Fargodome — Fargo, North Dakota
Saturday, August 29 | 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT | CBS Sports Network
DraftKings: North Dakota State -7 | Over/Under 46.5
Coaches: Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State Year 2 | Tim Polasek, NDSU Year 3

The Setup

North Dakota State’s first game as an FBS member comes against a Jacksonville State program that already completed the same transition. Jacksonville State leads the series 2-1, but NDSU won the most recent meeting 37-10 in the 2015 FCS national championship game.

What I’m Watching

This should be decided by which team survives its missing backfield production.

Jacksonville State no longer has Cam Cook’s 1,659 rushing yards. NDSU must replace drafted quarterback Cole Payton and receiver Bryce Lance. Both programs want to run, but both are replacing players who made that approach far more dangerous in 2025.

Personnel Snapshot

Jacksonville State returns offensive returners are quarterback Caden Creel, receiver Deondre Johnson and lineman Lucas Mrachkovskiy. Defensively, Jawaun Campbell, Walker O’Steen, Mac Sanders, Tre’Quon Fegans and Caleb Nix return.

North Dakota State returns eight: three offense and five defense. All three offensive qualifiers are linemen: Griffin Empey, Josh Magin and Nate Tastad.

The defense returns linemen Kelton McCaslin and Keenan Wilson, plus defensive backs Jaylin Crumby, Darius Givance and Donovan Woolen. That defensive continuity could be decisive against Creel’s option and quarterback-run packages.

Three Stats to Know

• Jacksonville State called runs on approximately 64% of its plays last season. NDSU was near 63% against FCS competition.
• Creel produced six games with at least 100 passing yards and 100 rushing yards.
• NDSU supplied two of the four FCS players drafted in 2026: Payton and Lance.

How the Game Is Decided

Jacksonville State needs Creel to make NDSU defend the entire field without turning the game into a series of obvious passing situations. NDSU needs its three returning linemen to stabilize a nearly brand-new backfield. Whichever team avoids negative runs and wins first down should control the pace.

Prediction

Many are going to run to the hype of North Dakota State playing its first ever FBS game, and it’s understandable. The environment in Fargo will be fun, and the atmosphere will be electric. But Jacksonville State just feels like the perfect elixir to that storm. Full predictions will be made on my social channels.