George Ferguson: Saturday's game could forever change the Bobcat football program, the university, and history

Has there ever been a bigger day in Bozeman?

Maybe the aftermath of the 1984 Division I-AA national championship game, but that was a long time ago. In fact, it's been an agonizingly long 37 years since the Montana State Bobcats played for, and last won a national championship. And while it's only been two long years since the Bobcats last went this far in the FCS playoffs, that 2019 semifinal appearance at North Dakota State doesn't even compare to what's about to happen Saturday.

No, this time around, the Bobcats get a shot at their first national title game since that magical, '84 season by playing in the semifinals at home. For as good as the Cats have been, and as storied a program as they are, it's hard to fathom, but it's true, this is the first time the Bobcats have ever hosted a semifinal game.

MSU got to this point as a No. 8 seed, too. But as the No. 8 seed, the Cats took care of business by throttling defending FCS champion Sam Houston State last Saturday night, with a freshman quarterback no less. And thanks to a win by unseeded South Dakota State last Saturday at Villanova, here we are, and here the Cats are. Standing on the verge of history.

Now let me get this out of the way MSU fans, and this is something you should already know - South Dakota State is really good. The fact that they lost three games doesn't matter - the Jackrabbits are elite. The fact that they are un-seeded makes no difference - the Jacks are loaded, especially at running back and on the offensive line. And the cold, and possible snow, and wind, yeah, that doesn't matter either - have you ever been to Brookings, South Dakota? In other words, there's a reason Vegas has the Jacks favored to win this game.

And on top of all that, I know Bobcat fans haven't forgotten the last time they saw SDSU in Bozeman in the playoffs, though they'd like to forget it I'm sure.

Now I will say, Bobcat Stadium will be rocking like it never has before. If this game isn't louder than any Cat-Griz game in Bozeman than you disappoint me Cat fans, because, I'm here to tell you, this game is bigger, much bigger than any game you've ever played against the Griz. If you don't get that, then I can't help you. I've been to every single semifinal game the Griz have ever hosted, and nothing compares. Nothing, including Cat-Griz, and I hope MSU fans get it, because if they do, then the Bobcats will have an incredible home field advantage Saturday afternoon.

But home field advantage aside, the Jacks are really good, and this game is going to be a fight to the finish.

Having said that, this game is also an incredible opportunity for MSU. Yes, the Cats went to the semifinals in 2019, but they were never, ever going to beat North Dakota State in Fargo. It wasn't going to happen and it didn't happen.

Saturday, though, is different.

The Bobcats can certainly beat SDSU. The Bobcats, in my opinion, while I expect the game to be close, should beat the Jacks, and go on to their first national championship game in three decades. That all can, and honestly should happen.

That's right, for the players, coaches, fans and the community of Bozeman, actually for half of the state of Montana for that matter, it's all right there, four quarters away. A chance to win a national championship, a chance to expand an already growing program's reputation, a chance to further expand the brand that is Montana State University. It's all within reach. It's all four quarters away in what is the biggest game Bobcat Stadium has ever seen.

Yes, history is right at the Bobcat's fingertips. History is only a couple hours from being made. All the Cats have to do is go out and win a game by all accounts they should win, and if that happens, the biggest day in Bozeman history, is going to turn into one of the biggest nights Bozeman has ever seen. All the Cats have to do is win one home game, and the program will be forever changed.

So good luck MSU, everything a football program like yours has ever wanted is right there for the taking. And that's why Saturday is the biggest home game in Montana State history.

Note: The game between the Bobcats and Jackrabbits will kick off at 12 p.m. in Bozeman. The game will be nationally-televised on ESPN2. The winner will face the winner of tonight's semifinal between No. 2 seed North Dakota State and No. 3 seed James Madison in the FCS championship game Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas.