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Missouri Valley teams will kick off opening games earlier in August

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 24, 2026, 11:49 PM

Last updated Jul 24, 2026

Missouri Valley teams will kick off opening games earlier in August

Summary

Eight of the nine Missouri Valley Football Conference teams are set to play during the opening weekend of the 2026 season, ahead of the traditional Labor Day weekend start. This change aligns with the NCAA's rule allowing all FCS teams to begin their seasons in Week 0. Coaches like Eric Schmidt of UND and Matt Vitzthum of USD support the earlier start, citing benefits for player scheduling. South Dakota State will open practice on July 30, preparing for a game against Stetson on August 29. This marks a significant embrace of Week 0 games, a shift not seen in the Missouri Valley until now, as teams adapt to an earlier college football calendar.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Eight of nine Missouri Valley teams play in Week 0, Aug. 27-29
•UND and USD coaches express support for the earlier season start
•South Dakota State opens practice on July 30 before facing Stetson
•Teams benefit from the NCAA's new rule for 12-game schedules
•Last season saw limited Week 0 games for FCS teams

Latest Updates

11:49 PMYahoo Sports — Missouri Valley teams, FCS embracing earlier August start for opening games

What they're saying

"
Jul. 24—SIOUX FALLS — 'Week 0' isn't a new frontier in college football. But teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference are embracing the first chance to get on the field for 2026, which means the opening games of the new season are coming sooner on the calendar. Eight of the nine Missouri Valley teams are playing on the first weekend of the season, a week before the traditional Labor ...
— Yahoo Sports

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