CFN Predicts it to be a very close game. I don't see it, but I'm a rube.
Eastern Illinois (0-0) at Minnesota (0-0) Aug. 28, 3:30 BTN
Here's The Deal: If you’re looking for your big FCS over FBS upset of Week 1, this has the potential to be it. Eastern Illinois doesn’t have Jimmy Garoppolo around anymore to sling it for over 5,000 yards, but the team that rocked San Diego State to start last year and came really, really close to beating Northern Illinois is loaded again and good enough to content for the FCS national title. Minnesota can’t afford to lose any winnable home game if it has any reasonable hope of getting back to a bowl game, and while the schedule isn’t too bad early on, a loss could be devastating. EIU is just good enough to pull it off.
Why Eastern Illinois Might Win: There’s just enough talent on both lines to hold up. Collin Seibert is among the best blockers in all of FCS, and fireplug defensive tackle Dino Fanti is a disruptive force inside. More importantly, even without Garoppolo, the Panthers are still explosive. The FCS leader in scoring offense and total yards will be balanced again with more than enough firepower to keep the pressure on. Minnesota isn’t built in any way to come from behind.
Why Minnesota Might Win: The Gophers can control the game and the clock with the ground game – they have to. Keeping the EIU passing game off the field is the key after holding on to the ball for almost 33 minutes a game last season. On the other side, EIU scored quickly, only keeping possession for under 28 minutes an outing. The Panthers will make mistakes and they’ll commit penalties, while under Jerry Kill, Minnesota has been fantastic at not screwing up.
Who To Watch Out For: The Gophers have to find a receiving weapon. Mitch Leidner isn’t a top-shelf passing quarterback, but he and the offense can’t just get by on running the ball. The problem is that the most promising target, Drew Wolitarsky, is banged up, and while he might play, he’ll likely be less than 100%. Expect lots of short-range passes to tight ends to go along with lots and lots of production from the ground game. However, again, that means Minnesota can’t fall behind.
What’s Going To Happen: The Gophers will get all they can handle, but they’ll grind out the clock in the fourth quarter to escape with a tough and scary win.
Prediction: Minnesota 34 … Eastern Illinois 30
Line: No Line
Must Watch Factor: (5 Every. Simpsons. Ever. (Up until Part 1 of “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” – 1 Every. Simpsons. Ever. (Everything after Part 2 of “Who Shot Mr. Burns?) … 3
