Last Updated on August 23, 2018 10:15 am by admin
(STATS) – Have North Dakota State fans booked hotel rooms in Fargo, Texas, during the first week of January?
Probably.
With a veteran, star-studded lineup – and a favorable schedule – the Bison are generally expected to get back to the FCS championship game. Their dynasty is tied with Georgia Southern for the most overall titles at six – all this decade.
NDSU also has won seven straight Missouri Valley Football Conference title, but much of the Bison’s best competition are rival programs.
Following is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2018 MVFC race and STATS’ predicted order of finish:
1. North Dakota State
2. South Dakota State
3. Northern Iowa
4. South Dakota
5. Illinois State
6. Youngstown State
7. Western Illinois
8. Southern Illinois
9. Missouri State
10. Indiana State
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TEAM CAPSULES=
1. NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON=
LOCATION: Fargo, North Dakota
STADIUM: Fargodome
HEAD COACH: Chris Klieman (54-6, four seasons; 57-13 overall)
2017 RECORDS: 14-1, 7-1 Missouri Valley (1st)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (7 offense/7 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Easton Stick, QB, Sr.; Bruce Anderson, RB, Sr.; Lance Dunn, RB, Sr.; Ty Brooks, RB, Jr.; Darrius Shepherd, WR, Sr.; Tanner Volson, C, Sr.; Zack Johnson, RT, Jr.; Colin Conner, LT, Sr.; Caleb Butler, DE, Sr.; Greg Menard, DE, Sr.; Aaron Steidl, DT, Sr.; Jabril Cox, LB, So.; Levi Jordheim, LB, Sr.; Robbie Grimsley, SS, Sr.; Jalen Allison, CB, Sr.; Jaylaan Wimbush, CB, Sr.; Cam Pedersen, PK, Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: RJ Urzendowski, WR; Nick DeLuca, MLB, Tre Dempsey, S
OUTLOOK: A program with never-ending drive, NDSU is giving chase of a record seventh FCS national title. The overwhelming preseason No. 1 team has a 97-8 record since 2011. The offense is one of the best in the nation at controlling game clock, and the Bison are especially loaded in the skills positions with QB Stick (34-3 career record) and TBs Anderson (1,216 yards, 12 TDs) and Dunn (684 yards, 12 TDs in eight games). The defense is deep on the line, including DE Menard returning from injury. Along with Menard, SS Grimsley and LB Cox give the defense a preseason All-American in each unit. The seven-time defending MVFC champ opens the season with four home games and has seven overall, so the path is paved for a No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs.
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2. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE JACKRABBITS=
LOCATION: Brookings, South Dakota
STADIUM: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium
HEAD COACH: John Stiegelmeier (148-97, 21 seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 11-3, 6-2 Missouri Valley (Tie/2nd)
STARTERS RETURNING: 12 (5 offense/7 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Taryn Christion, QB, Sr.; Isaac Wallace, RB, Sr.; Mikey Daniel, RB, Jr.; Luke Sellers, FB, Jr.; Cade Johnson, WR/KR, So.; Marquise Lewis, WR/PR, Jr.; Wes Genant, OL, Jr.; Ryan Earith, DE, Jr.; Christian Rozeboom, LB, Jr.; Dalton Cox, LB, Sr.; Logan Backhaus, LB, So.; Eric Kleinschmit, LB, Sr.; Jordan Brown, CB, Sr.; Marshon Harris, CB, Jr.; Larenzo Williams, S, Jr.; Chase Vinatieri, PK, Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Jake Wieneke, WR; Dallas Goedert, TE; DT Kellen Soulek, DT
OUTLOOK: Everybody has talked about South Dakota State taking a step backward following the loss of a significant senior class, but a No. 3 ranking in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25 reaffirms Stiegelmeier has built one of the nation’s best FCS programs. The Jackrabbits are coming off their first appearance in the national semifinals. QB Christion, who was terrible in the semifinal loss (motivation now), is the SDSU career leader in total offense (9,697 yards) and touchdown passes (72). Weineke and Goedert are irreplaceable in the passing game, but the ‘Rabbits can instead pound the run with Wallace and Daniel. The defense will be improved, especially if it increases the pass rush. LB Rozeboom has led the team in tackles in each of his first two seasons and CB Brown is a pro prospect. The special teams should be outstanding.
