(STATS) - Week 2 Matchup: No. 12 Southeast Missouri (1-0) at No. 13 Montana State (0-1)

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET at Bobcat Stadium (20,767) in Bozeman, Montana

Television: SWX Montana

Series: First meeting

The Skinny: This is the only game in Week 2 of the college football season which matches two nationally ranked FCS teams.

Southeast Missouri has beaten five nationally ranked FCS teams under coach Tom Matukewicz since 2014, but it's lost 13 of the last 14 road opportunities, including at Big Sky power Weber State in the second round of the 2018 playoffs. The Redhawks are an efficient team that has lost only one fumble in their last 15 games. They racked up 529 offensive yards in a 44-26, season-opening win over Southern Illinois. QB Daniel Santacaterina (302 total yards, three total touchdowns) led the way, while WR Kristian Wilkerson (six receptions, 146 yards, TD) grabbed the second-most receiving yards of his career and RBs Zio Custis, Geno Hess and Mark Robinson each surpassed 70 rushing yards. MLB Zach Hall, the 2018 STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award recipient, racked up an FCS-high 19 tackles. The Redhawks feature veteran special teamers and they blocked six kicks last season.

In a 45-10 loss in Week 1, Montana State melted in 99-degree heat and against the Texas Tech passing attack (40 completions, 436 yards). The Bobcats secondary won't be as taxed this week, but it will have to tighten and hope for an improved pass rush by the front two units. The Bobcats' aggressive defense, led by DE Bryce Sterk, has forced a turnover in 11 straight games. On offense, QB Casey Bauman seeks to settle into his new starting role and coach Jeff Choate figures to employ two-way player Troy Andersen more often with sophomore RB Isaiah Ifanse a potential workhorse. The Bobcats are only 1-5 under Choate when they are below 150 rushing yards, which they were against Texas Tech. Jered Padmos sizzled in the opener, averaging 51.4 yards with a 46.9 net on nine punts.

Prediction: Montana State went 6-1 at home last season, losing only to Eastern Washington, the eventual FCS runner-up. Southeast Missouri was vulnerable against the run last season, so the Bobcats will go heavy there. Montana State, 30-21.