South Dakota State at Northwestern - 2026 Matchup Preview
South Dakota State logo South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
L&S Martin Stadium (Temp) - Evanston, IL

 
Jackrabbits (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 0 - 0 (0 - 0 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Northwestern -6  (SP+ NW -6)
NW Win prob: 66% | Cover: 50%
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (27 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
South Dakota State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 South Dakota State at Northwestern+6

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for South Dakota State's Schedule
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northwestern vs Colorado-14
Sat 9/26 Northwestern at Indiana+28
Sat 10/3 Northwestern vs Penn State+9
Sat 10/10 Northwestern vs Ball State-27.5
Sat 10/17 Northwestern at Michigan State-3
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Rutgers-7
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21 Northwestern at Minnesota+3
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Illinois+10

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SDSU0%00%000%000%00%0%0000
NW#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SDSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SDSU Offense0000%00000000%0%0%0%0%
NW Defense1319.812.445.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SDSU Defense0000%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
NW Offense1323.426.843.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
South Dakota State00:000NAN%0%0000000100
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SDSU Offense00%0%000000%0%0
NW Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SDSU Defense00%0% - - - - 00%0%0
NW Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SDSU Offense00%0%000000000%0%0%0
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SDSU Defense00%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)

South Dakota State's Power Ratings
South Dakota State's Power Rating: NR
South Dakota State's Offense Rating: NR
South Dakota State's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
South Dakota State's 2026 Expected Record: -
South Dakota State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
South Dakota State's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
South Dakota State's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MVFC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
South Dakota State:    Northwestern: 6.145

SP+ Ratings Matchup
South Dakota State:    Northwestern: 5.8




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 6.145  #59
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.07  #66
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 14.58  #52
2026 Talent Rating: 886.00  #28
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


South Dakota State Scoring
Offense: 0 PPG
Offense on Road: 0
Defense: 0 PPG
Defense on Road: 0

South Dakota State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Northwestern 14
South Dakota State 8

Projected Total Points: 21
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.8
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 12.4

Northwestern's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern000 Overs
South Dakota State000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#NR) SDSU at (#59) NW
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSDSUNW
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #59
SP+SP+NR #51
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #28
Blue ChipsBC%NR #24
South Dakota State on Offense
CategoryCat
SDSU OffNW Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #117
ExplosiveExpNR #12
PPAPPANR #72
PowerPwrNR #52
SP+SP+NR #30
Pts POPPONR #41
HavocHavNR #83
South Dakota State Run Game
CategoryCat
SDSU OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #119
Run ExplRExpNR #85
PPAExpNR #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #113
Stuff RateStuffNR #118
TackleTak - NR
South Dakota State Pass Game
CategoryCat
SDSU OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #101
Pass ExplPExlNR #6
PPAExpNR #63
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #93
DB HavocDBNR #62
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffSDSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57NR
ExplosiveExp #108NR
PPAPPA #83NR
PowerPwr #66NR
SP+SP+ #90NR
Pts POPPO #116NR
HavocHav #94NR
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffSDSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46NR
Run ExplRExp #92NR
PPAExp #58NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64NR
Stuff RateStuff #48NR
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffSDSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66NR
Pass ExplPExl #97NR
PPAExp #85NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33NR
DB HavocDB #130NR
Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

SDSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in L&S Martin Stadium (Temp)
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
SDSU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Koby Bretz128028.028

View South Dakota State's Full Roster

SDSU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014