Venue & Kickoff
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM CT
Broadcast: ESPN+
Capacity: 69,143
Special Note: Second game of a home-and-home series; NFL scouts from at least six teams expected in attendance.
Weather Forecast (Nashville, TN – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm
Temperature: ~84°F at kickoff
Wind: SSW at 6–8 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Minimal; warm temps could test depth in the second half
Injury Report
North Dakota State
No major injuries reported after Week 1 win at The Citadel
Tennessee State
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 win over North Carolina A&T
Recent Form
NDSU: QB Cole Payton accounted for 293 total yds (163 pass / 130 rush) and 3 TD in opener; defense allowed just 174 total yds.
TSU: RB Kendric Rhymes rushed for 174 yds and 2 TD (60 & 51 yds) in debut; LB James Stewart had 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF.
Key Player Matchups
QB Cole Payton (NDSU) vs. TSU Front Seven
Payton: Dual-threat; TSU allowed 4.7 YPC in opener
RB Kendric Rhymes (TSU) vs. NDSU Linebackers
Rhymes: 10.2 YPC in opener; NDSU allowed just 2.3 YPC vs. The Citadel
WR RaJa Nelson (NDSU) vs. CB Dy’Shon Bryant (TSU)
Nelson: 4 rec, 68 yds, 1 TD
Bryant: Veteran cover corner
LB Logan Kopp (NDSU) vs. TSU QB Jalen Rashada
Kopp: 8 tackles, 1 sack in opener
Rashada: Efficient in Week 1, but faces elite pass rush
Series History
All-Time: NDSU leads 1–0
Last Meeting: NDSU 52–3 (2024, Fargo) — Bison’s 10th FCS title season
Note: TSU’s worst loss to an FCS opponent in 19 years.
Betting Trends
NDSU: 5–0 SU in last 5; 4–1 ATS in that span; OVER in 4 of last 5
TSU: 3–2 SU in last 5; 2–3 ATS; UNDER in 3 of last 5
NDSU 3–0 all-time vs. OVC opponents, avg. margin +27.3
Game Odds
North Dakota State Bison – 36.5
Tennessee State Tigers 53.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
