No. 6 Sam Houston (2-0) at Lamar (1-2)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Provost-Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont, Texas

Broadcast: ESPN+

The Matchup: Sam Houston enters this contest after one of the best Bearkats overall team performances in recent memory. SHSU destroyed No. 7 Nicholls 71-17 and leaped up this week’s rankings.

The Kats better not sleep on Lamar this week. The Cardinals have been one of the most improved teams already this season. This week provides a considerable challenge for Lamar, but the Cardinals confidence is high following a road win over McNeese.

Players to Watch: 

SHSU - Eric Schmid, QB, Jr, The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands HS)

Jequez Ezzard, WR, Gr, College Park, Ga. (Hapeville Charter)

Trevor Williams, LB, Jr, College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated HS)

UIW - Andre Mulinax, DB, Sr, Fort Worth, Texas (Crowley HS)

Tylo Phillips, DL, Collinsville, Miss. (Hinds CC)

Marcellus Johnson, WR, So, Killeen, Texas (Killeen HS)

Key to Victory: The Bearkats have been impressive in their two victories this spring, but can the Kats maintain that momentum in their first road game? While Lamar has improved each week this spring, the Cardinals will need to win all three phases, and win the turnover battle, to remain in this game.

Prediction: Sam Houston by 21

 

Southern (1-1) at Texas Southern (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at BBVA Stadium in Houston

Broadcast: AT&T SportsNet

The Matchup: Texas Southern opened its spring season, nearly pulling an upset over rival Prairie View A&M. The Tigers have had a week off to prepare for their first home game this spring. TSU has a chance this week to show how improved the team is in coach Clarence McKinney’s second season.

Southern opened its season with a road win over Alabama State before falling at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Jaguars are also entering this game following a bye week. These longtime foes played their last two games at the Cotton Bowl, and the Jaguars enter, having won eight straight games against the Tigers.

Players to Watch: 

SU - John Lampley, QB, Jr, Kennesaw, Ga. (Kell HS)

Jordan Lewis, DE, Jr, Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic HS)

Derrick Williams, LB, Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS)

TSU - LaDarius Owens, RB, So, Manvel, Texas (Manvel HS)

Tarik Cooper, LB, Jr, Texas City, Texas (Blinn JC)

Ke’Lenn Davis, WR, Sr, Houston, Texas (Navarro)

Key to Victory: The key for both teams this week is offensive production. This game shapes up to be a defensive battle with both teams seeking consistent play at the quarterback position.

Prediction: Southern by 6

 

Midwestern State (1-0) at Tarleton (3-2)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas

Broadcast: Tarleton All-Access

The Matchup: It only seems right to continue this rivalry despite Tarleton moving to FCS. These two teams have provided some historic games in recent years, including the Texans earning a one-point win in overtime at MSU in 2018.

The Mustangs certainly have motivation this week after the Texans dismantled MSU 66-7 in their last meeting. This has the chance to be an extremely physical and intense battle, with Tarleton hosting its rival on homecoming.

Players to Watch: 

MSU - Derrick Ponder, QB, Sr, Wichita Falls, Texas (Jackson State)

Kylan Harrison, WR, Jr, Paris, Texas (W.T. White HS)

Melik Owens, DE, Jr, Houston, Texas (Cypress Ridge HS)

Tarleton - Steven Duncan, QB, Jr, Charleston, S.C. (Ashley Ridge HS)

Tariq Bitson, WR, Sr, Tulsa, Okla. (Booker T. Washington HS)

D.J. Harris, LB, So, Houston, Texas (Langham Creek HS)

Key to Victory: This game features two of the most attacking defenses in the country. The team whose offensive line can protect its quarterback will have the advantage. MSU will need to get production from its rushing attack to relieve pressure off its talented wide receivers.

Prediction: Tarleton by 21

 

UTPB (3-0) at Texas A&M-Kingsville (0-1)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Pepsi Field at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas

Broadcast: No broadcast available

The Matchup: UTPB enters this game with the first 3-0 start in program history. The Falcons defense was tremendous in last week’s 31-6 road win over Western New Mexico in the always challenging elevation of Silver City, N.M., while the Javelinas are playing their second and final game of the spring. TAMUK will be motivated after UTPB demolished the Javelinas 70-14 to end the 2019 season.

Players to Watch: 

UTPB - Braylon Ware, WR, Jr, Waco, Texas (La Vega HS)

Kobe Robinson, WR, Jr, Odessa, Texas (Permian HS)

Miquon Mayes, Jr, Dallas, Texas (Duncanville HS)

TAMUK - Zadock Dinkleman, QB, So, Somerset, Texas (Somerset HS)

Jakari Landry, LB, Fr, Houston, Texas (Hightower HS)

Brian Miller, DL, Sr, Queens, N.Y. (Coffeyville CC)

Key to Victory: Both teams feature talent at quarterback and wide receiver, but the key to this game will be the rushing attack. UTPB needs to find someone to help quarterback, and leading rusher, Clayton Roberts, while the Javelinas only averaged 1.8 yards per rushing attempt against MSU.

Prediction: UTPB by 6

 

Louisiana College (2-1) at Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-0)

When: Noon Saturday at Crusader Stadium in Belton, Texas

Broadcast: UMHB Athletics

The Matchup: The winner of this game will represent the ASC East in the title game at Hardin-Simmons next week. Louisiana College has been solid at home but lost its only road game. UMHB had a bye week after nearly falling on the road to East Texas Baptist and will be motivated to win this week and set up a rivalry game for the title.

Players to Watch: 

LC - Sal Palermo III, QB, So, Walker, La. (Live Oak HS)

Canaan Leon, WR, So, Breaux Bridge, La. (Lafayette HS)

Micah Latin, Jr, Gloster, La. (Captain Shreve HS)

UMHB - Brenton Martin, WR, Sr, Marietta Ga. (Marietta HS)

Mikkah Hackett, LB, Sr, Alto, Texas (Alto HS)

Akeem Jackson, LB, Sr, Fairfield, Texas (Fairfield HS)

Key to Victory: Taking care of the football and limiting turnovers will be the biggest key for both teams this week. UMHB has had eight turnovers this spring, while LC has turned the ball over six times. The Wildcats are averaging over three fumbles per game on offense.

Prediction: UMHB by 24

 

McMurry (1-2) at Howard Payne (1-2)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood, Texas

Broadcast: HPU Sports

The Matchup: This game features two programs on the rise, which makes this contest one of the most intriguing games of the week. The winner secures the third seed in the ASC West Division and will meet East Texas Baptist next week, while the loser will meet the winner of Belhaven and Southwestern.

Players to Watch: 

McM - Dee Robinson, RB, So, Rice, Texas (Rice HS)

Jermond Lovely, WR, So, Dayton, Texas (Dayton HS)

Colton Strickland, DL, Fr, Hawley, Texas (Hawley HS)

HPU - Jake Parker, WR, Sr, Whitehouse, Texas (Whitehouse HS)

Billy Reagins, RB, Jr, Sugerland, Texas (Kempner HS)

James Jakubowski, DL, Tatum, Texas (Tatum HS)

Key to Victory: HPU will try to turn this game into a track meet, giving the Yellow Jackets an advantage with so many talented players at the skill positions. McMurry will need more production from an offense averaging 15 points per game this spring.

Prediction: HPU by 10

 

Belhaven (1-2) at Southwestern (0-3)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas

Broadcast: SHN Sports

The Matchup: The ASC East Division is tough, as evidenced by the lack of success for Southwestern and Belhaven this spring. These teams have a chance to finish the spring season on a positive note over the next two weeks. The winner will be the fourth seed in the ASC East and meet McMurry and Howard Payne’s loser.

Players to Watch: 

Belhaven - Brad Foley, RB, Sr, Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis)

Corey Toliver, DB, Jr, Zachary, La. (Northeast HS)

TJ Hersey, DB, So, Meridian, Miss. (West Lauderdale HS)

SU - Landry Gilpin, QB, So, Mission, Texas (Veterans Memorial HS)

Austin Castilleja, RB, Jr, San Antonio, Texas (Winston Churchill HS)

Ben Brockman, LB, Sr, Midland, Texas (Greenwood HS)

Key to Victory: Southwestern has struggled to run the ball this spring, averaging 73 yards and two yards per carry. The Blazers will need more from a passing attack, only averaging 131 yards per game.

Prediction: Belhaven by 3

 

Hardin-Simmons (3-0) at Sul Ross State (0-3)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Jackson Field in Alpine, Texas

Broadcast: SRSU Media

The Matchup: This game is a mismatch on paper, but I would not expect that to be the focus for each coaching staff this week. HSU has been a team on a mission and has sewn up the right to host the ASC title game next week. SRSU has struggled since nearly earning a win on opening week.

Players to Watch: 

HSU - Myles Featherston, RB, Fr, Mansfield, Texas (Lake Ridge HS)

Rae Millsap, WR, Jr, Abilene, Texas (Abilene HS)

Matt Mitchell, LB, So, Wimberly, Texas (Wimberly HS)

SRSU - Dre’chan Moody, WR, So, San Antonio, Texas (Highlands HS)

Hunter Bunch, OLB, So, Sonora, Texas (Sonora HS)

Ronin Williams, LB, Sr, Monahans, Texas (Monahans HS)

Key to Victory: The Lobos will need to play a near perfect game and win the turnover battle. That might not be enough this week. HSU is one of the deepest and most talented teams in the country.

Prediction: HSU by 30