LSC Scoop Football Power Rankings
- Midwestern State - has been the class of the LSC to date
- Tarleton State - much better than anyone predicted
- Texas A&M-Commerce - have not been dominant, but can state their case Saturday
- Angelo State - best of the rest, but a considerable gap from top three
- West Texas A&M - seems like they have a big non-conference upset annually
- Eastern New Mexico - tough schedule continues, but have played tough
- Texas A&M-Kingsville - injuries and miscues have dulled that week one excitement
- UT Permian Basin - can they make it two LSC wins in a row?
- Western New Mexico - Mustangs might go winless, but have played tough.
Saturday Games
Angelo State at Western New Mexico Live Video
The Rams are playing about as expected, beating teams they were favored against and losing not-so-close games to better competition. Given the offseason personnel changes, the Mustangs are playing a bit better than we anticipated, but it has yet to translate into wins. We look for these trends to continue, Angelo 35-21.
UT Permian Basin at West Texas A&M Live Stats Live Video
Big wins for both of these young teams, UTPB with a rally to beat Western New Mexico, and WT with a huge win over national ranked Central Washington. This should be a low-scoring game, but give the edge to the Buffs, especially if Duke Carter can come close to replicating last week's output. WTAM 24-17.
Western Oregon at Texas A&M-Kingsville Live Stats
We saw WOU in week one, as the Wolves gave Angelo fits, before falling late 24-17. Since then, they lost big to Azusa Pacific, close to Central Washington, and then nice wins over Humboldt Staten and Simon Fraser. Against SFU, the defense scored 3 TDs, and special teams had a TD and a PAT returned for 2 points. The Javelinas won their second game last week, but had to overcome sloppy play and multiple penalties. If they can clean up their miscues, they should take this one. TAMK 35-27.
Eastern New Mexico at Tarleton State Live Stats Live Video
The top two running teams in the LSC. ENMU is averaging 284 yards per game, which is not unexpected. Tarleton is averaging 286 which is a surprise. Defensively, the Texan run defense has been dominant, allowing just 64 yards per game, and 1.9 per carry. ENMU gives up 169 per game and 4.5 per carry. The passing game is a different story. ENMU is attempting just under 11 passes per game, completing just 5 for 52 yards. Tarleton is throwing just 21 times per game, completing 66% for 223 yards per game, with 8 TDs. Defensively, Tarleton leads the LSC with a 94.1 QB efficiency rating. Look for another big game for the Texans, TSU 45-24.
Game of the Week (Year???)
Texas A&M-Commerce at Midwestern State
Live Stats Live Video
MSU versus Commerce a chance to see college football at its best- Andy Newberry, TRN
MSU OL hopes to pave way to more wins, awards - Donnie Palmer, TRN
MSU Game Notes
TAMC Game Notes
The 2017 National Champion vs. the 2017 LSC Champion. The #9 Lions at the #4 Mustangs. Carthel vs. Maskill. Bottom line, it's a big game. And with Tarleton lurking in the future for both teams, there's more urgency to come out with a win.
The Lions were not overly impressive the first four weeks of the year, winning their first three by much closer than expected margins and dropping a 13-23 contest to Colorado State-Pueblo. Last week's 68-6 blowout over Lock Haven was very welcome. Kane Wilson got his first start at QB, and went 20-31 for 373 yards with 4 TDs and 0 Ints. For the season, the offense is still trying to find their rhythm, averaging 33 points and 364 yards per game, but only 113 on the ground. The defense has carried the team, and is giving up just 18.6 points and 289 yards per game. They are second in the LSC in both run defense (133) and pass defense (156).
Midwestern State is at or the near the top across the statistics leaderboard. The offense is tops in scoring (44.8), total yards (540), passing (359 yards, 183.8 QB rating), and 3rd in rushing (181). Most impressive, they are averaging 8.3 yards per play. The defense is bit more middle of the pack, 3rd in points (21.8), 6th in yards (405), 6th in pass defense (230), and 8th rushing (175). Layton Rabb has emerged as a serious Harlon Hill candidate, completing 64% of his passes for 335 yards per game with 18 TDs and 0 interceptions. He spreads the ball around, with 4 receivers in the top 12 in the LSC in reception yards per game. Juwan Johnson leads the group (35-594, 3 TD), but Xavier Land (26-377, 3 TD), Kylan Harrison (12-226, 4 TD), and Anthony Tennison (10-225, 6 TD) are all threats all over the field. Vincent Johnson is the leading rusher, but he did not log a carry in the second half last week, and finished with just 7 yards on 6 carries. The Mustangs have had some injuries in the backfield, so they might have to rely even more on the passing game.
This should be a fun game, and recent history tells us this should be a close game, decided in the fourth quarter. Mustangs hold on and take tough one, MSU 35-31.
