2020 Missouri Valley Football Conference season

The 2020 Missouri Valley Football Conference season was the 35th season of college football play for the Missouri Valley Football Conference and part of the 2020-21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This was the MVFC's first season with 11 teams, as they added North Dakota in the offseason. Although, the conference technically only had 10 of their members play the season, since Indiana State opted out of the Spring season.

South Dakota State made it to their first ever National Championship as the number 1 seed, but lost to Sam Houston State. SDSU was one of three teams to be a conference co-champion, including Missouri State and North Dakota. North Dakota beat Missouri State in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to James Madison in the quarterfinals. North Dakota State and Southern Illinois also made the playoffs. North Dakota State beat Eastern Washington in the first round, but lost to eventual champion Sam Houston State in the quarterfinals to be eliminated before the semifinals for the first time since 2010. Southern Illinois beat Weber State in the first round, but lost to South Dakota State in the quarterfinals.

Previous season
In 2019, North Dakota State won the conference and received the automatic bid to the 2019 playoffs. They would go on to win the National Championship for their 8th in 9 years.

Besides NDSU; South Dakota State, Illinois State, and Northern Iowa made the playoffs as well. South Dakota State was the 7 seed, and lost to Northern Iowa in the second round. Illinois State was unseeded and beat Southeast Missouri State in the first round, beat Central Arkansas in the second round, before losing to North Dakota State in the quarterfinals. Northern Iowa was unseeded as well, and beat San Diego in the first round, beat South Dakota State in the second round, but lost to James Madison in the quarterfinals.

Offseason
Over the offseason, the conference welcomed in their 11th league member, North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks arrive to the Valley from being a FCS Independent. Before that, they were a part of the Big Sky Conference.

Missouri State
On January 16, 2020, Bobby Petrino was named the new head coach at Missouri State. Petrino replaces former coach Dave Steckel after he was bought out on January 9, 2020.

Youngstown State
On February 7, 2020, Doug Phillips was named the new head coach at Youngstown State. Phillips replaces former coach Bo Pelini who stepped down to take a defensive coordinator position at LSU.

Preseason Poll
The annual preseason poll; voted on by conference coaches, athletic directors, and media members.

Schedule
All times Central time.

† denotes Homecoming game ^ denotes AP Poll ranking for FBS teams

Fall 2020 Games
Some teams played a couple games in the Fall, even though the MVFC schedule was moved to the Spring.

Postseason
In 2020, five teams made the FCS playoffs. South Dakota State (No. 1) was the only seeded team. Missouri State, North Dakota, North Dakota State, and Southern Illinois were all unseeded. Below are the games in which they played.

All times Central time. Tournament seedings in parentheses

MVFC records vs other conferences
2020-21 records against non-conference foes:

Post Season

Players of the Year
On April 22, 2021, the Missouri Valley Football Conference released their Players of the Year and All-Conference Honors.

Offensive Player of the Year
 * Mark Gronowski, QB (Fr, South Dakota State)

Defensive Player of the Year
 * Jared Brinkman, DL (Sr, Northern Iowa)

Newcomer of the Year
 * Mark Gronowski, QB (Fr, South Dakota State)

Freshman of the Year
 * Mark Gronowski, QB (South Dakota State)

Coach of the Year
 * Bobby Petrino, (Missouri State)

All-Newcomer Team
Source:

National Awards
On April 28, 2021, STATS Perform released their list of finalists for the Walter Payton Award, Buck Buchanan Award, and the Jerry Rice Award, respectively.

Walter Payton Award The Walter Payton Award is given to the best FCS offensive player. Here are the MVFC finalists:
 * Pierre Strong Jr. (RB - South Dakota State)
 * Otis Weah (RB - North Dakota)

There were no MVFC finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award.

Jerry Rice Award The Jerry Rice Award is given to the best FCS freshman player. Here are the MVFC finalists:
 * Mark Gronowski (QB - South Dakota State)
 * Tommy Schuster (QB - North Dakota)

Home attendance
Bold - Exceed capacity †Season High ‡FCS Playoff Game Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, attendance in all venues were severely limited. FCS Playoffs games were limited to 25% capacity as determined by the NCAA.

2021 NFL Draft
The following list includes all MVFC players who were drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Undrafted Free Agents
Source:

Head coaches
Through May 16, 2021