Angelo State at West Texas A&M

When: 7 p.m. Saturday at J Ferg Field at Buffalo Stadium in Canyon, Texas

Broadcast: Lone Star Conference Digital Network ($)

The Matchup: This game between Lone Star Conference rivals is quietly becoming one of the best rivalries in Texas.

West Texas A&M has a 12-11 advantage in the overall series against Angelo State dating back to 1999. The teams have split the last four meetings, with the average margin of victory being seven points in those contests.

This year’s edition has profound implications.

This week, a loss for either team will significantly dampen their chance at an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Conversely, the team that wins will keep alive its hopes of at least a share of the LSC title.

ASU enters on a two-game win streak following a home loss to then No. 20 Midwestern State. The Rams needed a last second victory to defeat Central Washington before quickly dispatching Western New Mexico last week.

WT is seeking to end a two-game slide. This year, the Buffs have lost both of their road games and narrowly lost at home to No. 5 Colorado School of Mines two weeks ago. 

This game will also feature some of the best smash-mouth football available this weekend. Both teams play tough and physical defense, and each offense is predicated on establishing the running game.

If you’re looking for an old school football game, then watch this one on Saturday night.

Players to Watch: 

Angelo State

Nathaniel Omayebu III, RB, Soph, Sherman, Texas (Sherman HS)

Kyle Hunter, LB, Sr, