CARBONDALE, IL (WSIL) - There will be no big motivational speech, no change in practice, nor extra energy drinks this weekend for the 12th ranked Saluki football team.Â
No extra motivation needed by (#12) SIU Football on Saturday for matchup against top team in FCS
SIU does not need any extra motivation on homecoming when the nations top ranked team, South Dakota State comes to town.
It's a the chance to beat the best and that's all that matters.
The dawgs are coming off a nice conference win over Murray State and have high hopes to play very well against the top team in the FCS.
South Dakota State has won 9 of the last 11 meetings between these two teams, but Southern took the last meeting 42-41 in overtime back in 2021.
Head coach Nick Hill and company know this is no easy task but his plans to execute at a high level and prove they can compete with the nations best.
So how do these two top 15 teams compare to one another?
Let's go inside the numbers. SDSU is scoring 43 points per game this season. SIU is scoring a little more than 25.
The Jackrabbits have allowed just 13 points per game, the Salukis are allowing a little more than 19.
South Dakota State also holds the advantage in yards per game with 467, Southern with 351
When it comes down to third down success rate, the blue and yellow is at 64 percent, the maroon and white at 30 percent
