*This is a guest column by Jackrabbit superfan Josh Hoffman.

27 reasons the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will win the 2027 FCS National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Let’s start with the chain gang. I think SDSU’s national championship teams of the past had a deep defensive line that made the lives of the opposition miserable on a consistent basis, whether they tried to run the ball or take on the secondary through the air. The chain gang made it hard for other teams to establish any sort of identity and forced many teams into one-dimensional offense and often the d-line. Let’s take this back and we will be better than our last play
• Let’s go to the other line. The 605 Hogs were not imposing, or as Eric Cartman described, being offensive. (that ref in the UND might say otherwise) If SDSU wants to get back to a national championship level, the 605 Hogs must fulfill what their motto insists, and I think simply staying healthy will help.
• The RB depth I think is also something to be watched with keen interest. I think it might take a few games to really get a feel of what it will look like, but I have confidence that the talent is there, and many guys will get carries early on in the season, but I think by the end, two will receive the bulk of the carries, and maybe one for use short yardage situations. This can also absolve some pressure that might be on Chase Mason to be involved in the running game as well.

• I think the backup QB is a very underrated position across the football landscape that is not often talked about enough. Many teams that can succeed struggle if they lose their top guy on the depth chart, but I think SDSU is prepared for the road ahead.
• If some of these other areas mentioned here struggle, I think SDSU would benefit from a truly special, special teams’ unit. A good punter can flip the field and help you win the field position battle, and long field goals can often feel backbreaking. Not to mention a long return makes the offense’s job way easier. I hope some of the depth from other position groups leads to a jolt in the special teams performance for this year.
• SDSU has had many great individual wide receivers over the years, but I think the depth of this room speaks louder than any year in the past. From some seasoned veterans like Grahm Goering to student redshirt freshman like Landon Dulaney, there is no shortage of guys on the field who can catch passes from Chase Mason.
• Let’s talk about #7. The graduate QB himself, 9-man high school days playin’, Chase Mason. I think the sky is the limit for him. He is rightly getting underrated in my opinion and will prove a lot, and I think his skills help the team more than just the on-field performance. Chase Mason is a leader of the locker room and has shown his loyalty to the yellow and blue.

• The SDSU tight end room is also going to be deeper than it was just one year ago. Coleman Kuntz really brought an edge when it came to his play in the few games he played last year, and I think he is only going to get better.
• SDSU again looked to the transfer portal to shore up its secondary and while the MVFC is a run first league, the secondary must be improved in order to get to the national championship game. Discipline for this position group will also be key.
• SDSU students!!! I don’t know if any of you are reading this but to quote Coach Stig (again) YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I was told many times in my last years as a student that “we were too good and the games were boring.” Nothing is guaranteed. Show up! Be loud. Stay late. Learn the depths of the roster.

• The Jackrabbit linebacker crew is deep, and I know the coaching staff is not afraid to change things if they do not meet the standards that the coaching staff expects them to, especially with how senior laden this team is.
• Let’s mention Andrew Gustad, new on scholarship, whose every single touch resulted in a score or a first down last season. I hope to see him continue his role that is loved by the fans and his teammates alike.
• SDSU’s coordinators have both been here before and have a metric ton of talent to work with, and the fan bases expectations are through the roof. The coordination of the coaching staff together will be immensely important. I find Coach Stig’s insight that “the head coach is the coach of the coaching staff” interesting. I agree with this sentiment more and more.
• September 5, 2026, has been etched on many Jacks’ fans calendars for years at this point. A possible winnable game vs a Big Ten team. How much of the bag does SDSU throw at Northwestern to try to win it? How aggressive of play calling, 4^th down strategy, and more is something I can’t wait to watch (plus that beautiful lakefront stadium).

• This year’s seniors have stayed the course have been through a lot. Three different coaches but they also saw a little dip in performance last year and have taken it personally to not lose the championship standard. I think these guys will be out to prove a point.
• 2016 was the first year of the new Dana J Dykhouse Stadium and the Jacks won a conference title. 2026 will be the first year with new turf… hmmm… I think that bodes well for something
• I think it is going to be particularly interesting the week of Halloween/Reformation Day when the Coyotes come to town. This has become way more of rivalry, as it took me being in the second year of college for them to get a win in the series, and it was the only second win vs the Jacks in my lifetime. Does this become an even more intense rivalry? Time will tell.
• 2018 is when I was a freshman at SDSU and it is wild to think how much has changed. I think SDSU is so much more of a national and state known brand. I remember growing up in this state, knowing this school, but not really hearing much from it and about it. It has now become a more supported and attended brand, and it is not just the football team that benefits from it

• With the above, the fan base has grown, and we need to continue to show up. Be early, stay late, be loud, go State. Go Make A Difference.
• Dan Jackson, and other staff members, came back to SDSU to continue the championship standard. A lot of effort and investment was made on behalf of these coaches to help start the foundation, now they want to build and deliver on it.
• It should be interesting to see which true freshmen play. I am not sure which ones have impressed in camp, but it will be certainly be fascinating to see which ones play especially considering the modern 5 for 5 eligibility rules are now in place
• SDSU needs to stay healthy, even though the depth is good in certain positions, the Jacks are better off not having to flex certain guys into uncertain experience, especially on the offensive line and that showed itself last year.
• If you attend games, and don’t tailgate, you’re missing out. Jackrabbit Book Club will be happy to have you, free food/drink and if you make it early enough, a pudding shot.

• The JFPA is also making a difference in that they are funding scholarships for the team too. They are doing so many other things that we probably don’t know about
• Shoutout to Adam Vinateri on getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Would be nice to get him to a game in Brookings soon.
• This offseason has been long, but thankfully stress-free compared to the last two in terms of uncertainty.
• Because Nashville… who wouldn’t want to go to Music City?

GBGBGJ,

Josh Hofman