- South Dakota State is a massive 18.5-point favorite when it hosts Incarnate Word in quarterfinal play of the 2024 FCS Playoffs
- The Jackrabbits are riding a 28-game home winning streak
- Check the UIW vs South Dakota State odds, spread and prediction below
A trip to the FCS Final Four is on the line Saturday when the Incarnate Word Cardinals (11-2, 7-0 Southland Conference) visit the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (11-2, 7-1 Missouri Valley). South Dakota State is riding a home win streak that’s reached 28 games, which oddsmakers consider a monster advantage.
UIW vs South Dakota State Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incarnate Word Cardinals | +18.5 (-110) | +650 | O 54.5 (-110) |
| South Dakota State Jackrabbits | -18.5 (-110) | -1000 | U 54.5 (-110) |
The visiting Cardinals are hefty 18.5-point underdogs, with a total set at 54.5 points.
Kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, in Brookings, South Dakota, with ESPN/ESPN+ providing the broadcast coverage.
Odds as of December 12 at 11pm ET. Be sure to check out the best Caesars Sportsbook promos before placing a bet on any Week 16 College Football matchup.
Jackrabbits Business as Usual
This space is nothing new for South Dakota State, who are seeking a trip to the national semifinals for the seventh time over the last eight seasons, with the ultimate goal of a chance to compete for the FCS National Championship game Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The Jackrabbits enter the quarterfinals riding a six-game winning streak, most recently dispatching of Montana 35-18.
The second-ranked scoring team out of the Missouri Valley, their win was the lowest margin of victory over the previous five, as South Dakota State rolled by at least 31 points in the four prior contests.
Amar Johnson @Amar_Johnson1 with a nasty stiff arm and run for the TD. pic.twitter.com/kasn5OOE8T
— Cappin Jacks (@CappinJacks) September 24, 2024
South Dakota State churns out 6.36 yards per rush, a Top-2 mark in the FCS and tied for third in rushing scores with 37. They’re paced by Amar Johnson, who ran for 1,013 yards and 13 TD’s on the year.
The Jackrabbits also bring a dominant defense to the table, allowing an FCS-low 12.8 points per game, with no teams cracking the 20-point plateau over the last 11, and eight teams scoring 10 points or less.
Incarnate Word With 10 Straight Wins
The Cardinals are on a nice little run, looking for a national Final-Four berth for the second time in three years.
They enter Saturday with 10 straight wins, dispatching the Villanova Wildcats 13-6 in a second-round playoff rockfight.
UIW went undefeated in Southland Conference play this year, and were the top scoring team in the conference, averaging 35.1 points per game.
They’re led by standout pivot Zach Calzada, who finished second in FCS with 34 TD passes, while throwing for 3,533 yards (6th).
He’s got a couple of stud receivers to throw to. The top target is junior wideout Jalen Walthall, who had 70 catches for 1,215 yards and 14 TD’s. Roy Alexander had 87 grabs for 1,016 yards and 12 scores. They are one of only two tandems in the FCS to each top 1,000 yards receiving.
UIW vs South Dakota State Prediction
This is a rematch of their Week 2 encounter, which played a lot closer than the 45-24 South Dakota State win. The game was tied 17-17 at the half, and an early fourth quarter TD by UIW had them within seven points, before the Jackrabbits scored the final two touchdowns.
Jackrabbits QB Mark Gronkowski had season highs with 285 yards passing and four TD tosses, outplaying Calzada, who put up nearly 400 yards of total offense and three passing majors.
FINAL: #1 SDSU 45 #12 UIW 24
Gronowski – 21/32 285 yards, 4 TDs 1 INT
Amar Johnson – 19 carries, 112 yards, 2 TDs
The Jacks have their first win of the season pic.twitter.com/1ZXPAH9g6B
— Tanner Castora (@Tanner_Castora) September 8, 2024
You’re going to need a lot of points to keep up with South Dakota State. This is a team that has scored at least 35 points nine times over 13 games, and saved for an opening-week blowout loss to 17th-ranked Oklahoma State, have only been involved in a pair of one-possession games.
The problem for the Cardinals is they’ll be a facing a defense that’s better than that offense. And while they are too talented to be denied points, there won’t be enough of them to stay within range.
- UIW vs South Dakota State Pick: South Dakota State -18.5 (-110)
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The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals will face off against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in an exciting college basketball matchup on Saturday, December 14th. Both teams are coming into this game with high expectations and a strong desire to come out on top.
The Cardinals have had a solid start to their season, currently holding a record of 5-3. They have shown great offensive firepower, averaging 78.4 points per game, while also playing tough defense, holding opponents to just 70.9 points per game. UIW will look to continue their winning ways and secure a victory against a tough opponent in South Dakota State.
On the other hand, the Jackrabbits have had a strong start to their season as well, boasting a record of 7-3. They have been dominant on the offensive end, averaging an impressive 80.8 points per game. South Dakota State will look to use their high-powered offense to outscore their opponents and come away with a win against UIW.
In terms of predictions and odds for this game, it is expected to be a close matchup between two evenly matched teams. The odds may slightly favor South Dakota State due to their higher scoring offense, but UIW has shown that they are capable of pulling off upsets and should not be counted out.
As for the best bets for this game, it may be wise to consider betting on the over for total points scored, as both teams have shown the ability to put up big numbers on the scoreboard. Additionally, betting on UIW to cover the spread or even pull off the upset could also be a smart move, as they have proven to be a competitive team this season.
Overall, this game between UIW and South Dakota State is sure to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Both teams will be looking to secure a win and improve their records, making for an intense battle on the basketball court. Fans can expect a high-scoring affair with plenty of action and drama throughout the game.