3 Matchups to Watch: NDSU

Saturday is almost here.  Where did the week go?  Like any Dakota Marker week, there has been plenty of trash talk between fans on Twitter and fan forums.  However, both programs have been unusually quiet on social media.  Both programs recognize the significance of this game and the implications it could have for playoff seeding.  In rivalry games there is so much emotion and the game can hinge on a single play or a short series of plays.  This game is filled with matchups that could swing the game one way or another but here are three that stand out to me.

1. Brandon Snyder vs. Bison running game
Brandon Snyder left Iowa as a grad transfer and chose SDSU for multiple reasons; closer to home, a program where he can express his faith freely, the family atmosphere and the chance to play in big-time, meaningful games. A match-up between the #1 and #3 teams in the nation probably fits the bill on the last point.  His physical presence seems to have shifted how the Jackrabbit defense carries itself.  There is now a fast, hard hitting, nasty nature that was maybe missing in past seasons.  To put it simply, he brings an edge.  He is very capable playing the pass but his presence in the run game has been huge in 2018.  The Jackrabbit corners can hold up against the NDSU wide receivers so it would not surprise me if Snyder plays much of the game in the box to stop the run-first Bison offense.  I fully expect Snyder to make an impact on Saturday.       

2. #605Hogs vs. Bison defensive line
The Jackrabbits have had two uneven performances so far along the offensive line in 2018.  There have been flashes of brilliance followed by head-scratching penalties and lapses in execution in both the run and pass game.  Yes, SDSU's offense has hummed right along even with these mistakes but it is against inferior competition.  The Bison defensive line is very good, year in and year out; 2018 is no exception.  They rotate 4-6 edge rushers who can all get home and are stout in the middle with two very experienced defensive tackles.  Another factor in this matchup is the noise of the Fargo Dome.  The crowd is going to be really whipped up as they feel that SDSU has no business being on the field with NDSU, let-alone retaining the Marker for two years.  Luckily, the Jackrabbit offensive line is no stranger to loud and chaotic environments.  In the last two Marker matchups, the SDSU offensive line has won the battle.  If they can provide adequate time for Taryn to pass the ball and some running room for the Jackrabbit running backs, it will go a long way to ensuring a third straight Marker game victory for SDSU. 

3. Xavier Ward & Krockett Krolikowski vs. Bison interior offensive line
Ward and Krolikowski have had a great start to 2018.  They both enjoyed strong springs and have translated that into fast starts this fall.  As I shared in the weekly preview, NDSU prides themselves on their offensive line play.  They are an experienced group and I'm sure will be ready to go.  Jackrabbit fans will not forget the 2016 playoff game in Fargo when the Bison were able to control the ball through the run game and convert through the air on third down.  The time of possession difference for that game was 40:55-19:05 in NDSU's favor.  In the two SDSU victories it was in SDSU's favor; 2017 was 32:23- 27:37 and 2018 was 35:04-24:56.  Along with Ward and Krolikowski, Thomas Stacker and Spencer Hildahl will play an important role in clogging up the middle and keeping the linebackers clean so that they can make plays on the Bison side of the line of scrimmage.  If the Jacks can shut down the Bison running game and get off the field on 3rd down then they will win the game.

Go Jacks!
Matt