3 Matchups to Watch: NDSU Playoffs


It is weird sending this out on a Thursday and not its usual scheduled Friday time.  This has just been a weird week.  However, I'm glad the game is almost here because of how anxious I feel.  Not sure I could stand another day.  With that said, here are the matchups SDSU must win to ensure a victory. 

3 Matchups to Watch

1. SDSU defense on 3rd Down vs. Easton Stick
SDSU has some playoff demons in Fargo related to 3rd and long.  In the same breath, SDSU struggled on 3rd down earlier this season in Fargo.  Stick rushed 15 times for 63 yards and a TD.  If the Jacks are able to limit Sticks effectiveness on 3rd down (with his legs especially) then they give themselves a great chance to win.  If the Jacks can keep Stick in the pocket so that he has to make the plays with his arm I think the chances of SDSU go up significantly.

2. Evan Greeneway vs. Greg Menard
In the first matchup this season, Greeneway did great for most of the game but struggled on one possession .  Menard finished with a sack and a quarterback hit.  Nothing else on the stat line for the game.  However, the two hits on Taryn that Menard delivered seemed to jar Taryn a bit.  If Greeneway can can clean up that one bad series against the Bison pass rush expert then it could prevent the bone crunching hits that really get the Bison faithful pumped up. 

3. Taryn Christion vs. Jabril Cox
This is each teams best player, there is simply no denying it.  Cox had 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups in the first meeting.  One of Cox's breakups was a pass that Taryn left short for Cade Johnson.  Had Taryn delivered it where it needed to be it would have resulted in a touchdown and who knows how the game goes after that.  Cox has the speed to shadow Taryn if needed and will likely come on a blitz or two throughout the game.  In addition, Cox is a very good coverage linebacker so Taryn will need to know where he is at at all times.  Taryn's elusiveness and ability to make plays outside the pocket will also be a challenge that Cox hasn't seen very often this season.  I am looking for the Jackrabbit senior to have a big day tomorrow!

There are countless other matchups that will play a critical role in the game tomorrow.  How do the Jackrabbits handle Darrius Shepherd?  Can the Jackrabbits get a special teams score?  Can Pierre Strong find some daylight on the ground?  How do the Jacks match the speed of Ty Brooks?  Lots of things are on my mind but I think the first three matchups will play a major role in determining the outcome of the game.   

Go Jacks!
Matt 

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