The South Dakota Coyotes take on the Boise State Broncos in Boise, Idaho, on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Boise State is favored by -24.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -3500. South Dakota, meanwhile, enters as a +24.5 underdog and is +1280 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 55.5 total points.
Here’s my South Dakota vs. Boise State prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 19.
South Dakota vs Boise State Prediction
- South Dakota vs. Boise State Pick: Over 55.5
My Boise State vs. South Dakota best bet is on both teams to go over the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
South Dakota vs Boise State Odds
| South Dakota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+24.5 -118 | 55.5 -115o / -105u | +1280 |
| Boise State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-24.5 -104 | 55.5 -115o / -105u | -3500 |
- South Dakota vs Boise State point spread: Boise State -24.5 (-104), South Dakota +24.5 (-118)
- South Dakota vs Boise State over/under: 55.5 (-115o / -105u)
- South Dakota vs Boise State moneyline: South Dakota +1280, Boise State -3500
South Dakota vs Boise State College Football Preview
South Dakota Coyotes Betting Preview: Rebuilt Offense Shines
South Dakota had to replace one of the most decorated quarterbacks in school history when Aidan Bouman graduated after last season.
On top of that, star running back L.J. Phillips transferred to Iowa, although many forgot about Charles Pierre Jr., who was an FCS All-American before getting hurt at the beginning of last year.
Luckily for the Coyotes, Pierre has picked up right where he left off, returning to excellent form while rushing for 261 yards and four rushing touchdowns during the first three weeks of the season.
The story of the offense has been the emergence and development of sophomore quarterback Austyn Modrzewski, who has shown poise and playmaking ability well beyond his experience level.
Modrzewski has completed 69.7% of his passes with 11 touchdowns to just one interception while throwing for 727 yards in three games.
USD has three explosive receivers in Tennel Bryant, Brayden White and Tysen Boze, who can stretch the field and register explosive plays at any time.
The offensive line has also held up well, giving up only one sack. South Dakota is morphing into a really fun offense that will cause problems for everyone in the MVFC at the FCS level this season.
The defense has shown up in the first half of games, as USD has been involved in several blowout wins. Much of the production against this team has come in garbage time. The Yotes have picked up eight sacks and 19 tackles for loss.
Matt Vitzthum retained defensive coordinator Billy Kirch. The Coyotes are in the second year in the system, but the defensive line isn't as strong, and USD has given up a decent amount of yards and points against significantly weaker competition.
Boise State will feast against this secondary.
Boise State Broncos Betting Preview: Impressive Form
Boise State has looked impressive through two weeks.
The Broncos had plenty of opportunities to defeat Oregon in the opener before losing by a touchdown, and they responded in the second half last week to completely shut down Memphis in a key G6 showdown.
Boise boasts one of the best home-field environments in all of college football and will look to put on a show against an FCS opponent before hitting the road to Western Michigan following this game.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen has looked sharp against two strong defenses, throwing for 402 yards with four touchdowns.
Boise State is still figuring out which receiving options will emerge as elite playmakers, but Rasean Jones and Akeem Wright have shined early and should garner much of the target share against USD.
In the backfield, Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley are rounding into form, as the pair has rushed for 388 combined yards over the first two weeks.
The offensive line handled an impressive Memphis defensive front last week and should have minimal trouble with South Dakota’s D-line on Saturday.
The Boise State defense hasn't been as good, as the Broncos have given up 1016 total yards on 8.8 yards per play through two games.
The secondary has been torched for 762 passing yards, as surrendering big, explosive plays has been a problem. I expect this defense to show up a little more in this game against USD, but the Yotes are still going to move the football here.
South Dakota vs Boise State Pick, Betting Analysis
This game opened with Boise State listed as a 24.5-point favorite with a total that now sits at 55.5. I'm on the over in this matchup.
South Dakota has given up 20 or more points in every game this season. Central Connecticut State, Northern Colorado, and most recently, Eastern Washington all moved the ball against this defense. Boise State will also find success here.
The Yotes don't have as tough a front seven as we've come to expect at USD, and Gaines and Riley will gash them on the ground.
That will open up the play-action game for Boise State to take deep shots or hit the tight ends in the intermediate passing game. I expect Madsen to look sharp and be very efficient throwing the football.
On the other side, Modrzewski will throw the ball around the yard here.
In prior games against FBS competition, USD would often deploy a slow-paced, rush-heavy attack with zero offensive creativity, but the skill set of the quarterback will enable the Yotes to go into Boise and run their stuff.
I think we get a full go of the passing offense, and the receivers will be able to make plays in the one-on-one game. USD will also use backup quarterback Jackson Proctor, who transferred in from Dartmouth, in certain packages where both quarterbacks will be on the field at the same time.
Don’t be surprised if we see a trick play or two for the Yotes to sneak a cheap one past the Boise State defense.
We should see big plays from both offenses in this game. The Boise State offense will score plenty of points in this one, and seeing USD score two or three touchdowns wouldn't surprise me at all.
I look for a wildly entertaining, high-scoring game that eclipses the posted total.
Pick: Over 55.5
South Dakota vs Boise State Betting Trends
