Here’s what’s going to keep the game close:
1. Alerus Center. We are just very hard to play against at home.
2. Diversified offense. We have multiple weapons both on the ground and through the air, a good play caller, plus a very smart QB who can scramble for yards or escape pressure until something opens up.
3. Defense that adjusts. We probably will look a little porous in the first quarter or half, but we will have things dialed in after a few series.
Here’s what’s going to win the game:
1. Pressure on the QB, hopefully to force a turnover, like an interception or strip sack, or at least put them in 3rd/4th & Long.
2. A Special Teams play. Something like a fake punt, a big return, or blocked punt.
3. Crowd noise to cause penalties that put them in unfavorable down & distance.