Delta State (11-2) at Pittsburg State (11-1)
Saturday, Dec. 10; 6 p.m.
Carnie Smith Stadium; Pittsburg, KS
TV: None (check local listings but no national television coverage)
Online Video: ESPN3.com

When you look at this matchup, there's plenty of reasons to think Pittsburg State is going to win. As I pointed out earlier this week in a blog breaking down the teams' statistics, with the exceptions of total offense and passing offense, the Gorillas hold the edge in every important category, with significant advantages in many of them.

But to pull from my overused book of cliches, you do not play this game on paper. Delta State is a really good football team. The GSC, though it's only five teams strong at the moment, is just that, STRONG. Delta has manhandled conference foe North Alabama and came back on a really good North Greenville team in making it to the semifinals, and if Pitt fans are thinking this is an easy road to a national title, they're wrong.

MORE PITT-DELTA COVERAGE: A look at the numbers | Getting to know Delta State | Delta who? | The 'other' guy's take

So here's five reasons that despite the homefield advantage and the obvious statistical edge, Delta can win this football game.

Micah Davis - He's one of three finalists for the Harlon Hill trophy, and while Bob Eblen calls him a longshot to actually win it, that says nothing about what the senior leader has done this year. He's coming off a well-below average performance against NGU last week, but still completed 19 of 26 passes for 192 yards, which betters Zac Dickey's average by more than 30 yards.

Chance Dennis and his 19 friends - As the best receiver on one of the best teams in the country, I"m sure Chance Dennis has more than 19 friends, but the group of guys I'm talking about are the 20 different ones that Davis has found this year for completions. Granted, only eight of them are averaging more than one catch per game, but the point is made. This great quarterback has options, and the Pitt secondary is literally going to need to be EVERYWHERE to keep them in check.

It's never over against the Okra - Even if Pitt pulls ahead, it's going to need to be by the kind of margin they were able to do so against Northwest last week, because there is no quit in Delta State. It'll be hard to do in the Jungle, but Davis and company can come back on anyone.

Three's a crowd - Even if Davis struggles, which I expect him to against a Pitt defense that is playing lights out, there's three guys coming out of the backfield who can pick up the slack. Look out for Brandon Lucas, Richard Freelon and Brant Botill, as you'll probably see all three of them get touches this week, whether it be on the ground or through the air. The Statesmen have scored 12 touchdowns on the ground in just the last three games.

Cliches win champinships - Okay, the Statesmen D isn't anything to write home to mom about, but they have picked up a respectable 36 sacks on the season and have picked off 19 passes, with four different guys taking one back for touchdowns. They're playing good ball right now, keeping both playoff opponents in check on their way to victories.

Geez, Aaron, when you put it that way, it's pretty clear you're going to pick them to win, right? Well, here's one more reason the Statesmen can win. I'm going with Pitt State to march on to Alabama.

This game has me worried. Pitt has essentially been playing conference games all year, even in the playoffs, so the fear of the unknown, at least for me, is there, but I think for every weapon Delta has, Pitt has one that's better. That might not be the case in running backs, but in quarterback, receivers, both lines, and in defense, I think Pitt comes out on top.

The Gorillas need to come out big in this game, because like I said, Delta is never out of it. But I think John Brown, Dickey and the rest of the Gorillas has what it takes to move on.

Prediction: Pittsburg State 34 Delta State 24

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