By Manning Snyder
SouthernPigskin.com

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Manning Snyder preview’s the spring finale for The Citadel, a contest at rival VMI.

nOverview
nThe Citadel is on the road Saturday as they face VMI in Lexington, Virginia. The Bulldogs (2-9, 2-5) have won two straight contests against in-state rivals Wofford and Furman, and are looking to build on their momentum with a victory against VMI. The Keydets (5-1, 5-1) are atop the SoCon standings and ranked #15 in the FCS Top 25 Poll. With a win against the Bulldogs, VMI will clinch the conference championship. The Citadel has nothing left to play for but pride. According to Coach Thompson in the locker room last weekend, the last three games of the season (Wofford, Furman, and VMI) are the most important of the year. Not only are you playing for bragging rightsxe2x80x93xe2x80x93in Saturdayxe2x80x99s game, for the Silver Shakoxe2x80x93xe2x80x93but they are also looking for positive results to build upon for the fall season only 143 days away. Although a line has yet to be announced, VMI will be heavy favorites heading into the weekend.

nWhy To Watch
nItxe2x80x99s arguably one of the best college football games on television (ESPN+) Saturday. With opt-outs and players resting for the fall season, many of the FCS games that are played have lost their entertainment value. But there is no quit in these Bulldogs. Despite a catastrophic start to the spring season with injuries and suspensions, The Citadel battled forward. Their perseverance and determination paid off, as they secured two straight wins and a chance to prevent VMI from a championship. Before last weekxe2x80x99s Furman contest, many Bulldog fans debated whether VMI or Furman were more bitter rivals.xc2xa0 The xe2x80x9cpurple makes me pukexe2x80x9d crowd against the xe2x80x9cMilitary Classicxe2x80x9d crowd. Regardless of who is right, I can tell you one thing: The Citadel canxe2x80x99t stand VMI. And VMI detests The Citadel. The stage is set for Saturday…

nThe Citadel Player To Watch
nK Colby Kintner
nThe freshman kicker for the Bulldogs has had a rough fall and spring season. The Windemere, Florida, native is 4-12 on field goals (two of them coming Week 1 against USF) and 13-15 on PATs. In order for The Citadel to knock off the Keydets, Coach Thompson has to trust Kintner to make his attempts. After missing badly from 37-yards last week, Coach Thompson elected to go for it on fourth down, even if they were in Kintnerxe2x80x99s field goal range. For a kicking position that is all about confidence, nothing would help Kintner more than nailing a long field goal against VMI.

nVMI Players To Watch
nRB Korey Bridy
nThe junior running back leads the Keydets in total rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Itxe2x80x99s all about xe2x80x9c4sxe2x80x9d for the Chesterfield, Virginia native. Bridy averages four yards a carry and has scored four touchdowns in four games this fall (he sat out one game). Bridy balances out a VMI passing attack that throws for over 300 yards per game.

nLB Stone Snyder
nThe sophomore linebacker is the centerpiece of the Keydet defense. The Richmond, Virginia native leads the team in total tackles (55), sacks (six), and quarterback hurries (four). Snyder is tall for his position at 6xe2x80x993, but he uses his length and athleticism to disrupt offenses. The Keydets allow less than 130 rushing yards per game. The defense will be tested against the rushing attack of the Bulldogs on Saturday.

nKeys to Game
nWhile The Citadel seemingly has the same xe2x80x9ckeys to the gamexe2x80x9d every weekxe2x80x93xe2x80x93time of possession and reducing turnoversxe2x80x93xe2x80x93Ixc2xa0 believe there are other important goals for the Bulldogs this weekend. After eleven games this season, The Citadel is 1-8 when trailing at halftime. While they tend to be a xe2x80x9csecond-halfxe2x80x9d team, playing better in the final thirty minutes, the Bulldogs need to come out strong against VMI. Similar to the halftime stat, The Citadel has only scored one touchdown (no field goals) on their first offensive possession this season. The Bulldogs need to scorexe2x80x93xe2x80x93a field goal or touchdownxe2x80x93xe2x80x93on their first possession Saturday simply to set the tone for what could be a chippy game.

nManningxe2x80x99s Fun Fact
nCoach Thompson, like the players themselves, has truly endured a chaotic season. He should be applauded for the past two Bulldog performances, as motivating a team that is 0-9 is not an easy task. For the fun fact,xc2xa0 Coach Thompson is 3-1 as a head coach in his career against VMI (two games on the road, two games at home). Letxe2x80x99s see if he can make it 4-1 on Saturday.xc2xa0

nConclusion
nThe Bulldogs are still UNDEFEATED in the month of Aprilxe2x80x93xe2x80x932-0. I canxe2x80x99t reiterate enough how much bad blood there is between these two programs. A win for either team will be paramountxe2x80x93xe2x80x93a conference championship (for VMI) or a monumental step in the right direction (for The Citadel).