{"id":937938,"date":"2026-07-06T05:12:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T05:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/937938\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T05:12:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T05:12:14","slug":"the-biggest-college-football-games-to-watch-in-south-dakota-in-2026-sioux-falls-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/937938\/","title":{"rendered":"The biggest college football games to watch in South Dakota in 2026 – Sioux Falls Live"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s July, which practically means its football season. South Dakota State and the USD Coyotes will both begin practice later in the month.<\/p>\n

As for the games, they kick off in late August. Another exciting season can be expected in South Dakota, with the Jackrabbits and Coyotes both seeking a return to the FCS playoffs and hoping to contend for the national championship, while several of the state’s sub-Division I teams harbor high expectations as well.<\/p>\n

To get you excited for the season, here’s a look at some of the most intriguing matchups on the schedule in 2026:<\/p>\n

Black Hills State at USF, Aug. 27 at Bob Young Field<\/p>\n

For the second year in a row the Yellow Jackets and Cougars officially kick off the college football season in South Dakota with a Thursday night non-conference tilt.<\/p>\n

\"090325-IMG_8798.JPG\"<\/p>\n

Black Hills State QB Luke Duby makes a move on a keeper against USF on Aug. 28, 2025 in Spearfish.<\/p>\n

Jenn Kenyon\/Sioux Falls Live<\/p>\n

Last year it was the Cougars going into Lyle Hare Stadium and escaping with a 27-21 win, now the Yellow Jackets return the favor in the home-and-home series by visiting Bob Young Field, where BHSU coach Josh Breske was formerly an assistant.<\/p>\n

Dakota Wesleyan at Dakota State, Aug. 29 in Madison<\/p>\n

The battle for the Chamber of Commerce Trophy heads back to Madison and Brian Kern Family Stadium, resuming what’s become one of the most entertaining rivalries in the NAIA.<\/p>\n

\"8-30-25CollegeFootballDakotaStatevsDWU-30.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Action from a college football game between the Dakota State Trojans and the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers on Satuday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Mitchell.<\/p>\n

Adam Thury \/ Mitchell Republic<\/p>\n

Dakota State has held the upper hand of late, winning five of six meetings until the Tigers won 16-14 last year. A 40-yard Danny Carsrud field goal in the fourth quarter made the difference in what was coach Alex Kretzschmar’s first win in the rivalry.<\/p>\n

Central Connecticut at South Dakota, Aug. 29 in Vermillion<\/p>\n

The Coyotes open the Matt Vitzthum era against a solid non-conference opponent in the Blue Devils, who are two-time defending Northeast Conference champs.<\/p>\n

A new quarterback will be making his debut for USD, as the Yotes begin their pursuit of a fourth straight playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Stetson at South Dakota State, Aug. 29 in Brookings<\/p>\n

The Jackrabbit football opener is one of the biggest days on the state’s sports calendar every year, and a sell-out crowd of 19,000-plus will be on hand to watch SDSU host a new opponent in the Hatters.<\/p>\n

The Jacks will likely be ranked in the top five and on the short list of national title contenders, so expectations will be high to start the season with a bang.<\/p>\n

Augustana at Duluth, Sept. 3 in Duluth<\/p>\n

The Vikings play their first two games of the season on the road, the second coming on a Thursday night trip to Malosky Stadium to face the Bulldogs, one of their few peers as regular NSIC title contenders.<\/p>\n

\"Augustana's<\/p>\n

Augustana’s Gunnar Hensley looks to run against Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.<\/p>\n

Trent Singer \/ Sioux Falls Live<\/p>\n

Augie won back-to-back NSIC titles in 2023 and 2024, and were well on their way to a third last year until a late season collapse, and this will be an early test in the Vikings’ attempt to run it back.<\/p>\n

South Dakota State at Northwestern, Sept. 5 in Evanston, Ill.<\/p>\n

The Jacks return to the FBS ranks and the Big Ten when they challenge the Wildcats in one of two games to be played this year at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium, their temporary home until $850 million Ryan Field is opened for their game against Penn State.<\/p>\n

\"061726-wilde.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Griffin Wilde (17) caught 71 passes for 880 yards in his first season playing for Northwestern in 2025.<\/p>\n

