Sam Houston State vs. Jacksonville State: FCS Playoffs 2015 TV Info, Time, More

Before college football fans begin to revel in FBS bowl season, the FCS season is just one round away from its championship, as the semifinals kick off on Friday. 

After the four-time defending national champion North Dakota State Bison take on Richmond on Friday, the FCS' top seed, Jacksonville State, plays host to Sam Houston State on Saturday. 

Here's everything you need to know about the second semifinal game:

Date	Time (ET)	Venue	TV
Saturday, Dec. 19	4 p.m.	Burgess-Snow Field, Jacksonville, Florida	ESPNU

Sam Houston State is bidding for its third championship appearance in the past five years. Hopefully for them if they make it, North Dakota State won't be waiting for them, as the Bison defeated the Bearkats by a combined 56-19 in the 2011 and 2012 championship games. 

Breezing through the Southland Conference, the Bearkats defeated Southern Utah in the first round by three, No. 4 McNeese State by five in the second round and an unranked Colgate by 27 in the quarterfinals. 

A well-rounded offense saw the 13th-ranked passing offense with a pair of quarterbacks who have thrown for over 1,700 yards overshadowed by a rushing game that averaged over 260 yards per game thanks to the play of Cory Avery. The Kansas transfer ranks ninth in the nation with 1,402 yards this season. 

Having played a game more than its opponent, Sam Houston State has the top-ranked offense in the nation, averaging just over 550 total yards per game.

But Sam Houston State is running into the No. 1 Jacksonville State Gamecocks, whose offense is no slouch either. With the No. 3 offense in the nation, the Gamecocks have an offensive unit that is capable of putting up over 300 yards per game in both the passing and rushing game. 

At 12-1 this season, their only loss came to Auburn of the SEC in their second game of the season. And they only lost by a touchdown. 

They responded by scoring 40 or more points in eight of their next 11 games. 

Jacksonville State has never appeared in the FCS Championship Game since moving from Division II to FCS play in 1995. In fact, it has never appeared in a semifinal game either.

There will be plenty of points scored and plenty of big plays, so you might not want to blink if you're watching this game. Whoever comes out of this game with a win will provide a stiff test to the winner of North Dakota State and Richmond. 

Stats courtesy of NCAA.com