NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
DIVISION 1-AA (FCS)
The Division 1-AA (FCS) National Championship will be a rematch of last year, with the North Dakota State Bison defending their title against the Sam Houston State Bearkats. This game will be played in Frisco, Texas on January 5th. Below is our game analysis and prediction:
Here our the pages for the previous three playoff rounds: Second Round.....Quarterfinals.....Final Four
Here our the pages for the previous three playoff rounds: Second Round.....Quarterfinals.....Final Four
Saturday January 5th, 1:00pm, ESPN2. AT Frisco, Texas
The defending National Champions - North Dakota State Bison - needed some 4th quarter heroics to earn their second straight trip to Frisco, Texas. Bison QB Brock Jensen scored on a 5-yard quarterback draw on fourth down with three minutes left to get past Georgia Southern, a fundamentally-sound group that outgained NDSU 430-276. Sam Houston State avoided a huge meltdown in their Final Four win over Eastern Washington. SHSU led 35-0 at half, but needed a clutch defensive stand to hold off the Eagle's crazy comeback bid (45-42 final)....And then there were two...again. This will be a rematch from last year's National Championship, a 17-6 Bison win in what was quite a defensive struggle. Round 2 will feature NDSU's top rated defense against SHSU's 2nd ranked offense. Revenge will be on the Bearkats' minds, as they were close enough to taste the Championship glory a year ago, and are back again. Simply put, NDSU has struggled to move the ball and sustain drives. Look for the Bearkat defense to hold the Bison offense in check. On the other side of the ball - elite defense vs elite offense - NDSU should be in control for the most part, but a few breakdowns will cost them. Sam Houston State has both an efficient quarterback in Brian Bell, and a workhorse RB to rely on, Tim Flanders, who will get at least 20 carries. Despite NDSU Coach Craig Bohl being named Coach of the Year, I think SHSU Coach Willie Fritz rallies the troops and the Bearkats claim their first National Championship in school history, and win "The Rematch" ... Sam Houston State by 4
The defending National Champions - North Dakota State Bison - needed some 4th quarter heroics to earn their second straight trip to Frisco, Texas. Bison QB Brock Jensen scored on a 5-yard quarterback draw on fourth down with three minutes left to get past Georgia Southern, a fundamentally-sound group that outgained NDSU 430-276. Sam Houston State avoided a huge meltdown in their Final Four win over Eastern Washington. SHSU led 35-0 at half, but needed a clutch defensive stand to hold off the Eagle's crazy comeback bid (45-42 final)....And then there were two...again. This will be a rematch from last year's National Championship, a 17-6 Bison win in what was quite a defensive struggle. Round 2 will feature NDSU's top rated defense against SHSU's 2nd ranked offense. Revenge will be on the Bearkats' minds, as they were close enough to taste the Championship glory a year ago, and are back again. Simply put, NDSU has struggled to move the ball and sustain drives. Look for the Bearkat defense to hold the Bison offense in check. On the other side of the ball - elite defense vs elite offense - NDSU should be in control for the most part, but a few breakdowns will cost them. Sam Houston State has both an efficient quarterback in Brian Bell, and a workhorse RB to rely on, Tim Flanders, who will get at least 20 carries. Despite NDSU Coach Craig Bohl being named Coach of the Year, I think SHSU Coach Willie Fritz rallies the troops and the Bearkats claim their first National Championship in school history, and win "The Rematch" ... Sam Houston State by 4
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - LAST 10 YEARS
2011 - North Dakota State Bison defeated Sam Houston State (17-6)
2010 - Eastern Washington Eagles defeated Delaware (20-19)
2009 - Villanova Wildcats defeated Montana (23-21)
2008 - Richmond Spiders defeated Montana (24-7)
2007 - Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated Delaware (49-21)
2006 - Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated Massachusetts (28-17)
2005 - Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated Northern Iowa (21-16)
2004 - James Madison Dukes defeated Montana (31-21)
2003 - Delaware Blue Hens defeated Colgate (40-0)
2002 - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated McNeese State (34-14)