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Here are 12 must-see area college football games for 2019

Matt Zimmer
Argus Leader
SDSU's Cade Johnson, left, runs the ball during the game against USD Saturday, Nov. 17, at Dana Dykhouse Stadium stadium in Brookings.

Another season of college football is on the horizon.

And by now area fans have come to expect big things from their favorite teams. From the NAIA level on up to South Dakota and South Dakota State competing at the Division I FCS level, every Saturday represents the chance to see something special.

SDSU and USD will both challenge major college programs early in the year, while rivalry games with likely postseason implications are on every team’s schedule.

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Here are a dozen games from the upcoming season that will be worth circling on your calendar, whether you plan to make the trip or enjoy from your couch.

Aug. 29: South Dakota State at Minnesota

The Jackrabbits should be primed for this one. Last year they had their chance to challenge a power conference school erased when their game at Iowa State was called off in the first quarter due to inclement weather.

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And the last time SDSU took on the Gophers they probably should have won the game, falling 16-13 in 2009. It was a missed opportunity for a signature win, and while the Jacks finally got their first win over a BCS team in 2015 when they knocked off Kansas, that Jayhawks team ended up going 0-11. The Gophers are coming off a 7-6 season that ended with a win in the Quick Lane Bowl, and some observers believe they could be a Big Ten contender this season. A win for the Jacks would be one of the biggest in program history.

Aug. 29: Dakota Wesleyan at Dakota State

Central South Dakota’s NAIA rivalry game has treated fans to some high-quality matchups since it was renewed on a permanent basis, and the Trojans have held the upper hand of late. Last year’s 27-18 win was their third straight, and the teams return to Madison’s Trojan Stadium this year, where a crowd of over 5,000 was on hand for DSU’s 34-30 win in 2017.

It’ll be an important game for both teams, not just from a rivalry standpoint, but in setting the tone for a better 2019. Both squads fell far short of expectations last year, with the Trojans going 3-8 and the Tigers falling to 2-9.

Aug. 31: Montana at South Dakota

The Coyotes are bringing a marquee FCS opponent to Vermillion for the home opener, as the Grizzlies begin the year ranked 25th in the country and with playoff aspirations. USD has faced Montana three times since they jumped to the Division I level, and while they’ve lost all three, all three have been by a single score.

More:USD Coyotes vow to meet daunting schedule head-on

DakotaDome renovations are under the gun to be ready for the game, but assuming that goes to plan, the Coyotes should be playing in front of a tightly-packed stadium. USD is coming off a disappointing 4-7 season and picking up a quality non-conference win would set a positive tone in pursuit of their second FCS playoff berth.

Sept. 7: South Dakota at Oklahoma

The Coyotes’ move to Division I has taken them to some special places, and this one looms large. The Sooners are on the short list of the most storied and powerful college football programs in the country, and the chance for the Coyotes to play at the 86,000-seat "Palace on the Prairie" in Norman will be a highlight of their college careers.

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Can USD make it interesting? They’ve picked up two FBS wins so far, one against Minnesota and another against Bowling Green of the MAC. With the Sooners ranked fourth in the major college Top 25, the Yotes will be tremendous underdogs, and a win would mark one of the biggest upsets of all time.

Sept. 14: Augustana at Minnesota State-Mankato

The Vikings went undefeated on the road last year. If they do that again this year, they’re almost certainly headed to the Division II playoffs.

More:'We have to do it': Inside Augustana's daunting drive to Division I

A win at Mankato would be monumental, as the Mavericks have been the class of the NSIC for the better part of a decade. It’d be emotional, too, as Mankato has dominated the Vikings throughout the Jerry Olszewski era. The Mavs are 6-0 against OJ’s Vikings, and four of the last five have come by a single score.

Sept. 26: Augustana at Sioux Falls

The Cougars have dominated the "Key to the City" rivalry game, winning six of the seven meetings. Last year’s clash was a low point for the Vikings, as they never competed in a 51-13 home loss in which many felt Augie was the favorite.

