Sky-high expectations are nothing new for North Dakota State. When you've won six of the last seven FCS national titles and return a senior-laden team, everyone knows what the ultimate goal is and, fair or not, anything short of standing on the Frisco stage is a disappointment.
But that one year started to creep into preseason conversations that made those expectations hit its peak.
2013.
That's the only year the Bison went undefeated in their run of titles and considered one of, if not the best team in this subdivision's history.
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Not only were the 2018 Bison predicted by many to win yet another national championship, but some had them doing it in 15-0 fashion. Seven games in, it's looking more and more like NDSU is as close to that 2013 team as the 2014, 2015 and 2017 national champs.
The remaining four regular-season games present some challenges, but South Dakota, Youngstown State, Missouri State and Southern Illinois don't pack the same punch as South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois and Illinois State.
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The Bison look downright dominant right now. Illinois State was ranked No. 8 heading into today's game and was a popular pick nationally and locally to spring the upset. The Bison jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and coasted from there to win 28-14 against the same team that beat FBS Colorado State 35-19. While just about every Top 10 team in the country has shown some vulnerabilities, NDSU just keeps rolling.
NDSU is now 7-0 with three ranked wins (at the time of the game) on its resume – No. 3 SDSU, No. 22 UNI and No. 8 ISU. Delaware is also now in the rankings and sits at 5-2. The Bison dominated the Blue Hens in September 38-10, which looks even more impressive as the season progresses.
This team is as good as advertised in the preseason. A Top 2 seed is looking like a lock and an undefeated regular season becomes more clear with each passing week.
As the cliche goes, anything can happen in the playoffs. But as of this point in the season, NDSU's armor is the only one in the FCS without a chink in it.
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