FCS title game: Can South Dakota State be stopped? Where

Costs Connelly, ESPN Staff WriterJan 5, 2024, 08:00 AM ET Close Costs Connelly is a staff author for ESPN.com.As it pertains to national titles, the theme for 2023 has been”succession.”Freshness. At the FBS level, on Monday night, either Michigan or Washington will win its very first national title considering that the 1990s. At the smaller-school level, we got a run of first-timers: Harding, SUNY Cortland and Keiser University all won their first nationwide titles at the Divisions II and III and NAIA levels.If that theme holds in Sunday’s FCS national championship in Frisco, Texas( ABC, 2 p.m. ET ), then congratulations beforehand to Bobby Hauck’s Montana Grizzlies. Montana is one of the power programs of college football’s 2nd subdivision, a physical team with a passionate fanbase, however the Griz haven’t won a ring since 2001. And they’ve got one of the very best FCS teams ever standing in their way.South Dakota State, the 2022 nationwide champ, has won 28 straight games and took its very first three playoff games by a combined rating of 123-12. At worst, the Jackrabbits are as excellent as any of the North Dakota State teams that won titles in the 2010s. However they may top even the all-time FCS gold standard, 1995 Marshall. They are an absolute damaging ball, and they are playing for history. Montana’s task is a tall one. How they got here In 14 games, South Dakota State has suffered just 2 even from another location close calls: a 20-16 win over Montana State in Week 2 and a 17-10 win over Southern Illinois in Week 8. The Jacks have actually outscored 12 other challengers, consisting of seven playoff groups, by approximately 42-9. The transition from famous coach John Stiegelmeier, who retired after securing a long-sought title in 2015, to first-year leader and long time former Stiegelmeier assistant Jimmy Rogers, has been remarkably smooth. (Having a roster with 34 elders has actually helped.)SDSU in the playoffs: def. Mercer 41-0 def. Villanova 23-12 def. UAlbany 59-0 Montana got here with some dramatics and a midseason plot twist. After a frustrating 28-14 loss to Northern Arizona

in Week 4, Hauck proceeded quarterback change, setting up previous Louisiana, Kilgore Community College and Central Arkansas signal-caller Clifton McDowell. After a shaky win over Idaho State, the Grizzlies moved into gear. They pounded playoff groups Sacramento State( 34-7)and Montana State(37-7 )late in the regular seasons, and once in the playoffs, they dominated Delaware in the round of 16. Montana then won overtime thrillers over both Furman and North Dakota State.Montana in the playoffs: SDSU is the preferred for a factor, but the longer this one remains close, the more it may favor the battle-tested Griz.Royalty vs. nouveau riche While many of FCS ‘onetime powers– Marshall, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State,

James Madison– have actually moved

on to FBS through the years, Montana has been a second-subdivision stalwart. In the 15 years from 1995 to 2009, the Grizzlies reached the national title game seven times. They knocked off magnificent Marshall on the roadway 22-20 to win their first title in 1995, they ground Furman into dust in a 13-6 rock battle in 2001, and they came achingly near to wins in 2000 (two-point loss to Georgia Southern), 2004(led JMU in the 3rd quarter) and 2009 too (two-point loss to Villanova). They have been a mostly steady playoff existence ever since, but between 2012 and 2022 they reached the quarterfinals just two times and never ever advanced even more as the nationwide balance of power plainly moved a few hundred miles east: North Dakota State won nine of 11 titles from 2011 to 2021, with SDSU preparing to seize the mantle.Top stories of the week from Get unique access to thousands of premium articles a year from top writers. – Lowe: Wemby’s pending stardom “- Hot or cold? Ranking every MLB team”- Which groups have aced transfer website?

“More ESPN+material” SDSU needed to

bide its time throughout NDSU’s dynastic run– the Jackrabbits fell to NDSU in the 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 playoffs– and when
they lastly reached the national title game throughout the spring 2021 season, quarterback Mark Gronowski
got harmed early and the Jacks

fell in the final seconds to Sam Houston.Last winter season, with Gronowski throwing for 223 yards and backs Amar Johnson and Isaiah Davis rushing for 229 lawns, the Jacks destroyed NDSU 45-21 in a cathartic title win. And with the type they have actually kept through most of 2023, it’s clear that they’re believing dynasty ideas as well.Montana is 8-0 all time against SDSU,

but the Griz haven’t yet played this SDSU.Why is SDSU so excellent?(And what’s Montana’s upset script?)Stiegelmeier, Rogers and company have constructed a powerhouse in Brookings through an incredible run of skill advancement. The Jacks don’t deploy anything unbelievably creative on offense or defense– they just count on being larger, more

talented and more skilled than their challenger at practically every position .

