Honestly, if you haven’t stood on the sidelines in Brookings or Fargo when the temperature is dropping and the breath is visible, you haven't really seen the best of college football. Forget the SEC or the Big Ten for a second. The most intense, bitter, and high-stakes rivalry in the country right now is SD State vs ND State.
It’s personal.
People think of the Dakotas as these quiet, polite expanses of prairie where everyone just nods and says "ope" when they bump into you at a Cenex. But put a football between the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the North Dakota State Bison, and that politeness evaporates. Fast. They call it the Dakota Marker, and while the trophy is literally a 75-pound chunk of quartzite, it feels like it weighs about a thousand tons when you’re the one trying to haul it off the field.
The Power Shift Nobody Expected
For years, NDSU was the undisputed king. They weren't just winning; they were a buzzsaw. Between 2011 and 2019, the Bison were essentially the Alabama of the FCS, hoarding national titles like they were going out of style. SDSU was always "the other team." The little brother. The guys who played them tough but couldn't quite close the door.
That has changed.
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If you look at the recent trajectory of SD State vs ND State, the Jackrabbits have fundamentally flipped the script. We saw it in the 2023 National Championship game in Frisco—a 45-21 blowout where the Jacks didn't just win; they physically dominated a program that prides itself on being the biggest bully on the block. But then 2025 happened.
Last October, the rivalry took another sharp turn. NDSU, ranked No. 1, went into Brookings and absolutely dismantled No. 2 SDSU 38-7. It was a statement. The Bison weren't just reclaiming a trophy; they were reclaiming their identity. Cole Payton, the NDSU quarterback, looked like a video game character, racking up four rushing touchdowns and 137 yards on the ground.
What’s Actually at Stake?
The "Marker" itself is a replica of the monuments placed every half-mile along the 360-mile border between the two states back in the 1890s. One side says "N.D." and the other says "S.D." It’s a simple piece of rock, but in this part of the world, it’s the only thing that matters.
Winning the Marker isn't just about a trophy for the case. It’s about recruiting. It’s about being able to walk into a high school in Sioux Falls or West Fargo and tell a kid that your program is the peak of the mountain.
Right now, NDSU holds the lead in the all-time series at 66–47–5. They also lead the Trophy series (since 2004) 12–10. But stats don't tell the whole story. You have to look at the "Frisco Factor." Because these teams are so good, they often play twice a year—once for the rock, and once for the ring.
The 2025-2026 Reality Check
If you're following SD State vs ND State today, you're seeing a Jackrabbit team in a bit of a transition. Mark Gronowski, the legendary QB who led them to back-to-back titles, is gone. In his place, guys like Luke Marble have had to step into the fire. It hasn't been easy. In that 38-7 loss in late 2025, the Jacks' offense looked human for the first time in years, managing only 166 total yards.
Meanwhile, NDSU is back to playing "Bison Football."
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- They run the ball until you quit.
- They play a secondary that treats every pass like a personal insult.
- They have a quarterback in Payton who is arguably the best dual-threat player in the country.
The gap that SDSU spent a decade closing? It feels like it might be widening again, but you can never count out Jimmy Rogers and that Brookings culture. They’ve built something that doesn't just disappear after one bad Saturday.
Why the 2026 Matchup is Different
The next scheduled meeting is October 17, 2026. Mark your calendar. This isn't just another game on the schedule; it’s a referendum on where the power lies in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is just about football. Go to a basketball game between these two schools. Just this past Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Bison men’s hoops team took down the Jacks 77-68. The NDSU women’s team is also on a tear, sitting at 5-0 in the Summit League. The animosity leaks into every sport, every debate, and every corner of the two states.
It’s a culture war.
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Actionable Insights for the Next Game
If you're planning on betting or even just watching the next installment of SD State vs ND State, here is what you actually need to watch:
- The Rushing Success Rate: In 2025, NDSU had an offensive success rate of 58%. That’s absurd. If SDSU can't get that number under 45%, they have no chance.
- The "Home Run" Ball: SDSU struggled in 2025 with explosive plays (runs over 15 yards). They only generated them on 3.7% of carries. They need a vertical threat to keep the Bison safeties honest.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Jacks have been elite at "bend but don't break" defense, holding opponents to touchdowns on only 31.3% of red zone trips. If they can force NDSU to kick field goals, the game stays close.
The reality is that SD State vs ND State is the gold standard of sub-FBS football. It’s louder than most Power 4 stadiums and the hits are harder. Whether you’re wearing yellow or blue, you have to respect the fact that for one Saturday in October, the entire center of the country stops to watch a bunch of guys fight over a rock.
To stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, start tracking the development of the Jacks' offensive line. They lost three starters to graduation, and how they gel against the NDSU front four will decide the Marker before the first whistle even blows. Watch the spring game film—it'll tell you everything you need to know about who’s ready for the trenches.