Texas Small College Preview: Week 2

By Russell Wilburn

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Note: Computer Score Predictions will be available for FCS games beginning Sept. 21 and for NCAA DII and DIII games beginning Sept. 28.

GAME: No. 7 Tarleton State (0-0) at Stephen F. Austin (0-1)

WHEN: Saturday at 6 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, Texas. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

WHY IT MATTERS: The storylines around this game are numerous. You have the Tarleton State Texans, who are the No. 7 team in the NCAA DII AFCA preseason poll. The Texans are a legitimate contender for the national title this season and earned a huge boost when the NCAA granted the waiver request for quarterback Ben Holmes to return this season. The Texans head coach is Todd Whitten who graduated from SFA in 1987 and is very familiar with the Lumberjacks head coach Colby Carthel. Tarleton defeated Carthel twice last season when he was coaching Texas A&M-Commerce with the last victory ending Carthel’s career with the Lions in a classic playoff game. This also features two fan bases that are some of the most loyal and rabid in all of Texas small college football. The ‘Jacks fans will be out in force with their renewed enthusiasm and the Texans are hoping to bring a large group of their own fans to this game. SFA is dealing with some internal issues that left many of their players at home last week in their loss to Baylor. Despite missing some key players, the ‘Jacks put up a good fight against the Bears. These two teams were scheduled to meet last season, but the game was canceled due to inclement weather.

INSIDE THE STATS: Tarleton State was a force on both sides of the ball last season. The Texans averaged 45 points per game on offense and allowed only 16 points per game on defense. The Texans had a punishing rushing attack last season that averaged 310 yards per game. Tarleton State lost a few players from the offensive line to graduation and the new line is one of the few question marks around the Texans team. The Texans also boast one of the top secondary’s in all of college football on defense. SFA gained 119 yards on the ground last week and averaged 3.7 yards per carry using five different ball carriers. That is an impressive number against a solid Baylor team. Junior quarterback Trae Self struggled at times in his first start passing the ball as he completed 52 percent of his passes for 140 yards. The ‘Jacks defense allowed 518 yards to Baylor last week, but they were put in precarious situations throughout the first half. SFA will need to stop the Texans rushing attack this week after allowing 7.2 yards per carry last week.

MY PICK: SFA by 10

GAME: Azusa Pacific (0-0) at West Texas A&M (0-0)

WHEN: Saturday at 6 p.m. at Buffalo Stadium in Canyon, Texas.

WHY IT MATTERS: It is rare that a game in the opening week of the season could impact the NCAA DII playoffs in November. This game could have those lasting implications as both teams belong to Super Region Four. Azusa Pacific shared the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title last season and was a controversial entry to the playoffs. The Cougars return 14 starters from last year’s team and are the preseason favorites to repeat in the GNAC. WT is looking for a little revenge this year after falling 17-7 to Azusa Pacific in the opening game last season. The excitement level is very high around the Buffs program this season and they want to make a statement in the opening game of their beautiful new stadium. The Buffs named Texas Tech transfer Nick Gerber as their starting quarterback for the season opener as they try to add a solid passing attack to their offense.

INSIDE THE STATS: Azusa Pacific had a balanced offensive attack last season as they averaged 151 yards rushing and 263 yards passing per game last season. The defense for the Cougars was suspect at times as they allowed 154 yards rushing per game to their opponents last year. The Cougars will need to focus on stopping the run because WT has a potent rushing attack and play a physical brand of football. The Buffs will rely on Duke Carter IV to carry the load as he averaged 102 yards rushing per game last season before an injury ended his year. WT will need to stop the Cougars rushing attack as the Buffs allowed 180 yards rushing per game last season.

MY PICK: West Texas A&M by 7

GAME: East Texas Baptist (0-0) at UW-Platteville (0-0)

WHEN: Saturday at 1 p.m. at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium in Platteville, Wi. 

WHY IT MATTERS: Every single game is of the utmost importance at NCAA DIII as there are only five at-large selections for the playoffs. This game is very important for both programs with powerhouses Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Pioneers conference and Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor in the American Southwest Conference with the Tigers. The Pioneers had their first losing season in eight years at 4-6 last year but have won 20 straight season-opening games, including a 59-44 win at ETBU to open the 2018 season. ETBU finished 6-4 last season and look to make a run this season behind their high-powered offensive attack.

INSIDE THE STATS: UW-Platteville averaged 32 points per game on offense last season while allowing 26 points per game. The Pioneers averaged 142 yards per game on the ground and scored 29 rushing touchdowns last season. ETBU features a potent passing attack that averaged 301 yards per game last year. The Tigers are also dangerous on the ground as they averaged 210 rushing yards per game in 2018. The Tigers also averaged 42 points per game while allowing 31 points per game last year.

MY PICK: UW-Platteville by 10

GAME: No. 18 Blinn (1-1, 0-1) at Navarro (0-2, 0-1)

WHEN: Saturday at 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium in Corsicana, Texas.

WHY IT MATTERS: This is a game between two of the most storied programs in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference with each team trying to rebound after losing their first conference game last week. Blinn had a late rally come up short in a 27-24 loss at home to Tyler last week while Navarro has played a brutal early-season schedule. The Bulldogs dropped a 33-30 decision on the road to then No. 19 Georgia Military and lost their conference opener 43-33 on the road to No. 2 Kilgore last week. This is a crucial early-season conference game for both teams who have hopes of hosting and winning the SWJCFC title this season and playing in a bowl game.

INSIDE THE STATS: Blinn has averaged 43 points per game through their first two contests this year. The Buccaneers have been very balanced on offense thus far averaging 234 rushing yards and 254 passing yards per game. The Blinn defense has allowed only 17 points per game but has struggled against the pass allowing 290 passing yards per game. Navarro has a potent passing attack led by quarterback Parker McNeil. The Bulldogs have averaged 361 passing yards per game but only 64 rushing yards per game so far this season. Navarro defense has struggled against good offenses as they have allowed 38 points, 173 rushing yards, and 292 passing yards per game this season.

MY PICK: Blinn by 7

OTHER SMALL COLLEGE GAMES:

  • Abilene Christian by 45 vs Arizona Christian
  • Houston Baptist by 42 vs Texas Wesleyan
  • Incarnate Word by 28 over Texas Southern
  • Lamar by 35 over Mississippi Valley State
  • No. 22 Sam Houston State by 40 over Oklahoma Panhandle State
  • Houston by 32 over Prairie View A&M
  • Angelo State by 14 over Western Oregon
  • Northwestern State by 21 over No. 20 Midwestern State
  • No. 13 Texas A&M-Commerce by 28 over Seleccion Nuevo Leon
  • Saginaw Valley State by 20 over Texas A&M-Kingsville
  • UT Permian Basin by 38 over Wayland Baptist
  • No. 9 Hardin-Simmons by 42 over Sul Ross State
  • Austin College by 3 over Howard Payne
  • Trinity by 28 over McMurry
  • Southwestern by 14 over Sewanee
  • Cisco by 45 over Texas A&T
  • No. 2 Kilgore by 28 over New Mexico Military
  • No. 16 Trinity Valley by 7 over Tyler

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