Two Dakotas, two stories: one riding high, the other chasing its first win.

Depending on whether you live in Brookings or Vermillion, college football fans likely have completely separate outlooks on the season only two weeks in. 

Up in Brookings, SDSU fans likely couldn’t be much happier after taking down back-to-back ranked teams to start the campaign. Meanwhile, down in Vermillion, USD fans have to be wondering what’s going on after two straight losses to begin the season. 

Bozeman Brawl 

Well, if you weren’t watching SDSU and Montana State on Saturday, that’s your loss. This one had everything you hope for. Two great teams, big plays, drama, all capped off in a double-overtime 30-24 thriller that truly came down to the very last play. It’s an early contender for FCS game of the season. 

This was a ground-and-pound game for both sides, especially for the Bobcats and their 210 yards on the ground. And it was a big performance from SDSU’s Julius Loughridge, who scratched and clawed for every one of his 100 yards on the ground, which earned him FCS Nation Radio offensive player of the week honors. In the end though, a single 4th-and-1 stop from SDSU’s defense was the difference, impressive considering how efficient MSU’s run game was.   

It was a fantastic game all around and had everything a football fan craves in these big-time fixtures. Also, the fact that this game was on ESPN+ is a crime. Featured FCS games like this deserve prime-time slots on major networks. 

Should SDSU be No. 1? 

It’s super early in the season to ask this question, but the Jacks certainly have a case to hold the mantle. Both SDSU and NDSU are 2-0 to begin the season, but I think it’s safe to say both of the Jacks’ wins are more impressive. Sacramento State didn’t live up to the hype (at least not yet), but it's still a quality opponent. 

Meanwhile, NDSU beat the Citadel and Tennessee State. Those wins aren’t throwaways by any means, but they certainly don’t match SDSU’s victories thus far. All I’ll say is that right now, the Bison and Jacks are the clear top two teams. It will be even sweeter if those two head into the Oct. 25 Dakota Marker matchup undefeated, then we’ll see who the top dog really is. 

Disappointment down south 

While the Jacks were up in Bozeman playing a thriller, their in-state rivals looked lost down in Texas. USD was on the wrong side of perhaps the biggest upset of the season so far.. The Coyotes went up 10-0 and couldn’t muster much from there, losing 20-13 against a Lamar squad picked to finish fourth in the Southland. 

The Coyotes were rolling early, and then everything just stopped dead in its tracks. Too many errors, little consistency on offense and to make matters worse, Charles Pierre left the game after fumbling in the first half and did not return. 

What’s the issue? 

Sitting at 0-2, it’s pretty clear the Coyotes are still trying to find their footing, and I really do think we have to look at the mass exodus of transfers during the spring. Overall, USD still has the talent to be title contenders, but not having that spring practice period seems to be playing a factor. Whether they want to admit it or not, missing that time to develop as a team seems to be haunting them a bit. 

There were also several self-inflicted mistakes, particularly in the form of multiple turnovers in positions that either cost USD or effectively gifted Lamar points. One was the fumble from Pierre near the goal line and another was a fumble on a kickoff, giving the Cardinals prime field position. Aidan Bouman also threw a pick. 

Is it time to panic?  

All things considered, I’m not going to sound the alarm quite yet, though. The Coyotes will have two get-right games in the Dakota Dome coming up. Northern Colorado could perhaps be a bit tougher than thought after almost taking down Colorado State last week. Then it’s Drake, whom the Coyotes crushed last year. 

However, things have also gotten significantly more difficult. Pierre announced on Instagram that he will miss the remainder of the season with the knee injury he suffered against Lamar. A huge blow that will leave looming questions in the backfield.  

But whatever the other issues are, they’ll need to get resolved quickly. After those two, the Coyotes are right into the thick of things with a matchup against NDSU in Fargo to open up conference play. If the Coyotes walk into the Fargodome and play like they have in the opening two weeks, it could be ugly.