Predictions 11/3

Southeastern Oklahoma at Northeastern State
It's a battle of the renamed mascots, and the Savage Storm are the hotter team, winning 2 of 4 in October, while the Riverhawks lost all 3 of their October games. Common opponents were Texas A&M-Commerce and Soutwestern Oklahoma. SEO played Commerce close and beat SWO, while NSU was blown out by Commerce and lost to SWO in a wild finish. SEO should continue the trend, winning 28-21.

Texas A&M-Kingsville at Abilene Christian
Last years game was a surprising close 41-38 Wildcat victory, with ACU needing to drive 72 yards in the final minute for the game winning FG as time expired. Billy Malone is probably looking forward to the rematch, he threw for 404 yards and over 22 yds per completion. David Garza hopes he and the ACU defense play like last week (Garza 201.72 QB rating 5 TDs, ACU D allowed 63 pts, 600 yds). Probably somewhere in the middle, but Abilene wins 38-14.

Midwestern State at Eastern New Mexico
Last year's 29-19 MSU win is deceptive. They led 29-2 four minutes into the third quarter, and limited ENMU to 101 yds of offense to that point, scoring the final TD as time expired. This year in getting off to a surprising 4-0 start, the Greyhounds allowed only 10 pts per game - during their 5 game losing streak they are giving up almost 43. That's not good news with the Mustangs coming to town, averaging 43 points and 532 yds per game. They will be using this game to get ready for Abilene next week and will be in no mood to let off the gas. If Michael Benton plays, MSU 42-21, if not 49-7.

Central Oklahoma at West Texas A&M
UCO, still in position to win the LSC North, has won 3 of its last 4.....by a total of 7 points. Ben Birmingham is 112 yds shy of 1,000 yds rushing. Will Clewis, last weeks LSC North defensive player of the week, is in line for first-team all-LSC North accolades once again and will need to have a huge game this week. Keithon Flemming is just 5 yds short of the century mark (and an outside chance at 2,000 all-purpose) and Keith Null jus 186 short of 3,000. WT improves to 10-0 with a 35-10 victory.

East Central at Southwestern Oklahoma
The only toss-up game of the week (and yet the least interesting). SWO has dropped 4 of their last 5 (and barely escaped NSU), after starting the season 3-1. Steve Day has taken over at QB, but it has failed to ignite the offense. ECU has played better ball the last 4 weeks, but it has resulted in only one win. When Marcus Johnson is on his game, the Tigers have a chance. Interesting matchup - SWO running game (9th in LSC) vs. ECU run defense (last in LSC). No clue who will win, but since a pick has to be made, and SWO is at home, 28-24 win for the Bulldogs.

Tarleton State at Angelo State
The Texans could be ripe for an upset, following last weeks heartbreaking (and record setting) loss to ACU last week. The problem is that the Ram defense (12th in scoring, and rushing, 10th in passing, and last in total defense) probably won't have much more luck than the Wildcats last week (though they should keep Tarleton to less than 600 yds and 63 pts). Tarleton offense will control the clock and field position once again, and this week the score will reflect that 42-21.