Augustana's Ryan Bradberry leaps over tacklers in last year's Key to the City clash at Bob Young Field.

This year the rivalry tilt moves to a Thursday night for the first time, as the NSIC’s televised game of the week. The Vikings’ only win in the series came at Bob Young Field, and with Augie having gone 6-0 on the road last year, maybe they have a better shot of taking back the key while wearing the road whites.

Oct. 19: Minnesota Duluth at Sioux Falls

The Cougars are primed for another playoff run behind the legs of star running back Gabe Watson, who ran for 1,957 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. Duluth remains the class of the NSIC North, but were memorably run over by USF the last time the teams played. It was Jon Anderson’s first game as Cougar coach, and with his team having graduated several star players on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs were heavy favorites. The Cougars spanked them 26-7 in Duluth, on their way to a nine-win playoff season.

Oct. 26: North Dakota State at South Dakota State

The Dakota Marker game comes back to Brookings, where NDSU will not only be bringing the rivalry trophy with them, but likely enough green-and-gold clad fans to fill Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

Dallas Goedert hoists the Dakota Marker trophy after SDSU's 19-17 win in 2017

The Bison wrestled back the Marker last year after it spent a two-year residence in Brookings, then went on to win their seventh national championship in eight years.

SDSU has clearly narrowed the gap between them and the perennial FCS champions, but with the Bison working under a new coach surely opponents will hope NDSU’s reign could be ending. If the Bison go into Brookings and win again, it would send a clear message that it isn’t happening anytime soon.

Oct. 26: Sioux Falls at Northern State

The Wolves have been a respectable Division II program under Tom Dosch, at times on the cusp of challenging Duluth at the top of the North Division. But elbowing on to the table with their in-state brethren has been another story. Northern has not defeated either of the Sioux Falls schools since they joined the NSIC.

University of Sioux Falls Gabriel Watson (33) runs the ball during a game against Concordia University, St. Paul on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.

They’ll be underdogs in this one against the Cougars, but playing in Aberdeen, and with USF coming off what’s sure to be a dogfight the previous week against Duluth, the Wolves should be primed and ready to break through.

Nov. 9: Minnesota State-Mankato at Sioux Falls

The Cougars will be sending their seniors off against the one team that’s been their superior since they joined the NSIC. Mankato was ranked No. 1 in the country last year when they held off the Cougars 31-21 in Mankato, and this year the Mavs come back to Bob Young, where they’ve never lost. USF is 1-5 against MSU as conference rivals, the one win coming in 2016 at Blakeslee.

If both teams are as good as they expect to be this year, this one will surely have major implications for the Division II playoff picture.

Nov. 16: South Dakota at North Dakota State

Bob Nielson said at Coyote football media day that his team’s schedule would “hit them right in the face,” with the tough 1-2 punch to start the season. The final two games do the same.

University of South Dakota's Austin Simmons (3) runs the ball during a game against North Dakota State in Vermillion, S.D., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.

Before closing out the regular season at home against SDSU, the Yotes visit the defending national champion Bison in the penultimate game of the season. NDSU pasted USD 59-14 last year in the DakotaDome, their second straight blowout win in the series.

But the Yotes are one of the few Valley teams to have won in the Fargodome, pulling off a shocking upset in 2015, one of two losses NDSU took on the way to the national championship that year.

Nov. 23: South Dakota State at South Dakota

Is this the year? The Coyotes haven’t topped SDSU since 2000 and haven’t defeated them in Vermillion since 1997. That included a nine-year layoff, yes, but USD is 0-7 against the Jacks since joining them at the Division I level. The battles at the Dome have been competitive, though. In fact, the Yotes surely feel like they let the last two get away from them, a 30-23 loss in 2015 and a 31-28 squeaker in 2017.

With the DakotaDome’s seating capacity limited this year by ongoing renovation construction, the environment for this one should be intense.