Indiana St. Sycamores vs South Dakota Coyotes Predictions October 3, 2026
South Dakota will beat Indiana State, 38-24, with Austyn Modrzewski's 15 touchdown passes providing the strongest reason to favor the Coyotes at home. Indiana State's recent production from Jayden Reed makes a comfortable margin less certain. Neither South Dakota -14.5 (-199) nor the 60.5 total offers a convincing betting edge, so the official SportsJaw wager is Pass.
Indiana St. Sycamores vs South Dakota Coyotes prediction and best bet
South Dakota's passing production makes the Coyotes the pick to win this 2026 college football matchup. Modrzewski has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four of his first five starts, and his 180.3 quarterback rating ranks third in the FCS. That consistency is the strongest foundation for expecting South Dakota to control the scoring.
Winning and covering require different judgments. The forecast of South Dakota 38, Indiana State 24 falls just short of the favorite's 14.5-point requirement. Reed's recent two-touchdown performance gives the Sycamores a credible scoring threat, but the narrow projected margin against the spread is insufficient to back either side. The best bet is Pass.
Odds, game time and how to watch
Kickoff: Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2 p.m. CT, or 3 p.m. ET.
Venue: DakotaDome, Vermillion, South Dakota. Television: ESPN+ and Midco Sports 2.
Records: South Dakota is 3-2; Indiana State is 2-3. Both are 0-1 in MVFC play.
SportsJaw spread: Indiana State +14.5 (+115); South Dakota -14.5 (-199).
SportsJaw moneyline: Indiana State +800; South Dakota -1,800.
SportsJaw total: Over 60.5 (-114); Under 60.5 (-116). South Dakota enters ranked No. 13 in the Stats Perform media poll and No. 16 in the AFCA Coaches poll.