Saturday's game against North Texas will be nationally broadcasted on ESPN, raising the stakes for a packed stadium.

The trophy is a small-scale replica of the hundreds of large, pink, quartzite markers survey crews planted in the early 1890s to delineate North Dakota from South Dakota, one every half-mile for 360 miles. The two states were established in 1889 from the Dakota Territory.

The Houston Cougars (8-2), who broke into the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 23 this week, close out their home schedule on Saturday afternoon when they host the TCU Horned Frogs (6-4) in a Big 12 Conference matchup.

Both football teams received invitations to play in the NCAA playoffs, Northwood in Division II and Alma in Division III. It is Northwood’s first playoff appearance since 2006, while Alma went 2-1 in the 2023 playoffs.

A pass intended for Purdue wide receiver Jesse Watson (10) was tipped before being intercepted by Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in West Lafayette, Ind. Credit: AP/Doug McSchooler Pick: Ohio State 48-10.

Late Friday night features a game from the Mountain West between 7-3 Hawai'i and 8-2 UNLV in a game that serves as a quality appetizer.