If you’ve ever stood in the middle of a windswept field on the border of the Dakotas, you know the silence is deafening. But twice a year—once in the regular season and almost inevitably again in the playoffs—that silence is replaced by the roar of 19,000 people who genuinely, deeply, and traditionally dislike each other. This isn't just about "South Dakota State football vs NDSU football matches." It’s a proxy war for state pride, agricultural supremacy, and the right to hold a 75-pound slab of quartzite.
The rivalry is weird. It’s heavy.
I’m talking about the Dakota Marker.
Most trophies are gold-plated or made of wood. This one is a literal rock. It’s a replica of the monuments placed every half-mile along the border back in the 1890s. If you win, you get to haul a boulder back to your campus. If you lose, you spend 364 days hearing about how you're the "little brother" of the FCS.
The Current State of the Power Struggle
For a long time, the script was written in stone: North Dakota State (NDSU) won, and South Dakota State (SDSU) came close but couldn't quite finish. That changed. From 2020 through 2023, the Jackrabbits went on a tear, winning five straight meetings. They even humiliated the Bison 45-21 in the 2023 National Championship game in Frisco, Texas.
But football is cyclical, and the pendulum just swung back.
In the 2025 season, the Bison didn't just win; they made a statement. On October 25, 2025, NDSU marched into Brookings and dismantled the Jackrabbits 38-7. It was a reminder that the "Thundering Herd" isn't going anywhere. Honestly, seeing a score that lopsided in this series is rare. Usually, these games are decided by a desperate fourth-down stop or a field goal that barely clears the uprights.
Why the 2025/2026 Season Shift Matters
The dynamic has shifted from SDSU trying to prove they belong to NDSU trying to reclaim a throne they felt was stolen. You've got two programs that don't just want to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC); they expect to win the whole damn country.
- The Physicality: Every player who leaves the field after an SDSU-NDSU game looks like they’ve been in a car wreck. It’s old-school, smash-mouth football.
- The Stakes: Since 2011, at least one of these teams has appeared in the FCS National Championship game almost every single year.
- The Proximity: The schools are only about 190 miles apart. That’s "just down the road" in Dakota terms.
Breaking Down the All-Time Numbers
If you look at the raw history, NDSU still holds the hammer. They lead the all-time series 66-47-5.
However, that’s a bit misleading because the rivalry only truly became a national spectacle when both schools jumped to Division I in 2004. Before that, it was a regional scrap. Now, it’s the centerpiece of the FCS calendar.
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In the "Dakota Marker" era—the trophy series starting in 2004—it’s much tighter. NDSU currently leads the trophy series 12-10. Every time the Jackrabbits think they’ve finally pulled even, the Bison find another gear. NDSU is currently on a three-game winning streak against SDSU as of early 2026, including a 28-21 win in the 2024 playoffs and that 38-7 blowout this past October.
Recent Matchup History (The Bloodbath)
- October 25, 2025: NDSU 38, SDSU 7 (A complete defensive masterclass by the Bison).
- December 21, 2024: NDSU 28, SDSU 21 (FCS Playoff Semifinal—absolute heartbreak for the Jacks).
- October 19, 2024: NDSU 13, SDSU 9 (A muddy, ugly, beautiful defensive struggle).
- November 4, 2023: SDSU 33, NDSU 16 (The height of the Jackrabbit dominance).
Basically, if you aren't watching this game, you're missing the highest level of non-FBS football in existence.
The "Hate" is Real (But Respectful)
I talked to some fans recently about what makes this special. One guy from Brookings told me it’s the "arrogance" of the Bison fans. A Bison alum told me it’s the "insecurity" of the Jackrabbits.
It’s hilarious.
But beneath the jabs, there is a weird unity. Both fan bases know they are the only ones who truly understand what it's like to play football in sub-zero temperatures while the rest of the country is watching SEC teams sweat in the humidity.
The 2019 College GameDay visit was the peak of this recognition. When ESPN brought the cameras to Brookings for the #1 vs #3 matchup, it validated what locals already knew: this is the best rivalry nobody talks about east of the Mississippi.
What to Expect in the 2026 Matchup
The next scheduled meeting is October 17, 2026. Mark your calendars now.
NDSU will be looking to extend their dominance and keep the Marker in Fargo. SDSU is in a rebuilding phase but has a knack for finding three-star recruits who play like All-Americans by their junior year.
Key Tactical Battles to Watch:
- The Line of Scrimmage: Both teams pride themselves on "The Trenches." If NDSU’s offensive line can dictate the pace like they did in 2025, it’s a long night for the Jacks.
- Quarterback Stability: NDSU has found its next rhythm, while SDSU is still tweaking the offensive identity post-Stiegelmeier.
- Special Teams: In a rivalry this close, a muffed punt or a blocked kick usually decides the season.
How to Actually Experience the Rivalry
If you’re planning to go, don't just show up for kickoff.
The Tailgate is Mandatory.
In Fargo, the tailgating is legendary—think bison chili and enough beer to float a battleship. In Brookings, the atmosphere at the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium is more compact but arguably louder because the fans are right on top of the field.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Tickets: Buy them the day they go on sale. These matches sell out months in advance.
- Gear: If you’re wearing blue in Fargo, bring a thick skin. If you’re wearing green in Brookings, expect some "friendly" advice on your fashion choices.
- Travel: Stay in Sioux Falls if you’re heading to Brookings, or Moorhead if you’re hitting the Fargodome. Hotels in the immediate college towns vanish instantly.
The reality is that South Dakota State football vs NDSU football matches have become the gold standard. Whether the Marker is sitting in a trophy case in Fargo or Brookings, the path to the National Championship continues to run directly through the Dakotas.
For the Jackrabbits to reclaim the throne in 2026, they have to figure out how to stop the NDSU run game that bullied them last year. If they don't, that 75-pound rock is going to stay north of the border for a long, long time.
Next Steps for the 2026 Season:
- Monitor the spring transfer portal for both teams, as several key defensive starters for SDSU are expected to graduate or move up.
- Check the MVFC official schedule for the 2026 playoff bracket leaks, as the "Marker" winner almost always secures a top-two seed.
- Book your hotel in Fargo or Brookings at least six months prior to the October 17th kickoff to avoid the 300% price hikes.