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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. With North Dakota State off to the FBS, it looks like the Brawl of the Wild for the FCS crown.
That's because rivals Montana and Montana State, which bear that rivalry game name, are both poised to make national championship runs in Nashville this season. South Dakota State, NDSU's former archrival, is also a serious contender.
Here's a look at these contenders and if any of them can pull off FBS upsets along the way.
The defending national champion Montana State Bobcats have high expectations with many key players back.
That includes quarterback Justin Lamson, running back Adam Jones and wide receiver Taco Dowler. Defensively, the Bobcats have star players in linebacker Cole Taylor and safety Caden Dowler.
Montana State visits Nevada this season, and the Bobcats likely could take down the struggling Mountain West team on Sept. 12.
The Montana Grizzlies have a new head coach in Bobby Kennedy, and expectations are high in Missoula.
Montana's offense is loaded with quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat and skill players in running back Eli Gillman and wide receiver Brooks Davis. The Griz also have lots of experience and talent on defense with linebackers Peyton Wing and Solomon Tuliaupupu.
Montana visits Oregon State on Sept. 19, and the Griz look poised to grab a win in Corvallis, where the Beavers are mired in back-to-back losing seasons.
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are poised to take over the Missouri Valley Football Conference and make a run to Nashville.
SDSU quarterback Chase Mason and wide receiver Lofton O'Groske make for a talented tandem on offense. The Jackrabbits also have a tough defense with defensive end Reis Kirschenman and linebacker Chase Van Tol.
SDSU visits Northwestern on Sept. 5, and the Wildcats are susceptible to FCS teams despite being a Big Ten program. The Jackrabbits look to beat a Power Four team for the second time in program history when visiting Evanston.
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