Will Saturday be another story of the "farm kids" from South Dakota being underestimated by a bunch of thoroughbred athletes from California?

The Dan Jackson Era and Chase Mason era at South Dakota State opens with a likely sold-out home game against Sacramento State, a 3-9 team from last year with over 50 FBS transfers and a brand new coach that is rated No. 15 in the preseason polls.

With so many new starters on each side, it is tough to accurately predict how the game may unfold, but Sioux Falls Live sports editor and decade-long SDSU reporter Matt Zimmer takes a stab with Happy Hour host John Gaskins in a 74-minute chat over cocktails at Gateway Lounge.

But Zim pulls from over 20 years of covering South Dakota college football teams who lock horns with talented rosters from talent-rich states like California, while also unveiling some new Jackrabbits FBS transfers you should expect to see and maybe shine on Saturday and all season long. What exactly can we expect, especially from SDSU's new starting quarterback, Chase Mason, who has undeniably supreme physical talent but has not played a full game as a starting signal caller in six years, back to his junior year in high school?

Meanwhile, No. 4 South Dakota opens 2025 at FBS No. 22 Iowa State, who impressively finished a 24-21 prize fight win over No. 17 Kansas State in Ireland on Saturday. How much of a factor will jet lag from a trip to Ireland factor in USD's favor, not to mention this being a "sandwich" game for the Cyclones between rivals KSU and Iowa (next week)? What kind of upset threat can USD mount, with its own litany of transfer replacements but also with a guiding light in senior quarterback in Aidan Bouman, a former Cyclone with plenty to prove against his former team and NFL scouts?

Plus, a glimpse into the "Washington State Jackrabbits," led by former SDSU coach Jimmy Rogers, who brought his staff and 16 players with him to the Palouse. The Cougars, who play Idaho on national television late Saturday, have shut down practices to the media after reported inner-team practice scuffles.

Speaking of former Jacks, quarterback Mark Gronowski is Iowa's "Million Dollar Man" (or $2 Million Man, depending on who you believe). What should we expect of the former Walter Payton Award winner in the stacked Big Ten, and in what way will life be more different and difficult for him compared to the FCS?

Then, there's No. 8 Alabama, led by former USF coach Kalen DeBoer, who starts his second season on the road at Florida State. Why should there be reason for the Crimson Tide to improve after their first four-loss season in 17 years?

Finally, how much more secure should the Minnesota Vikings feel about their QB2 situation now that they dumped Sam Howell and made room for North Dakota State legend Carson Wentz, who joins his sixth NFL team in six years?