The Game
South Dakota can clinch a share of its first Valley title with a win at No. 4 North Dakota State Saturday in Fargo. A tall task for any team that competes inside the Fargodome, but certainly not unprecedented. It's been six years since Coyote kicker Miles Bergner split the uprights to stun Carson Wentz and the Bison. Of course, a little luck never hurts and perhaps USD can carry over some magic from last week's win against South Dakota State.
 
The Implications
Many feel that South Dakota's current résumé is enough for USD to earn one of 13 at-large bids the NCAA will hand out Sunday. The top bullet point? No one has more wins against Massey top-15 teams this year than the three the Coyotes' possess (SDSU, UNI, UND). But nothing is for certain for a 7-4 team on selection Sunday. Eight wins though would be a certainty for any Valley team and, with some favorable results elsewhere Saturday, could get USD in the conversation for a top-eight seed. NDSU at 9-1 and with the Valley's automatic bid in its pocket is likely a top-eight seed win or lose Saturday.
 
The Defense
South Dakota State, the only team to beat NDSU this season, took the second play of the game to the house, totaled 24 first-half points and held on for a 27-19 victory. That's a recipe not easily replicated against the Bison. Only half of their foes have scored more than 10 points. NDSU's defense ranks sixth against the run, 11^th against the pass, and sixth overall. Opponents are averaging 11 points and 260 yards per game.
 
The reason South Dakota is in a position to win a conference title is its defense. It has proven to be the program's best at the FCS level, and likely goes back much further than that. Linebacker Jack Cochrane, a strong candidate for Valley Defensive Player of the Year, is at the heart of the unit, but it will take all 11 to slow down a Bison ground game that averages 268 yards. USD is coming off a game in which one of the top running backs in the nation, SDSU's Pierre Strong Jr., needed 28 carries to reach 103 yards.
 
The Offense
South Dakota mustered just 73 yards passing the last time it visited the Fargodome in 2019 while NDSU totaled 700 yards of offense in a 49-14 Bison victory. The Coyotes have two of the top running backs in the Valley in Travis Theis and Nate Thomas and they will be key to USD's success. But balance will be needed by quarterback Carson Camp and company.
 
Cam Miller took over starting quarterback duties for the Bison three games ago, and while the team's only loss came under his watch, Miller has provided a jolt to NDSU's offense. He's thrown nine touchdowns over the last four games and has a top-notch weapon in All-American receiver Christian Watson. TaMerik Williams leads a stable of Bison backs with 433 yards and six touchdowns. He's averaging 7.0 yards per carry and is coming off a 137-yard, two-touchdown performance at Youngstown State.

The Tailgate
South Dakota is hosting a Coyote tailgate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fargo Air Museum located at 1609 19th Ave. N in Fargo.
 
One Last Thing
South Dakota was picked to finish eighth in the MVFC Preseason Poll.