The Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Oklahoma State enters this Week 1 contest as a -9.5 favorite on the spread, while the over/under sits at 53.5.
So, where's the betting value?
Let's dive into my Oklahoma State vs. South Dakota State prediction, odds and college football picks for 8/31/2024.
South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Prediction
Oklahoma State vs. South Dakota State Prediction & College Football Pick: Oklahoma State -9.5 (Play Up to 10)
South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Odds
| South Dakota State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -105 | 54.5 -110 / -110 | +330 |
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -115 | 54.5 -110 / -110 | -420 |
- South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Point Spread: South Dakota State +10.5 (-105) · Oklahoma State -10.5 (-115)
- South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Total: Over/Under 54.5
- South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Moneyline: South Dakota State +330 · Oklahoma State -420
South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Preview
South Dakota State Betting Preview: Reigning National Champions
How do you follow up an undefeated 15-0 season and an FCS National Title? Well, if you're South Dakota State, you typically run it back and do it all over again.
This program is a complete powerhouse at the FCS level. The Jackrabbits have won 29 consecutive games, and their last loss came by a score of 7-3 against Iowa in the 2022 season opener.
They are led by the best FCS player in the country, quarterback Mark Gronowski. Gronowski won the Walter Payton Award for being the best FCS player last year. He accounted for 37 total touchdowns and is a true dual-threat who's dynamic enough to go out and practically win a game by himself.
Gronowski holds a 37-3 record as the starting quarterback for this program, and nothing about this game or opponent will spook him.But this team is more than Gronowski. The Jackrabbits have 28 seniors on the roster, and they didn't come back to do anything but chase another championship.
The issue for the South Dakota State offense is that it has to replace a ton of production around Gronowksi. Three starters on the offensive line are new, and leading rushers and receivers are also gone. It'll likely take this offense some time to gel, and against an opportunistic defense like
Oklahoma State's, negative plays could spell trouble.On defense, South Dakota State lost its top two tacklers, but returns eight of its top 13 tacklers. The star on that end is Adam Bock, a multi-time All-American at linebacker.
Last year's team led the FCS in scoring defense and held opposing offenses to just 9.3 points per game.
Oklahoma State Betting Preview: Gordon Leads the Way
Last season, Oklahoma State wasn't particularly special at anything offensively, but more often than not, it worked. This team ranked eighth in the Big 12 in total yards, ninth in rushing and eighth in scoring.
That doesn't sound like a 10-win football team that made the Big 12 Championship, but that's what happened. Oklahoma State's success last season was capped off with a victory in the Texas Bowl against Texas A&M, highlighting their strong finish.
The running game is what makes this team tantalizing on paper. Ollie Gordon II should already be a household name. He won the 2023 Doak Walker award, and Oklahoma State never lost when he got 20 or more rushing attempts in a game.
Add it all up, and he ran for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns.
It will help him that four offensive line starters return. Center Joe Michalski and tackle Dalton Cooper are impact guys, so this team should have zero trouble running the ball both in this game, and for the rest of the season.
But there's offensive balance here as well.
Quarterback Alan Bowman is back for his (checks notes) seventh season in college football and has plenty of reliable targets to throw to as both his top targets are back. Brennan Presley led the team with 101 catches and Rashod Owens was second with 63 a season ago.
Defensively, Oklahoma State had issues stopping the run last season. More often than not, their good defensive games came down to forcing turnovers. The Cowboys won all eight of their games in which they forced at least two turnovers.
South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Pick & Prediction
With all the new faces for South Dakota State, it's hard to see the Jackrabbits showing up and not missing a beat.
Oklahoma State returns more members to an offense that found a way to consistently produce last season and has a talent and size advantage on both sides of the ball.
At home in Stillwater, expect Oklahoma State to create some separation late and win by two or more touchdowns.
South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Prediction & Pick: Oklahoma State -9.5 |
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How to Watch South Dakota State vs Oklahoma State Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Boone Pickens Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Aug. 31 |
| Kickoff Time: | 2 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN+ |