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3. NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS=
LOCATION: Cedar Falls, Iowa
STADIUM: UNI-Dome
HEAD COACH: Mark Farley (142-72, 17 seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 8-5, 6-2 Missouri Valley (Tie/2nd)
STARTERS RETURNING: 16 (10 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Eli Dunne, QB, Sr.; Marcus Weymiller, RB, Sr.; Trevor Allen, RB, Jr.; Jaylin James, WR, Jr. ; Jalen Rima, WR/RS, Jr.; Isaiah Weston, WR, So.; Briley Moore, TE, Jr.; Elias Nissen, TE, Sr.; Cal Twait, OL, Sr.; Jackson Scott-Brown, OL, Jr.; Bryce Douglas, DL, Sr.; Rickey Neal Jr., OLB, Sr.; Duncan Ferch, LB, Sr.; Xavior Williams, DB/PK, So.; A.J. Allen, DB, Sr.; Sam Drysdale, PK, Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Daurice Fountain, WR; Jared Farley, LB; Elijah Campbell, S
OUTLOOK: UNI usually enjoys late-season success (the Panthers won six of seven before falling to South Dakota State in the playoff second round last season), but this season, the Panthers are seeking a faster start. They get both SDSU and North Dakota State at the UNI-Dome. The offense found its identity in the second half when RB Weymiller (809 yards, 8 TDs in nine games) returned from injury. He and experienced QB Dunne (2,704 yards, 26 TDs) will work behind a physical offensive line. The bigger losses are on defense. Neal, who led the Missouri Valley with 10 sacks, is dropping back from defensive end to outside linebacker and CB Williams is another in a long line of top defensive backs.
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4. SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTES=
LOCATION: Vermillion, South Dakota
STADIUM: DakotaDome
HEAD COACH: Bob Nielson (12-12, two seasons; 198-92-1 overall)
2017 RECORDS: 8-5, 4-4 Missouri Valley (Tie/5th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (7 offense/8 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Austin Simmons, QB, Jr.; Michael Fredrick, RB, Sr.; Kai Henry, RB, So.; Shamar Jackson, WR, Sr.; Kody Case, WR/RS, So.; Reggie Crawford, WR, R-Fr.; Nick Jensen, LT, Sr.; Mason Scheidegger, OL, So.; Tyler Ciurej, OL, So.; Darin Greenfield, DE, Jr.; Nathan Schultz, DT, So.; Alex Coker, LB, Sr.; Andrew Gray, FS, Sr.; Phillip Powell, SS, So.; Isaac Armstead, CB, Sr.; Brady Schutt, P, So.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Chris Streveler, QB; Brandt Van Roekel, WR; Danny Rambo, CB
OUTLOOK: There’s no replacing Streveler, the 2017 MVFC offensive player of the year, but QB Simmons has experience, winning two conference starts in his first two seasons. That position is the biggest question for a team that last year had a breakout season and reached the second round of the playoffs. There’s plenty of help for Simmons in an experienced offensive line, RBs Frederick and Henry (a combined 1,318 rushing yards and 13 TDs), and WR Jackson (53 receptions, 766 yards, 4 TDs). The defense needs improvement against the run, but it was excellent at pass rushing, led by DE Greenfield (19½ tackles for loss, 9 sacks). The Coyotes were picked sixth in the MVFC’s preseason poll.
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5. ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS=
LOCATION: Normal, Illinois
STADIUM: Hancock Stadium
HEAD COACH: Brock Spack (68-40, nine seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 4-4 Missouri Valley (Tie/5th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 13 (8 offense/5 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Brady Davis, QB, Jr. (Memphis transfer); Jake Kolbe, QB, Sr.; James Robinson, RB, Jr.; Spencer Schnell, WR/PR, Sr.; Braxton Haley, WR, Jr. (Dodge City CC transfer); Tylor Petkovich, TE, Sr.; Drew Himmelman, LT, So.; Gabe Megginson, LG, Jr. (Illinois transfer); Matt Swaine, DE, Sr.; Jason Harris, DL, Jr.; Decxavier Kelly-Martin, LB, Jr.; Willie Edwards, DB, Jr.; Mitchell Brees, S, Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Christian Gibbs, WR; Dalton Keene, DL; Davontae Harris, CB
OUTLOOK: Three straight season-ending losses to MVFC playoff teams halted the Redbirds’ run of three consecutive playoff appearances. The offense is more much experienced than the defense, but it has a new season-opening quarterback after Memphis transfer Davis earned the job over up-and-down, two-year starter Kolbe (5,105 career passing yards). One key is Kurt Beathard, the offensive coordinator in the 2014 FCS runner-up season, has returned to the program. The go-to offensive weapons are RB Robinson (933 yards, 12 TDs) and WR Schnell (51 receptions, 679 yards, 4 TDs). The defense suffered big losses, including leading tackler Tyree Horton, who was dismissed from the team. The Redbirds also are replacing clutch PK Sean Slattery.
