South Dakota State at Minnesota 8/29/19 - NCAAF Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 08/26/2019 at 8:46 PM ET

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits visit TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the college football regular season opener for both.

The Jackrabbits were 10-3 in 2018 and reached the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. Kanin Nelson will start at quarterback for SDS, while top rusher Pierre Strong Jr. returns as do the top six receivers from last season. Two of the Jackrabbits top three tacklers from last season return to the defense with leading tackler Christian Rozeboom heading the list. The linebacker had 105 tackles in 2018.

Minnesota is a dark horse in the Big Ten West this season. The Golden Gophers offense will return nine starters with the running back duo of Bryce Williams and Mohamed Ibrahim topping the list. Zack Annexstad or Tanner Morgan will get the call at quarterback but both will see plenty of action under center. Tyler Johnson returns as the top receiver for Minnesota. On the defense, the strength lies at linebacker with Kamal Martin and Thomas Barber, while Carter Coughlin is the designated sack specialist.

Last season Kanin Nelson threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns in limited action for the Jackrabbits. Pierre Strong Jr. rushed for 1,116 yards and 11 touchdowns and will be the focal point on offense. Cade Johnson who caught 67 passes for 1,332 yards with 17 touchdowns leads a deep wide receiver corps.

Tanner Morgan led Minnesota last season at quarterback with 1,401 yards passing, nine touchdowns and six interception, but Zack Annexstad threw for 1,277 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. The leading rusher returning from last season is Mohamed Ibrahim with 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns. The top receiver will be Tyler Johnson who last season caught 78 passes for 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Minnesota is expected to be a dark horse in the Big Ten West. The Golden Gophers return top skill position players across the board and will have one of the best running back duos in the nation in Mohamed Ibrahim and Bryce Williams. South Dakota State is in the FCS but will be no push over. The Jackrabbits have plenty of talent returning and reached the FCS semifinals in 2018. Final Score Prediction, Minnesota Golden Gophers win but fall short ATS 31-21.

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