SIOUX FALLS, SD (GoJacks.com) – South Dakota State has been picked to return to the top of the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2026, according to a preseason poll announced Tuesday morning in conjunction with the league’s annual Media Day.
The Jackrabbits received 28 of 36 first-place votes and tallied 312 points to out-distance Illinois State for the top spot in the nine-team poll, which was conducted among the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and a select media panel. The Redbirds, who advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision national title game last season, tallied three first-place votes and 256 points, while Youngstown State was third with 235 points.
In all, five teams received first-place votes. North Dakota and South Dakota each received two first-place votes to finish fourth and fifth with respective totals of 211 and 196 points, while Southern Illinois claimed the other first-place vote to place sixth with 186 points.
Northern Iowa (99 points), Indiana State (80) and Murray State (45) completed the poll.
Since joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2008, South Dakota State has been tabbed as the league favorite four times – all in the last six seasons (2021 (fall season), 2023, 2024, 2026). The Jackrabbits have won at least a share of the regular season league crown five times: 2016, 2020-21 (spring season), 2022, 2023 and 2024.
In addition, 19 Jackrabbit student-athletes were recognized as MVFC Players to Watch. A full listing follows:
QB: Chase Mason
RB: Ramon McKinney Jr.
WR: Grahm Goering, Lofton O’Groske
TE: Greyton Gannon, Coleman Kuntz
OL: Quinten Christensen, Shane Willenbring
DL: Logan Green, Reis Kirschenman, Dawson Ripperda, Jace Sifore, Carter Sitzman
LB: Cullen McShane, Chase Van Tol
DB: Ife Current, Noah St-Juste
P: Max Pelham
RS/APB: Jack Smith
2026 MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
1. South Dakota State (28) – 312
2. Illinois State (3) – 256
3. Youngstown State – 235
4. North Dakota (2) – 211
5. South Dakota (2) – 196
6. Southern Illinois (1) – 186
7. Northern Iowa – 99
8. Indiana State – 80
9. Murray State – 45
South Dakota State is scheduled to open the regular season by hosting Stetson on Aug. 29. The Jackrabbits’ MVFC opener is slated for Sept. 19 versus Youngstown State.