Prairie View A&M (2-0) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-0)

When: 3 p.m. Saturday at Simmons Bank Field in Pine Bluff, Ark.

Broadcast: UAPB Sports Network

The Matchup: Prairie View A&M is finally ready to return to the field following two separate pauses within its program due to CoVID-19 concerns.

The last time the Panthers hit the field was a thrilling 17-10 win over rival Grambling State in the State Fair Classic played at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.

PVAMU is undefeated this spring but has won both games by a combined eight points and the Panthers opponent this week will not be easy.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff is the most improved team in college football at any level and their coach Doc Gamble is being lauded as a Coach of the Year candidate.

Since Gamble arrived in Pine Bluff as an assistant coach in 2018, the Golden Lions have won 11 games, which equals the total number of games UAPB won in its previous five seasons combined.

Both teams have a stingy defense, especially against the passing game.

PVAMU is allowing 191 yards passing per game while the Golden Lions have allowed 226 passing yards in three games.

Players to Watch: 

Team - Name, Position, Grade, Hometown (High School). 

Team - Name, Position, Grade, Hometown (High School)

Key to Victory: The key for PVAMU this week is to find a consistent offensive rhythm. The Panthers have struggled to get its vaunted rushing attack going in their first two games averaging 117.5 yards per game and 3.3 yards per attempt.

The UAPB defense enters the contest allowing 23 points per game and 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. The Golden Lions have also feasted on fumbles recovering 4 of 7 fumbles forced this spring.

The two separate pauses and multiple weeks of uncertainty PVAMU has faced will be the deciding factor this week.

Prediction: UAPB by 5

Mississippi Valley State (1-3) at Texas Southern (1-2)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday at BBVA Stadium in Houston

Broadcast: AT&T Sportsnet

The Matchup: Is it better to have a few weeks off or play consistently?

That question will be answered when Texas Southern meets Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.

When the game kicks off, it will mark the first time the Tigers have played football since March 20, when they lost 51-23 to Southern due to CoVID-19 concerns within other programs.

MVSU has played each of the last two weeks and has been fortunate to have played each game as scheduled this spring.

Both teams enter with a forfeit win over Alcorn State, who decided to forgo playing this spring before the season began.

The Delta Devils have struggled in their games this season being outscored an average of 36-14 by their opponents. The rushing game has been steady averaging 153 yards per game but the MVSU passing offense has been nonexistent averaging 125 yards per game.

TSU nearly defeated rival Prairie View A&M before falling at home to Southern. The Tigers offense is averaging 366 yards per game while the defense has struggled against their opponent’s rushing attack allowing 172 yards per game.

Players to Watch: 

MVSU - Jalani Eason, QB, Gr, Los Angeles, Calif.

Jalen Bell, DL, So, Detroit, Mich. (Martin Luther King Jr. HS)

Keonte’ Daniels, DB, Sr, Noxapater, Miss. (East Central CC)

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

Demontario Anderson, DL, Jr, Beeville, Texas (Jones HS)

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

Key to Victory: Winning the turnover battle will be a huge factor in the winner of this contest.

The Devils have had trouble holding onto the football losing 8 of 11 fumbles this spring and are a minus four in turnovers through three games.

Texas Southern has likewise had issues securing the football with six fumbles, three lost, in the Tigers two games. TSU is minus two in the turnover category thus far in the spring.

I think this is the week Clarence McKinney earns his first win as Tigers coach.

Prediction: Texas Southern by 3