Facing Montana State will not be easy for the University of Northern Colorado football team this weekend, but it has pieces to make the contest exciting.

UNC (2-2, 1-0 Big Sky) faces MSU (3-1, 1-0 Big Sky) in Bozeman this weekend. The Bears are coming off a 17-10 overtime win against Northern Arizona, while the Bobcats want to add to their three-game winning streak. Montana State's lone loss came against Wyoming in week one, when they fell, 19-16.

The hardest part for UNC will be overcoming the Montana State offense, one of the best in the Big Sky and a top contender in the FCS.

MSU is one of the best offensive teams in the league, landing in the top 5 for third down conversions, scoring and rushing. It ranks No. 6 in first downs per game and the passing offense.

Additionally, the Bobcats have several nationally ranked players, including junior running back Isaiah Ifanse. He leads the Big Sky and is No. 7 in the FCS for rushing with 122.3 yards per game.

"He is a great running back that's not easy to tackle, so it's going to take all 11 Bears on the defense to run to the ball and make our tackles," said UNC senior defensive back Jerone Jackson. "They're a good team. They have a good running game, so it could be a good game for the defense that we love to compete in — smash mouth football."

The Bobcats also feature junior quarterback Matthew McKay and senior wide receiver Lance McCutcheon. McKay averages 226 passing yards per game for No. 3 in the Big Sky and the FCS top 50. McCutcheon ranks third for Big Sky receptions and in the top 50 for FCS all purpose yards.

UNC's offense ranks nowhere near the top of the conference, much less the FCS. It's capable of making good plays, but the consistency is lacking.

Both teams have similar numbers when it comes to defense and are capable of making an impact in that respect. Montana State has an edge when it comes to scoring defense, but the Bears have some of the top individual defenders in the conference and the nation.

Junior linebacker Jace Bobo leads the Big Sky with 11.5 tackles per game, which is good enough for No. 7 in the FCS.

Sophomore defensive lineman David Hoage ranks in the FCS top 15 for tackles for loss, sacks and fumbles recovered. He and graduate linebacker Xander Gagnon, also a top FCS defender, have earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week recognition.

The Bears must get into an offensive rhythm, while the defense has to disrupt the opponent if they want a shot at back-to-back wins.

Despite some Northern Colorado's growing pains, the Bobcats aren't looking down on the Bears. First-year head coach Brent Vigen spoke highly of UNC coach Ed MCaffrey and the players he's brought in during his weekly press conference.

"They're a lot different than they would have been in '19. To even think anything resembles what they were in '19 would be a real mistake," Vigen said. "We could look at their scores, line them up, look at their stats and say whatever, but they're coming off a big win. We've got to be prepared for their best shot."

UNC and MSU will face off at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ for fans who are unable to make the road trip.