Sports Network Top 25 previews

[slycat]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4254587

Here are the top 25 games and other selected matchups for week four. All times are EST.

THURSDAYS GAMES

Howard (0-1, 0-0) at Florida A&M (2-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.

Florida A&M is a team looking for respect as it tries to crack The Sports Network Top-25 and looks to get off to a good start in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Rattlers will get a chance for more exposure this week as they play their second game in a row on ESPNU.

This matchup between two historically black schools dates back to 1974. Florida A&M holds 25-6 advantage in the series and has won three straight. Howard last beat the Rattlers 28-24 in 2002, the Bisons' only victory in Tallahassee, FL.

Walter Payton Award candidate Curtis Pulley (579 yards of total offense, four TDs) and the Rattlers' offense has put up 55 points against two respectable Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference squads in Delaware State and Winston Salem State.

FAMU running backs Eddie Rocker (94 yards rushing, 4.7 average) and Lonvontae Page (61 yards rushing one TD) have picked up the slack for an injured Phillip Sylvester, who is battling an ankle injury.

The Rattler defense has been more than efficient the first two games, allowing just 22 points. Linebacker Bryan Parker (17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss) continues to lead the team in tackles. Safety Greg Harvey (12 tackles, three pass breakups) has emerged as the key threat in the secondary, along with cornerback Quier Hall (10 tackles, one pass breakup, one forced fumble).

All-American returnman Leroy Vann (30.8 punt return average, 22.6 kickoff return average, two TDs) returned two punts for touchdowns against WSSU, giving him eight return TDs for his career.

The Bison faced a difficult challenge in their first game, falling at Rutgers, 45-7. Howard, which returns 15 starters, is coming off a 1-10 campaign in 2008.

Quarterback Floyd Haigler (206 yards of total offense, one TD) played well against the Scarlet Knights, but needs to improve on the 19 interceptions he tossed last season. Wideout Willie Carter (five catches, 18.8 average, TD) is the only other constant threat for a Bison offense that hasn't yet found their rhythm.

Howard's defense has allowed over 30 points-per-game the last two seasons, but returns nine starters that should help the unit improve. Linebackers Keith Pough (10 tackles, two tackles for loss), Patrick Jean-Mary (eight tackles) and Ian Simon (eight tackles) give the Bison a unit on defense to build around.

FLORIDA A&M 38, HOWARD 14

[kemajic]

Yes, TSN believes Southern Oregon is a BSC rival of PSU; maybe they know something we don't. It would be the kind of addition Fullerton would go for.

Portland State (1-1, 0-0) at No. 4 Montana (2-0, 0-0) 3:05 p.m.

Montana has struggled offensively, but hopes to break loose against a defensively-challenged Portland State club as the two teams open Big Sky Conference play.

Montana rolled easily over a weak Division II Western State and survived a close call on the road to Great West Conference member UC Davis, 17-10. All- American Chase Reynolds (190 yards rushing, two TDs) is off to a solid start, but Oregon transfer Justin Roper (292 yards passing, two TDs) is still trying to find a comfort zone.

All-American receiver Marc Mariani (six catches, 15.3 average) has yet to break loose. Mariani is also a threat on special teams, returning two punts for touchdowns last season.

Strong Safety Erik Stoll (15 tackles), linebackers Shawn Lebsock (13 tackles) and Brandon Fisher (eight tackles, two pass breakups) and defensive end Bryan Waldhauser (three tackles for loss) pace a Montana defense that has allowed just 10 points.

Portland State has played two other in-state teams, falling to Oregon State, then beating Big Sky rival Southern Oregon 34-10. The Vikings have shown the capability of playing with Montana recently, losing by just three points in 2007 and six in 2006.

Drew Hubel (622 yards passing, four TDs) has continued to blossom in his third year as the starting quarterback in the Vikings' run and shoot offense. Hubel threw TD passes of 96 and 91 yards in the first quarter of last Saturday's game.

Junior wideout Raymond Fry (13 catches, 17.5 average, one TD) has become Hubel's favorite target after a hot and cold 2008 campaign.

Portland State's defense is still suspect, allowing 338 yards per game. Defensive tackle Jermaine Jacobs (10 tackles, one sack) and Oregon transfer defensive end Carl Sommer (four tackles) anchor a young defensive line that has shown significant improvement stopping the run. Linebacker Eric Pederson (16 tackles, three quarterback hurries) is also solid.

Safeties Jordan Brown (eight tackles, one interception) and Michael Williams (seven tackles, two pass breakups, one interception) have stepped into the starting secondary and made immediate impacts.

Montana should make some offensive improvement this week against a Viking squad that has struggled in recent years on the defensive side of the ball, but ultimately, it should be the Grizzly defense that makes the difference against the high-powered PSU offense.