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6. YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS=
LOCATION: Youngstown, Ohio
STADIUM: Arnold D. Stambaugh Stadium
HEAD COACH: Bo Pelini (23-15, three seasons, 90-42 overall)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 4-4 Missouri Valley (Tie/5th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 11 (5 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Nate Mays, QB, Jr.; Montgomery VanGorder, QB, Sr. (Notre Dame transfer); Tevin McCaster, TB, Sr.; Christian Turner, TB/KR, So.; Samuel St. Surin, WR, So.; Kierre Hawkins, TE, So. (Ohio State transfer); Charles Reeves, TE, R-Fr. (Pittsburgh transfer); Vitas Hrynkiewicz, C, Sr.; Gavin Wiggins, OG, Sr.; Savon Smith, DT, Sr.; Johnson Louigene, DE, Sr.; Armand Dellovade, LB, Sr.; Bryce Gibson, CB, So.; Kyle Hegedus, S, Jr.; Zak Kennedy, PK, Sr.; Steven Wethli, LS, Sr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Kevin Rader, TE; Justin Spencer, OT; Billy Nicoe Hurst, DB
OUTLOOK: Last season’s mediocrity was disappointing for a team that was the FCS runner-up in 2016. Some key players are holdovers from that squad, including RB McCaster, C Hrynkiewicz, DT Smith and LB Dellovade. McCaster (1,066 yards, 13 TDs) fuels the rushing attack, and Turner will be mixed in. Injuries forced QB Mays into action a year ago and he hopes to be improved after an up-and-down campaign. The physical defense suffered a blow during the summer when DE Justus Reed was lost for the season with an Achilles tear. Dellovade is the defensive leader of a unit seeking to force more turnovers. The road portion of the schedule has plenty of tough games, including West Virginia, South Dakota State and North Dakota State.
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7. WESTERN ILLINOIS FIGHTING LEATHERNECKS=
LOCATION: Macomb, Illinois
STADIUM: Hanson Field
HEAD COACH: Jared Elliott (first season)
2017 RECORDS: 8-4, 5-3 Missouri Valley (4th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 11 (5 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Sean McGuire, QB, Sr.; Steve McShane, RB/PR, Sr.; Max Norris, RB, Jr.; Clint Ratkovich, RB, So.; Zeke Lesure, WR, Sr.; Brandon Gaston, WR, R-Jr.; Adam Conrady, TE, Sr.; Drew Wagner, OL, Sr.; Khalen Saunders, DL, Sr.; Quentin Moon, LB, Sr.; Riggs Baxter, LB, Sr.; Pete Swenson, LB, Sr.; Justin Fitzpatrick, DB, Sr.; Xavier Rowe, CB, Sr.; Sam Crosa, PK, R-Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Jaelon Acklin, WR; Jacob Judd, OL; Brett Taylor, LB
OUTLOOK: Recent WIU teams have started quickly, but Elliott, formerly the assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator, faces a difficult start as a head coach. The Leathernecks open at Montana State and Illinois and against Montana in non-conference games and then have Youngstown State, Illinois State on the road and North Dakota State to begin the MVFC schedule. It’s fortunate the Leathernecks have QB McGuire (6,925 career passing yards) as a 3½-year starter to lead the way again. They also boast a strong running back duo in McShane and Norris. The defense can no longer rely on Taylor, who led the FCS in tackles last season, but it has another All-American in DT Saunders.
