We are on the eve of the FCS National Championship. It seemed as if this day would never come. The last time the North Dakota State football team played a game was on December 19. That was a semi-final game against Sam Houston State. A game they won 35-3.
Illinois State University would defeat New Hampshire the very next day to set up the first ever meeting of conference opponents in the FCS National Title game. Fans of the Missouri Valley Football Conference would tell you a meeting of team's from their conference was a foregone conclusion.
After getting five teams into the playoffs this year, many felt that NDSU would be playing either Northern Iowa or the Redbirds of Illinois State. The thought is now reality in what I believe will be the most competitive national title game NDSU has had since 2011.
Let us get to the points.
Pinto's Point #1: Defending Tre Roberson
This will be the third straight week NDSU has had to prepare for a dual threat quarterback and this one might be the best of the three. ISU's quarterback Roberson has run for 868 yards and has thrown for 3,064 yards while accounting for 37 touchdowns.
His running ability has also made life easier for running back Marshaun Coprich. In 2013, Coprich ran for 885 yards in 11 games. He has well over doubled that yardage as he leads the NCAA with 2,168 yards rushing this season.
The Bison are well aware of Roberson's talents. They know that as he goes, so does the team. The thought would be to try and make this team one dimensional on offense. Take away Roberson's running ability or passing game and things become more difficult for the Redbirds.
Obviously easier said then done but if one defense could accomplish this, it would be NDSU's. Speaking of that defense...
Pinto's Point #2: Christian Dudzik & Colten Heagle
I was talking to Mike McFeely about the Bison defense and we landed on the safeties Dudzik and Heagle. (Which, by the way, sounds like a better version of Milli Vanilli). We started to discuss how important these two safeties have been to NDSU over the past four years.
Heagle's ability to clean up mistakes made by the front seven in the running game. Dudzik's ability to make sure his team is in the right position before the snap. Their combined ability to disguise coverages.
That last part is what will be so important in containing the ISU offense. A lot of the decisions in a spread offense happen before the snap. Whether or not Roberson is going to hand it off or go play-action. Dudzik and Heagle are going to make sure he feels like he is trying to put together a 10,000 piece puzzle of blue sky.
Heagle has been my favorite player to watch the last five years. I can't imagine his impact in his last collegiate game won't be great. And, if head coach Chris Klieman gets a wild hair, we may see Dudzik return a punt or two. These two will have a major impact tomorrow.
Pintos' Point #3: The Weather & The Field
At this point, we have all heard about the weather not being ideal on Saturday. Many people are wondering if this will affect the game at all. If both teams will have to change things up because of the potential of some freezing rain and/or wind. As of right now, it looks like both the rain and the wind will miss Frisco on Saturday. Regardless, I don't think the weather will matter.
Both teams want to run the ball. The success of your running game is not predicated on weather conditions. It is predicated on whether or not you can block. Shcokingly, it appears both teams can block just fine.
I also have been asked several questions about the field conditions. If you remember, last year it looked as if the players were playing on kitty litter. NDSU defensive end Kyle Emanuel felt that he was losing his footing on every single play. Ugly.
This year, however, the field looks pristine. Last year, there was a major freeze in the area shorty after crews at Toyota Stadium had re-seeded the field. That is not the case this year and the field condition will not be a problem.
X-Factor: Special Teams
Adam Keller and Ben LeCompte are both battle injuries according to Chris Klieman. It is the quad for the punter, LeCompte, which hindered his punting during the playoffs. Three weeks of rest should have cleared up those issues. The kicker, Keller, is a different story.
It sounded as if he hurt himself while visiting his home in Pennsylvania over Christmas vacation. While Klieman laughed it off during his Monday press conference this week, I would pay attention to how Keller kicks in warm-ups.
These two give NDSU the special teams an advantage no matter who they play. The same can be said if they are both healthy and ready to perform against Illinois State on Saturday. The concern level is low for these two but we will see how those first kicks go.
Prediction: NDSU 23 ISU 21
This game is going to be high-drama and fun. I say this knowing that every prediction I have made these playoffs has been completely opposite of what has happened. Something tells me that this time around I might be close with my prediction.
Two Valley teams that were rooting for each other in the semi-finals. Two teams full of talent at every position. This is going to be a lot of fun. I cannot wait.