FCS Football Second Round: Playoff Matchup Preview

This is Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my second round FCS matchup preview. Hopefully we have some fun games starting Friday. 

Southeastern Louisiana University at James Madison University 

This should be a fun one. James Madison’s offense includes redshirt freshman wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr who has 994 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021.For the Lions defense has senior linebacker Alexis Ramos who holds 71 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 5 PBUs. Offensively for Southeastern Louisiana they have senior quarterback Cole Kelley who has 4,727 passing yards and 42 passing touchdowns and 480 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. The Dukes defense possesses redshirt senior defensive lineman Bryce Carter who has 41 tackles, 16.5 TFLs and 7 sacks.

Eastern Washington University at University of Montana 

The Eagles come to Montana to face the Griz in a tough matchup. Montana’s offense has redshirt senior wide receiver Samuel Akem who holds 550 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively for the Eagles they have redshirt senior defensive back Calin Criner who has 78 tackles and 9 PBUs. The Eastern Washington offense has redshirt senior running back Dennis Merritt who on the season has 853 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. The defense of the Griz has a monster in redshirt junior linebacker Patrick O’Connell who possesses 91 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, and 13 sacks.

South Dakota State University at Sacramento State

 Another fun matchup where either team could win. Sacramento State offensively possesses sophomore tight end Marshel Martin who has 590 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively the Jackrabbits have sophomore linebacker Adam Bock who holds 106 tackles, 9 TFLs and 5 PBUs. The South Dakota State offense includes grad quarterback Chris Oladokun who has 2,539 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Defensively for the Hornets they have senior defensive back Munchie Filer III who has 43 tackles, 8 PBUs and 4 interceptions.

Sam Houston State University at University of Incarnate Word 

Sam Houston State’s first playoff matchup in there title defense is Incarnate Word. The Bearkats offense has grad wide receiver Cody Chrest who holds 602 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively the Cardinals have grad defensive back Rashon Davis who has 44 tackles, 13 PBUs and 3 interceptions. The Incarnate Word offense includes junior wide receiver Taylor Grimes who has 1,041 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021.For the defense of the Bearkats they have senior defensive back Jaylen Thomas who has 30 tackles, 6 PBUs and 3 interceptions. 

University of Tennessee-Martin at Montana State University 

This is the one matchup where I think anything can happen and that includes either team winning in a blowout. Montana State offensively have senior wide receiver Lance McCutcheon who has 904 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2021.For the Skyhawks defense they possess grad linebacker John Ford who has 76 tackles, 5 TFLs , 4 PBUs and 4 interceptions. Tennessee-Martin’s offense has redshirt freshman running back Zak Wallace who holds 788 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021.For the Bobcats defense they have junior linebacker Callahan O’Reilly who has 69 tackles, 2 PBUs and 2 interceptions.

Kennesaw State University at East Tennessee State University 

The Owls meet up with the Buccaneers in Tennessee. East Tennessee State’s offense includes redshirt junior running back Quay Holmes who has 1,431 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively for the Owls junior defensive back Je’Cory Burks has 28 tackles and 5 PBUs. The Kennesaw State offense has grad wide receiver Caleb O’Neal who holds 314 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021.For the Buccaneers defense they have redshirt freshman defensive back Alijah Huzzie who possesses 66 tackles, 8 PBUs and 3 interceptions.

Southern Illinois University at North Dakota State University 

Gonna be a tough one for the Salukis it will take a good performance to beat North Dakota State. The Bison offense possesses Christian Watson senior wide receiver who has 740 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively for the Salukis they have senior linebacker Bryce Notree who holds 84 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 4 PBUs. The Southern Illinois offense has senior wide receiver Landon Lenoir who has 855 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively for North Dakota State they have sophomore defensive lineman Eli Mostaert who holds 32 tackles, 8 TFLs and 6.5 sacks in 2021.

College of the Holy Cross at Villanova University 

I’ll be surprised if Holy Cross wins this but anything can happen. Villanova offense has junior wide receiver Rayjoun Pringle who has 688 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively for the Crusaders they have senior linebacker Liam Anderson who holds 75 tackles, 15 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 3 interceptions. Offensively Holy Cross possesses sophomore wide receiver Jalen Coker who has 621 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. The Villanova defense has senior defensive back Christian Benford who has 36 tackles, 16 PBUs and 7 interceptions.