FCS Championship 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Info for Illinois State vs. NDSU

North Dakota State descends upon the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, set on capturing a fourth straight FCS national championship, but Illinois State stands in the way.

It's been a season of destiny for the Redbirds, who rode a high-powered offense to a 13-1 record that culminated in a thrilling comeback over New Hampshire in the FCS semifinals. Illinois State rattled off 15 points and blanked the Wildcats in the fourth quarter to win in epic fashion.

Bison fans don't know anything other than sheer dominance, having taken 11 of their 14 wins by double digits. The senior class that can win its fourth FCS title in four years also has a chance to win more championships than losses attained (three) in those four seasons.

Let's break down everything you need to know for the Illinois State and NDSU showdown.

2015 FCS Championship: Illinois State vs. NDSU

When: Saturday, January 10

Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

Start Time (ET): 1 p.m.

TV: ESPN2

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Illinois State vs. NDSU Preview

Bruce Crummy/Associated Press

Since 2011, the FCS championship and North Dakota State have been synonymous with each other.

Not only have the Bison won all three championships in that span, but they've done so in quite the convincing fashion. All three were decided by 10 or more points, with two being absolute blowouts in what were supposed to be back-and-forth affairs between evenly matched opponents.

Whether it goes that way again or not, Toyota Stadium certainly looks ready, per FCS Football:

With the way North Dakota State's 2014 season has gone, there's no indication of any slowing up. Junior quarterback Carson Wentz has been magnificent in his first year starting under center, throwing for 2,874 yards and 24 touchdowns behind a stout running game.

What the Bison lack in experience at quarterback, they more than make up for at other key positions. From defensive starters in linebacker Carlton Littlejohn and safeties Christian Dudzik and Colten Heagle, plenty of impact players have been on the big stage before. Another one is running back John Crockett, who finished third in the FCS in rushing yards this year.

The experience may help, but it's not everything as NDSU head coach Chris Klieman noted to The Sports Network's Craig Haley.

"

There's some advantages knowing what to expect as you go down there, but in the same respect, it's still a football game. And you've got to be able to execute and you can't turn the football over. I think once the ball is kicked off on Saturday, the experience factor is pretty much out - it's now who executes the best.

"

Of course, Illinois State can't come anywhere near matching NDSU's championship-game prowess over recent history. The Redbirds have only made five playoff appearances since 1978, and this year marked only the second time they've reached the semifinal round.

Jim Cole/Associated Press

The inevitable underdogs will, however, have the added familiarity of playing a team in their conference. Both hail from the Missouri Valley Conference, although they didn't end up playing one another during the season.

It's only right that they're playing now, per Haley:

"We wanted to play a Missouri Valley team," Redbirds head coach Brock Spack said. "And we didn't play each other, we tied for the championship. This is the way to settle, I guess."

The Bison will have their hands full containing Illinois State's duo of potent running backs.

The main cog in the attack is undoubtedly Marshaun Coprich, and the stats more than back it up. He racked up 2,168 rushing yards on 354 carries and 27 touchdowns—all FCS-highs.

But stopping the run doesn't start and end with Coprich, although any 2,000-yard rusher would almost guarantee that. With Tre Roberson also racking up 868 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, the duo has commanded NDSU's attention, per WDAY-TV's Dom Izzo:

Something will have to give, considering how well Illinois State runs the ball and the constant dominance of the North Dakota State defense. The Bison rank third in the FCS in total defense, according to The Sports Network. 

When it comes down to it, North Dakota State will have 60 minutes on the field in Frisco, Texas, to win yet another national championship. Illinois State has had destiny bring the Redbirds this far, but it will take reversing a trend four years in the making to hoist their first-ever national title.