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(STATS) - So you know the inevitable Warriors-Cavaliers showdown in the NBA Finals that we waited for throughout last season and may do again this winter, well, the FCS seems to have it with James Madison and North Dakota State.
OK, that's overstating it because there are other talented teams capable of beating the nation's two best squads in the one-and-done playoffs. But the difference-maker for both would be having home-field advantage through the semifinals, and neither 7-0 team has done anything close to squandering that opportunity
Here are five takeaways from Week 8 of the FCS season:
- The defenses have been relentless with both No. 1 James Madison and No. 2 North Dakota State. The reigning FCS champion Dukes have yet to surrender more than 14 points in a game and mauled William & Mary with six sacks and six takeaways (four interception returns for 178 yards) in their 46-14 rout. The Bison, whose five-year national title run was ended by JMU last season, rank first in the FCS in fewest points and yards allowed per game. Western Illinois came into the Fargodome ranked fourth in the nation in scoring offense and didn't score an offensive touchdown in the Bison's 24-12 win.
- Considering the emotional factor involving Danny Rocco, Delaware's 42-35 double-overtime win over No. 11 Richmond ranks among the games of the year. Rocco left Richmond after five seasons to revive Delaware, which was posting its first back-to-back losing seasons since 1938 and '39 while the Spiders were advancing to the national semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively, the last two years. Before an energized crowd of 15,710 at the Rocco Bowl, the lead was never more than seven points, with the Blue Hens outlasting Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta. Wide receiver Jamie Jarmon stole the show with three touchdowns and Kani Kane's 1-yard plunge in the second OT was the game-winner. Said Rocco: "This was an extraordinary game between two really good football teams who played hard and played well. We were just a little more fortunate today. Today was one of those games that you gain a greater appreciation for what we are doing - developing kids."
- The testament to how far Columbia has come in coach Al Bagnoli's three seasons is that he didn't even feel the Lions played their best game yet they won the battle of unbeaten Ivy League teams, 22-17 at Dartmouth. The Lions used two goal-line stands in the last three minutes and held the Big Green to 0 for 9 on third down conversions. While improving to 6-0 and taking sole possession of first place with a 3-0 Ivy mark, the Lions clinched their first winning season since 1996. "It was a tremendous testament to our player's mind-set, determination," Bagnoli said. "We overcame some tough plays to hang in there until the end and squeak away with a victory."
- The SWAC game of the year was anything but that as No. 17 Grambling State handled Alcorn State 41-14. There could be a rematch, however, as they've met in the last two conference championship games, and they're both still favored to get back to Houston in December. Grambling was plus-14 in turnover margin entering the game and raised it with seven takeaways, which led to 21 points.
- Suddenly, the Missouri Valley and CAA - both dominant all season - aren't the only conferences with a handful of playoff candidates. The Big Sky (with new leader Northern Arizona) and Southland (behind leader Central Arkansas) go five-deep with realistic contenders and the Southern Conference is four-deep. The trio of conferences will be helped if the Big South and Ohio Valley conferences are one-bid leagues again this season.
