COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 02 Central Arkansas at Oklahoma State
USATSI

Any time you get two of the best teams in the sport playing against each other, it's a big deal. It just so happens that arguably two of the best teams in the FCS, South Dakota State and North Dakota State, are in the same conference, so we get this game each year. 

Between these two programs, you're looking at 11 of the last 13 Division I national champions, with the Jackrabbits being winners of the last two. The stakes are always high when these two teams meet, and this year's Dakota Marker game between top-three teams is no different, so be sure to check Fanatics for all the latest odds on the upcoming clash. 

Meanwhile, coach Eddie George is making waves in Nashville. Hired as the coach back in 2021, George has done a good job helping stabilize the Tennessee State program over the last four seasons. After going 5-6 and 4-7 in his first two years, the Tigers finished 6-5 last year and are off to an impressive 4-2 start to this season. The difference has been their ability to overcome early mistakes and be better at closing out games. 

This is a team that has proven it can win in a variety of ways, both home and on the road. They are on a three-game winning streak and in second place in the Big South-OVC Association. With the balance they've shown offensively and a defense that can get pressure on the QB, the Tigers have a chance to garner an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs with a strong finish. 

While that is a long way away -- they have five games left in the regular season -- what they've done so far leading up to this week has earned them a spot in our Week 8 FCS ]Power Rankings.