All year long, Head Coach Chris Klieman and the rest of the Thundering Herd have been eyeing one goal. On Saturday, they will look for revenge as they play defending champion James Madison University in the championship game of the season between the two top ranked schools in FCS football.
Here is why I will not be disappointed if the Bison fall short. They have had a great season to be proud of, and I am sure that they would like to win the game, and who wouldn’t? Playing in the championship game six out of the last seven years is something that the city of Fargo and the whole of state of North Dakota can be extremely gratified with. No other school can say that. NDSU is going to have to work very hard to knock the Dukes off their mountain top. If Coach Klieman wants to be on top of that mountain again, he needs to follow jeremiahboyce.com three keys to victory:
1. When the offense has the ball, quarterback Easton Stick cannot stare down his receivers, he has to give time for his receiving corps to get in the right position to catch the ball. Turnovers will be a huge factor in this game. The offensive line must also open up the holes needed for Bruce Anderson and the other running backs to have success.
2. When the defense is on the field, they must physically hit and wrap up players when James Madison has the ball, keeping big plays to a minimum, otherwise the championship trophy will not come back to Fargo.
3. I feel that the kicking game will play a big factor also on Saturday. Pinning the Dukes deep in their territory forcing long drives will be a key to this game, not to mention the importance of converting field goals when the opportunity presents itself.
I predict that this will be a nip and tuck battle, with the team that has the ball last, being the one that will be celebrating the thrill of victory at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX Saturday afternoon.
