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The South Dakota Coyotes take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Brookings, South Dakota, on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
South Dakota State is favored by -5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -215. South Dakota, meanwhile, enters as a +5.5 underdog and is +164 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 53.5 total points.
Here’s my South Dakota vs South Dakota State prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 31.
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Prediction
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Pick: South Dakota +7.5 or Better
My South Dakota State vs South Dakota best bet is on the Yotes to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Odds
| South Dakota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -118 | 53.5 -113o / -113u | +164 |
| South Dakota State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 53.5 -113o / -113u | -215 |
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Spread: South Dakota +5.5 (-118), South Dakota State -5.5 (-108)
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Over/Under: 53.5 (-113o / -113u)
- South Dakota vs South Dakota State Moneyline: South Dakota +164, South Dakota State -215
South Dakota vs South Dakota State College Football Preview
South Dakota Coyotes Betting Preview: Modrzewski Taking Coyotes to New Heights
If you don't already know the name, it's time to learn it — Austyn Modrzewski.
Modrzewski, a 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman, ties for the national Division I lead in passing touchdowns (24) on just 200 attempts. He's propelled South Dakota to one of the most efficient offenses in scoring, late-down conversion, and passing efficiency.
The return of Charles Pierre Jr. at running back also turned USD into an efficient rushing offense, keeping opposing defenses honest. Receiver Tennel Bryant has been delightfully explosive, too, hauling in 19 passes for over 400 yards (21.5 per catch).
Against everyone except North Dakota, the Yotes have been unstoppable offensively, even scoring 24 points against Boise State — more than Memphis and Western Michigan.
If there was any shortcoming, it's that the defense doesn't create quite enough Havoc to be considered a top national contender. Linebacker Wade Abrams is turning in an All-American season, and overall the defense is serviceable.
But it's 59th in total defense (due in part to a high-scoring offense, which leads to more defensive possessions) and not quite up to the standard championship teams in the FCS subscribe to.
Against playoff teams like South Dakota State (on deck) that lack a dominant pass rush or an ace secondary, that lack could be lethal.
But having a superstar QB in Modrzewski and a top-notch offensive line goes a long way. The Yotes should be treated as one of the most dangerous teams capable of toppling anyone on any given week.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits Betting Preview: Mason Still Not 100%?
Quarterback Chase Mason might not be 100%. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound grad student missed two games earlier this year to injury and, since returning, hasn't thrown for 200 yards.
His rush attempts also dropped, from 11 against Northwestern to seven in the last two games combined (31 total yards). South Dakota State has won a couple of games without him lighting up the stat sheet, but limited mobility could be a sign of lingering injury.
Against North Dakota two games ago, Mason connected on just 14-of-33 attempts, many of which went downfield (15.7 average depth of target!) and SDSU fell, 21-10, the fewest Jackrabbit point output since October of last year at North Dakota (without Mason!).
Mason didn't threaten much in the backfield or beyond with his legs, facing 13 pressures (the most against an FCS foe) and taking two sacks.
Fortunately for the Jacks, offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness has pieced together a fine run game led by Josiah Johnson and James Basinger, a duo that has led SDSU to the No. 2 rushing attack in the FCS.
Johnson and Basinger thrive behind one of the best offensive lines in generating push on the run.
The defense has certainly improved from a season ago — the Jacks' year ended giving up 50 to Montana in the playoffs — but sporadic tackling issues still persist.
Brian Bergstrom's system has taken hold in Year 2 on the shoulders of one of the best secondaries in the FCS.
Composite FCS power ratings tab South Dakota State as the No. 1 team in the country despite the slip in Grand Forks two weeks ago.
SDSU's lynchpin win this season came against Beau Brungard and Youngstown State, though a win Saturday over rival South Dakota might dethrone it as the top win of the year.
South Dakota vs South Dakota State Pick, Betting Analysis
We've got two really solid profiles for these teams so far this year. Both took on strong FBS foes, struggled offensively against a very good North Dakota defense, and have at least one top-10 FCS win at home. We're in for an absolute doozy of a game here.
An opening total of 56.5 was bet down to 53.5 in about 12 hours. An opening spread of Jacks -7.5 remains unchanged.
South Dakota State has owned the Interstate Rivalry, winning 10 of the last 13 iterations. South Dakota hasn't won in Brookings since 2000, although it does hold the trophy thanks to last year's thrilling 24-17 win at home last year.
But when sizing up this year's teams, South Dakota has the better quarterback right now. Arguably, Modrzewski has been the better QB when healthy over Mason, too.
The offense is good enough to keep pace with the Jacks even on the road. USD has the ingredients to look like a championship contender on any given Saturday.
My concern also extends to how Mason has played this year.
Whether he's fully healthy or not, Mason has been below his standard all season long and especially since returning from injury. His accuracy is all over the place, and he hasn't threatened with his legs much, even when the game called for it.
Though going against a top-flight FCS defense, South Dakota State's offense is prone to lapses in production.
I side with the Yotes in this terrific rivalry matchup.
Pick: South Dakota +7.5 or Better
