The FCS Playoffs have returned to Fargo for a 12th consecutive year as North Dakota State opens the postseason against a familiar foe, league rival Southern Illinois.

The Salukis are here after a 22-10 win over South Dakota in Vermillion last week. SIU comes in with a mark of 8-4, they started this season at 6-1, before stumbling down the stretch, losing three of their last four games.

This is the first time these teams have met since February, when NDSU was blasted by Southern Illinois 38-14 in Carbondale, which ended the record 39 game win streak the Bison were on.

Jeff Kolpack and Dom Izzo preview the matchup and also discuss the big topics of the week in college football, from Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly leaving their jobs, to the transfer portal and a quarterback transferring two days before his team plays in a playoff game.

No, 4-ranked North Dakota State scored 28 points in the game's first 18 minutes and cruised to a 52-24 victory against No. 16-ranked South Dakota on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

“Our kids came ready to play," Bison head coach Matt Entz said. "I’m really excited with where we’re at right now.”

The Bison (10-1, 7-1 MVFC) clinched an outright MVFC title with the victory and close their regular-season with back-to-back victories heading in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs.

NDSU quarterback Cam Miller completed 19 of 23 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown as the Bison gained 522 yards on 70 plays against the Coyotes. NDSU rushed for 303 yards on 47 attempts.

Former North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker helped jumpstart the football program's transition to NCAA Division I with a standout four-year career from 2004-2007.

Week 11: NDSU's 52-24 home victory against South Dakota at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. The Bison ended the regular season 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, winning the conference title outright. NDSU earned the No. 2 seed for the FCS playoffs and has a first-round bye.

Former North Dakota State running back Chad Stark joins podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about the University of South Dakota Coyotes, who have struggled against the Bison in recent decades but at one time challenged NDSU for NCAA Division II supremacy.

The Bison and Coyotes met twice a year in both 1985 and 1986, including in the D2 championship game in '86.

No. 5-ranked North Dakota State rushed for more than 450 yards to cruise to a 49-17 victory against Youngstown State on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play before 8,307 fans at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Bison (9-1, 6-1 MVFC) earned at least a share of the conference championship with the victory. NDSU has won at least a share of 10 MVFC crowns since 2011. Bison running back TaMerik Williams rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts, including a 50-yard scoring run in the third quarter.

“We need to be hitting that groove here late in the year," Bison head coach Matt Entz said. "We need to be playing our best football in November.”

Former North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker helped jumpstart the football program's transition to NCAA Division I with a standout four-year career from 2004-2007.

Week 10 of "Monday Morning QB with Steve Walker" after NDSU's 49-17 road victory against Youngstown State at Stambaugh Stadium. The Bison improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The clinched at least a share of the MVFC championship.

Former North Dakota State defensive end Nate Tanguay joins podcast host Mike McFeely to recall the Bison's exciting 27-24 victory at Youngstown State in 2015. 

NDSU rallied for a late victory, but the story of the game ended up being a meltdown by volcanic Youngstown State coach Bo Pelini that aided the Bison's effort.

NDSU's 27-19 road loss against South Dakota State in Brookings, SD. The Bison dropped to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Former North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker helped jumpstart the football program's transition to NCAA Division I with a standout four-year career from 2004-2007.

South Dakota State running back Pierre Strong Jr. rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns and also threw a touchdown pass. His performance sparked the Jackrabbits to a 27-19 victory against North Dakota State on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Dana J, Dykhouse Stadium.

The Bison (8-1, 5-1 MVFC) remained in first place in the Missouri Valley despite the loss. SDSU (7-2, 4-2) has won two consecutive Dakota Marker trophy games. NDSU has two games remaining in the regular season.

SDSU built a 27-7 lead in the third quarter and the Bison weren't able to recover, even though NDSU limited the Jackrabbits to 79 yards in the second half.

The top rivalry in the FCS returns this Saturday with plenty at stake.

North Dakota State travels to South Dakota State as the Jacks look for a second straight win in the series. SDSU beat NDSU 27-17 back in April, as the Jackrabbits won the Missouri Valley Football Conference and played in the FCS Championship Game for the first time, falling to Sam Houston.

The Bison head to Brookings with an 8-0 record for the sixth time since 2013. Ironically, SDSU handed the Bison their first loss in 2017 in Brookings, 33-21. NDSU proceeded to win 39 straight games, an FCS record after that loss.

SDSU enters with a 6-2 record, with both losses at home, to Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. The Jackrabbits are hoping to get standout running back Isaiah Davis back, he has missed a majority of the season with an upper body injury.