The Jackrabbit Illustrated Podcast

A-Team: Redbirds Grounded & "Improvement Week" Blueprint 05.10.2026 56min

The Jackrabbits are flying high after a decisive 31–14 victory over the Illinois State Redbirds! On this episode of the Jackrabbit Illustrated A-Team, we break down yesterday's complete team win, from the explosive plays to the defensive stands that kept the Redbirds grounded.But there’s no room for complacency in Brookings. As the Jacks head into the bye, we dive into what legendary Coach John Stiegelmeier ("Coach Stig") famously created and called "Improvement Week." We discuss how the team continues to honor Stig's tradition, using this extra time to sharpen their execution, heal up, and lay the groundwork for the rest of the Missouri Valley run.

Scared Money: Rockin' Into October: Man vs. Machine (While Brendan "Works") 01.10.2026 47min

This week on Jackrabbit Illustrated, Alex and Ben hold down the fort while Brandon takes a highly suspicious absence for something he claims is "work"—yeah, we don’t believe him either.With Brendon away, the guys are letting loose and breaking down a massive week of Missouri Valley football. First, we look back and recap the major takeaways from last weekend's action. Then, it's time to cash in as we preview the upcoming slate of crucial matchups around the Valley and lock in our two official locks for FCS Nation Radio this week. Finally, we turn our attention to the big test ahead and deep dive into what to expect when squaring off against the Illinois State Redbirds.Turn it up, see how the human elements stack up against the machine, and remember: scared money don't make money!

B-Team: Shrugging Off EIU & Scouting the Top-Ranked Redbirds 01.10.2026 59min

The real analysts are back in the studio! Ben, Brendan, and Chad hop on the mics for another unfiltered episode of The B-Team! We'll break down a tale of two halves and map out what it's going to take to survive a massive Missouri Valley gauntlet test.In this week's episode, the guys react to the Jackrabbits shaking off a sluggish first half to deliver a commanding 42-7 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers. With Chase Mason sidelined, they dive into how the sophomore running back stable—led by James Basinger’s explosive house calls and Josiah Johnson’s grit—absolutely took over the game, alongside a locked-in defensive unit that completely choked out EIU in the second half.But there’s zero time to get comfortable. The conversation shifts almost entirely to the upcoming, highly ranked out-of-conference heavyweight matchup against the Illinois State Redbirds. The stakes are sky-high as the team travels to Hancock Stadium. The guys trade the stuffy spreadsheets for pure fan perspective, discussing how the offense will handle the noise on the road, breaking down the film on the dangerous Redbirds playmakers, and laying out the ultimate keys to the game. Plus, they wrap things up with their upcoming MVFC talk, road-trip tailgating plans, and their usual dose of B-Team shenanigans.

Panther Poundin' & Normal Bound: Matt & Chad Recap EIU, Preview the Redbirds 28.09.2026 1t 3min

The A-Team is back in the studio as Matt and Chad break down everything from the Jackrabbits' gritty, dominant victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers yesterday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.We look at the film, analyze the explosive second-half offensive explosion, and unpack how the Jacks controlled the line of scrimmage to put the Panthers away. From key defensive stops to standout individual performances, we give you the full tactical recap.Then, we shift our focus to next week’s massive road test. The Jackrabbits are heading to Normal, Illinois, to challenge the Illinois State Redbirds. Matt and Chad give you a complete game preview, tactical keys to victory, and what SDSU needs to do to silence the Redbirds on their home turf.Jackrabbit Illustrated Title Sponsor: Kubota Dealers of South DakotaA-Team Show Sponsor: Hadrick Ranch www.hadrickranch.comSegment Sponsors: Cubby's Bar and Grill, DFS Insurance, Northwestern Mutual

Scared Money Valley Gauntlet: Post-YSU Reaction & Crucial Out-of-Conference Locks 24.09.2026 1t 2min

The Valley gauntlet has officially begun! In this episode of the Jackrabbit Illustrated B-Team: Scared Money Don't Make Money Show, Ben, Brendan, and Alex dive headfirst into the fallout from the conference opener against the Youngstown State Penguins. We deliver a full post-game reaction, unpacking the tactical takeaways, key player metrics, and what this critical performance means for the betting board moving forward.Once the YSU breakdown is in the books, it's straight to the betting window. The guys fire up Alex’s proprietary computer model to run lock-by-lock through the entire Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) slate, hunting for major value and picking winners against the spread.Plus, we close things out with a special segment in partnership with FCS Nation Radio, going outside the Valley to break down the lines, odds, and best value bets on a couple of high-stakes, out-of-conference matchups across the national FCS landscape.Grab your notebook, study the lines, and let's cash some tickets—because scared money don't make money!

