By the end of Saturday afternoon’s matchup with FCS No. 1 North Dakota State, Missouri State could call itself a champion of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The FCS No. 14 Bears (8-2, 6-0 MVFC) have put themselves in this position by winning eight consecutive games for the first time since becoming a Division I program. They’ll have to win somewhere they haven’t since 2009 when they play in the 2:30 p.m. game at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

A win would give the Bears a share of the league for the first time since the 2021 spring season. They could then win the Valley outright with a victory over South Dakota State on Nov. 23 in Springfield.

A win would also give the Bears their:

• First-ever win against a No. 1-ranked team
• First win over a Top 10 opponent since 2021 and first under Ryan Beard
• First-ever 7-0 start to conference play
• Seven conference wins for the first time in program history

NDSU (9-1, 6-0 MVFC) is as good as it gets in the subdivision with its lone loss coming to FBS Colorado to open the season. The Bison came four yards short of completing a hail mary to win the game which would have handed Deion Sanders a loss to rock the college football world.

The Bison have won nine FCS national championships since 2011. They have a consistent, championship-level program the Bears strive to be, even with Missouri State’s upcoming move to Conference USA in 2025. This game will serve as a good measuring stick for how far the Bears have to go when competing at the Group of 5 level next year.

Missouri State vs North Dakota State time today

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Location: FargoDome; Fargo, North Dakota

Missouri State vs. North Dakota State will kick off from the FargoDome in Fargo, North Dakota, at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2024.

What channel is Missouri State vs North Dakota State game on today?

Dom Izzo and Kyle Emanuel will call the game on ESPN+ live from the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

How to listen to Saturday’s game?

Corey Riggs and Sam Block will call the game on KWTO 101.3 FM live from the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

Catch up on Missouri State football coverage

You can catch up on what you need to know about Missouri State by previewing the game at the following links:

Missouri State vs North Dakota State history

• Series record: North Dakota State leads 12-2
• Missouri State’s last win: Nov. 20, 2010 (3-0)
• North Dakota State’s last win: Oct. 23, 2023 (27-20)

Missouri State football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31 – Montana 29, Missouri State 24
• Sept. 7 – Ball State 42, Missouri State 34
• Sept. 14 – Missouri State 28, Lindenwood 14
• Sept. 21 – Missouri State 31, UT Martin 24
• Sept. 28 – Missouri State 38, Youngstown State 31
• Oct. 12 – Missouri State 41, Illinois State 7
• Oct. 19 – Missouri State 46, Indiana State 21
• Oct. 26 – Missouri State 49, Northern Iowa 42
• Nov. 2 – Missouri State 38, Southern Illinois 17
• Nov. 9 – Missouri State 59, Murray State 31
• Nov. 16 – @ North Dakota State
• Nov. 23 – South Dakota State
• Record: 8-2 (6-0 MVFC)

North Dakota State football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 29 – Colorado 31, North Dakota State 26
• Sept. 7 – North Dakota State 52, Tennessee State 3
• Sept. 14 – North Dakota State 38, East Tennessee State 35
• Sept. 21 – North Dakota State 41, Towson 24
• Sept. 28 – North Dakota State 42, Illinois State 10
• Oct. 5 – North Dakota State 41, North Dakota 17
• Oct. 12 – North Dakota State 24, Southern Illinois 3
• Oct. 19 – North Dakota State 13, South Dakota State 9
• Oct. 26 – North Dakota State 59, Murray State 6
• Nov. 2 – North Dakota State 42, Northern Iowa 19
• Nov. 16 – vs. Missouri State
• Nov. 23 – @ South Dakota
• Record: 9-1 (6-0 MVFC)