I think that it will be close because we have proven that we can play with anyone and, at the same time, the home team wins 80% of its games in this conference (as of 2010). This is just opinion and I have no facts to back this up, but I think there is no real noticeable difference between UNI's defense and NDSU's. Perhaps UNI is a little faster and gives up some size in the secondary. UNI plays a pro style offense and it played into NDSU's game plan. NDSU may have more of a challenge against us, because of our hybrid spread. I think our team speed will make a difference, and I think we have a better offense than UNI. I think the speed on our O is better than the speed on UNI's O and this will present more of a challenge to NDSU. I am not sure what to call our offense. We don't really run out of an eye and we show the read to the Half Back, and we keep the pass option open at all times. At the end of the day, they are at home and really haven't made too many mistakes this year. They kind of remind me of the Tressel coached teams where they don't have one superstar and they are solid in all phases and play field position. It is going to be tough and they will find a way to keep it close if they are having issues with our O.
I think it will be a similar game to the game we played at UNI. I would like to see the coaches will vary the tempo of the game a little more. It would be nice to play keep away and chew up the clock, but throw in some quick snaps at times to catch the defense off guard. I also think we will take some shots vertically and try to open up the box, because I think that they will try to shut down our running game. I think NDSU will be hell bent on pressuring the QB and they will send several different blitz packages and throw different looks at us defensively.
NDSU is hurting at receiver and this may help our young secondary, however, it is time for them to come around.
I think it will be close because they are at home, but we are a team on the rise and IF the kids play each snap of the game to the best of their abilities we should come out of there with a win in a close game.