Over the past decade or so, South Dakota State has achieved some lofty firsts in program history.

From the first NCAA Division I season in 2004, to the first FCS Playoff appearance in 2009, to the first post season victory in 2012, to the first playoff road victory in 2013, the Jackrabbits have been building quite the body of work.

But now, for the first time, South Dakota State is one of the five best teams in the nation.

USD Preview: Coyotes host #10 Youngstown State

The Jackrabbits are fifth in this week's STATS FCS Top 25, right on the heels of two other Missouri Valley Football Conference teams, North Dakota State and Illinois State. The #3 Bison open league play at the #5 Jackrabbits this Saturday night in Brookings.

Half of the Top Ten this week are teams from the MVC.

The Top Five ranking isn't just the highest in SDSU's Division I history, it's actually the highest they've been in the polls ever, after qualifying for the post season just once in Division II (1979).

STATS FCS Top 25

1	Jacksonville State	3-1	3814 (89)	1
2	Coastal Carolina	4-0	3705 (40)	2
3	North Dakota State	2-1	3594 (16)	3
4	Illinois State	2-1	3356 (2)	4
5	South Dakota State	3-0	3242 (6)	6
6	James Madison	4-0	3187 (4)	9
7	UNI	2-1	3075 (1)	7
8	Chattanooga	3-1	2776	8
9	Eastern Washington	2-2	2532	11
10	Youngstown State	2-1	2071	13
11	Montana State	2-1	2053	15
12	Sam Houston State	1-2	1986	12
13	Montana	2-2	1897	14
14	Villanova	2-2	1836	5
15	Fordham	3-1	1713	16
16	Portland State	3-0	1604	17
17	Eastern Kentucky	2-1	1269	18
18	Liberty	2-2	1251	10
19	Richmond	2-1	1117	19
20	New Hampshire	2-2	872	21
21	Indiana State	2-1	774	22
22	Southeastern Louisiana	2-1	719	23
23	McNeese State	3-0	688	25
24	Harvard	2-0	640	24
25	William & Mary	2-1	NR	NR

Source: South Dakota State Ranked in the Top Five for the First Time in School History

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