
Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams; 2.65 points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.
Division III championship
— Friday in Salem, Va.
Mount Union (Ohio) (14-0) vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater (14-0)
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET/ESPNU. Surface: Artificial.
Synopsis: And here they are again. The Purple Raiders and Warhawks have made the Stagg Bowl their private playground, squaring off for the title in nine of the last 10 years. UWW has had the better of the rivalry recently, but this time the contest will be a send-off for Warhawks' coach Lance Leipold before he shuffles off to Buffalo. Mount Union QB Kevin Burke this week was named the winner of the Gagliardi Trophy, the first repeat winner of the award. He has accounted for 59 total TDs — 49 by air, including eight in the Raiders' semifinal dismantling of Wesley (Del.). The Warhawks had to work a bit harder to get back to Salem, getting past Linfield (Ore.) 20-14 last week after narrowing edging Wartburg (Iowa) 37-33 in the quarterfinal round. QB Matt Behrendt and RB Dennis Moore know how to deliver in the clutch.
Division II championship
— Saturday in Kansas City, Kan.
Minnesota State-Mankato (14-0) vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (13-1)
Time/TV: 4 p.m. ET/ESPN2. Surface: Grass.
Synopsis: Unlike the familiar feel to the Division III finale, the Division II title tilt is all new — first-time host venue and two squads making their initial appearance in the championship game. The ThunderWolves, who only restarted their football program in 2008, have made a rapid rise to prominence under coach John Wristen. The Mavericks have been playing for significantly longer, now in their 88th football season but the fifth under coach Todd Hoffner. Mankato can move the ball by just about any means, with QB Ricky Lloyd responsible for its distribution. His primary aerial targets are WRs Dorian Buford and Austin Rieder, with RB Connor Thomas pacing the ground game. CSU-Pueblo QB Chris Bonner's leading catcher is WR Kieren Duncan, but the man the Mavericks need to stop is RB Cameron McDondle, who enters with 1,901 rushing yards for the season.