South Dakota State Football: Can Jackrabbits reload in 2018?
By Zach Bigalke
2018 South Dakota State Schedule and Predictions
| WEEK | DATE | SCHOOL | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Sep. 1, 2018 | South Dakota State | @ FBS Iowa State |
| 2 | Sep. 8, 2018 | South Dakota State | vs. Montana State |
| 3 | Sep. 15, 2018 | South Dakota State | vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 4 | Sep. 22, 2018 | BYE | WEEK |
| 5 | Sep. 29, 2018 | South Dakota State | @ North Dakota State |
| 6 | Oct. 6, 2018 | South Dakota State | vs. Indiana State |
| 7 | Oct. 13, 2018 | South Dakota State | vs. Youngstown State |
| 8 | Oct. 20, 2018 | South Dakota State | @ Northern Iowa |
| 9 | Oct. 27, 2018 | South Dakota State | @ Illinois State |
| 10 | Nov. 3, 2018 | South Dakota State | vs. Missouri State |
| 11 | Nov. 10, 2018 | South Dakota State | @ Southern Illinois |
| 12 | Nov. 17, 2018 | South Dakota State | vs. South Dakota |
South Dakota State open up their 2018 campaign with a trip to the Hawkeye State. The Jackrabbits take on Iowa State in their only chance to make a statement against FBS competition. For South Dakota State, their last win over an FBS opponent came in 2015 when the Jackrabbits opened the year with a 41-38 takedown of Kansas.
Iowa State cannot allow themselves to overlook the Jackrabbits. After the showdown in Ames, South Dakota State turns around and takes on Montana State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff to complete the non-conference schedule.
After a bye week, Missouri Valley Conference play begins out of the gate with a trip north to face defending national champion North Dakota State. The Jackrabbits also have to play Northern Iowa on the road. They do, however, get to play Youngstown State at home.
What’s next for South Dakota State?
Preparing for Iowa State is going to be the predominant theme of the offseason. Getting ready to take on the Cyclones will prepare the Jackrabbits for the rest of the season. All focus for South Dakota State will center on that matchup until the result is in the books.
Prediction: 9-2 (7-1 Missouri Valley Conf.)
South Dakota State will play Iowa State close, but will fall short in the FBS statement opportunity. They will rebound with wins over Montana State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The real questions will get answered once Missouri Valley Conference play commences.
Next: Post-spring Top 25 projections
The Jackrabbits won’t finish perfect in conference play. But South Dakota State should still finish the regular season with nine wins and a spot in the FCS playoffs for the seventh straight year.