4 Video games that can Resolve the Missouri Valley in 2026

The massive information of the FCS offseason has been the departure of North Dakota State to the FBS. With the Bison gone, the Missouri Valley Conference title race turned essentially the most intriguing one virtually in a single day. Gone are the times of the inexperienced and gold dominating the league and, naturally, the query of who will step up and take over that prime spot is now getting requested. Several groups have the elements to get it achieved in 2026 and virtually each recreation within the convention shall be an enormous one this fall. These 4 specifically, although, may very well be the deciding showdowns in what’s going to absolutely be essentially the most aggressive convention once more.

4. South Dakota at Illinois State – November 21

So a lot is all the time on the road come the common season finale and such would be the case when South Dakota rolls into Illinois State to shut out the season this 12 months. The defending nationwide runner-up Redbirds are hoping for one more run like final 12 months, solely with a convention title in hand this time round. Although QB Tommy Rittenhouse is gone, ISU nonetheless ought to have a reasonably strong bunch in 2026. Receiver Dylan Lord is again as is operating again Victor Dawson together with the Niekamp brothers on protection; all key items of their run to Nashville final 12 months. If ex-USC sign caller Gage Roy works out, then Brock Spack’s staff may very well be proper there once more. South Dakota, in the meantime, is an enormous query mark proper now after additionally shedding their star quarterback Aidan Bouman. If one or each of those groups remains to be alive for the convention crown by this level, this recreation shall be a must-win. It may very nicely resolve who will get in and who doesn’t so far as the postseason is worried.

3. Southern Illinois at North Dakota – November 21

There’s a number of causes to be longing for the Southern Illinois trustworthy this 12 months and maybe the most important is D.J. Williams. The Salukis dynamic quarterback is coming into his redshirt senior season in Carbondale and which means one final likelihood to make a playoff push that has eluded SIU for a few years now. Williams may be essentially the most deadly dual-threat QB within the nation and, if he stays wholesome, Southern Illinois is actually a contender to win the convention. North Dakota, nevertheless, is nothing to scoff at both and with guys like QB Jerry Kaminski and receiver Korey Tai again, UND ought to, on the very least, be a playoff squad as soon as extra. The Hawks will host Williams and SIU within the remaining common season recreation and it appears as if it may very well be one with a complete terrible lot using on it.

2. South Dakota at South Dakota State – October 31

The “South Dakota Showdown” rivalry will now be the premier one within the Missouri Valley now that the Dakota Marker has passed by the wayside and this season’s iteration on Halloween ought to have rather a lot to say in regards to the eventual league standings when the mud settles. This 12 months it’s South Dakota that should go on the street however will probably be South Dakota State who shall be seeking to enact revenge for final 12 months’s 24-17 loss. Jackrabbits quarterback Chase Mason didn’t play in that recreation however ought to on this one if he’s wholesome and wideout Lofton O’Groske is a budding star on the place. For USD, the staff will look drastically totally different than it did a 12 months in the past when it made a run to the quarterfinals. Matt Vitzhum makes his head teaching debut after being promoted earlier this offseason. The winner right here is not going to solely safe in-state bragging rights however may even have an enormous leg up within the push for a league title.

1. Youngstown State at South Dakota State – October 24

The de-facto convention championship recreation may simply be in late October when South Dakota State welcomes in Youngstown State. The Jacks and the Penguins each look to be frontrunners and it must be a battle of the 2 finest quarterbacks within the league. Mason is clearly a distinction maker for SDSU as was evident final season by his absence when he was harm. Beau Brungard on the opposite aspect took residence the Walter Payton Award and had YSU within the playoffs as nicely. Had it not been for an epic collapse towards Yale, Youngstown State would have been at the very least a second-round staff. South Dakota State, who truly was a second-round staff, must be higher in Dan Jackson’s season in cost. It is in no way a stretch to say that the Missouri Valley trophy will reside on considered one of these two campuses when all is alleged and achieved. If that’s certainly the case, then whoever wins in Brookings after they meet will greater than possible win the convention.