Four Games that will Decide the Missouri Valley in 2026

VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA - NOVEMBER 8: James Basinger #32 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits is pursued by Caden Crawford #10 of the South Dakota Coyotes during the first half at The DakotaDome on November 8, 2025 in Vermillion, South Dakota. (Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images The big news 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 became the most intriguing one practically overnight.

Gone are the days of the green and gold dominating the league and, naturally, the question of who will step up and take over that top spot is now getting asked. Several teams have the ingredients to get it done in 2026 and almost every game in the conference will be a big one this fall. These four in particular, though, could be the deciding showdowns in what will surely be the most competitive conference again.

4. South Dakota at Illinois State – November 21 So much is always on the line come the regular season finale and such will be the case when South Dakota rolls into Illinois State to close out the season this year. The defending national runner-up Redbirds are hoping for another run like last year, only with a conference title in hand this time around.

Although QB Tommy Rittenhouse is gone, ISU still should have a pretty solid bunch in 2026. Receiver Dylan Lord is back as is running back Victor Dawson along with the Niekamp brothers on defense; all key pieces in their run to Nashville last year. If ex-USC signal caller Gage Roy works out, then Brock Spack’s team could be right there again.