Playoff Game Preview: NDSU


The Jacks are back to the semifinals for the second consecutive year after a gutty win against Kennesaw State University in a constant rain and cool temperatures.  They face the old familiar foe, the North Dakota State University Bison.  The Jackrabbits have lost to the Bison in the playoffs three times since the duo moved up from D2 ten years ago.  If not for the Bison, the Jacks almost certainly would have an FCS Championship or two.  The Bison have won 6 championships in that span.  The head coach who has brought three of those championships to Fargo, Chris Klieman, was named the head coach at Kansas State University.  Klieman will coach NDSU until they are done in the playoffs.  This is a classy move by Chris but also for NDSU administration for allowing him to do this.  The Bison will be extra motivated (if they weren't already) to send him out on a high note.

In September the Jacks lost in Fargo by a score of 21-17.  The Jacks held the lead going into the 4th quarter but were unable to hang on for the victory.  Easton Stick played a terrific game that afternoon both through the air and on the ground.

My preview still holds true from the September game.  If you want, you can read it here.  However, these two teams know each other so well and the fan bases know the opposing rosters so well that there really isn't a ton that is new to tell.  But there are a couple things that are different or stand out since the first meeting.  Lets review them here.

Offense
  • After scoring a TD against the Jacks, TE Ben Ellefson has become a touchdown machine having snagged 6 more this season.  He only has 13 total receptions on the year but 8 total for TDs.  Along with Ellefson, the Bison have also utilized their other tight end, Nate Jenson plenty as the season has gone along.  He also has 13 receptions but for 248 yards and 2 TD.  Below are some clips showcasing their talents.

  • The Bison have also been utilizing their backs a lot more in the passing game.  They have been lining up with Dunn (potentially out Friday with an elbow injury) and Anderson in the backfield and faking a power.  This makes the safety think it is a run and he comes flying up only to have the back run right by him.  On the season Anderson has 11 receptions.     
    • They set it up with constant plays like this: And it leads to plays like this:



  • Darrius Shepherd has developed into a star for NDSU.  The Jacks struggled with how to handle him in September (5 rec, 118 yards, 1 TD) but they must figure out how to handle him on Friday.  On the season he has 53 rec, 869 yds, and 7 TDs. 
  • The offensive line has had the same five starters for the entire season.  This is almost unheard of at any level of football.  
  • Running backs Ty Brooks and Seth Wilson have emerged as threats for the Bison offense.  Brooks possesses game breaking speed while Wilson played last year as a true freshman and had a great stretch in the playoffs. If Lance Dunn is unable to play, expect a heavy dose of these two to compliment Bruce Anderson.
Defense

  •  The Bison defense is still really good.  Nothing new there.  Since playing the Jackrabbits they are allowing just 11.88 ppg and pitched a shutout against Colgate last week.
  • Outside linebacker Jabril Cox has solidified himself as one of the top playmakers in the FCS has stuffed the stat sheet with 84 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 INT's.  He has a rare combo of speed and power.

  • The other 'backers, Dan Marlette and Levi Jordheim, are two good and dependable players who have seen a lot of snaps for the Bison and are sure tacklers.  Marlette had a couple of huge tackles in the first meeting when SDSU was trying to put together a game winning drive. The Jacks got Marlette isolated how they wanted to and Marlette made the plays.   
  • Defensive end Greg Menard enjoyed a good day against SDSU and has a total of 8 sacks on the season.  If the Jacks can slow him down, Taryn will have a shot.  However, Derrek Tuszka has emerged as a more than capable pass rusher opposite him and Cole Karcz has 7.5 sacks from his defensive tackle position this season. Factor in Caleb Butler and Spencer Waege and the Bison are not short on pass rushers.            

  • The secondary is still captained by Robbie Grimsley and he is as good as it gets at the safety position in the FCS.  Next to him, James Hendricks has emerged as a true difference maker.  It is a potent duo. They are very good tacklers, smart, and have good enough speed.  I still don't think the NDSU cornerbacks are great, but they get the job done.  Jalen Allison has played so much football for NDSU that there isn't a lot he hasn't seen.  Marquise Bridges has improved since the season started and will be a solid corner for NDSU for another season.
Special Teams

  • The Bison are good on special teams.  If the Jackrabbit's special teams unit can play how they have all season, this area should be a wash.  The climate controlled conditions of the Fargo Dome take away some of the variable that the Jacks have experience the past month but that doesn't mean they can letup.
Prediction
So again, not a lot new.  This will be a classic SDSU vs. NDSU battle.  The Bison have broke my heart three times in the Fargo Dome already; 2014 being the worst.  I said after the loss in September that I felt good about the Jacks chances of going back to Fargo in the playoffs and winning.  I still feel that way.  SDSU will have to withstand an early emotional onslaught.  The first quarter is key.  There can't be any turnovers, long 3rd down conversations, or empty redzone trips.  As usual, the Jacks will need to stop the run and force Stick to beat the Jacks with his arm.  Taryn will need to use his legs and special teams will have to be a "win" for the Jacks.  That is a long list of things that need go right, but this team can do it.  They've proved it this year with plenty of doubters.   I'm predicting the Jacks win an instant classic by a score of 24-23 with a Chase Vinatieri walk-off field goal. 

Go Jacks!
Matt   

 

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