And regardless of the increasing allure of the transfer portal to any

variety of FCS stars, they’ve kept this roster virtually undamaged through the years.Gronowski, a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, has actually thrown for 7,415 profession lawns, with 1,334 hurrying yards and 95 integrated goals. Perhaps most importantly, in 830 career passes, Gronowski has tossed simply 12 interceptions. He plays mistake-free ball and lets the potential NFL-level talent around him shine. Both guard Mason McCormick and tackle Attic Greenfield are predestined for the next level, and somehow the run game didn’t miss out on a beat when present Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. left for the pros after 2021. Isaiah Davis has actually taken pleasure in back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons, while receivers Jadon and Jaxon Janke, four-year stars, have actually integrated for 6,356 career getting yards and 58 touchdowns. Towering tight end Zach Heins(6-7, 260 pounds )will have a shot at the next level, too. Clifton McDowell took control of as Montana’s QB in the middle of the season and had six touchdowns in the playoffs. Ryan Brennecke/University of Montana/Getty Images SDSU ranks first in offensive SP+… and first in protective SP+. The Jacks have the requisite tackling-machine linebackers in Jason Freeman(96 deals with, five TFLs, 2 interceptions, three fumble healings) and Adam Bock, they

‘ve got a strong pass-rusher in Cade Terveer( six sacks), and while the secondary allows a 65 %completion rate,( A)those completions balance just 8.9 lawns, and(B)each time you pass you’re running the risk of catastrophe. Corners Dalys Beanum and DyShawn Gales have combined for 6 INTs and 10 breakups, and Tucker Big has actually included 4 and 7, respectively.This is merely the inmost, most enforcing group in FCS. How can Montana compete? Here are three keys:1. Avoid three-and-outs. McDowell’s been both a discovery and a remarkable contradiction this year. The 6-4 224-pounder has rushed for 751 yards and nine goals this year, and his 118 yards were vital in the win over Furman. Initially glance, he appears to be an all-or-nothing passer– 57%conclusion rate, 13.5 backyards per conclusion– however he’s also been ridiculously safe with the ball, throwing just three choices in 235 efforts. Against NDSU in the semis, he munched, balancing just 10 lawns per completion with star receivers Junior Bergen and Keelan White captured nine balls for 99 yards.The Griz weren’t explosive, however they were controlled. They never ever went three-and-out, and they finished 4 drives in Bison territory, which permitted them to win the field position game by more than 5 backyards per drive. The quick death was essential, and it will be much more so against an SDSU defense that stonewalls run games but does allow short conclusions.2. Get home on the blitz. Montana utilizes its linebackers as strongly as anybody you’ll see. Braxton Hill(116 tackles, 6.5 TFLs)is a tackling device, however Levi Janacaro and Riley Wilson(combined: 105 deals with, 24 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 9 hurries) are the stars on defense. The Griz fill every run gap, are terrific in pursuit and were decent in including the vaunted NDSU run game. When the Bison were behind schedule, Montana feasted, sacking Cam Miller 3 times with three hurries.Montana defines the game by requiring you to field wave after wave of blitzes and stunts, and organizer Ronnie Bradford trusts a dynamite secondary– corners Tevin Gradney and Corbin Walker (combined: 7 choices, 15 separations )and safeties Ryder Meyer and Nash Fouch(8 TFLs, 2 INTs, nine breakups)– to pounce on any errors. This is high risk against an offense like SDSU’s. It must be high reward, too.3. Junior Damn Bergen. We have actually definitely learned a lot about the effect of unique groups in this postseason. At the FBS level, Michigan practically blew its Rose Bowl semifinal versus Alabama thanks to a cavalcade

of unique teams disasters, from muffed punts( plural )to missed out on field goals. And at the FCS level, we’ve seen Montana’s Junior Bergen pull off 2 of the most clutch punt returns you’ll ever see.CAN YOU THINK IT! @bergen_junior with ANOTHER HOUSE CALL! #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/JfoRrewf4p!.?.!— Montana Griz Football(@MontanaGrizFB )December 9, 2023 @bergen_junior DOES IT ONCE AGAIN !! #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/xoLDUyIzwi!.?.!— Montana Griz Football( @MontanaGrizFB)December 16, 2023 Bergen also returned a kickoff for a rating versus Furman and both scored a touchdown and threw a 2-point-conversion pass in overtime against NDSU. He’s been one of the most harmful players in FCS for a while, however he reached a completely different airplane of presence over the previous 2 games. If he’s the best player in the title game, Montana’s got a shot.The 10 best FCS champions (and where SDSU would fit) Let’s pause and take a look at what South Dakota State is going after. I make certain it will be more than pleased with winning a second ring, whether it’s by means of a one-point win or a 49-pointer, however with another dominant performance, it might stake its claim as, at worst, among the three best

