We like the McNeese State Cowboys to defeat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Monday at 6:00pm ET for a number of reasons. Here are some of the more important ones:

The Cowboys went 30-4 last season. They may have lost their best player (Shahada Wells) but still have an outstanding young talent in Christian Shumate who was the conference's defensive player of the year last season.

McNeese State will once again be the big favorites to be crowned Southland champs. They are ready to go.

South Dakota State lost every single one of their members from their starting five a season ago.

10 of the 14 players listed on the Jackrabbits squad is either a Freshman or a Sophomore.

SDak State won their respective conference too, but will regress this season.

We're going with the older and much more experienced program in game one of this year.

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