JI B-Team : Frosting the Penguins (YSU) & Prepping for the Panthers (EIU) 24.09.2026 57min

The B-Team is back to break down a gritty MVFC battle and map out the blueprint for moving forward without our QB1.In this episode of the Jackrabbit Illustrated Podcast, the crew dives deep into a wild, hard-nosed 27-20 victory over the Youngstown State Penguins at the Dykhouse. It wasn't always pretty, but the Jacks proved what they are made of. When star quarterback Chase Mason exited right before halftime with a leg injury, the offense didn't flinch. Instead, the B-Team highlights how Josh Holst stepped into the pocket and how the offensive line completely cleared the path for Josiah Johnson’s absolute masterclass. We unpack Johnson’s career-high 238 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries that carried the Jacks to victory and earned him National Player of the Week honors.Then, we shift our focus to the upcoming Jackrabbit Football Hall of Fame matchup against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. With Mason ruled out for a couple of weeks, we cover every critical aspect of what to look for going into this game. From adjusting the playbook for Holst’s first start of the year to exploiting match-ups against the EIU defense, we lay out everything you need to know to ensure the Jacks keep stacking wins #GoJacks

JI A-Team: Grinding out the Penguins & how we expect to Tame the Eastern Illinois panthers 21.09.2026 58min

The A-Team is back to break down a classic, hard-nosed Missouri Valley battle and layout the blueprint for next week!In this episode of the Jackrabbit Illustrated podcast, Matt and Chad dive deep into the film rooms to dissect yesterday's thrilling, gritty 27-20 victory over the Youngstown State Penguins at the Dykhouse. We are covering all the aspects of last night's tape, from the stellar defensive stand that choked out the Penguins' ground game to the massive personnel curveball right before the half. We’ll look at exactly how the offensive line took over the trenches and cleared the path for Josiah Johnson's spectacular 238-yard, two-touchdown masterclass to seal the win. Then, we flip the script and turn our attention to next Saturday's home tilt under the lights against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. We’ll give you our complete schematic breakdown of how the Jacks propose to take down EIU, mapping out the definitive keys to the game. From winning the early downs to exploiting matchups in space, we deliver the tactical game plan required to keep the momentum rolling in Brookings.

Late Night with the Borg Sunday Edition YSU 20.09.2026 1t 19min

Brendan and the Borg chop it up about the YSU game and other FCS happenings across the country

Scared Money Don't Make Money: Charging Past New Haven, Previewing the Penguins with Gino Leone 17.09.2026 1t 2min

Scared money don't make money—and the Valley gauntlet is officially here !In this episode of the Jackrabbit Illustrated podcast, Ben, Brendan, and Alex link up with special guest Gino Leone from the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast to unpack a massive week of Missouri Valley Football Conference action. First, the guys recap the South Dakota State Jackrabbits' dominant 57-14 blowout victory over the New Haven Chargers. Once the victory lap is handled, it’s straight to the board as the crew fires up the model and goes lock-by-lock through the Missouri Valley slate, picking winners against the spread for all the weekend's best action. Finally, we shift our focus to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium for the massive conference-opening showdown against the Youngstown State Penguins. It is a official WHITEOUT game in Brookings, and Gino helps break down how the Jacks stack up against YSU. Expect tactical analysis, slate-wide gambling locks, and our normal high-energy banter. Get your white gear ready, don't play scared, and let's cash some tickets!

The B Team's Penguin Preview (Feat. Kyle Sirl) 17.09.2026 57min

The B-Team is back with full-blown MVFC game-week energy! In this episode, the guys pull up the chairs to recap the South Dakota State Jackrabbits' commanding bounce-back victory over the New Haven Chargers at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. We dive into what finally clicked, how the execution leveled up, and why the game was exactly the "get right" blowout the team needed. But there’s no time to stay comfortable. The Missouri Valley Football Conference gauntlet is here, and we're shifting our focus to a massive matchup. We are joined by former Youngstown State defensive end Kyle Sirl to give us the ultimate insider scouting report on the Penguins. From breaking down the Jacks' game plan required to shut down YSU's attack to outlining our keys to securing a massive home win, the B-Team has you covered with the perfect blend of tactical analysis and our trademark tomfoolery. Tune in, get ready for the trenches, and let’s crush the Penguins!

2nd Annual JI LIVESTREAM from Wooden Legs Brewing Co. Feat Coach Jackson 14.09.2026 1t 16min

a Taping of the Live Stream on 9/12/26 There were bandwidth issues We apologize for the quality of the video and Audio.Coach was fantastic and it's worth a listen for that!

