SWC75
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Before we settle down to see if Georgia and TCU can possibly match the excitement and drama of the FBS semi-finals next Monday night, it might be fun, (if you’re kind of NFLed out), to check out the FCS finals Sunday January 8th at 2PM on ABC. It will be a Civil War of sorts as perennial FCS champion North Dakota State takes on their rivals from across the border, South Dakota State. (You could call it the Bill Maher Bowl as Bill always wonders why we need both North and South Dakota – why not just Dakota?)
You might think the Bison, who have won 9 of the last 11 FCS titles, will be favored, especially since SDS is the “Jackrabbits”, (don’t jackrabbits run for their burros when the Bison start stampeding?). But it’s SDS who is undefeated and ranked Z#1, having beaten NDS three times in a row, including a comeback in the Fargo Dome earlier this year (23-21):
www.espn.com
They also beat them at the same venue in 2021, holding off a comeback (27-19):
North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State - College Football Game Summary - November 6, 2021 | ESPN
The Jackrabbits also won at the Fargo Dome in the spring season of 2021 (27-17):
South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State - College Football Game Summary - April 17, 2021 | ESPN
It was SDS that played for the title that season, losing to Sam Houston State 21-23.
It’s always what’s up front that counts for the Bison but the Jackrabbits have out-rushed them 697-372 in the three games and forced them to the air, (594-469), outgaining them 1,166-966.
SDS had also won in 2016, 19-17 before losing 10-36 in the playoffs, and in 2017 33-21 before NDS won in 2018 (21-17) and 2019 (23-16). (The regular season games all have been in the Fargo Dome: the championship is in Frisco, Texas.)
It’s become one of the great rivalries in college football.
You might think the Bison, who have won 9 of the last 11 FCS titles, will be favored, especially since SDS is the “Jackrabbits”, (don’t jackrabbits run for their burros when the Bison start stampeding?). But it’s SDS who is undefeated and ranked Z#1, having beaten NDS three times in a row, including a comeback in the Fargo Dome earlier this year (23-21):
South Dakota State 23-21 North Dakota State (Oct 15, 2022) Final Score - ESPN
Game summary of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. North Dakota State Bison NCAAF game, final score 23-21, from October 15, 2022 on ESPN.
www.espn.com
They also beat them at the same venue in 2021, holding off a comeback (27-19):
North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State - College Football Game Summary - November 6, 2021 | ESPN
The Jackrabbits also won at the Fargo Dome in the spring season of 2021 (27-17):
South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State - College Football Game Summary - April 17, 2021 | ESPN
It was SDS that played for the title that season, losing to Sam Houston State 21-23.
It’s always what’s up front that counts for the Bison but the Jackrabbits have out-rushed them 697-372 in the three games and forced them to the air, (594-469), outgaining them 1,166-966.
SDS had also won in 2016, 19-17 before losing 10-36 in the playoffs, and in 2017 33-21 before NDS won in 2018 (21-17) and 2019 (23-16). (The regular season games all have been in the Fargo Dome: the championship is in Frisco, Texas.)
It’s become one of the great rivalries in college football.
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