FCS groups in the subdivision’s 45-year history.1. 1996 Marshall Thundering

Herd (15-0). With a redshirt freshman receiver by the name of Randy Moss leading

the way, the Herd outscored opponents by 29.8 points per game and won four championship game by an average of 48-14. Moss had 9 catches for 220 backyards and 4 scores against Montana in a 49-29 title game win. His last score gave Marshall a 46-6 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Griz made it decent late. (Any reason to see Randy Moss highlights is a good one. Sorry, Griz fans.)2. 2018 North Dakota State Bison(15-0 ). If Marshall isn’t the best ever, this specific NDSU team– the last one led by current Kansas State coach Chris Klieman– is. With Easton Stick at quarterback and the generally unreasonable offensive line, the Bison outscored opponents by

approximately 28.9 points. Eastern Washington played out of its mind in the 2018 title game and still lost by 14. Today, the current SDSU group would move in right here. The Jacks have outscored opponents by 28.6 points per game; I have FCS SP+ratings returning to 2013, and SDSU currently grades out behind only 2018 NDSU. If they beat Montana by 25 or more, they’ll match or go beyond Marshall’s playoff scoring margin, and they’ll have a respectable best

ever claim.3. 2013 North Dakota State Bison(15-0 ). The very best team of NDSU

‘s early run, this Bison group might have had the school’s best-ever offensive line, which is stating something. They were unflinching in the playoffs, outsourcing 4 challengers by a combined 173-42. Just Marshall can top that.4. 2019 North Dakota State Bison (16-0). With Trey Lance throwing for 2,786 backyards and rushing for 1,100, the Bison had a specific quantity of offensive benefit however needed to make it through a number of close calls in the playoffs: a 9-3 slog against Illinois State and, thanks to a last-second goal-line stop, a 28-20 win over JMU in the finals.5. 1989 Georgia Southern Eagles(15-0). Erk Russell’s final Georgia Southern group leaned on defense early (the Eagles’very first eight opponents averaged 8.5 points)and offense late (45.5 points per game over their last

eight)to soar to a 3rd national title in five years. They scored twice in the last 6 minutes of the title game to survive Stephen F. Austin 37-34.6. 2017 North Dakota State Bison(14-1 ). Stick, linebacker Jabril Cox & Co. slipped up versus SDSU in the routine season but still handled to outscore opponents by 27.1 points typically and won their first three playoff games by a combined 135-26 before enduring a 17-13 rock fight against safeguarding champ JMU in the finals.Editor’s Picks 2 Related 7. 1995 Montana Grizzlies( 13-2). The Griz fell early to Washington State, however a midseason loss to Idaho was rather the wake-up call (hibernation call?). They won their next 6 games by approximately 51-13, then removed an amazing Marshall team in the title game.8. 1981 Idaho State Bengals (12-1). The Throwin’Idahoans! Simply two years after an 0-11 season, Dave Kragthorpe’s Bengals rolled to the title behind a passing attack Division I-AA was not all set for. Their only loss came when quarterback Mike Machurek was out with mono– his backup, future NFL coach Dirk Koetter almost led ISU to a win over Montana in his absence

— but in 12 other games Machurek tossed for 3,669 lawns and 28 goals. Not even magnificent Eastern Kentucky, the power of the day, could include ISU in a 34-23 title game.9. 2003 Delaware Blue Hens (15-1). Led by coach K.C. Keeler, heaven Hens were a ridiculously complete team. The offense scored a minimum of 37 points nine times, and the defense

held nine opponents– consisting of each of

4 playoff challengers– to 14 or less. They staggered in November, with a loss to Northeastern and three tight wins, however they unleashed an all-time playoff run with wins of 48-7, 37-7, 24-9 and, versus Colgate in the title game, 40-0.10. 1999 Georgia Southern Eagles(

13-2). Paul Johnson’s finest Eagles team lost a 48-41 track satisfy at Oregon State and fell by a single point at Appalachian State. In 13 wins, they were unreal, averaging 52.2 points and enabling 16.2. With Johnson’s patented choice attack, they hurried for 638 backyards– Eagles terrific Adrian Peterson had 247 yards– in a 59-24 title game romp over Youngstown State.Projections ESPN BET: SDSU 31.0, Montana 18.5(SDSU -12.5, 49.5-point over/under)| SP +: South Dakota State 33.6, Montana 14.7 You can use the transitive home to talk yourself into Montana taking a crack at– in November, after all, the Grizzlies dealt with a Montana State that had hung well with SDSU in September and beat the Bobcats by 30. An upset is within the realm of possibility, particularly if Bergen continues with his recent heroics.SDSU really is at a different level, nevertheless. The Jackrabbits would be a borderline top-25 FBS group; I’m major when I state that they would have rather possibly won the Big 10 West this year. They boast more prospective professional talent than is possible for an FCS team.As audiences, we win regardless– either the Griz give us a terrific

game and threaten an enormous upset, or we get to witness SDSU’s greatness one last time before 30-something elders leave. Either way, this one’s worth watching.