Four Dakotas

Something hit me this morning when talking with my good friend and fellow cfb fan, Eric Fowler, that made me say, "I'll have to write about it tonight."  Eric - forgive me if I misquoted myself...

Within the last decade (between 2008 and 2011), four "Dakota" teams made the jump to the FCS in Division I:  North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, and South Dakota State.  Each have had a varying amount of success - with the Bison obviously the most successful, having won 5 straight FCS Championships.  The Jackrabbits of SD State have been ranked in the top ten the last couple of years, while the other two (North Dakota and South Dakota) have come up a bit short in their quest of reaching the playoffs.

But, if one were to study this week's FCS Coaches Poll they would see all four Dakota teams ranked in the Top 25, as South Dakota just squeezed in thanks to their victory last week over Illinois State.  Chances are slim that all four will make the FCS playoffs this year, especially since three play in the brutal MVFC, but it can be said that they have all made a successful transtion to Division I.