No. 1/ No.2 NDSU vs. Missouri State preview

Ranked #1 in the Gridiron Power Index poll, the Bison (7-1, 4-1) are now up a spot to #2 in the FCS Coaches Poll behind #1 Georgia Southern. Scanning the rest of the top 25, Missouri State is nowhere to be found. However, the Bears from Missouri State (3-6, 3-3) have been on an absolute roll lately, winning their last three games, including a smack down on Western Illinois 42-3 last weekend.

The Bears are allowing just over 24 points per game on defense, while the Bison offense is averaging 39 points per game. Sam Ojuri rushed 20 times for a season high 90 yards last weekend at home against Illinois State. With the Bears defense struggling and the Bison offense rolling with the run game, look for Ojuri and John Crocket to have big days on the ground for the Bison.

On the other side of the ball, the Bison defense is allowing just over 9 points per game. In fact, in the last three games the defense has allowed just 13 points while the Bison offense has allowed 21 points due to turnovers.

Marcus Williams picked up another interception last weekend and is now one away from tying the NDSU school record. Grant Olson and Cole Jirik continue to lead the Bison defense up front, creating havoc for opposing offenses.

Missouri State is averaging a low 18 points a game, which is skewed a bit from their 42-point game last weekend against a non-existent Western Illinois defense. With Olson and Jirik rolling and Williams locked down on the outside, look for the Bison defense to stay strong and hold off the Bears offense just as they’ve been holding off offenses all season long.