Originally Posted by
thebootiftter
You're right. You may have hit on a key difference that defines the NDSU program. It may sound cheesy to an outsider, but the Bison are about far more than the individual players on the field at any given point in time. There is a culture that transcends the skills of any individual player. A legacy that is far more than clichéd lip service that the team is greater than the sum of its parts.
I'm certain this post will be scoffed, and I'm okay with that. It's tough to understand from an outsider perspective.
The players who played in those games long ago won't be on the field, but they absolutely have an impact on how this game will go. They are legends in Bison lore, and the current generation of players will not let down the players who came before.
Believe it or not, that culture is a big part of what has made the NDSU Bison the winningest college football team of the past decade. It is a big part of why they can consistently punch above their weight class.
NDSU very well may fall short on the scoreboard, which would be a big bummer. It's happened before against far lesser teams than Oregon will field, for sure. There are no moral victories either. Even a strong showing against Oregon with fewer points on the board will be a loss, not a win. But you won't see the team give up.
Laugh at this post all you like. All I ask is that when the Bison punch the Ducks in the mouth harder than they expected... Maybe even give the Ducks a scare... Maybe even end the game with more points on the board... You don't chalk it up to a fluke. Remember this post and take a closer look at the toughest FCS program in history. It's a fun program to follow.