Tag: North Dakota football

North Dakota at James Madison Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

North Dakota vs James Madison prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota vs James Madison prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota vs James Madison Broadcast

Date: Sunday, May 2
Game Time: 6:00 pm CT
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, Harrisonburg, VA
Network: ESPN3

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

North Dakota vs James Madison FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why North Dakota Will Win

North Dakota (5-1) had one blip against North Dakota State, but other than that, it’s been the best team in the FCS – or very, very close to it – all season long.

When the lines are working, the Fighting Hawks are dominant.

The offensive line leads all of FCS in fewest tackles for loss allowed, is brilliant in pass protection, and in the 44-10 win over Missouri State, it was able to control the game from the start.

The pass rush and defense were able to take care of the rest.

This team can play with power, it doesn’t turn the ball over enough to matter – for the most part – and the ground game should be able to take over for stretches to take control of the game.

However …

Why James Madison Will Win

The James Madison (6-0) defense is fantastic.

It got pushed a bit by the high-powered VMI offense in the 31-24 win, and the team had hang on late to get the win, but the Dukes might have the right formula to get by the Fighting Hawks.

They have the No. 1 defense in the FCS, the running game is a powerhouse – Jawon Hamilton ripped off a 99-yard touchdown run as part of the 309 yards on the ground the team cranked up against the Keydets – and the run defense doesn’t allow much of anything.

It’s not necessarily about ball control with JMU, but as long as the efficient passing game doesn’t have to take any chances – QB Cole Johnson was just okay against VMI, making a few big throws but also giving away two interceptions – the offense should be fine.

What’s Going To Happen

Whose lines do you like better?

North Dakota can do a little of everything right, but James Madison should be able to run well early on just enough to take the pressure off the passing attacks and the Duke defense should be better at getting off the field.

How did North Dakota lose to North Dakota State? The Fighting Hawks couldn’t control the clock, couldn’t stop the run, and couldn’t keep the chains moving. This won’t be 34-13 like that was, but James Madison should be able to use the same formula to move on.

North Dakota vs James Madison FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

James Madison 27, North Dakota 24
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 5

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North Dakota vs Missouri State FCS Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Playoffs

North Dakota vs Missouri State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota vs Missouri State prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

North Dakota vs Missouri State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, April 24
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: Alerus Center, Grand Fork, ND
Network: ESPN3

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

North Dakota vs Missouri State FCS Playoff Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the FCS Playoff go to BetMGM

Why Missouri State Will Win

Bobby Petrino’s team got hot at just the right time.

Missouri State (5-2) started out with a home loss to Central Arkansas, and it looked like it would be just another lost, rebuilding season. But after a 25-0 loss to North Dakota State – and a 1-2 spring start – everything kicked in with four straight wins, the defense got tough in key moments, and now there’s a shot at pulling off something special in the FCS Playoffs.

The Bears are great at taking the ball away, helped by a pass rush that’s among the best in the FCS and able to bring constant pressure. The North Dakota defense isn’t anything amazing, it can be thrown on, and …

Why North Dakota Will Win

Missouri State doesn’t do much through the air. It needs to run well to win, and that’s an issue against a North Dakota (4-1) team that allowed just 657 total rushing yards and 131 per game.

One of the fun surprises this season, the Fighting Hawks were in the mix for the No. 1 spot in the FCS Playoffs – or should’ve been – right up until a March loss at North Dakota State. Two late-season games weren’t able to go, so to spin it into a positive, this is a rested team that’s about to try blasting away with the ground game.

Missouri State’s run defense has been okay, but the pass defense has been a problem. Against a fresh Otis Weah – the North Dakota back averaged 7.5 yards per carry with seven scores – the Bears are about to get hit on the ground.

What’s Going To Happen

These two were supposed to play on April 3rd, but the game was cancelled – the FCS Playoffs would’ve been a whole lot different is that was played.

