State of the Bulldogs Game Predictions: VMI
Throughout the remainder of the season, the State of The Bulldogs Podcast crew will provide predictions for the game each Friday. Read a breakdown of VMI here from Know Your Foe on who to watch out for. Here is Sam Devaney and I on what we might see Saturday afternoon.
Game 8: Samford (3-4, 2-3) at VMI (3-3, 2-1)
When: 12:30 Saturday
TV: ESPN+
Grant Gardner
Samford is not heading back to the FCS Playoffs. After a magical 2022 season, Samford has struggled against the top teams this year in the Southern Conference going 0-3. That being said, VMI is not the same quality of team as those other opponents. The VMI defense is ranked near the top of the conference in some categories but the offense is trending towards the bottom of the league.
Does Samford get off the mat after last week and respond with a W? The status of Samford QB Michael Hiers could be in question but I still don’t think the VMI offense will be able to keep up whether he plays or not.
Samford 35, VMI 14.
Sam Devaney
Reeling from a tough defeat that officially knocked them out of the playoff hunt, what sounds better than a week-long bus trip to Virginia to get the team's spirits up? At this point of the season the players are playing for each other, for the fact that winning is more fun than losing, and for a few, good tape to try and reach the next level.
VMI on the other hand had zero expectations coming into the season. So, every game they are trying to get a little better as Rocco builds his program. The defense is no joke but the offense couldn’t be much worse. Ol’ Ironside is going to try and march his team down the field but even against an up and down Samford defense I will be shocked if they score two touchdowns.
Offensively, if Samford starts sluggishly we might be in for a long game. But depending on the extent of the injury to Heirs I expect us to come out firing, by halftime the game will be in hand.
Samford 28, VMI 9.
