Rematches used to be commonplace in the I-AA/FCS Championship, but this is the first time we've seen one since the back-to-back Montana/Marshall contests in 1995-96. This one features two heavy running teams facing off against two of the top-three run defenses in the nation (SHSU is 2nd.; NDSU fell from 1st. to 3rd. after playing two option teams in a row), so points won't be easy to come by. The Bearkats showed they could be vulnerable in 1-on-1 pass defense situations in the semis, so the Bison are gonna have to take advantage if they want to repeat. Unfortunately for North Dakota State, though, recent games suggest that won't be easy for them. Here are Brock Jensen's passing stats…
- First 5 games - 84/121 (69%), 1041 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs, 163.5 eff. rating, 3 sacks allwd.
Last 9 games - 114/201 (57%), 1175 yards, 9 TDs. 8 INTs, 112.6 eff. rating, 20 sacks allwd.
As you can see, he hasn't been very good at all throwing the ball since mid-October. Jensen also doesn't have a Brandon Kaufman, either, so his team likely isn't capable of doing what Eastern Washington did. The defense will have to totally shut down their opponent yet again if the Bison want to win this.
This is the fifth title-game rematch all-time.
In the previous four, the winning team was the one that lost the prior matchup. With NDSU's recent passing woes, I don't see the trend getting bucked here.
Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:
- Quarterbacks -- Sam Houston St.
Running Backs - Sam Houston St.
Receivers/TEs - Sam Houston St.
Offensive Line - Sam Houston St.
Defensive Line - North Dakota St.
Linebackers --- North Dakota St.
Secondary ---- (push)
Kicking ------ Sam Houston St.
Punting ------ Sam Houston St.
Return Teams - North Dakota St.
Kickoffs ------ (push)
- Sam Houston St. 17-10 North Dakota St.
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