Playoffs!

My Alma mater, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, are going to the playoffs! In only their 6th year as a Division 1 College Program, the Jackrabbits finished 8-3, getting 2nd place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and securing a spot in the 16 team playoffs. The Jacks play in the Football Championship Subdivision of Division 1 (i.e. slightly smaller schools).

This is only the 2nd time in program history that the Jackrabbits have made the playoffs. The last time, was in 1979. That's why this success is so great...this team has been bad to mediocre for a long time. In fact, it sort of defies explanation. The Jacks have gone from a middle of the road Division II team to a top tier Division 1 FCS team, in only 6 years!

If you can't tell, I'm very excited! The only slight bummer in this situation is that their first round match up is against 11-0 Montana. The Grizzlies are the #1 team in the country. They also happen to be the team in the playoff field that is closest in proximity, geographically, to the Jackrabbits. In the FCS subdivision, they try to help teams keep travel costs down by having them play as close to home as possible, regardless of seed. So, the Jacks get the #1 team in the country.

But, on any given Saturday, any college football team can beat any other team. Here's hoping this coming Saturday is that day for the Jackrabbits. But, no matter the result, it's been a great season!