Defense
Klieman is a defensive coach by trade, just like Bohl was before him. And over the course of the unprecedented run of national titles by North Dakota State, the Bison have consistently featured one of the best FCS defenses in the country.
Last year was no exception. Only James Madison conceded fewer points than the 11.6 per game given up by the Bison defense. North Dakota State held their 15 opponents to an average of just 237 yards per game. That mark was the best in the FCS ranks, and 23 yards less than the top mark in the FBS posted by College Football Playoff national champion Alabama.
Entering the 2018 season, most of the big question marks for the Bison are on defense. North Dakota State has to replace key talent at every level. Tre Dempsey is a huge loss at safety and will be the hardest player to replace in the lineup. But Dempsey was a converted cornerback, and the Bison have the depth to remain a force against all situations.
Focusing on the front seven
The Bison will enter the year with plenty of talent but little experience. Redshirt senior Aaron Steidl is a multi-year starter at defensive tackle, but he will have a new partner in the interior of the line. Blake Williams is the likeliest candidate to replace Nate Tanguay at the other tackle spot.
This year’s linebacking corps, like the defensive line, is heavy on talent and light on experience behind the starters. Dan Marlette is back to take over at middle linebacker for his final year in Fargo after an ACL injury cut his 2017 season short. Jabril Cox and Levi Jordheim will feature at the outside spots. Behind that trio, though, there is a dearth of on-field experience throughout the linebacking corps.
For North Dakota State to succeed this year, they will need to get a solid rotation going so that they are not blindsided by whatever inevitable injuries might pop up.