The Illinois State Redbirds are set to head to North Carolina to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the second round of the 2012 FCS Playoffs.
Both Illinois State and Appalachian State finished the regular season with an 8-3 record.
Being on the road may favor the Redbirds, as Illinois State finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 road record. Further, the Mountaineers are just 4-3 in their last seven home games -- so the Redbirds are poised to pull off the victory and advance to the quarterfinals.
Illinois State's last contest was on Saturday, Nov. 17, when the Redbirds lost to the North Dakota State Bison, 38-20.
The Redbirds started out the season a perfect 5-0, but finished the season with just a 3-3 record, limping into the playoffs.
By contrast, the Mountaineers have won their last three contests.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT from Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C.