South Dakota @ Northwestern preview

Northwestern hopes to complete a perfect non-conference slate when it hosts FCS opponent South Dakota on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats can win their first four games for the third time in five seasons after starting 5-0 in 2008 and 2010. South Dakota is off to a 1-1 start in its first season under head coach Joe Glenn. Northwestern faced the Coyotes three times between the years of 1924-1927 but haven’t met since - the Wildcats hold a 4-0 series edge. Northwestern has opened the season against three opponents from BCS conferences (Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Boston College). The Wildcats have not dropped a game at Ryan Field outside of Big Ten play since a loss to Duke in September 2007.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: None

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA (1-1): The Coyotes' defense is led by junior linebacker Tyler Starr, whose 15 career sacks rank fourth among active FCS players. Starr, a preseason All-American, also leads FCS with seven forced fumbles for his career. South Dakota also has a star on the other side of the line of scrimmage in senior running back Marcus Sims. Against Colgate, Sims averaged nine yards per carry and racked up 127 yards. The Coyotes also have talent under center in quarterback Josh Vander Maten. In his first season at the reins of the offense, he’s 24 of 34 for 274 yards and two passing touchdowns. He’s also scored twice on the ground.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (3-0): The Wildcats have two viable options at quarterback in Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian. They have made Northwestern one of just 16 teams to avoid throwing an interception this season. The duo has put up nearly identical numbers, none more impressive than the zero in the interceptions column. The Wildcats’ best option on the ground is Venric Mark, who is averaging nearly 100 yards per game. Mark is also a valuable special-teams weapon and averages 37.2 yards per punt return, including one touchdown. Junior kicker Jeff Budzien earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors when he was 5-for-5 on field goals against Boston College.

EXTRA POINTS

1. South Dakota has scored just one touchdown in its all-time series against Northwestern.

2. The Coyotes are perfect (five touchdowns and two field goals) on their trips to the red zone this season.

3. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is 22-5 for his career against non-conference opponents.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 54, South Dakota 13