Is this really a second round FCS Playoffs game? No. 14 seed South Dakota State at No. 3 Montana feels more like a semifinal showdown, thanks to the Jacks' surge the last couple games and the return of lethal weapon Chase Mason. Vegas thinks so, too. The Griz are mere 1.5-point favorites as of Thursday. Considering it is a Montana home game, that's an awfully tight line, especially for a 3-vs-14 matchup. Skyline Sports FCS analyst Samuel Akem — a recent Montana All-America wide receiver — gives 30 minutes worth of insight into the '25 Griz, the environment at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and what he expects to play out on Saturday. What makes Bobby Hauck's program a consistent powerhouse, but what might hold back the Griz from winning a national title or even Saturday's game?

How about an hour of engaging conversation full of SDSU opinions and stories from the Godfather of the Jackrabbits kingdom, John Stiegelmeier? The former 25-year head coach who retired after the Jacks captured the 2022 national title has kept a close eye on Dan Jackson's first team and has compelling behind-the-scenes observations about how SDSU has appeared to have risen from the ashes to be a dangerous contender. Stig also gives a glimpse into how his program vetted players in the recruiting process. It went far beyond measurables, accolades, game film, and stats. There's also the incredible story about offering Dallas Goedert a "non-scholarship" deal and how the walk-on became an NFL talent. And who is one recruit that didn't jump out in their recruiting class that became an absolute beast... besides Goedert, of course?

What is the silver bullet? This is a question outside observers may ask when teams like the Jackrabbits and the Coyotes produce a late-season turnaround. Both have gone from funks — the Jacks' four-game slide after a 7-0 start and more the Yotes' haven't-figured-it-out-yet malaise at 5-4 — to heaters that make them look like dangerous playoff teams. In South Dakota State's case, the return of quarterback Chase Mason is an easy answer, given how flawless, electric, and inspired the Jacks looked in their 41-3 first round playoff win over New Hampshire. But SDSU had already turned the corner the week before in the dramatic win at North Dakota. So, what is the other silver bullet at SDSU? Hint: It lies in both the head coach and offensive coordinator. In Wednesday's "John-o-logue," Happy Hour John Gaskins plucked insight from Dan Jackson and others (like John Stiegelmeier) to pinpoint the turning points. At USD, there isn't one player or aspect that sticks out as a cure-all in their four-game win streak, which included three consecutive wins over Top 25 teams just to reach the playoffs. But there was a broad, overarching concept employed by head coach Travis Johansen that yielded powerful results. It wasn't an obvious or dramatic silver bullet, but Johansen reveals it in his weekly one-on-one 30 minute chat with Gaskins.

After a close first half against Drake, the Yotes pulled away 38-17 in the first round of the playoffs as quarterback Aidan Bouman had his best game of the season.

Was there a big turnaround moment for Bouman? How has Larenzo Fenner broken out into an at-times impossible-to-cover receiver? How did Mikey Munn become an All-MVFC first teammer? Johansen answers these questions and gives a glimpse into why Mercer has the nation's second-best passing yardage attack, and what kind of challenges the Bears defense will present to USD's now-humming offense.

Meanwhile, Wednesday marked (Early) National Letter of Intent Signing Day for high school athletes all across the country. It is always a day for college football teams to pump up their incoming recruiting class. Gaskins chatted with two Sioux Falls standouts about their paths to CFB — Sioux Falls Washington receiver Jhace Woods (South Dakota State) and Sioux Falls Jefferson tight end Eddie Whiting (Michigan State). How did the schools they signed with first start a relationship? What led them to choosing their school, and which other schools tried to pluck them away? In both players' cases, the schools they chose went through coaching changes — Woods earlier in his process when Jacks coach Jimmy Rogers left for Washington State, and Whiting just days before signing day when MSU fired Jonathan Smith and within 24 hours hired Pat Fitzgerald. So, what kept the Sioux Falls ballers loyal to their original choice?

