Valley Rundown: With limited playoff spots up for grabs, margin for error is slim for these Valley teams

While the MVFC can boast its prowess as the strongest conference in the FCS, it unfortunately makes for some tough realities at the end of each season. 

You could argue that the conference has at least five, if not more, teams that are more than worthy of making the big dance at the end of the regular season. However, this time around, I’d have to guess there will only be about four postseason slots up for grabs. 

With NDSU and SDSU all but locked into two of those four spots, it leaves at least four teams competing for only two postseason berths. 

Illinois State 

Current Record: 4-2, 1-1 MVFC 

SOS (Via Massey): No. 42 nationally, No. 9 in conference 

Notable games remaining: vs. Youngstown State and SIU, @ USD and SDSU 

I’d still have to say that Illinois State is in a pretty comfortable position to grab one of those postseason spots. Of those four remaining notable games, it sure feels like the Redbirds shouldn’t have much issue pulling out at least two victories out of those. SDSU in Brookings would also be a huge resume booster for seeding if ISU could pull out a victory. The Redbirds should also have no problem taking care of business against UNI and Indiana State. I think it would take a massive collapse for them not to make the playoffs. 

North Dakota 

Current Record: 4-2, 2-0 MVFC  

SOS (Via Massey): No. 9 nationally, No. 2 in conference 

Notable games remaining: vs. NDSU and SDSU, @ SIU and USD 

Had UND managed to pull out those victories against K-State and Montana, its place in the postseason wouldn’t even be a question. Two victories to start conference play is a good start, but those big matchups are looming in the very near future. The Fighting Hawks are lucky they get NDSU and SDSU at home, but those two road games at SIU and USD will be uber tough. However, if UND can pull out at least two victories out of those four, and beat Indiana State and Murray State, I’d have to think playoffs are close to a guarantee. And perhaps if things go very well the rest of the way, that first-round bye conversation heats up too. 

Southern Illinois 

🍋: https://www.alexslemonade.org/2025/gross-network-office-x-southern-illinois-university

Current Record: 4-2, 1-1 MVFC 

SOS (Via Massey): No. 16 nationally, No. 4 in conference 

Notable games remaining: vs. UND, @ Illinois State and Youngstown State 

My confidence in SIU was overflowing heading into last week’s NDSU matchup. Now, that confidence has turned into cautious optimism. NDSU is a wrecking ball, no doubt, but the temperature has been turned up a bit when it comes to postseason conversation. SIU is still well-positioned, especially with no SDSU on the schedule. Road matchups at Illinois State and Youngstown State could be tricky, but this week’s matchup vs. UND is the game to watch. A win against the Fighting Hawks is an immediate resume booster and it helps with head-to-head if SIU and UND are neck-and-neck for a postseason berth at the end of the season. 

Youngstown State 

Current Record: 3-3, 0-2 

SOS (Via Massey): No. 21 nationally, No. 5 in conference 

Notable games remaining: vs. SIU, @ Illinois State and NDSU 

I think it’s do-or-die time for the Penguins. Starting out 0-2 in conference play is a tough way to go about the rest of the season, but YSU still has three very winnable games against Murray State, UNI and Indiana State. However, those three notable matchups I mentioned will be monumental for resume building. I think they have to win at least two of those three, which pretty much means they need to beat SIU and ISU. Nothing is foreclosed, but the Penguins will need to start winning consistently and quickly.  

On the outside looking in: USD 

I’ll briefly touch on USD. To be honest, my confidence is pretty low when it comes to the Coyotes making the postseason. Sitting at 4-3 isn’t the worst, but with remaining games against Illinois State, SDSU, UND and SIU, it's tough to see a winning scenario there. The good thing going for USD is that only the SIU game is on the road (USD has won 11 straight games at the DakotaDome). 

The Coyotes would have to win at least three of those four (also assuming they beat UNI this week), and I firmly believe one of those victories has to be SDSU. They really need the resume booster.  Nothing is out of the question as USD could find a groove as the season winds down, but it will take a furious finish to clinch a postseason birth.