The South Dakota State Jackrabbits take on the South Dakota Coyotes in Vermillion, SD, on Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
South Dakota State is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -265. The over/under sits at 46.5 total points.
Here’s my South Dakota State vs. South Dakota prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 8.
South Dakota State vs South Dakota Prediction
- South Dakota State vs. South Dakota Pick: South Dakota State -6.5
My South Dakota vs. South Dakota State best bet is on the Jackrabbits to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
South Dakota State vs South Dakota Odds
| South Dakota State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -102 | 46.5 -113o / -113u | -265 |
| South Dakota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -125 | 46.5 -113o / -113u | +200 |
South Dakota State vs South Dakota Preview
South Dakota State Jackrabbits Betting Preview: Ready to Bounce Back
South Dakota State has not played good football over the last couple of weeks, and it's safe to say the loss of Chase Mason at quarterback has had more of an impact on the offense than anyone could have expected.
Losing to NDSU at home was no surprise, but the way the SDSU failed to execute at home against Indiana State last week was stunning.
It was such an embarrassing loss as a 32-point favorite against one of the worst teams in the conference — borderline inexcusable.
I would expect the Jacks to ramp up the intensity this week in practice and focus on situational execution heading into this week's battle with the Yotes.
SDSU has played well defensively despite most of the star players from last season departing, with Jimmy Rogers going to Washington State.
The Jacks have been strong against the run this season, allowing just 115 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry.
I would expect the run-stopping unit to be locked in here against the rush-heavy Coyotes attack.
South Dakota Coyotes Betting Preview: Expect a Lot of Runs
USD struggled early on this season but has rebounded in conference play and now finds itself needing to win out to have a shot at the FCS Playoffs.
This game is one where the Yotes haven’t played particularly well in, and it will take a really solid effort here with their season in the balance. A loss will effectively eliminate USD from contention in the FCS Playoffs.
The offense is rush-heavy for USD and the Yotes should look to establish the run early with L.J. Phillips Jr., who has run for 1,294 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
Quarterback Aidan Bouman has managed the passing game well, but the Yotes aren't exceedingly explosive and only have one receiver over 20 catches.
South Dakota hasn't been strong in the trenches this season and will likely struggle to get anything going offensively against the Jacks' strong front seven.
Defensively, USD has been a decent MVFC team, but a far cry from recent Yote stop units. USD is allowing a respectable 350 yards and 26 points per game this season, but hasn't been as dominant in the trenches, and that lack of talent has shown up when USD played Iowa State and NDSU.
We could see the Yotes struggle here against a motivated SDSU offensive line that is hungry to get back on the field after being embarrassed last week.
South Dakota State vs South Dakota Pick, Betting Analysis
This line is -6.5 in favor of SDSU, and I think we're getting a cheap price on the Jacks, given recent results. The total comes in at 46.5.
This team is motivated, and they were embarrassed at the last two weeks recent results. I think they will be ready to go here. Lay it at anything under a touchdown.
USD has struggled badly offensively during stretches of the season and is very reliant on the ground game to move the football. SDSU has the second-best run-stopping unit in the conference and allows only 115 yards per game on the ground.
I can envision the Yotes trying to run the ball here, but being unsuccessful and having to rely on the arm of Bouman.
I don't believe that USD has enough weapons on the outside to throw its way out of third-and-medium or worse. SDSU is allowing just 31% conversions on the season, and the pass rush will have an impact here.
SDSU has secured 22 sacks and 56 tackles for loss on the season, and while the defense hasn't been as dominant as in years past, the Jacks are familiar with the offensive scheme, which hasn't changed despite a coaching change in the offseason.
This defensive front will get after Bouman and the USD offensive line, which is down from prior seasons.
SDSU is going to rely on the ground game here, and I expect the Jacks' offensive line to take care of business against a USD defensive front that has been gashed when facing the stronger teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
UND ran for six yards per carry last wee,k and NDSU gashed this team earlier in the year. Expect the Jacks to move it on the ground here.
Coming off an embarrassing loss can create anxiety or stress for a team. This SDSU bunch needed that this season, and being challenged in practice this week will help this team.
I fully expect South Dakota State to have its best performance of the season and get this 2025 campaign back on track in a big way.
Pick: South Dakota State -6.5
South Dakota State vs South Dakota Betting Trends
