The South Dakota Coyotes (6-1) travel to Brookings, South Dakota, to take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (5-2) on Saturday, Oct. 26 in a battle of top-5 FCS squads. This game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPNU.
This is a monumental rivalry game for both teams, and the stakes are even greater for South Dakota State given last week’s 13-9 loss to North Dakota State.
I lived in South Dakota for 20 years and have personally witnessed the heat of this rivalry firsthand. These two fan bases do not like each other and are not friendly toward each other during game week.
While there's no betting line as of writing, South Dakota State is projected as a favorite of 12.5 points with a total projected at 47.5.
Read on for my South Dakota vs South Dakota State predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Oct. 26.
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Picks, Prediction
- South Dakota vs. South Dakota State Pick: South Dakota +9.5
My South Dakota vs South Dakota State best bet is on the Coyotes to cover the spread. Find the best line on our live NCAAF odds page.
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Odds, Spread, Lines
| South Dakota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 48.5 -110 / -110 | +260 |
| South Dakota State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 48.5 -110 / -110 | -320 |
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Point Spread: South Dakota State -9.5
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Over/Under: 48.5 Points
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Moneyline: South Dakota State -320 · South Dakota +260
South Dakota Football vs South Dakota State Football Preview
South Dakota Coyotes Betting Preview: Playoffs On the Mind
South Dakota comes in off a 27-17 road win last week over Youngstown State, which improved the Yotes to 4-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play this season.
USD had played quite well on the road this season, but the team came out very sluggish in the opening half and saw itself fall into a 14-0 hole. The Yotes battled back to take the lead in the third quarter, and Youngstown State never seriously threatened after halftime.
South Dakota could have been looking ahead to this matchup with the rival Jackrabbits, as a win here will all but solidify the Yotes' spot in the FCS Playoffs.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits Betting Preview: Looking to Bounce Back
South Dakota State had been ranked No. 1 in the FCS polls all season and has played top-ranked football for much of the FCS season. While blowout wins were the result of overwhelming teams with their stout defense, the electrifying offense was mostly run-heavy.
The Jacks had been blowing teams out with such frequency that most of the first-string platoon was sitting a good portion of the second half.
However, there's some concern about the style of offense being run under first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Olson.
SDSU has a veteran quarterback in Mark Gronowski and very talented receivers, but the way these playmakers have been used has created frustration in the locker room.
The offensive disconnect was evident in the Jackrabbits' last game against North Dakota State, as the offense put up just nine points and 118 passing yards against the Bison. The second half was especially frustrating with four of SDSU's five offensive possessions ending with punts, while the other was a turnover.
There's a growing concern about the lack of offensive continuity for SDSU that will continue to be a problem against elite teams until play-calling changes are made.
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Pick & Prediction
I'm going to take South Dakota here if the line comes out above 11.
USD has an elite FCS defense that's allowing just 290 yards of total offense and 11.5 points per game on the season. The Yotes have been exceptional up front, as teams are running for just 106 yards per game with an average of 3.2 yards per carry.
They come in with the 12th-rated rush defense in all of FCS.
The secondary has six interceptions, and the defense has racked up 16 sacks this year. SDSU won't be able to push this defensive front seven around like it did in its five victories over significantly inferior competition.
Offensively, the Coyotes are a slower-paced team that prides itself on ball control and not making mistakes.
USD has run the ball on 65% of its offensive snaps for 233 yards per game at 6.1 yards per carry. The Yotes have two stud running backs in Charles Pierre Jr. and Travis Theis, who have 1,223 yards and 20 touchdowns between the two of them.
The Coyotes' offensive line will face a significant test this week, as SDSU boasts the seventh-rated rush defense in all of FCS.
USD quarterback Aidan Bouman has been efficient, completing 70% of his passes with a 7:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He'll have to make plays in this game for the Yotes to have success.
Both teams play elite third-down defense, and I expect that to continue in this matchup. SDSU is allowing the opposition to convert just 33% of third-down attempts, while USD allows just 37%.
When teams have put drives together against either of these defenses, they're not often ending in the endzone. USD has given up just six red-zone touchdowns all season, and SDSU has surrendered just seven.
South Dakota State might be feeling up against the ropes a bit here with two losses. Its home-field edge is larger than average at the FCS level, and this game is sold out.
I expect both teams to play clean in all three phases, but the pressure is certainly on SDSU to rise up after a crushing loss last week.
I expect a one-possession game either way. With the line projected north of 10 points, there's value here on the Coyotes. This is an exceptional FCS matchup that will rival the game we saw in Fargo last week.
Pick: South Dakota +9.5
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Start Time, TV Channel, How to Watch
| Location: | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 26 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPNU |
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Weather
