If you’ve spent any time in Brookings on a Saturday in October, you know the vibe. It’s cold, the wind is probably whipping across the plains, and the tailgating smells like a mix of diesel exhaust and grilled bratwurst. But looking at the south dakota state jackrabbits football schedule for the upcoming 2026 season, things feel different.
Honestly, the era of "just winning" isn't enough anymore. After the 2025 season saw the Jacks finish 9-5—a respectable record for most, but a "down year" by the impossible standards set during the back-to-back championship runs—the 2026 schedule is a massive litmus test for Coach Dan Jackson.
The Jacks are basically entering a transitional phase. They aren't the young upstarts anymore. They're the established powerhouse that everyone wants to take a piece of, and the 2026 calendar reflects that target on their back.
The Non-Conference Gauntlet: Big Ten Dreams and Familiar Foes
The season kicks off with a home opener at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on September 5 against the New Haven Chargers. Now, look, New Haven is a solid program, but for a team with SDSU’s pedigree, this is a "get right" game. It’s the kind of afternoon where you want to see the second and third string getting reps by the middle of the third quarter.
But don’t get too comfortable.
Just one week later, on September 12, the Jackrabbits head east to Evanston to face the Northwestern Wildcats. This is the big one. It’s a chance for the Missouri Valley to once again assert its dominance over the FBS. We've seen the Jacks take down Power 5 (well, Power 4 now) teams before. Northwestern is playing in that temporary lakeside stadium while their new palace is built, so the atmosphere will be weirdly intimate. If the Jacks can pull this off, the national conversation changes instantly.
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After the Big Ten road trip, things don't exactly slow down.
- September 26: Eastern Illinois comes to Brookings.
- October 3: The Missouri Valley slate officially opens with Murray State at home.
The Eastern Illinois game is a sneaky trap. Coming off a high-intensity FBS matchup and heading into the conference grind, it’s easy to overlook a team like the Panthers. But Dan Jackson’s staff knows better. They’ve seen what happens when you lose focus in September.
Why the Dakota Marker Still Ruled the Calendar
You can't talk about the south dakota state jackrabbits football schedule without circling one date in red ink: October 17.
The Dakota Marker. At the Fargodome.
The 2025 loss to NDSU (a brutal 38-7 blowout at home) still stings. It was one of those games where nothing worked. The 2026 matchup in Fargo is more than just a rivalry game; it’s about reclaiming the trophy and the psychological edge in the North. The Fargodome is a house of horrors for most visitors, but SDSU has proven they can win there. It’ll likely be a top-5 matchup, and the winner almost certainly secures the inside track to a high seed in the FCS playoffs.
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Following that emotional hurricane, the Jacks return home on October 24 to face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. It’s a classic "hangover" game. If they win the Marker, they have to avoid the letdown. If they lose, they have to find the will to fight back.
The Back Half: Road Grinds and Rivalry Week
November is where seasons go to die in the Missouri Valley. The weather gets ugly, and the hits get harder.
- October 31: At Northern Iowa. The UNI-Dome is never easy. The Panthers play a physical, frustrating style of football that can muck up even the best offensive schemes.
- November 7: Youngstown State comes to Brookings.
- November 14: A long road trip to Terre Haute to face Indiana State.
Then comes the finale. November 21. The Interstate Series against the University of South Dakota.
The 2025 game was a heartbreaker for SDSU, losing 24-17 in Vermillion. Having the Coyotes come to Brookings for the regular-season finale in 2026 is exactly what the fans wanted. There’s a legitimate chance the MVFC title or a first-round playoff bye will be on the line here.
Roster Dynamics and Coaching Philosophy
Transitioning from the Jimmy Rogers era to Dan Jackson has had its growing pains. Jackson brought in Eric Eidsness as offensive coordinator—a name very familiar to long-time Jackrabbit fans. Eidsness was the architect of those prolific offenses with Taryn Christion and Dallas Goedert.
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In 2026, we’re finally seeing "Eidsness 2.0" in full effect. The quarterback room, led by guys like Chase Mason and Jon Bell, has had another year to marinate in the system. The focus has shifted back to a balanced, explosive attack rather than the grinding, defensive-heavy identity we saw a couple of years ago.
The defense, under Brian Bergstrom, remains the backbone. They’ve had to replace some legendary linebackers lately, but the 2026 unit looks faster. They’ll need that speed when they face the spread-heavy looks Northwestern and some of the MVFC rivals like to run.
Final Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're planning your year around the south dakota state jackrabbits football schedule, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Book the Northwestern trip early: Northwestern’s temporary stadium has limited capacity. Tickets will be a nightmare to get, but seeing the Jacks in that setting is a bucket-list item.
- Watch the middle of October: The three-game stretch of NDSU, UND, and UNI will define the season. If they go 3-0, they’re title favorites. If they go 1-2, they’re looking at a road path through the playoffs.
- Don't sleep on the home finale: The USD rivalry is at an all-time high. Brookings will be electric on November 21.
The reality is that SDSU isn't just a "good" FCS team; they are the standard. The 2026 schedule is designed to challenge that standard at every turn. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the turf in Fargo, the path back to Frisco is paved with games that could go either way.
To stay ahead of ticket sales and kickoff times, make sure you're regularly checking the official athletic site or the Jackrabbit Sports Network. Most games will be broadcast on ESPN+ or Midco Sports, but the Northwestern game and the Dakota Marker are prime candidates for national linear TV slots. Get your gear ready—it's going to be a long, cold, and hopefully very successful autumn in Brookings.
Check the local Brookings weather forecasts before the Youngstown State game in November; the "Dana J. Dykhouse effect" usually starts kicking in around then, and you’ll want those extra layers for the fourth quarter.