McFeely: Five things to watch in the Bison-North Dakota game

UND's football team is playing a big game against North Dakota State on Saturday. The game is important for UND because it's their first against their hated in-state rival since 2003. If UNd wins, it will be able to claim a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference championship and a week off for the playoffs. For NDSU, the game could be damaging. It's a chance to get a seed for playoffs and host one. UNDD won't be eligible for postseason play until 2021. They are playing for a conference championship this season.

Bison and North Dakota are playing a big game. The quarterback play of Miller and Schuster will be key to the outcome. UND has the fewest penalties of any FCS team with 30 in 10 games. They also have the fourth-best turnover margin in the country with six.   The team plays hard and physical under head coach Bubba Schweigert. It also has a penchant for avoiding turnovers and penalties. For the game, Bison will pressure the quarterback. NDSU will try to stop the passing of the ball. A good quarterback will win the match.

UND is one of the best teams in time of possession. NDSU has lost several key players to injuries. Hunter Luepke is an All-American who is a combination of size and speed. He could get tough yards running inside, beat defenders to the outside and was an excellent downfield receiver.

Luepke is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. NDSU needs to find a replacement for him. The Bison's quarterbacks are not explosive enough to take over a game. Kobe Johnson has shown flashes of being explosive, but not consistently. Zach Mathis is a consistent target, Zach Hart hasn't had a breakout game yet.

UND's special teams have blocked four punts this season, including two against No. 1-ranked South Dakota State. NDSU's vaunted defense gives up 270.5 yards per game, but it's ranked sixth in the country with 16.89 points per match. The Bison are ranked fifth in total defense, allowing 287.6 yards. They allow 145.4 yards on the rush. NSDSU is third in third-down conversions at 53.9%. nSDsu is ranked 116th of 123 FCS teams in defense. nsdsu allows 16,89 per contest.