North Dakota started out great and kept playing well before getting rolled by North Dakota State, and now it’s going to get its groove back.

The Fighting Hawk offensive line was one of the most effective in the FCS, and it’ll be the difference. North Dakota will generate the defensive pressure that Missouri State won’t, controlling the clock and the game from the start.

North Dakota vs Missouri State FCS Playoff Prediction, Line

North Dakota 27, Missouri State 17
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 4

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South Dakota vs North Dakota Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

South Dakota Coyotes vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

South Dakota Coyotes vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

South Dakota vs North Dakota Broadcast

Date: Thursday, March 4
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
Network: ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

South Dakota (1-0) vs North Dakota (2-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why South Dakota Will Win

The Coyotes came up with a great performance to get by Illinois State with a big comeback scoring 27 straight points for the 27-20 win.

Taking the ball away seven times helped the cause.

The defense is still a concern after having issues two years ago – it gave up 447 yards and got hit for 280 through the air – but the takeaways made up for it. On the other side, the Coyote offense has to get the passing attack going against a Fighting Hawk secondary that had a few problems against South Dakota State, but …

Why North Dakota Will Win

Where did this come from?

With North Dakota State shaky, and with the 28-17 win over South Dakota State, is this North Dakota’s conference for the taking?

It’s dominating the time of possession battle, the defense was able to come up with three takeaways against the Jackrabbits, and there’s a nice balance happening for a team playing like it’s in midseason form over the first two games.

Yes, South Dakota came up with a big win over Illinois State, but it’s not going to get seven takeaways again, and all of the mistakes glossed over the lack of any sort of a ground game.

What’s Going To Happen

North Dakota is playing far too well over the first two games. The offense keeps on coming, there aren’t a ton of mistakes, and they’re taking the conference by storm with the defense taking over when needed.

South Dakota, again, might have come up with a great defensive performance, and there’s enough talent to come up with a quick turnaround, but the Fighting Hawks will keep the scoring going with the defense holding down the Coyote ground game.

South Dakota vs North Dakota Prediction, Line

North Dakota 38, South Dakota 24
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 3

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South Dakota State at North Dakota Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

South Dakota State at North Dakota Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 27
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer qCq1wvUC]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

South Dakota State (10-) vs North Dakota (1-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why South Dakota State Will Win

South Dakota State wasn’t always brilliant in the 24-20 win over Northern Iowa, but it was brilliant when it had to be.

Mark Gronowski wasn’t supposed to be the shining star at quarterback, but he was able to lead the way on a terrific final drive and a calm, cool touchdown pass with 19 seconds to play, and the defense held on to get out with the victory.

The D was fantastic throughout – the Panthers couldn’t run a lick – and was brilliant on third downs. The O has to be stronger and more consistent, but if the defense can do that again, it’s about to come away with a great 2-0 start with two nasty tests on the road.

Speaking of defense …

Why North Dakota Will Win

The North Dakota defense wasn’t perfect against Southern Illinois, but it pulled off the slight stunner by coming up with five takeaways in the 44-21 win.

The defensive front didn’t allow much of anything on the ground, forced all of those mistakes, and got enough out of the offense to take advantage of the opportunities to pull away in the third quarter.

Lost a wee bit in the performance was the day from the offensive line that based away for a few big runs, a great day for the ground attack, and gave Tommy Schuster just enough time to not have to worry that much about the good SIU pass rush.

What’s Going To Happen

Is the South Dakota State offense ready to start doing more? Can the North Dakota defense be that good at taking the ball away?

Going on the road isn’t going to be a big deal for the Jackrabbits, and defense travels.

Schuster won’t hit enough big downfield plays, the South Dakota State defensive front will solid against the run, and it’ll be a good defensive fight that – like the Jackrabbit game against Northern Iowa – will come down to the final few minutes.

South Dakota State at North Dakota Prediction, Line

South Dakota State 27, North Dakota 23
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING

Must See Rating: 3.5

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