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South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia
SDSU RANKS THIRD IN PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
8/3/2026 9:44:00 AM | Football
CHICAGO — The South Dakota State football team begins the 2026 season in a familiar spot with a high ranking in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Poll.
The Jackrabbits hold the No. 3 spot in the initial rankings of the season, which were released Monday morning. Defending champion Montana State received all 57 first-place votes from a media panel to earn the top ranking with 1,425 points, followed by Montana with 1,328 points and the Jackrabbits with 1,266 points.
With a third-place ranking in the preseason poll for the second year in a row, the Jackrabbits have now appeared in the top 25 of 190 consecutive Stats Perform polls dating back to October 2012. SDSU, which finished the 2025 season with a 9-5 overall record, has made 14 consecutive appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
SDSU is scheduled to face five fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference teams ranked in the preseason top 25 during the upcoming 2026 season, including three in the top 10. The Jackrabbits are scheduled to host ninth-ranked Youngstown State (Sept. 19) and No. 12 South Dakota (Oct. 31), while traveling to fourth-ranked Illinois State (Oct. 3), 10th-ranked North Dakota (Oct. 17) and No. 16 Southern Illinois (Nov. 14).
The Jackrabbits' 2026 season opener is set for Aug. 29 against Stetson. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
-GoJacks.com-
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The Jackrabbits hold the No. 3 spot in the initial rankings of the season, which were released Monday morning. Defending champion Montana State received all 57 first-place votes from a media panel to earn the top ranking with 1,425 points, followed by Montana with 1,328 points and the Jackrabbits with 1,266 points.
With a third-place ranking in the preseason poll for the second year in a row, the Jackrabbits have now appeared in the top 25 of 190 consecutive Stats Perform polls dating back to October 2012. SDSU, which finished the 2025 season with a 9-5 overall record, has made 14 consecutive appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
SDSU is scheduled to face five fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference teams ranked in the preseason top 25 during the upcoming 2026 season, including three in the top 10. The Jackrabbits are scheduled to host ninth-ranked Youngstown State (Sept. 19) and No. 12 South Dakota (Oct. 31), while traveling to fourth-ranked Illinois State (Oct. 3), 10th-ranked North Dakota (Oct. 17) and No. 16 Southern Illinois (Nov. 14).
The Jackrabbits' 2026 season opener is set for Aug. 29 against Stetson. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
-GoJacks.com-
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