BOZEMAN — On the eve of the FCS playoff semifinals, four teams remain: No. 1 seed Montana State and three schools that hail from the Dakotas.

MSU will face No. 4 seed South Dakota on Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. It is one of the biggest games in program history as the Cats are undefeated at 14-0 this season and are just one game away from their season goal of playing for a national championship on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas.

MSU is coming off a quarterfinal win over Idaho, while South Dakota beat UC Davis at home. The Coyotes (11-2) showcased their strong defense last week, forcing six turnovers against the Aggies.

“They’re definitely a team that plays complementary football,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said of South Dakota. “I know they’ve really benefited from the takeaways in the last two games. To get six against Davis is almost unusual.”

While Montana State takes on South Dakota, No. 2 seed North Dakota State hosts No. 3 seed South Dakota State in the semifinals on the other side of the bracket.

“There’s a reason why us and the Dakotas are in the final four,” Montana State defensive end Brody Grebe said. “I think it’s a physical type of football. Being able to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I think that’s what it comes down to, South Dakota and all teams (are) very physical teams, O-line.” , D-lines. And you have to get to the line of scrimmage to win these games.

MSU’s semifinals will also be the final home game for a group of 24 seniors who have put four to six years of work into a program that culminates in this final run.

“They did a really good job of making the most of every moment,” Vigen explained. “That means we’re going to prepare as best we can so that the moment works in our favor.” You know, I think that’s what I think this group really does for us. You are certainly aware of the seriousness of the situation, but you are not letting it weigh you down.

And home-field advantage — over 21,000 fans on the Bobcats’ side — will be crucial for Montana State on Saturday.

“I mean, you could see it in the Idaho game, a few false starts, miscommunication on some things, swings in momentum,” Grebe explained. “The momentum here at Bobcat Stadium is huge, so I hope we can do it again and it will be a great atmosphere.”

The game begins at 1:30 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. It airs on ABC.