What is the silver bullet? This is a question outside observers may ask when teams like the Jackrabbits and the Coyotes produce a late-season turnaround. Both have gone from funks — the Jacks' four-game slide after a 7-0 start and more the Yotes' haven't-figured-it-out-yet malaise at 5-4 — to heaters that make them look like dangerous playoff teams. In South Dakota State's case, the return of quarterback Chase Mason is an easy answer, given how flawless, electric, and inspired the Jacks looked in their 41-3 first round playoff win over New Hampshire. But SDSU had already turned the corner the week before in the dramatic win at North Dakota. So, what is the other silver bullet at SDSU? Hint: It lies in both the head coach and offensive coordinator. In Wednesday's "John-o-logue," Happy Hour John Gaskins plucked insight from Dan Jackson and others (like John Stiegelmeier) to pinpoint the turning points. At USD, there isn't one player or aspect that sticks out as a cure-all in their four-game win streak, which included three consecutive wins over Top 25 teams just to reach the playoffs. But there was a broad, overarching concept employed by head coach Travis Johansen that yielded powerful results. Hear what that was, and why Johansen was worthy of MVFC Coach of the Year.

Wednesday marked (Early) National Letter of Intent Signing Day for high school athletes all across the country. It is always a day for college football teams to pump up their incoming recruiting class. Gaskins chatted with two Sioux Falls standouts about their paths to CFB — Sioux Falls Washington receiver Jhace Woods (South Dakota State) and Sioux Falls Jefferson tight end Eddie Whiting (Michigan State). How did the schools they signed with first start a relationship? What led them to choosing their school, and which other schools tried to pluck them away? In both players' cases, the schools they chose went through coaching changes — Woods earlier in his process when Jacks coach Jimmy Rogers left for Washington State, and Whiting just days before signing day when MSU fired Jonathan Smith and within 24 hours hired Pat Fitzgerald. So, what kept the Sioux Falls ballers loyal to their original choice?

Wednesday marked (Early) National Letter of Intent Signing Day for high school athletes all across the country. It is always a day for college football teams to pump up their incoming recruiting class. Gaskins chatted with two Sioux Falls standouts about their paths to CFB — Sioux Falls Washington receiver Jhace Woods (South Dakota State) and Sioux Falls Jefferson tight end Eddie Whiting (Michigan State). How did the schools they signed with first start a relationship? What led them to choosing their school, and which other schools tried to pluck them away? In both players' cases, the schools they chose went through coaching changes — Woods earlier in his process when Jacks coach Jimmy Rogers left for Washington State, and Whiting just days before signing day when MSU fired Jonathan Smith and within 24 hours hired Pat Fitzgerald. So, what kept the Sioux Falls ballers loyal to their original choice?

In his weekly Happy Hour chat, USD's first year coach gives a thoughtful answer about how the Coyotes went from 5-4 to 9-4 and if there was a turning point that thrust the season in this direction.

After a close first half against Drake, the Yotes pulled away 38-17 in the first round of the playoffs as quarterback Aidan Bouman had his best game of the season.

How have things evolved like this from Bouman and the rest of the team? There was something in the coaching, Johansen reveals. A major, broad decision that may be undetectable to most observers.

Was there a big turnaround moment for Bouman? How has Larenzo Fenner broken out into an at-times impossible-to-cover receiver? How did Mikey Munn become an All-MVFC first teammer?

Plus, a glimpse into why Mercer has the nation's second-best passing yardage attack and what kind of challeges its defense will present USD's now-humming offense.

A pair of 9-4 teams who at times looked lost and unworthy of playoff consideration now look like FCS national contenders. That is what Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer thinks of both the resurgent Jackrabbits and the surging Coyotes after both South Dakota squads' dominating wins in Saturday's FCS playoffs first round. In the latest edition of Zim's weekly "Nobody's Listening Anyway" podcast with Happy Hour host John Gaskins, the two deep dive into how one player — Chase Mason, who had the best game of his eight-game starting career against New Hampshire after missing five games with an injury — makes all the difference for SDSU, while the Coyotes' emergence has been more of a multi-layered development. In fact, Zim voted for USD's Travis Johansen as Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year over NDSU's Tim Polasek. Hear why the first-year Coyote boss got the nod, and how Zim also voted for the league's Player of the Year and what he makes of the accolades in totality. And, we can't help but skip ahead: Who would win Round 2 between the Jacks and Yotes should they square off in the quarterfinals in the DakotaDome, which is exactly what will happen if both teams score road wins on Saturday? Former SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski and his Iowa Hawkeyes lit up Nebraska on Black Friday. How do we now see the Gronowski "Million Dollar Man" season at Iowa (8-4) now that it is almost complete, with just a bowl game left? Finally, we land the plane — well, crash and burn it into a wild inferno — with the latest layer to the Minnesota Vikings' vortex of doom season: The Max Brosmer game. Ouch. Who is to blame most for this mess?