The Jacks Are Back in the Win Column! New Haven Recap & Youngstown State Preview 14.09.2026 59min

A 70-point explosion to open the season followed by a tough battle in Evanston? Forget about it—the Jackrabbits just took care of business at home! Join Matt and Chad on the Jackrabbit Illustrated A-Team as they break down every major takeaway, highlight, and defensive stand from last night’s decisive Beef Bowl victory over the New Haven Chargers at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. We look at what clicked, where the execution stepped up, and how the "Jacks in Black" setting set the tone for a dominant bounce-back performance. But, there is no time to look back. The Missouri Valley Football Conference gauntlet is right around the corner, and we are officially turning our sights to the annual Dairy Drive. Get our complete tactical breakdown and key expectations as SDSU prepares to welcome the Beau Brungard led Youngstown State Penguins to Brookings for a massive White-Out showdown. Can the Jacks keep the momentum rolling and flatten YSU? Tune in to find out!Jackrabbit Illustrated

Late Night with The Borg: New Haven Post-Game Recap & The "Get Right" Blowout 13.09.2026 1t 22min

Grab your favorite late-night beverage and join Brendan and Zach Borg for the ultimate after-dark breakdown of South Dakota State’s commanding 57-14 victory over the New Haven Chargers. Following a frustrating road trip last week, the Jacks returned to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and executed the perfect "get right game" to get back into the win column.

B-Team: Scared Money Don't Make Money Week "3" 10.09.2026 59min

Welcome to the Jackrabbit Illustrated B Team: Scared Money Don't Make Money (SMDMM) Show, your go-to podcast for everything Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and gridiron gambling! Hosted by Ben, Brendon, and Alex, this show is built for the die-hard fans who know that fortune favors the bold. Each week, the guys break down the biggest matchups in Valley football, combining sharp instincts with Alex's proprietary computer model to deliver data-driven predictions and break down the lines, spreads, and over/unders you need to know. But they don't stop in the Midwest—every episode features a special FCS Game of the Week, brought to you in partnership with FCS Nation Radio, highlighting the most crucial matchups from across the entire Football Championship Subdivision landscape. Whether you are looking to sharp-tune your weekly picks using advanced analytics, stay updated on the MVFC powerhouse teams, or get the national FCS scoop, Ben, Brendon, and Alex, have you covered. Pull up a chair, study the board, and remember: Scared Money Don't Make Money!

B-Team Northwestern Recap, New Haven Preview & Wooden Legs Live Show details 10.09.2026 56min

The B-Team is back, slightly bruised, but fully lubricated and ready to pick up the pieces.On this episode, the guys recap last Saturday’s tough battle against Northwestern. It didn't bounce our way, but we’re breaking down the key moments and turning the page. The crew will then shift focus to this Sunday’s matchup against Newhaven, mapping out exactly what the Jackrabbits need to do to bounce back and secure a win.Plus, we have massive news about our Live Podcast this coming Saturday at Wooden Legs Brewing Co. We are taking over the taproom, and you won't want to miss it. Come out for a plate of "Fancakes," grab a pint of our newly revised beer release, Garage Time "Revisited," and stick around for a very special guest that we will reveal live on the show. Grab a cold one, tune in, and let's get ready for the weekend.

From Evanston to Brookings: NW Recap & New Haven Preview 07.09.2026 57min

The Jackrabbit Illustrated A-Team is back to break down a tough road loss and preview what lies ahead for South Dakota State. Hosts Matt and Chad dive deep into the film following the Jackrabbits' disappointing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats. While the loss stung, the focus quickly shifts forward to next week's matchup at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The New Haven Chargers come to town for what the guys are calling a classic "get right game." This is the perfect opportunity for the Jackrabbits to clean up their mistakes, execute at a high level, and get back into the win column.

Scared Money Don't make money Week "2" 03.09.2026 1t

"Scared Money Don't Make Money" is locking in!Join Alex, Ben, and Brendan as Jackrabbit Illustrated's premier betting show returns to hunt down the best value on the board. The guys are breaking down lines, setting expectations, and handing out their locked-in picks against the spread for the entire slate of Missouri Valley Football Conference matchups. Plus, they are pivoting to the biggest stage of the week for their special National Game of the Week, proudly sponsored by FCS Nation Radio.Are you playing it safe, or are you ready to cash some tickets? Put your money where your mouth is and tune in now!

B-Team Stetson Recap and Northwestern Wildcats Primer 03.09.2026 57min

70 points to open the season? The varsity squad is rolling, but it’s time for the real (B-Team) analysts to clock in. Join Ben, Brendan, and Chad as they take over the mics to break down SDSU’s 70-7 blowout of Stetson. Expect fewer spreadsheets, way more hype, and the actual takeaways you care about. Plus, the guys are looking ahead to the Big Ten showdown in Evanston against Northwestern. Can the Jacks pull off the ultimate upset? Grab a drink, kick back, and let’s see if the B-Team can manifest a B1G win.

Jacks Dominate Opener: Stetson Takeaways & Northwestern Preview 31.08.2026 57min

70 points to open the season? The Jackrabbits are firing on all cylinders! Join Matt and Chad as they break down every major takeaway and highlight from South Dakota State’s spectacular 70-7 dismantling of Stetson. Plus, we are shifting our focus to the big stage. Get our complete game preview, tactical breakdown, and key expectations as the Jacks head to Evanston to challenge the Northwestern Wildcats. Can SDSU shock the Big Ten? Tune in and find out!

2026 Scared Money Don't Make Money Kickoff 27.08.2026 55min

Join the Guys on their insights on the valley teams matchups and a selected game courtesy of www.fcsnationradio.com