BROOKINGS — This past weekend, South Dakota State fans may have indulged in one of the peak weekends of the summer. But once the fireworks stop, the realization that summer is half-over and football season is around the corner begins to sink in.

The Jackrabbits will be seeking their third straight national championship in 2024 but this year’s path will be much different than last year’s — especially on offense.

With seven starters departing from last year’s team, the Jacks will need to have a seamless transition to make their way back to the stage in Frisco. But they’ll have to answer several questions throughout camp to determine what the offense could look like when they open the season at Oklahoma State on Aug. 31.

What could the offense look like under co-coordinators Ryan Olson and Danny Freund?

The first big change for the Jacks will be in the coaching box after offensive coordinator Zach Lujan left to take the same position at Northwestern.

With Lujan’s jump to a Power Four school, Ryan Olson added co-offensive coordinator duties to his title as offensive line coach, but he’ll be joined by Danny Freund, who spent the last 12 years on the staff at North Dakota including last year as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Keeping Olson signals the Jacks will continue to lean on their running game, which ranked fifth in the nation with 237.3 rushing yards per game last season. But SDSU could also unlock a new level in its passing game with Frelund working with returning Walter Payton Award winner Mark Gronowski.

In all likelihood, the offense will revolve around balance. But it will be interesting to see if any wrinkles are added to make up the turnover in the starting lineup.

Will SDSU continue to dominate on the ground?

The Jacks’ rushing attack will also have a new face as Amar Johnson replaces Isaiah Davis, who was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round (173rd overall) in this year’s NFL Draft.

Filling the shoes of Davis, who ran for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns during his career seems like a tall order. But Johnson already has plenty of experience, running for 801 yards and four touchdowns on 128 carries last season.

SDSU also has its traditional depth as Angel Johnson seeks a larger role with redshirt freshman Kirby Vorhees and Isaac Kracl also competing at the back of the depth chart.

Who will join Griffin Wilde in the passing attack?

While SDSU’s backfield can lean on plenty of experience, the passing game could have even more faces step into bigger roles.

The Jacks lost Jadon and Jaxon Janke to graduation last spring but are hoping that Griffin Wilde can build off a strong freshman season where he caught 20 passes for 399 yards and six touchdowns.

SDSU also returns Grahm Goering for his junior season and Kentrell Prejean stood out at the spring game catching six passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Can SDSU continue its tradition at the tight end position?

The Jacks have become a pipeline at the tight end position with Dallas Goedert, Tucker Kraft and Zach Heins going to the NFL over the past decade. But this season will put SDSU in a unique position as they lack experience heading into training camp.

SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers stated that he believes Stoffel will be “the next great one” at the position while David Alpers and Brody Gormley stood out during the spring and could be names to watch in camp.

Who will step up along the offensive line?

The Jacks’ biggest blows may be up front where Mason McCormick and Garret Greenfield graduated and departed for the NFL.

While Brookings native Gus Miller returns at center to anchor the offensive line and Evan Beerntsen is back at guard, the Jacks will have three spots to replace with the graduation of offensive tackle John O’Brian.