Bring It Home
We’re finally at the point where we are ready to crown our season 143 national champion. We have an exciting matchup again on tap this season. We’ve had a very fun playoff this season, better than the last couple in my opinion. I plan on joining the ranks with all of you next season. So without further ado let’s break down tomorrow’s game.
THE NUMBERS
Offense
Defense
THE SEASON
UNI – This squad had a lot of expectations entering the season and to start the season off they definitely looked the part. They had an early surprise in Harvard as it took a fantastic second half and a shutout 4th quarter just to win the game by 14. UNI then cruised through the rest of the regular season, no game was closer than 21 points. The Panthers looks on fire entering the Gateway conference title game against Youngstown State, a team they have dominated in the past. The Penguins wouldn’t be denied the title this season as they held UNI to a season low, 398 total yards.
SMU – This team started hot out of the gate and never took their foot off the pedal. SMU rolled through their non-conf schedule which included 3 total humans, 2 of which made playoffs. SMU never scored fewer than 61 points in non-conf and continued that momentum through a sim dominated conference schedule. They did have 2 humans in Big Sky play but not even the always tough Stephen F. Austin team was able to keep the deficit under 40 points. Even in their second attempt in the Big Sky title game SFA played better but couldn’t handle what SMU was throwing their way.
THE ROAD
SMU – Remember that gas pedal?... Ya still going through the playoffs for the Gaels were crushing it. SMU rolled through the first three rounds of playoffs and things looked very consistent. No team came within 20 points of SMU and all of the score lines were about the same. SMU then got a date with the ever-improving Dayton team. The semi final matchup saw a very back and forth first half with SMU clinging to a 24-20 lead. Then they pushed the pedal through the floor and dominated the second half, outscoring Dayton 27-9.
UNI – The Panthers definitely rebounded nicely following their CC loss as they outscored their first two playoff opponents by a combined 143-7. Things continued to click for them as they cruised through their quarterfinal matchup. They then met the cinderella story in Grambling State. Grambling was fresh off a huge upset of Ark Pine Bluff and riding on cloud nine but they were quickly falling as they had a 31-10 halftime deficit. UNI would look like the 4-peat champions we knew they were as they continued to control the game in the second half.
THE GAME
At the beginning of playoffs, I would have honestly told you the quarterfinal matchup between APB and UNI would determine the champion… well that game didn’t even take place. I have been really impressed with how both of these teams have performed not only in playoffs, but also during the regular season. I think we will have a hard hitting, all out, grit your teeth game… possibly with some luck thrown in. Both teams seem stacked with talent and both team excels on offense where the opposing defense seems stout. I expect this game to be evenly matched when it’s all said and done. I think SMU will hold a slim halftime lead and a back and forth second half will ensue. By the time this is done there will be 100 very tired players and 2 coaches with a lot less hair. I think SMU will hold their slim lead and win this thing 38-36.
