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No. 4 Missouri State football to host South Dakota State in historic home matchup

When Missouri State and South Dakota State take the field on Saturday afternoon, it will be the first time two top-five programs have played each other at Plaster Stadium.

And Saturday's game could mean a whole lot to both teams.

The Bears' Missouri Valley Football Conference opener will feature what the FCS Coaches Poll considers the No. 3 Jackrabbits and the No. 4 Bears. According to the STATS Perform Poll, the Jackrabbits are ranked No. 2 when the Bears have never beaten a team ranked higher than third.

"We're playing the No. 3 team in the country," Bears head coach Bobby Petrino said, who has yet to face SDSU during his time at MSU.