The Montana State Bobcats and North Dakota State Bison meet Saturday in the college football FCS Championship at Toyota Stadium. The Montana State Bobcats look to win their fourth national title and first since 1984. The North Dakota State Bison look to win their 17th national title and ninth since 2011.
The Montana State Bobcats have won four of their last six non-home games. Matthew Mckay is completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,021 yards, 16 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Lance McCutcheon and Willie Patterson have combined for 1,386 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Nate Stewart has 10 receptions. The Montana State Bobcats ground game is averaging 225.5 yards per contest, and Isaiah Ifanse leads the way with 1,539 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Montana State is allowing 13.4 points and 296.1 yards per game. Troy Andersen leads the Montana State Bobcats with 137 tackles, Daniel Hardy has 16 sacks and Simeon Woodard has 4 interceptions.
The North Dakota State Bison have won four of their last five non-home games. Cam Miller is completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 1,318 yards, 13 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Christian Watson and Phoenix Sproles have combined for 1,024 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Noah Gindorff has 17 receptions. The North Dakota State Bison ground game is averaging 273.6 yards per contest, and TaMerik Williams leads the way with 715 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, North Dakota State is allowing 11.2 points and 259.7 yards per game. Jackson Hankey leads the North Dakota State Bison with 93 tackles, Brayden Thomas has 9 sacks and Jasir Cox has 3 interceptions.
We all know what to expect from the North Dakota State Bison, as they’re in the title game nearly every year at this point. NDSU is balanced and plays at a certain level that’s expected. North Dakota State is pretty much the Alabama of the FCS ranks, and being favored here should surprise nobody. With that said, the Montana State Bobcats are a really, really good team in their own right, especially on the defensive side where they’ve held seven of their 14 opponents to 10 or fewer points. Montana State also almost beat a good Wyoming team in its season opener. The Bobcats are far from a team that’s just happy to be here.
Give me the points.