MONTANA 28, PORTLAND STATE 20

[Screamin_Eagle174]

He didn't leave out EWU this week... he's getting better!


Fucking tard.

[grizband]

Yes, TSN believes Southern Oregon is a BSC rival of PSU; maybe they know something we don't. It would be the kind of addition Fullerton would go for.

Portland State (1-1, 0-0) at No. 4 Montana (2-0, 0-0) 3:05 p.m.

Montana has struggled offensively, but hopes to break loose against a defensively-challenged Portland State club as the two teams open Big Sky Conference play.

Montana rolled easily over a weak Division II Western State and survived a close call on the road to Great West Conference member UC Davis, 17-10. All- American Chase Reynolds (190 yards rushing, two TDs) is off to a solid start, but Oregon transfer Justin Roper (292 yards passing, two TDs) is still trying to find a comfort zone.

All-American receiver Marc Mariani (six catches, 15.3 average) has yet to break loose. Mariani is also a threat on special teams, returning two punts for touchdowns last season.

Strong Safety Erik Stoll (15 tackles), linebackers Shawn Lebsock (13 tackles) and Brandon Fisher (eight tackles, two pass breakups) and defensive end Bryan Waldhauser (three tackles for loss) pace a Montana defense that has allowed just 10 points.

Portland State has played two other in-state teams, falling to Oregon State, then beating Big Sky rival Southern Oregon 34-10. The Vikings have shown the capability of playing with Montana recently, losing by just three points in 2007 and six in 2006.

Drew Hubel (622 yards passing, four TDs) has continued to blossom in his third year as the starting quarterback in the Vikings' run and shoot offense. Hubel threw TD passes of 96 and 91 yards in the first quarter of last Saturday's game.

Junior wideout Raymond Fry (13 catches, 17.5 average, one TD) has become Hubel's favorite target after a hot and cold 2008 campaign.

Portland State's defense is still suspect, allowing 338 yards per game. Defensive tackle Jermaine Jacobs (10 tackles, one sack) and Oregon transfer defensive end Carl Sommer (four tackles) anchor a young defensive line that has shown significant improvement stopping the run. Linebacker Eric Pederson (16 tackles, three quarterback hurries) is also solid.

Safeties Jordan Brown (eight tackles, one interception) and Michael Williams (seven tackles, two pass breakups, one interception) have stepped into the starting secondary and made immediate impacts.

Montana should make some offensive improvement this week against a Viking squad that has struggled in recent years on the defensive side of the ball, but ultimately, it should be the Grizzly defense that makes the difference against the high-powered PSU offense.

MONTANA 28, PORTLAND STATE 20

Wait, who... this guy doesn't even play for the Griz. The journalistic integrity of TSN never ceases to amaze me.

[Ivytalk]

I don't think Richmond-Hofstra or Penn-Nova will be as close as TSN predicts. And he has a fact wrong in the Harvard-HC writeup: HC won two years ago in Worcester on a last-minute bomb by Randolph.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I don't think Richmond-Hofstra or Penn-Nova will be as close as TSN predicts. And he has a fact wrong in the Harvard-HC writeup: HC won two years ago in Worcester on a last-minute bomb by Randolph.

Spiders will be eager to put that Delaware game behind them methinks... not good for Hofstra

[AZGrizFan]

Portland State has played two other in-state teams, falling to Oregon State, then beating Big Sky rival Southern Oregon 34-10. The Vikings have shown the capability of playing with Montana recently, losing by just three points in 2007 and six in 2006.

I love how he conveniently leaves out last years 17 point asswhooping IN PORTLAND, in which we held PSU to FIFTEEN yards rushing, and 210 total yards.

[pantherrob82]

"NORTHERN IOWA 44, SAINT FRANCIS 24"

UNI will win by more than 20. St Francis will NOT score 24. Book it.

[Wildcat Ryan]

I'll take the 55-21 Win for Weber over Idaho State.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Strong Safety Erik Stoll (15 tackles), linebackers Shawn Lebsock (13 tackles) and Brandon Fisher (eight tackles, two pass breakups) and defensive end Bryan Waldhauser (three tackles for loss) pace a Montana defense that has allowed just 10 points.

Wait, who... this guy doesn't even play for the Griz. The journalistic integrity of TSN never ceases to amaze me.

Uh, yeah he does… Bryan Waldhauser

The "Big Sky rival Southern Oregon" line was pretty stupid, though.

[grizband]

Wait, who... this guy doesn't even play for the Griz. The journalistic integrity of TSN never ceases to amaze me.

Uh, yeah he does… Bryan Waldhauser

The "Big Sky rival Southern Oregon" line was pretty stupid, though.

Damn, thats what I get for not checking my work. I knew someone would call me out...

[Uncle Buck]

If Hofstra loses that game against Richmond by 7, i would be thrilled.