Everything to know about the 2023 FCS semifinals and why each team can win the title

The 2023 FCS championship semifinals are here, and four teams remain in the fight to lift this year's trophy. From the 24-team FCS playoff field, No. 1 South Dakota State, No. 2 Montana, No. 5 UAlbany and North Dakota State still have a chance at the title.

Here is everything you need to know about the national semifinals and why each team has a shot at lifting the hardware. 

No. 5 UAlbany at No. 1 South Dakota State
Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2

South Dakota State is the defending FCS champion and enters the semifinals on a 27-game win streak. Meanwhile, UAlbany is making its first-ever appearance in the FCS semifinals. 

It'll be a classic David vs. Goliath battle in the semifinals, but both teams have what it takes to win. Here's why each team can win this year's title.

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Why South Dakota State can win the title

Zero offensive weaknesses

If you look at South Dakota State's offense and try to find a weakness, you'll have hard luck. The Jackrabbits have zero holes from the skill positions to the trenches. All four SDSU AP All-Americans came from the offense that ranks seventh in scoring, first in third down efficiency, first in red zone offense and sixth in total offense. 

Any team with zero holes offensively will be hard to prevent from winning a title.

HE. IS. GONE.

🎥 ESPN+ x x 🐰🏈

— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB)

A different level

South Dakota State entered 2023 as the defending FCS champions and has played on a different level this year. The Jackrabbits have defeated six ranked teams already this year and two more unranked teams that made the playoffs. In the playoffs, SDSU has won by a 26-point  average margin of victory. Only two games have been decided by one possession all year.

South Dakota State has been on a different level this year; a dominant level. When the Jackrabbits are at their best, no one can keep up.

Why UAlbany can win the title

ReeseMagic

In back-to-back playoff games, UAlbany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger has made something out of nothing to score a touchdown. 

From Rocket Man to Magic Man 🪄 🟪 🟨

— UAlbany Football (@UAlbanyFootball)

I've given him the nickname "ReeseMagic" (think FitzMagic like Harvard legend Ryan Fitzpatrick) for his spectacular efforts that look like something Houdini might do on the football field. Poffenbarger's ability to make big plays — magical or routine — sets this Great Dane team apart. He's one of, if not the, best quarterbacks remaining in the postseason. He could carry UAlbany to a title.

BRACKET: See the official 2023 FCS playoff bracket

Defensive All-Americans at every level

A look at the recently released FCS AP All-Americans will show three Great Danes making the cut: defensive end Anton Juncaj, linebacker Dylan Kelly and cornerback Aamir Hall. That's ELITE talent at every level, and it's not even considering the depth UAlbany has among its other starters. 

Sometimes, star power is all a team needs to carry it to a title, and the Great Danes have some supernovas.

No no no ☝️ 🟪🟨

— UAlbany Football (@UAlbanyFootball)

Here's more on how South Dakota State and UAlbany stack up statistically:

North Dakota State at No. 2 Montana
Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

North Dakota State and Montana will meet for the fifth time at the FCS level in the 2023 semifinals, the third straight postseason matchup between the powerhouse programs. The Bison have sent the Grizzlies home from the playoffs in the last two meetings, including a second-round battle in 2022. 

However, 2023 will mark the first time Montana hosts a playoff game between the two schools. Nonetheless, both teams remain title threats in what could be another instant classic game.

Here's why each team can win this year's title.

Why Montana can win the title

Dual-Threat QB

Montana quarterback Clifton McDowell has been playing fantastically over the last two months, attacking defenses through the air and on the ground. McDowell's 118 rushing yards in the quarterfinals against Furman were crucial, as no other Montana rusher gained more than 19 yards. 

McDowell adds an element to the Montana offense that takes it to the next level. That level could be a championship level when it's all said and done.

RESPONSE from ! 👏

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB)

Defense wins championships

The classic saying in sports is "defense wins championships." While some may view the phrase as cliche, it does have some truth in the FCS, where a losing team hasn't scored more than three touchdowns in the FCS title game since 2015. That's great news for Montana, a team that allows 15.85 points per game, the fourth-best total in the FCS.

Whether it's Alex Gubner up front or TraJon Cotton on the backend, the Grizzlies have proven it has the playmakers on defense to carry this team to a title.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: The top 5 plays from Eli Gillman’s Jerry Rice Award season

Special plays on special teams

If you watched the FCS quarterfinals, then you saw Montana score two touchdowns on special teams from Junior Bergen. A great special teams unit can be an X-factor in playoff games, especially when every snap matters. 

Montana's special teams unit could win them more games down the stretch, whether by scoring touchdowns or winning the field position battle.

Why North Dakota State can win the title

Efficiency at quarterback

North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller is one of the nation's most efficient passers, ranking second nationally at 173.44. Miller has completed over 86 percent of his passes in two of his three FCS playoff games so far this postseason and only has four games in which he completed fewer than 70 percent of his passes this year. He rarely turns the ball over either, with only four interceptions on the season.

Miller's efficiency at quarterback helps keep the North Dakota State offense mistake-free, which is vital to any team making a title run. 

SEEDS: The importance of a top seed in the FCS playoffs, explained

Turnovers

North Dakota State's defense leads the FCS with 21 interceptions and ranks second for total turnovers gained with 27. Safety Cole Wisniewski leads the FCS with eight interceptions. That's equal to or more than 46 FCS teams. 

Few in the country can take the ball away like the Bison, and more turnovers mean more offensive possessions, which means more chances for points. And the only way to win the FCS title is to score more points than the other team.

𝘾𝙊𝘿𝙀 𝙂𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙉!

Luke Weerts tips it and Cole Wisniewski gets his seventh interception of the season. 💪

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

One last dance

News broke this week that head coach Matt Entz would be departing North Dakota State at the end of its playoff run to join the Southern California coaching staff. It's the end of an era for the Bison dynasty. 

Another all-time great dynasty lost its coach once too — the 1990s Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were motivated to win the title during their "Last Dance." Who's to say North Dakota State can't do the same?

A message from to 🦬

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

Here's more on how North Dakota State and Montana stack up statistically: