Were I the sort to do what all of the crooked sports touts do and offer ‘games of the year’ of every imaginable permutation this could very well be my ‘FCS/1-AA Playoffs Game of the Year.’  You’ve got a solid value underdog that should win outright, playing with revenge against a defending champion.  Plus, they’re very likely the better team from an objective standpoint.  But my ‘FCS/1-AA Playoff Game of the Year’ won’t cost you $49.95 on your credit card, nor will you have to call my 900# or call my office to talk to some sleazy salesman.  All you need to do is keep reading…

FCS/1-AA QUARTERFINALS:  APPALACHIAN STATE VS. RICHMOND

First of all, if you haven’t done so already go to the writeup on the William & Mary vs. Southern Illinois game and read some of the general overview thoughts on 1AA wagering.

Most college football fans have heard of App. State.  They got a lot of media run after they upset the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor a few years back after the took down the Wolverines and their was much kvetching among the mainstream sporting press.  The general reaction was as if the apocalypse was nigh, but those of us who actually pay attention knew that Appalachian State had been a 1-AA powerhouse for years.

These two teams played in last season’s quarterfinals with the Spiders winning 33-13, ending a 13 game playoff winning streak for the Mountaineers.  Their starting quarterback Armanti Edwards played hurt and threw five interceptions.  Edwards is back under center here and aside from the usual dings football players suffer late in the year is close to 100%.   Richmond would go on to win the FCS championship last year.  But I’m sure Appalachian State has forgotten all about last years’ game, knocking them out of the playoffs and ending their winning streak…..guess again:  this is a revenge spot almost as sweet as the one in the SEC Championship game.

Richmond is lucky to even be in this game, as they somehow survived against Elon last week when their opponent missed two potential game tying field goals in the final minute.  The Richmond fan might claim they’re a ‘team of destiny’.  The skeptical sports handicapper (in this case me) would suggest that they’re a complacent defending champion who survived by the skin of their teeth.

Statistically, the two teams are fairly evenly matched on both sides of the ball.  We like the more dynamic Edwards at quarterback for App. State and with all of the emotional/subjective factors working in their favor we see them winning outright here.

PLAY APPALACHIAN STATE +5 OVER RICHMOND