No. 1 NDSU hosts No. 8 Southern Illinois this weekend in a ranked FCS matchup.
Both squads are undefeated vs. FCS competition to start the 2025 campaign. Check out our preview and prediction below.
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NDSU vs. Southern Illinois On TV
The matchup between NDSU and Southern Illinois will air on ESPN+ and ABC ND.
Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 11. It is taking place at the Fargodome in Fargo, ND.
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NDSU vs. Southern Illinois Preview
After a weaker non-conference schedule, North Dakota State is now facing its third straight ranked opponent. The Bison handled then-No. 17 South Dakota 51-13 before playing in their first close game of the season last week, beating then-No. 6 Illinois State 33-16 after leading 18-16 entering the fourth.
For SIU, it’s the first opportunity at a ranked matchup. SIU is 4-1 overall and 3-0 vs. the FCS, beating up on UT Martin, SEMO, and Indiana State. For comparison, SIU beat SEMO 59-31, while NDSU defeated SEMO 41-14.
The Salukis look the part of a great team, but Saturday will be the true gauge of that. Many FCS followers, myself included, believe SIU is better than Illinois State.
Highlighting this matchup is a battle between two early Walter Payton Award top candidates.
NDSU’s Cole Payton is completing 74.7% of his passes (65-87) for 1,173 yards, nine TDs, and no interceptions while being No. 2 on the squad with 356 rushing yards and three TDs. SIU’s DJ Williams is 88/131 passing (67.2%) for 1,214 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also leads the Salukis with 386 rushing yards and nine scores.
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SIU hasn’t gotten its running backs going as much. Chandler Chapman has rushed for 216 yards and three scores, and Lashaun Lester adds 186 yards and two TDs. But an explosive passing attack can loosen up a defense. The Salukis have three receivers averaging over 18 yards per catch — Vinson Davis III, Jay Jones, and Fabian McCray. Davis leads the way in yardage with 504 yards on 28 catches.
The Bison are averaging 44.4 points per game compared to SIU’s 43.4. The difference on Saturday may come down to defense. NDSU has been suffocating, allowing just 9.2 points per game, although Illinois State found some success throwing the ball with 191 yards passing. SIU is allowing 21.0 PPG, including 171.2 rushing yards per game. The Salukis have a nice group of linebackers, led by Colin Bohanek, Andrew Behm, Chris Presto, and Shug Walker, but I’m not sure if SIU’s run defense can hang for all four quarters. And that’s the key … all four quarters.
NDSU may not be super explosive on the ground, but it can grind a defense down as the reps add up. Barika Kpeenu leads the offense with 422 rushing yards and eight TDs. Payton’s legs are also dangerous, especially on plays when it isn’t a designed run, but he keeps it after escaping some pressure or seeing open lanes in the pass-rush.
SIU’s offense is good enough and explosive enough to keep the Salukis in this game into the second half. The Bison secondary will need to play at a high level, which NDSU’s pass-rush can aid in that. The Salukis have only allowed five sacks so far this year, though.
When it matters most, I trust the NDSU defense to get more key stops.
Prediction: NDSU 35-24
