Finishing strong is on the mind of area football squads as they near the end of their 2015 schedules this weekend.

The University of South Dakota has its finale on the road at Illinois State as the 5-5 Coyotes hope to secure a winning season with an upset of the nationally ranked Redbirds(8-2).

Iowa takes a 10-0 record into a contest with 2-8 Purdue while next Friday’s Hawkeye opponent, Nebraska, has the weekend off.

Minnesota(4-6) still has hopes of being bowl eligible as the Gophers host Illinois.

Iowa State takes a 3-7 record to Kansas State(3-6).