On Saturday the Jackrabbits play host to the Bison in the annual Dakota Marker contest. Obviously, this is always one of the best matchups in the FCS and the intensity of the rivalry reached its pinnacle last January. This year the Jackrabbit fans are confident while the Bison fans are ready to call it a season. It’s a weird position to be in because this game has almost always been either a toss-up or tilted in the way of the Bison. Our crew is confident it will again be a good game and that NDSU will be fully engaged in this matchup and ready to prove the nay-sayers wrong. They have a tough remaining schedule and can’t afford to have an off week. Here are the things the JI team is keeping an eye on this week.

Weather the Storm

Last year in Fargo, the Bison script for the first 25 minutes went about as perfect as it could have and they jumped out to a 21-7 lead. After that however, it was all Jackrabbits. We anticipate NDSU coming out with early energy and a good script of plays on offense. It may be like last week against USD and take a full quarter before it clicks. However, if the Jacks can weather the storm and make a strong response they should be just fine. Even better yet, we challenge the Jacks to meet their energy early and smack them in the mouth first. Start fast and be the aggressor and break their will early.

Watch the Play Action

If you have followed NDSU at all over the last 15 years, you know their offense is predicated off of the run and then they gouge opponents with play action shots to a tight end or wide receiver or wheel or arrow route to a running back or fullback. NDSU has struggled to run the ball at times this season. If the Jackrabbits can stop the run and maintain solid gap responsibility with just their front 7, it will allow the secondary to be more cautious to the play action game. The Jackrabbit defense is playing at a really high level but this is a big challenge and it should be fun to watch.

#605Hogs Dominance

The offensive line for the Jackrabbits was dominant last week against USD and has been in the last few matchups with NDSU. The #605Hogs have it in them to completely own the line of scrimmage against NDSU. The Jacks should be able to run the ball with great physicality. The Bison will need to pull their safeties down into the box which may give Mark, and has array of weapons, chances at big plays. For most of this season, the sheer size and physicality of the #605Hogs really wears on opponents in the second have of games and SDSU converts 3rd downs with ease. Will they be able to do the same thing this week against a proud NDSU front 7? We will see.

Score TDs in the Redzone

This sounds goofy for a team that recently had its 60+ game scoring streak snapped but we want to see SDSU score touchdowns in the redzone in this one. Use 87, use 34, run the ball with whoever. The Jacks have so many weapons opponents have to deal with that scoring TDs should be the goal every time. Also, this is one of those games where 7 points feels way more important than it usually does. The ball can bounce funny in rivalry games so it’s important to keep us much scoring distance between us and them as possible.

Limit the QB Run

Cam Miller and Cole Payton have combined for 688 yards and 15 TDs on the ground this year and they are averaging 6.5 yards per carry. In the past, the Bison quarterbacks have broke the hearts of Jackrabbit Nation more so with their feet than their arms. These long QB runs, and even the first down converting type, are demoralizing and make the defense second guess themselves. We expect a heavy dose of Miller and Payton on the ground this week. The Jackrabbit defense better be ready!

Win Special Teams

The Jackrabbit special teams, outside of a mistake here and there, has been pretty damn good this season. The Bison have been up and down in 2023. They’ve allowed a kick return but had a punt return of their own from the electric Jayden Price. They’ve been good on field goals and extra points but have a had a punt blocked. Marker Games have been won and lost on the play of special teams. The Jacks must dominate in the 3rd phase of the game.

MAD Crowd

Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium is turning into a pretty tough place for opponents to come. Let’s make it that way on Saturday from the jump. Let’s not wait for a big 3rd down. Let’s make that offensive line’s life miserable right away. Goal: let’s cause 3 or more false starts. The Bison faithful have done that to the Jackrabbits a time or two up in Fargo. It only feels right to return the favor. On the coaches show, Rogers also asked us to make noise on their punts. If the coach asks, I suppose we must!

No Turnovers

The Jackrabbits have not had a turnover against the Bison in the last four contests. According to Fargo Forum media, the Jackrabbits have not had a turnover since Keaton Heide tossed an interception to Josh Hayes. If the Jackrabbits avoid the costly turnovers and don’t give NDSU momentum or extra chances, they will win.

Go Jacks!
Alex, Ben, Brendan, Chad, Dallas, and Matt