Northwestern athletics<\/p>\n

While this is SDSU’s second game of the year, it’s the season opener for Northwestern. The Wildcats went 7-6 last year and after the season replaced former Jacks quarterback and coach Zach Lujan as offensive coordinator with former NFL coach Chip Kelly, who will be looking to find ways to get the ball to former Jackrabbit and SF Jefferson wideout Griffin Wilde.
If the Jacks are healthy, this could be a competitive game.<\/p>\n

South Dakota at Boise State, Sept. 19 in Boise<\/p>\n

After opening their season with games against three solid-but-unspectacular FCS opponents, the Yotes wrap up non-conference play on the blue turf in Boise, taking on one of the newest members of the new Pac-12.<\/p>\n

\"060426-boise.jpg\"<\/p>\n

A look inside Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.<\/p>\n

Boise State athletics<\/p>\n

The Broncos won or shared the last three Mountain West titles under Spencer Danielson, and last played a team from the Valley in 2023, when they beat North Dakota 42-18.<\/p>\n

Youngstown State at South Dakota State, Sept. 19 in Brookings<\/p>\n

The Jacks open Valley play before the completion of their non-conference games, taking on the Penguins for a summer nighttime clash of playoff teams.
The Penguins are one of the second-tier contenders hoping to move up in the FCS hierarchy, and the return of Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard at quarterback gives them a meaningful chance.
A win at Dykhouse Stadium would be a statement to the rest of the country they’re to be taken seriously.<\/p>\n

\"Youngstown<\/p>\n

Youngstown State’s Beau Brungard takes part in Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Day on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.<\/p>\n

Trent Singer \/ Sioux Falls Live<\/p>\n

MSU-Mankato at USF, Sept. 26 at Bob Young Field<\/p>\n

The Cougars have lately had a tendency of falling one win short of the D2 playoffs, and their struggles against the NSIC’s top teams have cost them. Last year a 38-12 defeat at Blakeslee Stadium humbled the Cougars, and a week later they blew a big lead in the Key to the City game against Augustana, part of a three-game losing streak that derailed their postseason hopes.<\/p>\n

\"_SLC6035.JPG\"<\/p>\n

Minnesota State Mankato\u2019s Mason Perich is tackled by University of Sioux Falls\u2019 Garret Hoffman and Eli Schlangen on Thursday, Aug. 31, at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls.<\/p>\n

Trent Singer \/ For Sioux Falls Live<\/p>\n

This year the Mavericks are the first likely playoff hopeful on the USF schedule, so it will be interesting to see how they stack up in their fifth game of the season.<\/p>\n

USF at Augustana, Oct. 3 at Jim Heinitz Field<\/p>\n

The Cougars suffered one of the worst home-field collapses in recent program history in last year’s Key to the City game, blowing a 28-10 lead as the Vikings outscored them 19-0 in the fourth quarter to stun fans on both sides and keep the Key in blue and gold for another year.<\/p>\n

\"Augustana's<\/p>\n

Augustana’s Gradee Sherman hoists the Key to the City trophy after the Vikings defeated Sioux Falls 29-28 on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls.<\/p>\n

Trent Singer \/ Sioux Falls Live<\/p>\n

Now the Vikings return home to host the rivalry clash, with a chance to establish a four-game winning streak in the series. After losing six of the first seven meetings, Augie has taken four of the last six, meaning USF’s lead in the reboot of the rivalry has shrunk to 8-5.<\/p>\n

South Dakota State at Illinois State, Oct. 3 in Normal, Ill.<\/p>\n

The Redbirds came tantalizingly close to giving Brock Spack his first national championship last year, falling in the FCS title tilt to Montana State, after they had upset NDSU to send the Bison out of the FCS on a losing note.
The Birds have since said goodbye to a great deal of talent, but the program seemed to get a boost from last year’s improbably playoff run.<\/p>\n

\"111525<\/p>\n

South Dakota State’s Jalen Lee rushes Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse during a college football game on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings. <\/p>\n

Marcus Traxler \/ Mitchell Republic<\/p>\n

SDSU, meanwhile, will be looking to atone for an ugly performance against Illinois State last year in Brookings when they dug themselves an early 28-0 hole in an eventual 35-21 loss.<\/p>\n

South Dakota State at North Dakota, Oct. 17 in Grand Forks<\/p>\n

With the Bison gone, the FCS’s attention turns to the remaining three Dakota schools. SDSU has two championships, USD has become a regular contender, while UND hasn’t been able to advance further than fringe playoff contender status.
Changing that would start with beating the Jacks, something they’ve done only once in Division I.<\/p>\n

