FCS National Championship Prediction and Preview: Montana State vs. North Dakota State

Montana State Bobcats are in the FCS national championship again after a 38-year hiatus. North Dakota State is back in its first title game in 24 years.

Montana State hasn't been to the FCS national championship game since 1984. North Dakota State is used to travelling to Frisco every year. The Bison fans buy tickets before the season even begins. Montana State and NDSU have the No. 1 and No 2 scoring defenses and top-10 running games. They have combined for 25 wins. NSDSU's lone loss came by eight points to its bitter rival to south.

Montana State is the surprise winner of the FCS championship. Tommy Mellott is a freshman quarterback who has been a full-time starter since the playoffs began. He played well in the national semis against South Dakota State, passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 155 and 2 scores. Isaiah Ifanse is listed as a starter after missing the semifinals due to injury. NDSU managed only 19 points in its loss at SDSu.

Montana State is a run-first team. Wide receiver Lance McCutcheon has a lot of potential. The offensive line is not as good as NDSU's, but it's better than many other FCS teams' O-lines.

Montana State and North Dakota State are going to play for the FCS National Championship. North Dakota State is a team that doesn't try to trick you.

Cam Miller is not as good as his predecessors, but he's efficient and effective. NDSU's run game is No. 3 in the FCS and they have more than 32 minutes of possession per game. They will play Montana State, ranked No 2 in FSC, which is allowing 13.4 points per match. The only team that scored more on the Bobcats this year was Montana in Brawl of the Wild. Even the bowl-winning Wyoming couldn't score 20. Hunter Luepke personifies this NSDU offense. He's tough, clutch and he has a 100-yard rushing game in JMU's semis.

Montana State is going to play North Dakota State in the FCS National Championship game. Montana State needs NDSU to turn the ball over. NSDU has won eight of the last 10 national championship games. Seven of N SDSU's starters from the semifinal win over James Madison started in their national title win two years ago this week in Frisco. Several of them also played in a national champion game against Eastern Washington three years earlier.