The North Dakota State Bison vs. the South Dakota State Jackrabbits rivalry, known as the “Dakota Marker,” is one of the fiercest and most storied in FCS football.
While North Dakota State holds a 64-47-5 edge in the all-time series, the Bison narrowly lead the trophy count 11-10. High stakes and tradition define this matchup, which remains a centerpiece of FCS football.
Our South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State prediction dives deep into everything you need to know — from the latest betting odds to what’s on the line for both teams as they battle in the FCS semifinals.
South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State FCS Semifinals Betting Preview
All South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
- Spread
South Dakota State -3.5 - Moneyline
South Dakota State -162, North Dakota State +136 - Over/Under
48.5 points - Game Time
Noon ET, Saturday, Dec. 11 - Location
Fargodome | Fargo, N. Dak. - Predicted Weather at Kick
12 degrees, 10 mph winds, cloudy - How To Watch
ABC/ESPN+
The Bison have only been underdogs twice this season, including the first round of the Dakota Marker, but they covered in both games.
Meanwhile, South Dakota State was favored in all but one matchup (Week 1 at the Oklahoma State Cowboys) and is one a 5-1 ATS run in its last six contests.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
Total-wise, there are two competing trends:
- NDSU has gone over in five of its last six.
- SDSU has gone under in all five of its FCS road games this year.
Prediction for South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State
A ticket to Frisco, Texas, is on the line in this one, and the Bison and Jackrabbits wouldn’t have it any other way.
In their October bout, North Dakota State outlasted South Dakota State, with QB Cam Miller’s late touchdown sealing the deal, 13-9. But this rematch is set to be a different beast.
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The Jackrabbits, winners of the last two FCS national titles, boast a balanced attack led by QB Mark Gronowski and a defense that’s hitting its stride at the right time. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the animosity runs deep.
The Bison enters the game as a near-unstoppable force at home in the Fargodome during the playoffs, but their opponent has been a thorn in their side, including a dominant 2022 championship victory.
The Jackrabbits’ physicality on both sides of the ball, particularly in the trenches, could tilt the balance. That said, North Dakota State’s opportunistic play and home-field advantage remain significant wild cards.
In a game that will likely hinge on key moments — a turnover, a missed field goal, or a perfectly executed punt — I’ll take the reigning two-time champs to come out on top.
Both offenses are humming, but the Jackrabbits’ defense has the advantage, and they aren’t losing twice in the same season to any opponent, let alone their biggest rival.
Back South Dakota State to win and cover in a higher-scoring affair far more exciting than their regular-season clash.
Prediction: South Dakota State 31, North Dakota State 20
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