FCS Football Betting Weekly Odds and Best Bet Game Pick: Quarterfinal Round Playoffs (2021)
Seemingly just as the 2021 FCS spring season started, it’s nearing its end as the quarterfinals of the postseason bracket are just hours away.
While there will be a total of four games taking place over the weekend, the one I have my eye on kicks off at 6 p.m. EST in Harrisonburg, VA, where North Dakota will take on the #3 ranked JMU Dukes.
Which of the two FCS juggernauts will take one step closer to the FCS Final in Frisco, TX, slated for May 16th? Let’s take a closer look.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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North Dakota vs. JMU (-2.5, O/U 53)
In the first round last weekend, only Jacksonville State (+35) had a bigger margin of victory than the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. The Fighting Hawks also have a win over top-seeded South Dakota State on their spring 2021 resume and will likely pose the biggest challenge JMU has seen all season.
Led by quarterback Tommy Schuster (1,215 yards, 10 TDs, and 3 INTs on the season) and running back Otis Weah (634 yards, 8 TDs), North Dakota has a well-balanced offense but is highlighted by one of the best offensive lines in the FCS.
For the home Dukes, their offense also ebbs and flows with a strong offensive line that leads the way for their two-headed monster running attack. Running backs Percy Agyei-Obese and Jawon Hamilton have combined for well over 900 yards and 11 TDs on the season and will look to get going early in this one.
However, the real difference in this one will likely come in the form of the Duke’s defense. Currently ranked first in total defense, they excel in stopping the run, a strong suit of the Fighting Hawks.
On North Dakota’s side, the Fighting Hawks boast a stellar defense of their own. Finishing the season with 22 total sacks and a +7 turnover, we could very well be in for a back-forth defensive slugfest in this one.
With all that said, things are pointing directly towards a low-scoring affair in this one with a ton of clock running.
Pick: Under 53
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.