The University of South Dakota is one of the more interesting squads in 2018 just because the expectations vary greatly with this team. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen with the Coyotes this year after losing the Walter Payton Award winner (he should have been) Chris Streveler.
USD had a great start to the season at 6-0, then bumbled down the stretch to a 1-4 finish. They did their first D-1 playoff game and nearly knocked off Sam Houston State. The defense was a major issue to finish 2017 as NDSU and other teams gouged the Coyotes.
I don’t know what to expect this year for USD. I picked them sixth in my preseason poll because of those two factors and their non-conference schedule is not easy. Opening at Kansas State and facing quarterfinalist Weber State before they start Valley play. Challenging year coming for Bob Nielson and company.