This isn’t just another game for these two programs in the NCAAF. It’s a showdown between No. 1 and No. 2, both with serious aspirations of making the playoffs. Unfortunately for Dan Jackson, Chase Mason’s availability for this crucial matchup remains in doubt.

“Sources: No. 2 South Dakota State starting QB Chase Mason has a less than 50-percent chance playing tonight against No. 1 North Dakota State with a foot injury. He’d been considered day-to-day. They’ll watch him move around today before a final determination is made,” Pete Thamel stated via his X official account.

If Mason can’t go, his primary backup, Luke Marble, will take the start. The redshirt completed 13-of-21 passes for 189 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception last week.

What injury is plaguing Chase Mason?

South Dakota State‘s championship hopes have hit a nerve-wracking snag as the status of starting quarterback Chase Mason remains unknown for this weekend. Mason, who has guided the Jackrabbits to a 7-0 start with an impressive 11 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores, sustained a reported ankle/lower leg injury last week.

He did not return after hobbling off the field, and his mobility—a key component of his dual-threat game—could be severely impacted even if he is cleared to play. The team is preparing to lean on redshirt freshman backup Luke Marble should Mason be unavailable, making the top-ranked Jackrabbits’ offense a major question mark heading into a critical conference matchup.

Keeping the undefeated streak alive

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits face their season’s ultimate test this weekend as they host the arch-rival North Dakota State Bison for the coveted Dakota Marker trophy. Both programs enter the historic matchup with flawless 7-0 records, but it is SDSU that carries a 33-game home winning streak—the longest active run in the FCS—into the hostile atmosphere of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

With the No. 1 and No. 2 rankings on the line, the Jackrabbits’ hopes of maintaining their perfect season will depend on their stellar defense and an offense that must overcome the uncertainty surrounding the injury status of star quarterback Chase Mason against their long-time nemesis.

Montana State played well during the regular season, but the best part was that the Bobcats won two major games in the FCS Playoffs, one against UT Martin 26-7 during the second round and another victory against big favorite Sam Houston 42-19.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits were underdogs in a couple of playoffs games and the worst thing is that they played on the road. But after all the team managed to win in the first and second rounds, the quarterfinals against Villanova and today they are ready to fight for a spot in the final game of the championship.

Montana State vs South Dakota: Date

Montana State and South Dakota play for the 2021 FCS Playoff Semifinal on Saturday, December 18 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. Both teams showed a high level of offense stragey during the early rounds of the playoffs, but the defensive play will be the key to win this game.

Montana State vs South Dakota: Time by state in the US

ET: 2:00 PM
CT: 1:00 PM
MT: 12:00 PM
PT: 11:00 AM

TV Channel in the US to watch Montana State vs South Dakota at the 2021 FCS Playoff Semifinal

This game for the 2021 FCS Playoff Semifinal, Montana State and South Dakota at the Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman on Saturday, December 18, will be broadcast in the US exclusively by FuboTV and other options to watch this playoffs game in the US are ESPN2, ESPN App

Villanova Wildcats joined the FCS Quarterfinals after winning at home against Holy Cross 21-16 in the second round of the playoffs. The season has been good for Villanova after opening the season on the road with a win against Lehigh.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits set a positive record in their conference, Missouri Valley, with 5 wins and only three losses. Their most recent victory was against Sacramento State 24-19 as part of the second round of the on the road playoffs.

Villanova vs South Dakota State: Match Information

Date: Saturday, December 11, 2021.
Time: 2:00 PM (ET)
Location: Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA.

Villanova vs South Dakota State: Times by State in the US

ET: 2:00 PM
CT: 1:00 PM
MT: 12:00 PM
PT: 11:00 AM

Villanova vs South Dakota State: Storylines

Villanova Wildcats won all three of the last games before the playoffs against Elon 35-0, Stony Brook 33-14 and Delaware 21-13. The 2021 NCAA season home record is positive for Villanova with 5 wins and a single home loss against William & Mary 18-13. The Wildcats offense has been deadly this season averaging 30.83 points per game. The best players on offense are Justin Covington with 742 yards and 6 touchdowns, Jalen Jackson with 572 yards and 7 touchdowns, and DeeWil Barlee with 432 yards.

Daniel Smith, Villanova’s Wildcats quarterback, this season he has thrown for 167/306 passes completed with 2,296 yards, 22 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Connor Watkins is the team’s QB2 with 9/13 passes and 1 touchdown.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits had to play the first and second rounds of the playoffs since they did not receive the bye to the second round for not being a first seed team. But the Jackrabbits passed the test in the first round of the FCS Playoffs and won easily against UC Davis at home 56-24. After that game the Jackrabbits dominated Sacramento State in the second round game of the playoffs 24-19 winning the first half and doing a highly defensive work in the second half of the game. South Dakota State Jackrabbits are scoring an average of 37.7 points per game and the team’s defense allows only 18.8 points per game.

Chris Oladokun is the starting quarterback for the Jackrabbits, in the 2021 NCAA season he has thrown for 204/328 passes completed with 62.5%, 2697 yards for 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In the playoffs, Oladokun threw 2 touchdowns without interceptions.

How To Watch Or Stream Live Free Villanova vs South Dakota State in the U.S.

This 2021-22 NCAA College Football season FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals game will be available for TV and smartphones and will be broadcast in the United States by: ESPN+. Don’t forget to download the app to watch the game on your smartphone, table or computer.

Villanova vs South Dakota State: Predictions And Odds

Villanova Wildcats are underdogs with +8.5 ATS and +245 moneyline at FanDuel, they have a strong offense but their defense is struggling in the playoffs. South Dakota State are favored with -8.5 points to cover and -290 moneyline. The totals is offered at 48.5 points. The best pick for this College Football game is: Villanova Wildcats +8.5.

* Odds via FanDuel