South Dakota at North Dakota, Oct. 24 in Grand Forks<\/p>\n

See above. The Yotes and Hawks have both toiled in the shadow of their state-school peers at the Division I level, and both could capitalize on NDSU’s departure.
UND is seen by many as a sleeper to become the next FCS power, while USD is hungry for the same. This isn’t just a battle for one win in October, it’s a race to the top of the subdivision.<\/p>\n

South Dakota at South Dakota State, Oct. 31 in Brookings<\/p>\n

Get your costumes ready, as South Dakota celebrates Halloween with the in-state rivalry game.
With the Dakota Marker game extinct (at least temporarily), Jacks-Yotes now fully takes center stage as the biggest game on the schedule for both teams. Can it take its place alongside the Brawl of the Wild as one of the top rivalries in the FCS, as the Marker game did?<\/p>\n

\"102624<\/p>\n

South Dakota wide receiver Carter Bell makes a reception during the Interstate Series college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings. <\/p>\n

Marcus Traxler \/ Mitchell Republic<\/p>\n

USD still hasn’t won in Brookings in the Division I era, and changing that in 2026 won’t be easy as the Jacks look to avenge last year’s entertaining and well-played defeat in the Dome.<\/p>\n

Augustana at Northern State, Oct. 31 in Aberdeen<\/p>\n

USD-SDSU isn’t the only big in-state game set for Halloween.
It might be a stretch to call Wolves-Vikings a true rivalry, but a big and enthusiastic crowd should be on hand at Dacotah Bank Stadium when the Vikings travel up I-29 for a visit.<\/p>\n

Augustana at MSU-Mankato, Nov. 7 in Mankato<\/p>\n

The Vikings were 9-0 and headed towards a third straight NSIC title last year when the Mavericks came into Sioux Falls and smashed them 45-21. Still reeling the following week, Augie lost to Wayne State in their finale and got left out of the playoffs at 9-2.<\/p>\n

\"112324-IMG_9649.JPG\"<\/p>\n

MSU-Mankato coach Todd Hoffner signals to his defense during the first half of the Mavericks’ Division II playoff game against Augustana on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at Jim Heinitz Field in Sioux Falls.<\/p>\n

Matt Zimmer\/Sioux Falls Live<\/p>\n

It was the second straight painful defeat at the hands of Mankato for the Vikings, as Todd Hoffner’s squad also ended Augie’s 2024 season by scoring twice late to steal a 20-19 win in the D2 playoffs.
There will be a lot on the line for this one.<\/p>\n

South Dakota at Illinois State, Nov. 21 in Normal, Ill.<\/p>\n

The Coyotes and Redbirds have a lot in common going into 2026, as both teams made deep playoff runs that have only increased the excitement heading into the year, but both teams also have a lot of firepower to replace.<\/p>\n

\"040326-IMG_9672.JPG\"<\/p>\n

USD head coach Matt Vitzthum watches a live team session during practice on April 3, 2026 at the DakotaDome.<\/p>\n

Matt Zimmer\/SFL<\/p>\n

It’s anyone’s guess where these teams will be by the time this game rolls around, but don’t be surprised if they’re both in the thick of the playoff hunt, with seedings, home field advantage and perhaps conference title aspirations on the line.<\/p>\n

Indiana State at South Dakota State, Nov. 21 in Brookings<\/p>\n

You know why we’re including this one.
Last year the Sycamores came into Brookings and stunned the Jacks 21-12 in one of the most shocking losses in SDSU history and biggest wins of ISU coach Curt Mallory’s career.
The Jacks will likely be fighting for playoff positioning on this day, but they’ll surely have some payback in mind, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It’s July, which practically means its football season. South Dakota State and the USD Coyotes will both begin…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":937939,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2026],"tags":[124521,8326,7,46425,33277,46426,46428,32173,46430,25987,112356],"class_list":["post-937938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-best-d2-football-rivalries","tag-brookings","tag-football","tag-jackrabbit-football","tag-jacks","tag-sdsu-sports","tag-south-dakota-state-football","tag-south-dakota-state-jackrabbits","tag-south-dakota-state-sports","tag-south-dakota-state-university","tag-when-do-the-jacks-play"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116871322142051537","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/937938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=937938"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/937938\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/937939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=937938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=937938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=937938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}