Colgate has the defense to play with NoDak State, but they don't have the offense. That still puts the Raiders in better position than Montana State, who didn't have the… anything, but it's not nearly enough to give them a good shot at actually pulling the upset.
Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:
Just my Bison bias, but I think Jabril Cox is the best LB in FCS, and was the MVFC defensive player of the year.
The Bison punt return game this season was 2 fold. If they wanted a return, they general inserted Darrius Shepherd, if they wanted a fair catch, they inserted Robbie Grimsley. Shepherd was the MVFC 1st Team return specialist.
Gil Dobie wrote:Just my Bison bias, but I think Jabril Cox is the best LB in FCS, and was the MVFC defensive player of the year.
That's possible, though his numbers aren't on the level of Dante Olson or Zach Hall. They're more comparable to Colgate's T.J. Holl. Colgate wins LBs, in part, because they run a 3-4 instead of a 4-3—that gives them a numbers advantage (NDSU then gets a similar numbers advantage for DL).
Gil Dobie wrote:Just my Bison bias, but I think Jabril Cox is the best LB in FCS, and was the MVFC defensive player of the year.
That's possible, though his numbers aren't on the level of Dante Olson or Zach Hall. They're more comparable to Colgate's T.J. Holl. Colgate wins LBs, in part, because they run a 3-4 instead of a 4-3—that gives them a numbers advantage (NDSU then gets a similar numbers advantage for DL).
Fair enough, it's difficult to judge defenders by stats and the defense the team plays, etc.
I have this play, starting at the 7:12 mark, from last years Championship etched in my brain. Cox closes in on the JMU QB Schor, to force this pass.
QF - (8) Colgate @ (1) NDSU
