If you believe the 'experts', South Dakota State's football team will finish the 2013 regular season exactly where they ended up in 2012 - second place in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Jackrabbits are picked to finish behind defending National Champ North Dakota State in the voting by league coaches, media, and sports information directors.

SDSU returns 15 starters from last season team that made the FCS playoffs after going 6-2 in conference play.  The Jacks finished 9-4 overall.

2012 was South Dakota's first season in the Missouri Valley Conference and a year later, the Coyotes are still looking for their first league win.  USD was 0-8 in MVC play and 1-10 overall in 2012.  They are picked to finish last in the Missouri Valley in 2013.

North Dakota State is a unanimous choice to repeat as conference champs, earning all 39 first-place votes.  The Bison return 18 total starters from a team that went 14-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference last year.  NDSU has won 28 of its last 30 games.

2013 Valley Football Preseason Poll
Team (first-place votes) Points
1. North Dakota State (39) 390
2. South Dakota State 323
3. UNI 269
4. Illinois State 264
5. Youngstown State 253
6. Indiana State 197
7. Southern Illinois 188
8. Missouri State 123
9. Western Illinois 77
10. South Dakota 61

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