TENNESSEE ST. -1 1/2 AT SEMO
The 4-1 20th ranked TSU Tigers come to Cape Girardeau, Mo. to take on the 3-2 SEMO Redhawks on Homecoming day. This game is expected to be a sellout. One thing to keep in mind for this game is TSU hasn't played nearly as tough of a schedule as SEMO has. TSU brings the #1 ranked defense in the country to Cape for this game. The big key to this game is the TSU offense. They are ranked 77th, but that doesn't really tell the story. When their starting qb, Mike German, is playing they are a pretty good offense but if his backup is playing they pretty much suck. German has been out the last two weeks and the offense has scored only 1 td in those games while their defense has scored 3 td's. The under 47 1/2 was going to be my 7* play if I could confirm German wasn't going to play. The following is a post on the TSU fan forum from a poster that provides solid info each week.
Tennessee State went from nicked up to banged up to downright beat up.The Tigers are preparing for an Ohio Valley Conference game Saturday at Southeast Missouri with an injury list that includes starting quarterback Mike German (turf toe) and several other key players on each side of the line.Coach Rod Reed said he is holding out hope that German, who has missed the last two games, will be able to play, even if it's in a limited capacity.German, who was injured in the first half of the game against Jackson State on Sept. 13, practiced for the first time this week.
"We're just seeing what he can do at this point," Reed said. "Hopefully he progressed to where we can get him back in there and get him some snaps. But he hasn't played in a couple of games so he's going to have to knock some rust off."
The Tigers (4-1) are ranked 21st in the Football Champonship Subdivision, but the offense has been stuck in neutral without German.The Tigers have scored just one offensive touchdown in the last 12 quarters and rank seventh in the OVC and 76th in the FCS, averaging 349.8 total yards.
"We haven't talked about all the injuries a whole lot up to this point, but we have had a lot of guys who haven't been able to play and that's had something to do with the trouble we're having on offense," Reed said. "If we could get some of those guys back it would help."
Sophomore receiver Chris Sanders-McCollum, who had 10 catches for 167 yards in back-to-back games, has missed the last two with an ankle injury.
It's not an injury, but senior receiver Ryan Mitchell missed last week's game after violating an unspecified team rule. His status for this week's game is still undetermined.
Running back Tom Smith, a junior transfer from Tennessee who leads the Tigers in rushing (62 carries, 323 yards, six touchdowns), has been limited in practice this week with a leg injury.
"It's been really tough not getting to play," Sanders-McCollum said. "It's tough to see your team struggle in certain areas and think you could help if you were out there. I'm hoping I can get back out there this week."
The defense, which is ranked No. 1 nationally, allowing 207.4 yards per game, has continued to play well, but is also hampered with injuries.
Starting right cornerback De'Ante Saunders (ankle) and defensive end Anthony Bass (leg) were both injured in last week's game against Florida A&M and have been held out of some practice this week.
"I'm just a little sore," Saunders said. "We have had a lot players banged up, but that's just part of the game. The good thing is that some of these younger guys and guys with less experience are getting to play and that will help us with our depth."
Strong safety Daniel Fitzpatrick underwent knee surgery last week and will miss at least the next two games. Backup safeties Daniel Easterly (knee) and Ezra Robinson (leg) were injured in last Saturday's game.
I have heard from one of my sources that German is going to take a shot and try to play. I don't believe he will be anywhere close to 100%.
SEMO is ranked 16th in scoring offense so I think they will put up some points (21-24) and their defense has given up some yardage but have played very well when they had to make a stand. SEMO has a couple of things going for them right now. Their special teams are very good, the best in the conference. If you played organized sports you'll know what I mean by this next statement. After being beat down for the last 3 years these players now BELIEVE in each other and the new coaching staff. I believe all SEMO has to do to win this game is keep the TSU defense from scoring, don't give them a short field and don't lose the t/o battle. I still like the under best but since German is going to try and play I'm down grading it from a 7* to a 5* play and backing the home team for 3*
5* #539 TSU/SEMO U47 1/2 -120
3* #540 SEMO +1 1/2 -120
Two other games I'm making a small play on:
1* #609 MURRAY ST. PK -120
1* #613 MONTANA ST. -6 -120