DIVISION 1-AA (FCS) PLAYOFFS
FINAL FOUR
2012 Matchups, Bracket, and Team Information
Here are the Semifinal matchups for the Division 1AA (FCS) Playoffs. 4 teams remain; the winners will meet in Frisco, Texas on January 5th for the 2013 National Championship. We have included our game analysis and predictions below:
Last Week (Quarterfinals) page and results here
Second Round page and results here
GEORGIA SOUTHERN at NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Friday December 14th, 8pm, ESPN2
The defending National Champions - North Dakota State Bison - look dominant again this December. In the first round they destroyed rival South Dakota State 28-3, then won a hard fought 14-7 game against Wofford. Their opponent, the Georgia Southern Eagles, are the winningest program in Division 1AA history (6 National Championships) and have perfected the triple option offense this fall. The bad news for the Eagles, is the fact that NDSt Head Coach Craig Bohl is very familiar with the option offense, seeing as he played under Nebraska legend Tom Osborne, and coached 8 years at Nebraska from 1995-2002. Bohl knows the option; and how to defend it. ND State beat a Division 1-A FBS team for the 6th time in 7 years...they are on a different level. Bison by 11
The defending National Champions - North Dakota State Bison - look dominant again this December. In the first round they destroyed rival South Dakota State 28-3, then won a hard fought 14-7 game against Wofford. Their opponent, the Georgia Southern Eagles, are the winningest program in Division 1AA history (6 National Championships) and have perfected the triple option offense this fall. The bad news for the Eagles, is the fact that NDSt Head Coach Craig Bohl is very familiar with the option offense, seeing as he played under Nebraska legend Tom Osborne, and coached 8 years at Nebraska from 1995-2002. Bohl knows the option; and how to defend it. ND State beat a Division 1-A FBS team for the 6th time in 7 years...they are on a different level. Bison by 11
SAM HOUSTON STATE at EASTERN WASHINGTON
Saturday December 15th, 4:00pm ESPNU
If you think the Boise State blue turf is bad, you may not want to watch this one! Eastern Washington is home to the nation's only RED TURF, and will need all the homefield advantages they can get in this tough semifinal matchup with the defending FCS Runner-Up, Sam Houston State. EWU is undefeated at home this year and has been dominant in their playoff wins over Wagner and Illinois State. I expect SHST to take a few possessions (or quarters) to adjust to the conditions, allowing the Eagles to gain an early lead and hold on to return to the National Championship, in search of their 2nd title in 3 years...Eastern Washington by 7
If you think the Boise State blue turf is bad, you may not want to watch this one! Eastern Washington is home to the nation's only RED TURF, and will need all the homefield advantages they can get in this tough semifinal matchup with the defending FCS Runner-Up, Sam Houston State. EWU is undefeated at home this year and has been dominant in their playoff wins over Wagner and Illinois State. I expect SHST to take a few possessions (or quarters) to adjust to the conditions, allowing the Eagles to gain an early lead and hold on to return to the National Championship, in search of their 2nd title in 3 years...Eastern Washington by 7