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8. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS=
LOCATION: Carbondale, Illinois
STADIUM: Saluki Stadium
HEAD COACH: Nick Hill (8-14, two seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 4-7, 2-6 Missouri Valley (Tie/8th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (6 offense/9 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Sam Straub, QB, Sr.; D.J. Davis, RB/KR, Jr.; Jonathan Mixon, RB, Sr.; Darrell James, WR, Sr.; Raphael Leonard WR, Sr.; Nigel Kilby, TE, Jr. (Garden City CC transfer); Jacob Marnin, C, Jr.; Anthony Knighton, DE, So.; Jordan Berner, DE, So.; Malik Haynes, DT, Jr.; Cody Crider, OLB, Jr.; Airan Reed, OLB, Jr.; Jeremy Chinn, S, Jr.; Tory Lewis, CB, Jr.; James Ceaser, CB, Jr.; Lane Reazin, P, Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Devondre Seymour, OT; Ryan Neal, S; Craig James, CB
OUTLOOK: After back-to-back 4-7 records in Hill’s first two seasons, the experienced Salukis are the dark horse in the MVFC, although they have to navigate heavy traffic. The offense is the team’s strength as long as QB Straub is healthy. The Salukis were 4-3 with him and 0-4 without him last year. He has terrific weapons in WRs James (773 yards, 8 TDs) and Leonard and all-purpose threat Davis. The pieces are in place for defensive improvement, especially with building-block DEs Knighton (11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks) and Berner, a pair of sophomores.
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9. MISSOURI STATE BEARS=
LOCATION: Springfield, Missouri
STADIUM: Plaster Sports Complex
HEAD COACH: Dave Steckel (8-25, three seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 3-8, 2-6 Missouri Valley (Tie/9th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (6 offensive/9 defensive)
KEY PLAYERS: Peyton Huslig, QB, Jr.; Jason Randall, RB, Sr.; Myron Mason, RB, So.; Lorenzo Thomas, WR, So.; Marquis Prophete, OL, Sr.; Aaron Clardy, OL, Sr.; Skyler Hulse, DL, Sr.; Eric Johnson, DL, So.; Angelo Garbutt, LB, Jr.; McNeece Egbim, LB, Jr.; Darius Joseph, CB, Jr.; Jared Beshore, S, Sr.; Kam Carter, S, Jr.; Austin Henderson, S, Jr.; Brendon Withrow, P, Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: WR Malik Earl, WR; Deion Holliman, WR/RS; Colby Isbell, DL
OUTLOOK: The emergence of dual-threat QB Huslig (2,602 yards of total offense, 13 total TDs) last season helps fuel the hope for increased success in Steckel’s fourth season. The Bears added some junior college transfers to fortify the offensive line, but the key is finding playmakers to replace Earl and Holliman. The defense was pushed around last season, but brings back nine starters, led by leading tackler Garbutt and CB Joseph. The defense has to improve on third downs and get the offense back on the field quicker.
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10. INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES=
LOCATION: Terre Haute, Indiana
STADIUM: Memorial Stadium
HEAD COACH: Curt Mallory (0-11, one season)
2017 RECORDS: 0-11, 0-8 Missouri Valley (10th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 13 (6 offense/7 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Jalil Kilpatrick, QB, Jr. (Kilgore CC transfer); Jaquan Keys, RB, R-Sr.; Rontrez Morgan, WR, So.; Michael Thomas, WR, So.; Tate Levitt, OL, Gr. (Kentucky transfer); Max Morgan-Elliot, OL, So.; Wyatt Wozniak, OL, R-Jr.; Isaiah Edwards, OL, Jr.; Rex Mosley, DL, R-Sr.; Inoke Moala, DL, Jr.; Jonas Griffith, LB, R-Jr.; Katrell Moss, LB, R-Sr.; Anthony Tucker, DB, R-So.; Brenton Lockett, DB, R-Sr.; Rondell Green, CB, Sr.; Jerry Nunez, PK, Jr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: LeMonte Booker, RB; Bob Pugh, WR; Jacquet McClendon, TE
OUTLOOK: Another winless season appears unlikely (a home game versus Quincy is the opener), but it still may be hard for the Sycamores to climb out of the MVFC basement in Mallory’s second season. The conference is brutally strong, of course, but the Sycamores’ offense also is quite new in the skills positions, including transfer QB Kilpatrick at the controls. The scenario with the 4-3 defense is different, with LBs Griffith (107 tackles, seven sacks) and Moss (101 tackles) and CB Green (14 passes defended) leading an experienced, talented unit. Mallory wanted his players to get bigger and stronger in the offseason to be a more physical team. Younger players hope to grab key roles and lead them toward brighter days.