Make sure to take the complete, dominating FCS Playoffs first round performances from the Jackrabbits and Coyotes with a dump truck of salt. South Dakota State hammered the fourth-best team from the Colonial Athletic Association — whose league champion is the No. 9 seed — and South Dakota pulled away from a program that does not give out scholarships. Having said that, dang, that was some impressive football — offense, defense, and especially quarterback play — in SDSU's 41-3 nuking of New Hampshire and USD's 38-10 scorching of Drake. Chase Mason was nearly perfect in his return after a five-game absence. The Jacks are 8-0 and averaging 40 points per game with him starting and 1-4 and scoring about half as much without him. While Happy Hour has devoted hours this season — mainly from Kurtiss Riggs — to the dissection of why Mason is considered a Power Four conference quality QB, his latest performance brought out rave reviews from fresh eyes like the ESPN+ broadcast team and New Hampshire's head coach, who called Mason an NFL talent after the game. In the show's opening segment, the "John-o-logue," you'll hear those "outsider" remarks. In both Jackson's weekly one-on-one chat with John Gaskins and in our "Monday Afternoon Quarterback" session with Arizona Rattlers QB coach Peyton Riggs (who has watched and analyzed every SDSU game), you'll hear further detail into why Mason makes throws look easier than they are and how few at his level — if not higher levels — can do what he does. Riggs also evaluates the near-flawless play of USD's Aidan Bouman during the Coyotes' 7-1 heater since a 2-3 start. Plus, hear Peyton's thoughts on what separates Iowa from Nebraska after the Hawkeyes beat the Huskers for a 10th time in 11 meetings, with this one being extra convincing. Meanwhile, much of the conversation with Dan Jackson is centered around Mason.

• His impressive first full-bore week back at practice and peerless passing performance in snow and high winds
• What sets Mason apart from most other QB's in his throwing ability?
• What is Dan's response to the notion he was not entirely truthful nor forthcoming about Mason's status each week he did not play?
• What are the most dangerous things about Montana and how do the Jacks combat them?
• How much will SDSU lean on the week 2 road win in a hostile envrionment at Montana State?

Make sure to take the complete, dominating FCS Playoffs first round performances from the Jackrabbits and Coyotes with a dump truck of salt. South Dakota State hammered the fourth-best team from the Colonial Athletic Association — whose league champion is the No. 9 seed — and South Dakota pulled away from a program that does not give out scholarships. Having said that, dang, that was some impressive football — offense, defense, and especially quarterback play — in SDSU's 41-3 nuking of New Hampshire and USD's 38-10 scorching of Drake. Chase Mason was nearly perfect in his return after a five-game absence. The Jacks are 8-0 and averaging 40 points per game with him starting and 1-4 and scoring about half as much without him. While Happy Hour has devoted hours this season — mainly from Kurtiss Riggs — to the dissection of why Mason is considered a Power Four conference quality QB, his latest performance brought out rave reviews from fresh eyes like the ESPN+ broadcast team and New Hampshire's head coach, who called Mason an NFL talent after the game. In the show's opening segment, the "John-o-logue," you'll hear those "outsider" remarks. In both Jackson's weekly one-on-one chat with John Gaskins and in our "Monday Afternoon Quarterback" session with Arizona Rattlers QB coach Peyton Riggs (who has watched and analyzed every SDSU game), you'll hear further detail into why Mason makes throws look easier than they are and how few at his level — if not higher levels — can do what he does.