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MONTANA STATE, NDSU BATTLE FOR FCS CROWN ON MONDAY
While the College Football Playoff has reached its final four teams, the FCS level is set to crown a champion on Monday.
A familiar face returns to the FCS National Championship as second-seeded North Dakota State seeks to knock off undefeated No. 1 Montana State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The Bison are eyeing their 10th FCS national title, while the Bobcats are looking to claim their first since 1984.
The Bobcats are riding their high-flying offense into the championship game, which ranks second in the country in yards per game with 484.5. Montana State signal caller Tommy Mellott has thrown 29 touchdowns to just two interceptions this season, but the Bobcat running back Scottre Humphrey is the engine that makes the offense move — rushing for 1,360 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 188 carries, good for 7.2 yards per carry.
North Dakota State boasts a similar offensive prowess, averaging 38.3 points per game — ranking third in the nation. The Bison also hold opponents to just 17.7 points per game — good for tenth in the FCS.
The Bison and Bobcats will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN on Monday, with the Bobcats as a 3.5-point favorite to claim the title.
CFP REJECTS SEC’S INQUIRY INTO FLIPPING CFP SEMIFINAL DATES
The College Football Playoff rejected a request from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to flip the dates of the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl to give Notre Dame more time between its playoff matchups.
Sankey’s inquiry came after the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia faced an 18-hour delay due to a tragic terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 15 people in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans.
While his request came before the Bulldogs and Fighting Irish squared off on Thursday, Sankey assured that he intended to create a fairer playing field for the winner — whether his conference’s Georgia team advanced or not.
“This is not an SEC-related issue; it's for both teams," Sankey said in an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show. "I also know that the communities have dates, they have plans, and there are stadium availability issues that can arise. What I've not heard back from anybody after having asked the question is really directly a yes or no answer to the question I asked.”
The College Football Playoff cited logistical issues for teams and fans as reasons to keep the semi-final schedule unchanged.
As it stands, the Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State will kick off on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Cotton Bowl — with Ohio State taking on Texas — will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
BRYCE JAMES COMMITS TO ARIZONA
Bryce James, the youngest son of Los Angeles Lakers star forward Lebron James, will be an Arizona Wildcat.
James — a three-star shooting guard from Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California — chose the Wildcats on Jan. 1, just one day after receiving an offer from Arizona. The guard also held offers from Duquesne and Ohio State.
James Gang Origins
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2025
Bryce's Arizona journey is gonna be fun to watch
(: @USC_Hoops, @ArizonaMBB) pic.twitter.com/wLNz4eOUz0
Standing at 6-4, James averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 3-of-17 from three-point range during the Peach Jam Tournament in July 2024.
James joins four-star small forward Dwayne Aristode in Arizona’s 50th-ranked 2025 recruiting class.
ICYMI
Ohio State’s dominant 41-21 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl reaffirmed the Buckeyes’ standing as the favorite to win it all.
NOBODY COULD STOP JEREMIAH SMITH IN SPECTACULAR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINAL PERFORMANCE
Jeremiah Smith was on another level against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, amassing 187 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches while facing various coverages from the Ducks.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TEXAS, OHIO STATE’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL OPPONENT
Take a look ahead at Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl opponent — Texas — before the Buckeyes and Longhorns clash on Friday with a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line.
WHAT'S NEXT
- Football: vs. Texas, Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Women’s basketball: @ No. 24 Michigan, Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET on B1G+
- Men’s basketball: @ Minnesota, Monday, 9 p.m. ET on FS1
