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Frisco is no stranger to big events, having hosted international soccer matches and hordes of Jimmy Buffett's parrotheads. But this week marks the city's first foray into college football.

The NCAA Division I Football Championship Game between Eastern Washington University and the University of Delaware will be Friday at Frisco's Pizza Hut Park.

Paid attendance at the last championship game, in 2009, at Chattanooga's Finley Stadium was 14,328, though the number of fans in the stands was lower because of rainy weather that night. Average paid attendance during Chattanooga's tenure as host was 17,215.

About 10,450 tickets have been sold as of Thursday morning, the most recent figure available. Organizers say a lot of fans are holding out until the last minute. Pizza Hut Park holds more than 21,000.

Frisco's 10 hotels are already booked for the week, according to the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, and bookings have spread to neighboring cities. Restaurants and retailers also expect to see a boost in business during what's typically a slow month.

So, who wins in this matchup of the high-flying Eagles of Eastern Washington and the hardened, bruising Delaware Blue Hens?

It is tough to say. Many experts laud CAA Football as the best the FCS has to offer, immediately granting favor to a team which comes from it. But if the CAA is No. 1 in the FCS pecking order, then the Big Sky is not far behind. Add in the fact that the Eagles just defeated CAA power and defending FCS champion Villanova and this one could go either way.

Still, the overall cohesiveness of this Blue Hens team is hard to pick against. The Blue Hens possess a next-level quarterback, a sound rushing game and the best defense in the nation.

Also, it will be interesting to see how EWU plays away from the incredibly friendly confines of the "Inferno" and its red SprinTurf. The Eagles have played all but two games on synthetic turf this season, which clearly plays to their speed and wide open style. The championship game, however, will take place on grass. Clearly, the more traditional playing surface favors the equally traditional Blue Hens' attack.

Prediction: Delaware 38, Eastern Washington 23

TheBud wrote:The Sports Network is predicting a win for Delaware...

In the FCS Huddle: FCS Championship Game
Excerpt:

So, who wins in this matchup of the high-flying Eagles of Eastern Washington and the hardened, bruising Delaware Blue Hens?

It is tough to say. Many experts laud CAA Football as the best the FCS has to offer, immediately granting favor to a team which comes from it. But if the CAA is No. 1 in the FCS pecking order, then the Big Sky is not far behind. Add in the fact that the Eagles just defeated CAA power and defending FCS champion Villanova and this one could go either way.

Still, the overall cohesiveness of this Blue Hens team is hard to pick against. The Blue Hens possess a next-level quarterback, a sound rushing game and the best defense in the nation.

Also, it will be interesting to see how EWU plays away from the incredibly friendly confines of the "Inferno" and its red SprinTurf. The Eagles have played all but two games on synthetic turf this season, which clearly plays to their speed and wide open style. The championship game, however, will take place on grass. Clearly, the more traditional playing surface favors the equally traditional Blue Hens' attack.

Prediction: Delaware 38, Eastern Washington 23

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

TheBud wrote:The Sports Network is predicting a win for Delaware...

In the FCS Huddle: FCS Championship Game
Excerpt:

Bodes well for EWU, as their picks are usually wrong.

93henfan wrote:

Eastern Washington QB Bo Levi Mitchell is 61-for-104 passing for 611 yards, nine TDs and three INTs in three playoff games.

RB Andrew Pierce was named the national freshman of the year after rushing for 108.7 yards per game and helping UD rank 20th in total offense.

93henfan wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
Bodes well for EWU, as their picks are usually wrong.

The turf comments are laughable. They make it sound like the Hens have been mudding it up all year. Apparently the author didn't realize that the Hens haven't played on natural grass all season.

TheBud wrote:

Eastern Washington QB Bo Levi Mitchell is 61-for-104 passing for 611 yards, nine TDs and three INTs in three playoff games.

TheBud wrote:Eastern Washington QB Bo Levi Mitchell is 61-for-104 passing for 611 yards, nine TDs and three INTs in three playoff games.

kalm wrote:

TheBud wrote:Eastern Washington QB Bo Levi Mitchell is 61-for-104 passing for 611 yards, nine TDs and three INTs in three playoff games.

Going back to Ursus's point in an earlier thread, the stat I like the most about Mitchell is in two full games without Taiwan Jones he has thrown for 629 yards, 8 touchdowns, 1 pick, and has a 68% completion percentage.

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:

TheBud wrote:

That's a badass photo of Mitchell...fapfapfapfapfap

kalm wrote:

TheBud wrote:Eastern Washington QB Bo Levi Mitchell is 61-for-104 passing for 611 yards, nine TDs and three INTs in three playoff games.

Going back to Ursus's point in an earlier thread, the stat I like the most about Mitchell is in two full games without Taiwan Jones he has thrown for 629 yards, 8 touchdowns, 1 pick, and has a 68% completion percentage.

Grizalltheway wrote:

Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:
That's a badass photo of Mitchell...fapfapfapfapfap

FIFY

bluehenbillk wrote:

kalm wrote:
Going back to Ursus's point in an earlier thread, the stat I like the most about Mitchell is in two full games without Taiwan Jones he has thrown for 629 yards, 8 touchdowns, 1 pick, and has a 68% completion percentage.

Bring it on! With the best secondary in the country on the other side of the ball I'd hope EWU tries to go pass-happy.

danefan wrote:Gov Christie not making the trip........

http://www.northjersey.com/news/politic ... _game.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

kalm wrote:It will be very interesting to see the finesse and speed of a Big Sky offense versus the strength and physicality of a CAA defense...again.

89Hen wrote:

danefan wrote:Gov Christie not making the trip........

http://www.northjersey.com/news/politic ... _game.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Because of pricks like the guys around here who were giving him grief for being somewhere warm while NJ got hit with a snow storm.

State Line Liquors wrote:

kalm wrote:It will be very interesting to see the finesse and speed of a Big Sky offense versus the strength and physicality of a CAA defense...again.

If finesse and speed of the Big Sky offense involves giving the football to the other team's defense 2.5 times per game, then we look forward to that sort of guile as well.