12:05 pm
January 11

FCS National Championship: James Madison v. North Dakota State

Who will WIN this matchup?

James Madison Dukes (13-1)

North Dakota State Bison (14-0)

 

Current odds:

James Madison Dukes: (-105)

North Dakota State Bison: (-115)

 

• The line for this game is even.

• The Bison (15-0) and Dukes (14-1) will meet in the national championship game for the second time in three years. Back in 2017, North Dakota State edged James Madison 17-13 for the title. NDSU now looks to close out the decade with an eighth title in nine years, as JMU seeks its second championship in four years.

• Both teams enter Saturday’s championship game with top-10 scoring offenses in the FCS — James Madison sits second with 41.3 points per game while North Dakota State is seventh with 37.9. But weather may play a factor in slowing down both offenses.

• It’s expected to be 35 degrees with possible rain and winds up to 19 miles per hour by Saturday’s kickoff at noon ET in Frisco. Both sides downplayed the tough conditions at Friday’s press conferences, however.

• In his first year under center for the Bison, Lance has accounted for 41 total touchdowns (28 passing, 13 rushing). On Friday, he was named the 2019 Walter Payton Award winner, given annually to the best offensive player in FCS football. He’s supported by a veteran defensive unit that’s allowed a nation-low 11.8 points per game this season.

• For James Madison, redshirt senior quarterback Ben DiNucci comes in with 27 passing touchdowns and a 71.3 completion percentage for the year. He has two explosive weapons at receiver in Brandon Polk (73 catches, 1,173 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Riley Stapleton (55 catches, 688 yards, eight touchdowns).

• Here are the offensive stats leaders to watch at each position for North Dakota State and James Madison:

Trey Lance (NDSU): 186-of-277, 67.1 completion percentage, 2,714 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 0 INT

Ben DiNucci (JMU): 246-of-345, 71.3 completion percentage, 3,237 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, 5 INT

Ty Brooks (NDSU): 130 rushes, 940 rushing yards, 7.2 yards per rush, 5 TDs

Percy Agyei-Obese (JMU): 241 rushes, 1,143 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per rush, 19 TDs

Christian Watson (NDSU): 34 catches, 732 receiving yards, 6 TDs

Brandon Polk (JMU): 73 catches, 1,173 receiving yards, 11 TDs

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
North Dakota State Bison
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