South Dakota State vs Northern Iowa Odds and Picks

• Northern Iowa and South Dakota State square off in FCS action on Friday, February 19th
• The Panthers won a close 13-10 contest in the most recent meeting
• Read below for the odds, spread and betting preview

Northern Iowa and South Dakota State are set to open their 2021 FCS season with a matchup at the UNI-Dome on Friday, February 19th (8:00 PM EST). The Panthers and Jackrabbits are both expected to compete with powerhouse North Dakota State for the Missouri Valley Football Conference title.

Both teams are returning their starting quarterbacks from 2019, and have talented players on both sides of the ball. With an impressive nine players selected to the 2021 All-MVFC preseason teams, South Dakota State is being listed as small 3.5-point road favorites.

Can Northern Iowa’s talented offensive duo of Will McElvain and Isaiah Weston lead the Panthers to an upset?

South Dakota State vs Northern Iowa Odds

Odds taken Feb. 17th from FanDuel

Jackrabbits ‘Strong’ Run Game 

One of the the keys to Northern Iowa upsetting the Jackrabbits is shutting down the team’s main offensive catalyst. Pierre Strong returns at running back for South Dakota State after stringing together two consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. He’ll be a difference maker Friday after rushing for 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019.

Earlier today @pierrestrongjr was named a pre-season First Team All-American by @HEROSports_FCS #GoJacks 🐰🏈 pic.twitter.com/OCmBaBqiMA

— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) February 8, 2021

The Jackrabbits also have an experienced quarterback in J’Bore Gibbs, who started the first six games of 2019 before suffering a knee injury. He won’t have his favorite target from last year back in 1,000-yard wide receiver Cade Johnson, but promising wideout Jaxon Janke could takeover that role after impressing as a freshman.

While there are some talented pieces on offense, the strength of the Jackrabbits remains defense. The team does lose its leading tackler from last season in Christian Rozeboom, but this elite unit still features three preseason All-MVC selections in CB Don Gardner, DE Reece Winkelman and LB Logan Backhaus.

Panthers Boast Lethal Offensive Tandem

While the Jackrabbits are going to have the best rusher in this season opener, the Panthers boast one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the league. Quarterback Will McElvain and All-American wide receiver Isaiah Weston are both returning and will look to build off their fantastic chemistry from a season prior.

Every day you get better or you get worse. You never stay the same. Today, We got better. #UNIFight pic.twitter.com/hSOeBaFu7T

— UNI Football (@UNIFootball) February 10, 2021

McElvain threw for 2,778 yards and 20 touchdowns with just seven interceptions last season, while Weston had 43 receptions for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Deion McShane should also be a popular downfield target after being limited to just six games last season due to injury.

Much like South Dakota State, the Panthers are a very stout defensive team. They boast three of the best defensive players in the league in DE Jared Brinkman, LB Bryce Flater and CB Omar Brown. Brinkman is the leader of this group after racking up 83 tackles and seven sacks last season. Expect him to create all kinds of chaos for Gibbs on Friday.

What’s the Best Bet? 

If there’s any defense capable of limiting one of the best running backs in the FCS, it’s the Panthers. Northern Iowa held 11 of their opponents last season to under 14 points and boast elite talent at each position in the defensive backfield.

The Jackrabbits also have an elite defense, but losing Rozeboom hurts and they’ll have their work cut out for them trying to shutdown McElvain and Weston. When it comes to a season opener after a massive 400-plus day layoff, I’m trusting the existing chemistry between the two over an SDSU QB returning from injury and losing his top receiver.

Considering how talented both these teams are defensively, the x-factor for this game could be Panthers’ kicker Matthew Cook. The preseason All-MVFC selection made 19-of-24 field goals and all 36 PATs as a freshman in 2019 and could deliver in the clutch Friday.

Trust the Panthers’ elite defense and the chemistry between McElvain and Weston to lead the team to an upset win on home turf.

Pick: Northern Iowa Panthers Moneyline (+148)