Big Sky football picks: 406 MT Sports writers split on who will win the FCS title game

Five times our beloved country has had a representative compete in the games. Five times that agent came up empty, with the Montana Grizzlies missing at the end of the 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2023 seasons and the Bobcats at the end of the 2021 campaign.

Lately it’s been the Dakota teams that have ranked the Bobcats and Grizzlies last. Quarterback Tommy Mellott and his Bobcats lost to North Dakota State in the title game on January 8, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. Quarterback Clifton McDowell and the Grizzlies lost to South Dakota State in the title game last January in Frisco.

It all adds up to more incentive for success when the Bobcats face the Bison again in the title game on Monday night. My guess is that many FCS fans – including those who didn’t care about Montana’s position – will gravitate to MSU simply because the Dakota teams have won the playoffs in recent years (three in a row and 11 ). of 13 years ago).

Montana State is a four-point favorite with its impressive 15-0 record and high-octane offense. But Treasure State FCS fans know from experience that North Dakota State is tough as nails on all fronts and beating them in a tournament is like trying to get a pit bull to chew a bone.

Another area where the Cats must improve from their playoff win over South Dakota is going forward. There were many things that went wrong.

In North Dakota State’s home opener against South Dakota State, the Bison relied heavily on the quarterback position. The NDSU running back was held to 61 yards, but veteran QB Cam Miller made up for it with 93 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He completed 13 of 19 attempts for 179 yards.

Montana State seems to have everything, offensively and defensively, to finally beat the Bison. But that doesn’t mean it will happen

My first key prediction is that fans on both sides will have trouble sleeping on Monday night. Mainly because it will be nerve wracking near the end.

This football season has been exciting for three 406 MT Sports experts. Congratulations to Montana State football writer Victor Flores for coming from behind to win.

For the contest, we’ll have a special guest pick from 406 MT Sports writer Carson Cashion. He will be on the pick every week next season and hopes to make a big play by correctly predicting that the Bison (gasp) will win Monday night.

Have a great new year, everyone.

North Dakota State (13-2) vs. Montana State (15-0), 5 p.m. TV: ESPN. It was a long time ago, but it’s worth mentioning: The Bison nearly dumped coach Deion Sanders’ team in Colorado in Boulder in late August. NDSU lost 31-26 but sent a message that it will not be intimidated by any opponent or level of play anywhere. The Bison enjoyed a halftime lead and kept it coming even when the odds looked bleak, trailing 31-20 with less than 3 minutes left. That was that would make me nervous if I was a Bobcats fan. Vegas may not agree with me, but I see the Bison as the favorite going into Monday’s game. They have tradition on their side and a quarterback (Miller) who is more experienced and proven than Mellott throwing the football in big games. Tommy’s greatest strength has always been his inability to run. North Dakota State will try hard to make sure Mellott has to stay in the pocket and throw the football. The Bison will have less success doing it, but I’m putting my faith in Touchdown Tommy and his improved passing skills. I’ll go with the Cats to win a good game. Speltz: Bobcats 30, Bison 27. Flowers: 34 Cats, 28 Bison. Go to: 31 Cats, 27 Bison. Amount: NDSU 31, MSU 28.