FCS Playoffs: North Dakota State vs. Wofford preview, prediction
Saturday’s FCS playoffs slate kicks off with second seeded North Dakota State hosting a run heavy Wofford team looking to play spoiler
North Dakota State is not the defending national champion in FCS football for the first time in five years. They look to start a new streak this year and face a tough Wofford team at home on Saturday.
NDSU (11-1) is coming off a 38-3 win over San Diego after a first round bye. The bison are the second seed nationally and currently playing great football. Look for the Bison to rely on their powerful run game which is averaging 238 yards per game and a stingy defense only giving up 11.5 points per game.
The bison are led by a balanced rushing attack featuring three backs averaging over 70 yards per contest. Junior Lance Dunn has been the workhorse rushing for 908 yards and six touchdowns on the year. With teams having to load the box against the Bison, they have been able to take full advantage of play-action. Quarterback Easton Stick has passed for 1,992 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year while rushing for another 547 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Wofford (10-2) is the seventh seed in the FCS Playoffs and comes off a 28-10 win over rival Furman.
The Terriers are a run heavy team that will face its biggest test all year. NDSU only allows 87 rushing yards per game while the Terriers average 254 yards per game.
Wofford is led by a trio of running backs all averaging over 48 yards per game. Junior fullback Andre Stoddard, leads the Terriers with 807 yards on the year and 14 touchdowns. At 5-foot-10, 230 pounds, Stoddard is a physical back who looks to punish people when he runs.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Fargo, ND
Venue: Fargodome
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
For the Bison to win this game, they have to play great defensively and make Wofford throw the ball. Wofford only throws for 108 yards per game and the Bison must make them play to their weakness.
On offense, the Bison need to continue to rely on their run game. Feed Lance Dunn and let Easton Stick be the game manager he has been all year.
Wofford will face its toughest test all year and will need to be at their best. They will not be able to rely on their powerful rushing attack as they have all year. In order to stay in this game, the Terriers are going to have to have a balanced offensive attack. Senior quarterback Brandon Goodson will have to make more plays than usual to keep the Terriers in this one.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Complete first round after Week 14
Prediction
North Dakota State did not win five national titles by accident. They have a heck of a program and will take one step closer to winning their sixth title in seven years. Look for the Bison to make Wofford one-dimensional by holding Wofford under 150 yards rushing. The Terriers have only thrown for 200 or more yards once and that won’t happen against this Bison defense.
Final Score: North Dakota State 35, Wofford 14