As would be expected against most FBS opponents in the OL/DL realm. Our D has to make Farrell uncomfortable somehow, I think that is one of the keys to the game, if not the key factor. He's a dealer. This is going to be fun to watch with two elite QBs going at it.

Here's Sports Illustrated take on the game:

No. 9 Rhode Island at No. 8 UC Davis

[Statistical comparisons removed]

This should be a fun offensive matchup between two of the better quarterbacks we have in the playoff field. Both Caden Pinnick and Devin Farrell are accurate passers who like to extend plays from the pocket and push the ball downfield. Both players have also occasionally struggled with turnovers in their careers.

There will also be plenty of wide receiver talent on display in this one. Rhode Island's Marquis Buchanan leads the way with 1,224 yards, averaging 17 yards per catch. The Rams get plenty of other contributions from Greg Gaines, Aboraa Kwarteng, and tight end Connor Finer. They should find success against this banged-up UC Davis secondary, which ranked 19th in the playoffs. Samuel Gbatu Jr., Stacey Dobbins, and tight end Ian Simpson make up an excellent receiving trio on the other side. I expect both offenses to find success.

This game may come down to which team's pass rush can make the biggest impact, generating negative plays, turnovers, and making the opposing quarterback uncomfortable. Rhode Island has the better overall pass rush, led by A.J. Pena, along with better talent at cornerback.

UC Davis needs a big game from defensive end Jacob Psyk, while the rushing attack with Jordan Fisher may be the x-factor. If they can run the ball, it'll help neutralize the pass rush and keep Pinnick out of dangerous situations.

The Pick: UC Davis

Here's one by OptaAnalysis:

No. 9 Seed Rhode Island (11-2) at No. 8 Seed UC Davis (8-3)
Kickoff – 10 p.m. (ESPN2) at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, California

Series – First meeting

Wins in 2025 FCS Playoffs – Rhode Island: Central Connecticut State (27-19); UC Davis: First game

Coaches – URI: Jim Fleming (59-72, 12th season; 80-73 overall); UC Davis: Tim Plough (19-6, second season)

3 Players to Watch – Rhode Island: QB Devin Farrell (3,452 pass yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs), WR Marquis Buchanan (73 receptions, 1,224 yards, 7 TDs), LB A.J. Pena (67 tackles, 19.0 TFL, 10.0 sacks), UC Davis: QB Caden Pinnick (2,527 pass yards, 70.5 completion%, 24 TDs; 312 rush yards, 3 TDs), WR Sam Gbatu Jr. (60 receptions, 949 yards, 10 TDs), DE Jacob Psyk (46 tackles, 15.0 TFL, 9.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles)

Notable – Just shy of 3,000 miles from one stadium to the other, CAA champion URI will be making the longest trip of the 2025 FCS playoffs. … Buchanan is five receiving yards shy of being URI’s third player with 3,000 in a career. He has 18 career TD catches, but with more than one in a game only once. … Transfer Garth White hadn’t appeared in a college game since 2021, but the URI senior is 7 of 9 on field goal attempts of at least 40 yards, making 54- and 52-yarders. … UCD RB Jordan Fisher is averaging 106.0 scrimmage yards on carries and catches, and he’s scored eight TDs. … The Aggies are converting a healthy 42.5% of third-down attempts, but also allowing a 44.0% rate. … The Big Sky squad’s top two returning tacklers were lost to injuries this season, but the UCD defense has balance, with DB Khalani Riddick first with 63 stops and LB Nate Rutchena and DB Jayden Stanley right behind with 62 each.

Up Next – The winner will play either Illinois State (9-4) or No. 1 seed North Dakota State (12-0) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.

Prediction – UC Davis 27, Rhode Island 21

ESPN Week continues on the Pod - thank you Brock and Brock for knocking it out!

Not sure if anybody posted the Presser from 2 Days ago (vs. Rhody presser) but here that is and some local news coverage from Sacramento and from around Kingston, RI.

this analysis seems spot on. Get them into obvious passing downs and get alot of hits on the QB. On offense, a rejuvenated Fisher might be the key - need done big chunk plays from the running game.

My gut and a little film tells me that our Defensive Line and Front 7 personnel > URI's Offensive Line. Coombs will dial up pressure not just by blitzing, but by line stunts and movements against a smallish interior OL.

Their QB will get the ball out quick and he will get some. He will also get hit. A lot.

parents just got a call from the ticketing office saying "we noticed you bought tickets for last years playoff game, are you going to come this time?" Glad they are reaching out!

Do you think the students will show up? Hows the marketing looking on campus?

Uhh marketing on campus is.. fine? I mean they have ads running at the dining halls, coho and silo on the TV sets but that's about it. I think having football guys run around with flyers would create a better sense of public convo/awareness.
Also just got this email which is sent to all students:

The SI preview says:

They should find success against this banged-up UC Davis secondary ……Rhode Island has the better overall pass rush, led by A.J. Pena, along with better talent at cornerback.

The banged up secondary narrative is somewhat dated, since Davis has had their top cornerbacks after Ty Richardson missed seven games. Among secondary starters they are only missing Rex. They have lost depth guys

Rhode Island's starting right tackle broke his leg in the first round.

RT Thomas Buxton, that's terrible to hear about Rhode Island's right tackle...in his last year, getting his grad degree, and as this whole playoff run starts he can't even play.

As much as I'd love to say we are banged up, every single team is banged up....and everyone healthy enough to be on the field has something that hurts, I'm sure.

100%.

I won't argue the depth issue though. Top-tier programs are DEEP.

Pena reminds me of the Sac State edge rushers.
Bummer for their RT, that's heartbreaking but it is also part of the game.
Every team that is still playing is banged up in some regard.
The teams with the most/best depth and who get or make the breaks (with bounces, injuries, bracket draws, playing at home, etc.) typically advance.

I got banged up reaching for my coffee ...

Pulled my quad just getting out of bed this morning.

Plough is conservative about playing guys. Played 52 guys in a home game against Sac. We have depth on both lines, and at tight end but thats about it.

OL/DL depth can't be understated. That is the sign of a strong program.

I’m not making a judgement, just an observation. I think we have talent that doesn’t play, but depth is a combination of talent with experience.

Do I remember correctly that Hawkins was way less conservative about playing guys?

We're on the same page. It is a good thing to have quality back-ups with in-game experience. Even if it is just Special Teams experience, every rep counts. We are definitely deep along the lines and at TE like you said. Our back-up QB has a game under his belt. We're also deeper at RB and WR after the past 4 weeks or so. A lot of back ups have taken reps in the Secondary, while the Linebackers have remained healthy after Porter went down. Roster is in a good spot for the playoff run and beyond.

Not at QB or RB, where he would play HR, MH, and AG / LL into the 4th quarter w substantial leads.

After Covid we had a largely veteran roster. The extra Covid year made rosters deeper and older. Hawkins would play more guys and we had a big fourth quarter point differential as a result. Now fewer 5th, 6th, 7th year players. Plough likes his position players playing special teams more, seems to me.

Does anybody know how many student tickets are still available to purchase? How have the alumni done in contributing so kids don't have to spend the $5?

at the lunch today. They said there are still free tickets available for students.

Looks like Ascension covered the Rhody vs. CCSU game last weekend:

Coach Plough:

"Joy is not in things, it is in us."
~
Charles Wagner