We’ll start this with a fun fact about me:
I own a Carson Wentz North Dakota State jersey.
I don’t think it was legally licensed, based on how much paper came out of it the first time I washed it (I think an iron-on patch might’ve gotten sewn on without the backing being removed) and the fact that I bought it on eBay and the fact it showed up on my credit card statement as a payment to Dragon Box which briefly convinced me I’d been frauded.
But it gets the job done.
Anyway, perhaps you too have a Carson Wentz North Dakota State jersey. Or North Dakota State apparel of another sort. If not, don’t go and buy it just yet. We should know if NDSU’s in the field before the time limit for rush shipping hits.
Yes, the Bison are your Summit League regular season champions, having defeated South Dakota State in the finale to finish the regular season tied with the Jacks. SDSU was without Douglas Wilson in that game, but they can’t change that now, and NDSU’s the beneficiary of providence (not Providence, they have nothing to do with this), looking to add their first-ever NIT berth to a trophy case full of FCS achievements.
To make the NIT, NDSU will need to lose. Obviously. It’s unlikely that loss will come today—Denver’s pretty bad—but on Monday, they’ll likely play Oral Roberts, whom people are saying is the best team in the league outside of NDSU and SDSU. Even if they get through that unscathed, South Dakota or South Dakota State awaits, and the latter could have Wilson back.
Long story short, get ready. Because North Dakota State could soon be coming to an NIT near you. Also track your weird expenses so you don’t spend four hours going back and forth on the phone between your bank and PayPal.
