Predictions

Central Oklahoma at East Central - ECU has Marcus Johnson and not much else. He's been good, but doesn't have much of a supporting cast around him. The Tigers have not bee able to run the ball, and that will allow UCO's league leading pass defense do its job. When UCO has the ball, look for them to run often and rack up some big yards. Ben Birmingham has 438 yards the last 3 weeks, and he could easily surpass last weeks 198 yards against an ECU defense giving up over 330 yards rushing and almost 8 yards a carry. If it was in Edmond it would be worse, UCO 28-21.

Texas A&M Commerce at Southeastern Oklahoma - Before the season started, this game was supposed to decide who would perch atop the LSC North and contnd for a playoff spot. Instead, the loser will find itself in the cellar & still only have one win. SEO has shown the ability to move the ball, but not score. Commerce's passing game, which looked so promising early on, has faltered & the running game has yet to materialize. That could change this week as SEO is allowing 200 yards rushing and over 5 a pop. Toss-up game with home field giving SEO the advantage, 24-17.

Angelo State at Eastern New Mexico - The Rams passing game will have to be productive, as the Greyhound run defense should slow down if not stop Daniel Thomas and the Ram rushing game. The Rams have been good at moving the ball, but are another team not converting yards into points. ENMU thought they were ready to crash the WTAM/ACU/TSU/MSU party, but ACU brought them back to earch with a 45-20 defeat last week. The Greyhounds could not stop the Wildcats run or pass last week, and got 125 of its 323 rushing yards with under 11 minutes to go and ACU up 45-14. ENMU should regain its balance with a 35-17 win at home.

Northeastern State at Abilene Christian - Northeastern State took advantage of ECU's run "defense" and nearly equalled their rushing yards for the previous 4 games to defeat ECU 27-15 last week. Abilene meanwhile, dismantled ENMU, limiting the Greyhounds to 198 for the first 49 minutes of the game in amassing a 45-14 lead. Billy Malone, Bernard Scott, Johnny Knox, Jerale Badon and company should have fun this day. Ugly game of the week, ACU 38-7 (assuming ACU calls the dogs off early).

Tarleton State at Texas A&M-Kingsville - The Javelinas left Canyon with a moral victory of sorts, shutting out the Buffs in the first & third periods for the first time this year, forcing 7 punts (WT had only 11 in its first 4 games) and holding WT to 14 pts and 70 yds below their season average. Still they lost 36-3. Tarleton comes into the game 5-0 for the first time ever in D2, knocking off SWO handily 43-19. The Texans have an offense that is the most balanced in the LSC, save for ACU. They have run the ball 60% of the time, and they lead the league in pass efficiency offense. The Javelina defense has done a good job, especially against the run, but the Texans will give them their toughest challenge to date in that area, and have the passing game to keep them honest. Tarleton should win its first in Kingsville, 28-21.

West Texas A&M at Midwestern State - Check back in tomorrow..........


Recap last week (5-1)

NSU over ECU 24-21 (Actual 27-15)
WTAM over TAMK 31-17 (Actual 36-3)
MSU over ASU 43-14 (Actual 44-16)
TAMC over UCO 17-14 (Actual UCO 21-20 in OT) would have been right if TAMC doesn't miss FG in first half
TSU over SWO 35-10 (Actual 43-19)
ACU over ENMU 38-24 (Actual 45-20)