Albany vs Idaho FCS Playoffs Quarterfinal Prediction & Picks: Will Moscow Party Like It’s 1993?

Albany and Idaho have both had memorable seasons, but tonight will represent the end of the line for either the Great Danes or the Vandals, who will face off tonight to close out the FCS Playoffs quarterfinals (10:00 pm ET, ESPN+).

After winning five games combined in 2021 and 2022, Albany has been one of the best teams in the FCS this season, which landed them the #5 seed for their third playoff appearance since moving to the division in 1999.

With last week’s 41-13 second round win over Richmond, the Great Danes have already secured their best-ever finish in the FCS playoffs. But if they can keep their season going with a win over the Vandals, they will be set for a semifinal showdown at #1 South Dakota State, who bounced #8 Villanova 23-12 today.

Bet on Albany vs Idaho and Much More at BetOnline

The Idaho program is familiar with this round of the FCS playoffs, as this will be the Vandals’ fifth quarterfinal appearance. But it is their first since their 2018 return to the FCS, where they initially played from 1978 to 1995.

Idaho, who has won 10 games for just the third time in program history, is seeking its third semifinal appearance and first since 1993, when they lost to Youngstown State, who went on to win the national championship.

Will it be a chaotic night at the Kibbie Dome? A matchup between two of the better aerial offenses in the FCS could very well see some serious fireworks.

Albany vs Idaho Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.

Spread

• Albany +4 (-110)
• Idaho -4 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 50.5 (-110)
• Under 50.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Albany +160
• Idaho -180

2023 Season Results for #5 Albany (10-3)

• vs Fordham: won 34-13
• at Marshall: lost 21-17
• at Hawaii: lost 31-20
• at Morgan State: won 23-17 (OT)
• vs Villanova: won 31-10
• at Towson: won 24-17
• at New Hampshire: lost 38-31
• vs Rhode Island: won 35-10
• at Maine: won 37-21
• vs William & Mary: won 24-8
• at Stony Brook: won 38-20
• vs Monmouth: won 41-0
• vs Richmond: won 41-13

2023 Season Results for #4 Idaho (10-3)

• at Lamar: won 42-17
• at Nevada: won 33-6
• at Cal: lost 31-17
• vs Sacramento State: won 36-27
• at Eastern Washington: won 44-36
• at Cal Poly: won 42-14
• vs Montana: lost 23-21
• vs Montana State: won 24-21
• at Northern Colorado: won 27-13
• at Weber State: lost 31-29
• vs Idaho State: won 63-21
• vs Southern Illinois: won 20-17 (OT)

Will Star Quarterbacks Steal the Spotlight?

Tonight’s matchup in Moscow features two of the top quarterbacks in the FCS in Albany’s Reese Poffenbarger and Idaho’s Gevani McCoy.

After throwing for 2,999 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman last year, Poffenbarger has had a highly successful sophomore season. His completion percentage has dropped from 61.5% to 57.5%, but he has thrown for 3,041 yards and 33 touchdowns, and he also has six rushing touchdowns.

On the other side is another outstanding sophomore in McCoy, who won the Jerry Rice Award last year as the top freshman in the FCS.

McCoy’s passing touchdown numbers this year (14) aren’t as impressive as last year (27), and he has eight interceptions already compared to seven in 2022. But he has completed 66.2% of his passes for 2,602 yards and has run for two scores as well.

On the ground, the edge goes to Idaho, who has a 1,000-yard rusher in second-year back Anthony Woods (191 carries, 1,027 yards, 5.4 YPA, 16 total TD) and a 500-yard rusher in Nick Romano (104 carries, 512 yards, 4.9 YPA, 5 total TD).

But Albany is coming on that area thanks to freshman Griffin Woodell, who has run for 801 yards (5.2 YPA) and six touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns. Woodell has hit the 100-yard mark three times in his last six games, and he ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in last week’s ‘win over Richmond.

Season Statistics for Albany RB Griffin Woodell

First Seven Games

• Rushing: 60 carries, 291 yards (4.9 YPA), TD
• Receiving: 14 catches, 126 yards (9.0 YPC), 4 TD

Last Six Games

• Rushing: 94 carries, 510 yards (5.4 YPA), 5 TD
• Receiving: 9 catches, 80 yards (8.9 YPC)

Albany vs Idaho Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Idaho to win

Pick: Albany/Idaho over 50.5 (-110 at BetOnline)

Four of Idaho’s last six games have been decided by three or fewer points, including last week’s come-from-behind OT win over Southern Illinois. So, I’m absolutely not going anywhere near the spread here, but I think we’ll see some points in this one as the Vandals lock up a trip to Brookings, South Dakota and a matchup with the top-seeded Jackrabbits.

Where to Bet on College Football

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season, including on the two CFP semifinal matchups between Michigan and Alabama and Washington and Texas.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting. Below are some of the books that we highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

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