TSN prediction

[MTGriz]

Montana (9-4) at No. 4 seed Eastern Washington (10-2)

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. (ESPN3)

What to Know: It was a battle of quarterbacks when Big Sky champion Eastern Washington defeated Montana, 36-26, on Nov. 8 in Cheney, Washington. Eastern's Vernon Adams Jr., in returning from a four-game absence because of a broken right foot, threw for 410 yards and four touchdowns. Montana fifth-year senior Jordan Johnson passed for a career-high 447 yards as well as three touchdowns and two interceptions.

More offensive fireworks are expected between an Eastern squad that leads the FCS in points per game (44.6) and a Montana squad that isn't too shabby at 30.4 points per game. Incredibly, EWU has scored in 40 consecutive quarters and 47 of 48 this season.

There's a clear statistical difference on the other side of the ball as Montana leads the Big Sky in scoring defense (19.8 ppg) and doesn't get into as many high-scoring duels as Eastern Washington, which has allowed 30 points per game.

But the visiting Grizzlies have found it hard to stop EWU wide receiver Cooper Kupp (35 TD receptions in 26 career games) the last two seasons, and he's just one of many weapons in the Eagles' arsenal. One of the keys for the Eagles is having a productive Quincy Forte (6.9 yards per carry), who is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but he's also backed by reliable Mario Brown, who is set to tie the EWU school record by playing his 52nd career game.

Eastern linebacker Ronnie Hamlin also is set for his 52nd career game. He is the Eagles' all-time tackle leader (448) and sits seventh on the Big Sky career list, but only 23 tackles behind the leader.

Montana must contain Adams (391.5 total yards per game) from the edge. The Big Sky's two-time offensive player of the year will be pursued by Grizzlies defensive ends Zack Wagenmann, the Big Sky defensive player of the year, and Tyrone Holmes. They lead a pass rush that has accounted for a Big Sky-high 40 sacks. Conversely, Eastern Washington has allowed too many sacks - 36 in 12 games.

With a plus-16 turnover ratio to lead the FCS, Montana has a chance to win field position. The Grizzlies' game plan is simple: Keep feeding the ball to running back Jordan Canada (1,128 yards, 10 touchdowns) to set up the JJs, Jordan Johnson and 1,000-yard receiver Jamaal Jones. Canada struggled in the loss to Eastern, but he's averaged 149 yards in the Grizzlies' three wins since then.

To really spice up the fun, Eastern coach Beau Baldwin is being mentioned as a possible successor to retiring Montana coach Mick Delaney.

The winner will advance to play either Northern Iowa or No. 5 seed Illinois State in the national quarterfinals.

Prediction: This is EWU's 23rd all-time playoff game but its first against a Big Sky rival. Despite their defensive deficiencies, the Eagles have enough offense to win a classic. Eastern Washington, 35-31.

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[wrrolling]

Let's hope they get one right!

 

[MTGrizFan]

Let's hope they get one right!

Sorry. TSN just gave Ewu the kiss of death. :thumb:

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Does TSN usually pick against us or something?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Let's hope they get one right!

Sorry. TSN just gave Ewu the kiss of death. :thumb:

Griz fans placing stock in TSN's prediction as a primary reason why they think they have a chance to win is just fucking hilarious. You can't get much more desperate than that. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[LDopaPDX]

Let's hope they get one right!

Sorry. TSN just gave Ewu the kiss of death. :thumb:

It's funny, because I see Emory Hunt picking us as a winner to be the proverbial kiss of death. I have no idea who he picked this week, but he almost always picks against us when we win, and jumps onboard the bandwagon just in time for the wheels to fall off.

 

[kalm]

Let's hope they get one right!

Sorry. TSN just gave Ewu the kiss of death. :thumb:

It's funny, because I see Emory Hunt picking us as a winner to be the proverbial kiss of death. I have no idea who he picked this week, but he almost always picks against us when we win, and jumps onboard the bandwagon just in time for the wheels to fall off.

He picked us. :?

 

[EWURanger]

Let's hope they get one right!

Sorry. TSN just gave Ewu the kiss of death. :thumb:

It's funny, because I see Emory Hunt picking us as a winner to be the proverbial kiss of death. I have no idea who he picked this week, but he almost always picks against us when we win, and jumps onboard the bandwagon just in time for the wheels to fall off.

He picked us. :?

Yeah, well. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.