The top seed in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, Jacksonville State, will try to cross its final hurdle to the FCS Championship Game Saturday when it faces Sam Houston State. Television coverage starts at 12 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Sam Houston State vs. Jacksonville State, FCS playoffs: Time, live stream, TV schedule and 3 things to know
An FCS semifinal shootout will determine who plays North Dakota State for the national championship. Here’s how to watch it.
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Jacksonville State made its name this season when it took then-No. 6 Auburn to overtime in the season’s second week, but only Auburn has managed to beat the Gamecocks. Just twice in the 11 games since that loss to Auburn has an opponent stayed within 20 points of Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks are third nationally in total offense and 11th in total defense.
Sam Houston State might lack the statistics of Jacksonville State, but the Bearkats have momentum. The Bearkats missed out on their fourth Southland Conference championship in the last five years when they lost to McNeese State, but they have beaten everyone else on their schedule since Week 3. That includes McNeese State, which entered as a No. 4 seed, and Colgate, which had previously beaten No. 5 James Madison.
How to watch and stream
TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Jacksonville State is favored by 8.5 points.
Three big things to know
Are you experienced? Both Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State have an extensive recent history in the FCS playoff, with Jacksonville State having made the last three tournaments and Sam Houston State getting into the field of the last five playoffs. In fact, Sam Houston State ended Jacksonville State’s season in the second round of last season’s playoff in a 36-27 upset win.
The Pontiff. Jacksonville State has been led by running back Troymaine Pope, who has run for 1,576 yards on just 188 carries, an absurd 8.4 yards per carry, with 17 rushing touchdowns so far this season. Pope has dominated the playoffs, running for 234 yards on 17 carries against Chattanooga in the second round and another 250 yards on 16 carries against Charleston Southern.
Method men. As good as Jacksonville State has been on offense, Sam Houston State has been better. The Bearkats are first nationally in total offense, posting over 550 yards per game, and third in scoring offense at more than 43 points per game. Sam Houston State is too prolific to be methodical, but their 399 first downs in 14 games shows that the Bearkats can string together a scoring drive when needed.
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