FCS championship game on tap … Fans can warm-up for this weekend’s pro playoff games, not to mention Monday night’s FBS college football title game clash between Ohio State and Oregon with what could be a pretty good FCS championship game between three-time defending champion North Dakota (14-1) and Illinois State (13-1) early Saturday afternoon on ESPN2. The game will be played in Frisco, Texas and kicks off at Noon ET. Ironically, both are teams are from the Missouri Valley conference, but because of vagaries in the league schedule, did not meet in the regular season. And while neither team has anyone who looks like a lock to be selected at the 2015 draft, there are several sleeper types pro scouts will be watching including NDSU DE Kyle Emanuel (#53, 6-3, 255), a high-motor edge rusher who was named FCS defensive player of the year this fall after he racked up 19.5 sacks and 31 total tackles for loss. Win or loss on Saturday, Emanuel won’ have much time to rest on his laurels as he is scheduled to participate in next week’s East-West Shrine all-star classic. Both teams feature solid rushing attacks with senior RB John Crockett (#23, 5-11, 215), another Shrine invitee, carrying the mail for the North Dakota State, while junior Marshaun Coprich (#25, 5-9, 205) does the heavy lifting for Illinois State. For the record, both had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage this fall, with Coprich grinding out almost 2,200 yards, while Crockett had just under 2,000 yards on the ground and another 400 on 38 receptions. Pro scouts will also be watching OTs Jermaine Barton (#70, 6-6, 315) of Illinois State, a late-round or free agent prospect for the upcoming draft, and NDSU junior All-American LT Joe Haeg (#59, 6-5, 305).
