It's an even numbered year, which means North Dakota State and South Dakota State must play in the playoffs.

It's happened in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022 and now this year. You can set your watch to it.

NDSU has hosted all but one of those games, which was the national championship game in Frisco. The Jackrabbits have accomplished nearly everything in FCS football, except beating the Bison in Fargo in the postseason.

SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski can break the FCS all-time wins record with a victory Saturday, taking the spot of former Bison great Easton Stick. Gronowski tied Stick's record with SDSU's win over Incarnate Word last week.

NDSU enters at 12-2, with wins over Mercer and Abilene Christian to reach its 13th semifinal in the last 14 years. The Bison enter as an underdog, much like they were in the regular season matchup in October, which was a 13-9 NDSU win.

It is the final game inside the Fargodome for Bison quarterback Cam Miller, who is trying to lead NDSU to its third trip to Frisco in his four years as the starting quarterback.

The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup and who has the inside track to win the game Saturday.

The FCS quarterfinals kick off tonight and continue tomorrow in Fargo as North Dakota State hosts Southern Conference champion Mercer for a berth in the semifinals.

The Bears (11-2) advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time after beating Rhode Island 17-10 last week in the second round. They are led defensively by a team that has racked up 23 interceptions, including two separate players with seven picks.

They racked up individual postseason awards for their success; Mike Jacobs in his first season was named SoCon coach of the year, running back Dwayne McGee was named offensive player of the year, Bradyen Manley took defensive player of the year and defensive end Andrew Zock was the freshman of the year.

Mercer has a true freshman leading them at quarterback in Whitt Newbauer. Newbauer took over during the middle part of the season for DJ Smith. He's completed 57% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.

North Dakota State enters the quarterfinals for a 15th straight year after knocking off Abilene Christian last week. The Bison will face a SoCon team in the quarters for a fourth separate time. NDSU played Wofford in 2012 and 2017, East Tennessee State in 2021 and Samford in 2022.

The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup and look ahead to the other games in the quarterfinal round.

The first week of December was a busy one for North Dakota State football.

It began with the news that Cole Wisniewski was going to enter the transfer portal after rehabbing a foot injury all season long. The former All-American safety has not played a down this season for the Bison.

It continued with National Signing Day as NDSU added 32 high school players for its Class of 2025, highlighted by a pair of players that will enroll early and be in Fargo in January.

Standout redshirt freshman running back Marty Brown brought home the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the top freshman in FCS, the second Bison to win the award, joining Trey Lance in 2019.

Finally, there is a football game to chat about, as NDSU opens the FCS Playoffs with a first-time opponent in Abilene Christian.

The Wildcats (9-4); won their league the United Athletic Conference and knocked off Northern Arizona in the first round of the playoffs.

They are led by standout quarterback Maverick McIvor, who missed last week's game with an injury. He is expected to play in Saturday's game against NDSU.