The University of Montana makes a nice, underappreciated gesture.

Isn’t that (to the left) sweet? We just have the sweetest guys at the UM athletic department!

I kid.

Some Griz fans don’t appreciate that the University of Montana took out what looks to be a quarter-page ad in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, wishing the Bobcats luck in the 2010 FCS playoffs. I’m OK with it. I don’t think it needs to be a regular occurrence, and I won’t get all weepy if the Cats put an ad the Missoulian next season, but I’m OK with it.

Speaking of playoffs, here are my predictions for the second round:

Western Illinois at App State: I’ve been told its tough to recruit when you’re in the playoffs — you’re busy preparing when you should be in recruits’ homes. It doesn’t seem to have affected the Mountaineers. App State 35, WIU 18.

Lehigh at Delaware: Both of Lehigh’s losses came to CAA teams, by at least three TDs. Delaware is a very good CAA team. And Lehigh switched nicknames, from the Engineers to the Mountain Hawks. That bums me out. Delaware 21, Lehigh 0.

Wofford at Jacksonville State: This is the toughest call in the field. I’ll take Jacksonville State, if for no other reason than the Gamecocks beat Ole Miss (double OT) in September. Jax State 33, Wofford 32.

New Hampshire at Bethune-Cookman: I’ll take UNH to win this battle of Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman has a banged-up QB, which could hurt its hurry-up offense. The hosts are 0-2 in playoffs, and racked up big numbers in the MEAC, not one of the power leagues. UNH 40, Beth-Cook 18.

Georgia Southern at William & Mary: GSU’s mighty option against the Tribe’s terrific D. Bill&Mary 21, GSU 20.

North Dakota State at Montana State: NDSU is in my opinion the best of the Missouri Valley Conference. But the Cats are Big Sky auto-champs. Plus, they have Denarius McGhee. Plus, I want a Cats-Eastern Eagles rematch. Cats 35, Bison 21.

Villanova at Stephen F. Austin: My upset special. No, wait – SFA is ranked No. 3! The Lumberjacks were Lumberjokes against the Griz a year ago, but I’m counting on Jeremy Moses and Co. to stay out of the bars and take care of the defending national champs — who can’t count on all-world back Matt Szczur being healthy. SFA 27, Nova 23.

Southeast Missouri State at Eastern Washington: Taiwan Jones is the best player I saw this year. Southeast Missouri State is making its playoff debut. Nuff said. EWU 40, SE Mo State 16.

There you have it. I hope I do better than I did in our Big Sky picks, in GameDay (dead last at 33-21). But I’m not counting on it.

-Fritz Neighbor