UND injuries:
MLB Conner O'Brien retired before the season because of head injuries. He started all 12 games last season at inside linebacker and served as one of UND's captains.
DB 19 Deion Harris (out for the season, torn achilles, All-American)
LB 44 Donnell Rodgers (out for the season, starting inside linebacker, broken leg)
OL 65 Demon Taylor (out indefinitely with wha appeared to be a serious knee injury during the South Dakota game. He is, in my opinion, the best offensive guard in the Big Sky)
LB 45 Cam Hunt (out indefinitely, not sure the injury but was starting inside linebacker next to Rodgers).
FB 42 Kyle Norberg (out indefinitely, not sure the injury, a key to UND's running game)
DB 29 Andre Randolph (out for the season, expected to back up sophomore Torrey Hunt at CB)
WR 23 Josh Seibel (out indefinitely, veteran wide receiver)
WR 20 Easton Erbes (out indefinitely, was going to struggle to get into the rotation)
DB 6 Evan Holm (questionable, Harris' replacement. If he can't go — and Grand Forks Herald beat writer Tom Miller told me on our podcast this morning that it's looking less likely — UND will go with true freshman Hayden Blubaugh)
OL 72 Mat Cox (questionable, two-year starter at right tackle, has underperformed according to Miller because of injuries)
OL 78 A.J. Stockwell (questionable, three-year starter at left tackle, like Cox has left something to be desired because of injuries)
WR 81 Luke Stanley (questionable)
UND is starting 6-1, 205-pound senior OLB Jake Disterhaupt and redshirt freshman walk-on Jake Rastas (6-2, 200 pounds) at inside linebacker. At best, those are UND's 5th and sixth-best options at ILB in their 3-4 defense. Their stud true freshman who was expected to play and provide relief for Rodgers, is out indefinitely as well.
The safety spot next to Big Sky Defensive MVP Cole Reyes has been a rotating door as well, which has hurt UND. The interior offensive line has not performed well either as UND has struggled to run the ball, which is their sole identity on offense.
All that plus the fact that UND's blitzing scheme has always struggled containing mobile quarterbacks if the QBs can get out on the edge and the matchup seems to favor Montana State.