What We’ll Learn From the MVFC in Week 0

Welcome to the MVFC Preview. I’m Alex Kenkel of Jackrabbit Illustrated, and this season I’ll be teaming up with Kevin to help cover the FCS from the Valley and beyond.

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That is probably the extent you need to hear about me, we will jump into it and what to look for in each game.

Mercyhurst @ Youngstown St, Thurs 8/26, 5 PM CST, ESPN+

These teams met last year, and Mercyhurst gave Youngstown quite a scare. I think for that reason this go round Youngstown should handle them fairly easily. Beau Brungard will try to put together another Walter Payton campaign. The big thing to watch will be the Youngstown defense and how improved they are. That will separate them from being dangerous to a bona fide contender.

Southern Illinois @ West Florida, Thurs 8/26, 7 PM EST, ESPN+

An underrated match up in the Week 0 slate as the top 20 Salukis head down to Florida to take on FCS newcomer West Florida. West Florida has been a constant contender in Division II ranks the last few year winning the 2019 National Title. We all know DJ Williams and the SIU offense can and will make plays. The thing to watch here much like in the Youngstown-Mercyhurst game is what does the SIU defense look like? They will need to be improved this year for SIU to get back to the playoffs and this will be a good early season test.

Eastern Illinois @ Murray State, Thurs 8/26, 6 PM CST, ESPN+

Neither of these teams were any good last year to be quite blunt. However, that provides opportunity for both to start the year off on the right foot. This will be our first look at Murray State’s new facilities and stadium. I think their investments show they are committed to trying to improve. I look to see how what was a young Murray State team last year can show growth this season.

Long Island @ North Dakota, Thurs 8/26, 7 PM CST, Midco Sports, ESPN+

I think this game may give us some early insight into just how far UND can go this year. Their offense struggled to find consistency at times last year, and although Long Island will be a conquerable challenge they did have a sneaky good defense last year. UND’s defense will probably have the Long Island offense in a tizzy all night. However, their defensive unit was solid last year and should give us our first look at just how far Jerry Kaminski has improved based on some of the preseason accolades he has been getting.

Central Connecticut State @ South Dakota, Sat 8/29, 1 PM CST, Midco Sports,

ESPN+

Both teams were playoff teams last year, but if the Yotes want to go where they think they can this should not be a super difficult challenge for them. The big story line is RS- Fr QB Austyn Modrzewski being named the starter to succeed one of the program greats in Aidan Bouman. Lots of eyes will be there no doubt, but I think I am more curious personally how the defense gels. There are some known commodities in RJ Stewart and Chris Dixon but a lot of new pieces that will need to step in quickly, and the advanced numbers would tell you the USD defense was a little below average last year.

SEMO @ Indiana State, Sat 8/29, 5 PM CST, ESPN+

SEMO had a down year last year then lost their starting QB to the portal to boot. Meanwhile the Sycamores get 2024 MVFC Newcomer of the Year Elijah Ownes back from missing most of last year with injury. I think that in and of itself may lead to a bit of a shocker in the results of this one.

Stetson @ South Dakota State, Sat 8/29, 6 PM CST, ESPN+, Midco Sports,

KELOLAND

Let’s call it what it is. One of the worst teams in the subdivision playing a preseason Top 5 opponent. Coach Dan Jackson has made a lot about the offense needing to be better in the red zone and shot plays to score more points if they really want to contend. This will be out first look at that Saturday, and an opponent you will need to do it against.

St. Francis (of Illinois) @ Illinois State, Sat 8/29, 6 PM CST, ESPN+

The Redbirds decided a non D1 is better than no opponent at all and there is probably some truth to that. That probably doesn’t hurt when trying to run 2 QBs to see who your guy is so that you can treat the game as a glorified scrimmage. I think we don’t see a ton of RB Victor Dawson here as the Redbirds focus on ironing out their QB battle and their defense does its thing.