This weekend, the four-time defending National Champs will make their way back to Frisco, Texas to try and make it five years in a row that they’ve won the national championship. That’s right, the North Dakota State Bison (12-2) are coming off of a big 33-7 victory over the Richmond Spiders and will take on the No. 1 team in the country, Jacksonville State (13-1).
North Dakota State: This season, NDSU has had a “next man up” mentality as they have been without starting quarterback Carson Wentz since October due to a wrist injury. That next man up has been redshirt freshman quarterback Easton Stick, who has been playing very smart and efficient. Since stepping in for Wentz, Stick has thrown for over 1,100 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. And when he can’t find an open receiver, Stick has the ability to scramble and make plays as he’s racked up just under 550 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Now the big question will be whether or not Wentz makes his return under center this weekend. After injuring his wrist in mid-October, the star quarterback returned to practice about a month ago, and was a game-time decision over the last couple of games. If Wentz is ready to go, many would think it would be a no-brainer to get him back out there. However, for the Bison coaching staff, I don’t think it would be that easy.
Sure, many believe Wentz is the best quarterback in the FCS, but he has missed the last nine games. There is almost no doubt that he would be rusty in his return, and it could turn out to be a huge risk for the Bison if they decide to play him over Stick. One thing that has helped Stick have the success that he’s had this season (minus the great play of the offensive line, who has a future NFL draft pick in Joe Haeg) is the play of the Bison running back core led by their No. 1 back, King Frazier, who can run between the tackles, and has a great burst of speed.
When watching Frazier, I almost see flashes of former NDSU standout, John Crockett. It will be key for NDSU to have success running the ball this weekend, but that will be tough with the talent Jacksonville State has on their defensive line. Speaking of defense, it isn’t something that North Dakota State gets a ton of credit for, but they have really challenged opposing teams’ offenses in the FCS Playoffs this year. In the three playoff games that they’ve played in (against Montana, Northern Iowa, and Richmond), they have only allowed three touchdowns, while recording six interceptions, and eight sacks. The Bison defense will have to show up this weekend if NDSU wants to have any chance of winning their fifth straight national championship.
Jacksonville State: At 13-1, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks are the hottest team in the FCS, and could easily be 14-0 if they didn’t drop their week two matchup against Auburn in overtime. The Gamecocks are led by the best quarterback in the state of Alabama, the OVC Offensive Player of the Year, Eli Jenkins, who in my opinion, is the top dual-threat quarterback in all of the FCS. On the season, Jenkins has thrown for over 2,700 yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions, and is the team’s second leading rusher with 1,250 yards & 14 touchdowns.
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A couple of Jenkins’ weapons who’ve also helped the Gamecocks reach success this season include running back Troymaine Pope, and wide receiver Josh Barge. Pope is a running back who doesn’t nearly get the respect that he deserves. He’s a strong back who has breakaway speed, and is somebody that can have a field day if the Bison focus solely on Jenkins.
As for Barge, he’s the quarterback’s best friend in the offense. He’s far and away the team’s leading receiver (has 47 more receptions, 464 more yards, and seven more touchdowns than JSU’s next leading WR), and has big playmaking ability. As for the Gamecocks defense, I’m expecting this to be a very physical battle within the trenches. JSU has a couple of Auburn transfers on their defensive line in Chris Landrum and Devaunte Sigler. Landrum is the more disruptive player coming off of the edge, while Sigler is usually the man in the middle taking on double teams.
PREDICTION: It’s tough to even think about a team knocking off North Dakota State but I believe Jacksonville State has what it takes. I predict the Gamecocks to be your 2015 FCS National Championship winners with a 31-21 score. I just think Jenkins and the offensive fire power that JSU has at hand will be too much for the Bison (even if Wentz is in at quarterback).
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