Atlanta and Butler, Pa. play host to the D1AA quarterfinals and we still don't know who will move on.
Questions abound.
Two-time champs Kentucky didn't win their conference only to come storming through their play-in like they were world-beaters. But they face a Texas A&M team that isn't really well-known. New Head Coach Tui Osborne wanted his team to be strong on set piece and the breakdown, and by doing that they know they will be in any game.
Kentucky can run on you, and they have unleashed plenty of talent in the backs. But they will probably run into a physically bigger A&M side that will control the ball better.
"We are not satisfied to just be in the game," said Kentucky Head Coach Sam Enari. "We still have room to grow and we know that Tui and Texas A&M are going to be prepared. While scoring that many points is great [Kentucky beat UNC Charlotte 79-0], we are more pleased with our defensive effort. Charlotte was fast and athletic and we were able to stifle their power rnners."
Osborne and Enari speak often and talk about coaching, sharing ideas and advising each other.
Now they are facing off against each other.
Also in Atlanta Tennessee will take on Sam Houston State. SHSU's game against Oregon State was perhaps closer than expected (22-20) but all that ended up showing was how tenacious the BearKats can be. They didn't panic. They didn't fold.
Tennessee, meanwhile, is rested, peaking, and very tough to beat. They have beaten Queens University's 2nd side, Ohio State, Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, LSU, and Kentucky. The Volunteers are tenacious on defense. They are physical. They unleash their skills. They are healthy.
