College Football Betting Preview: A Look at Delta St-Minnesota-Duluth

NCAA Division II Championship Game
Delta St Statesmen vs Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, Braly Memorial Stadium, Florence, AL
Saturday, December 18, 2010, 11:00 am Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Minnesota-Duluth -12
Current Line: Minnesota-Duluth -12
Opening Total: 61 1/2
Current Total: 61 1/2
Money Line: UMD -485 / DSU +385

Minnesota-Duluth is a 12 point favorite against Delta St in the Division II Championship game.

The 14-0 number one seed Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs take on the number 2 seed 11-3 Delta St Statesmen in the Division II Championship game in Florence, Alabama. Both of these teams are going for their second national championship win. Delta St last won the title in 2000, and Minnesota-Duluth won it all in 2008. The stadium in Florence is only 250 miles away for Delta St’s campus in Cleveland, Mississippi. Delta St beat North Alabama 47-24 in the second round of the tournament, Albany St 28-7 in the quarterfinals, and Shepherd College 29-17 in the semis to make it to the championship game. Despite being so dominant in the regular season, Minnesota-Duluth has played 3 close games so far in the tournament. The Bulldogs beat St. Cloud St 20-17 in the second round, Augustana 24-13 in the quarters, and defending champion Northwest Missouri St 17-13 in the semis. Both teams received a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

Delta St has gone on a 5 game winning streak since losing at home to North Alabama 31-7 October 28. They avenged the loss to North Alabama in the second round of the tournament. On the season, the Statesmen are averaging 33 points a game, and 461 yards per game, including 180 rushing yards a game. They are giving up 26 points a game on defense and 374 yards per game, including 155 rushing yards per game. The Statesmen have forced 37 turnovers on the year, but their turnover margin is only +4. Delta St gives up an astounding 102 yards per game in penalties. They have only converted 11 out of 19 field goals and 44 out of 57 PAT’s. The offense is led by quarterback Micah Davis. He has thrown for just under 3,900 yards, 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Davis also has 5 rushing touchdowns. Thirteen Statesmen receivers have at least one touchdown catch. The top receiver is L.J. Castile who has 60 catches, 820 yards, and 12 touchdown catches. Trevar Deed ( 203 carries, 1,101 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Brandon Lucas (111 carries, 804 yards, and 11 touchdowns) split most of the carries in the rushing game. Deed has three touchdown catches and Lucas has one.

As you might expect with their unblemished record, Minnesota Duluth is outscoring opponents 41-12 on the season. The Bulldogs are averaging 435 yards a game on offense, including 278 rushing yards a game. The Bulldogs only give up 255 yards a game on defense, including only 85 on the ground a game. They have only allowed 8 rushing touchdowns on the season. The Bulldogs forced 32 turnovers on the year and have a turnover margin of +15. They have forced 33 sacks on the year. The Bulldogs have only allowed 22 touchdowns on the year, and have scored 77 themselves. The offense is led by dual threat quarterback Chase Vogler. Vogler has over 2,600 combined passing and rushing yards, 23 total touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. The offense is really clicking despite missing talented running back Isaac Odim who had 19 touchdowns and over 1,000 total yards in just 6 games before a knee injury ended his college career. Before the injury Odin was projected to be a mid round NFL draft pick, and that is in question now, obviously. D.J. Winfield is the top receiver with 990 yards on 45 catches, and 8 touchdowns. Six Bulldog receivers have at least 2 touchdown catches. Brad Foss is the leading rusher with almost 1,100 yards, 188 carries, and 11 touchdown runs. Brian Hanson has almost 600 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns as well.

The temps for this game are expected to be in the 30’s with no precipitation, but that is balmy for the Duluth players and coaches. Minnesota-Duluth is trying to become only the third team in Division II history to finish the season 15-0. For most of these players, this will be their one chance to play on national television, though there is some talent at the lower levels that could go pro. Minnesota-Duluth simply has too much talent for Delta St to handle, though the Bulldogs haven’t been as dominant in the playoffs as they were during the regular season.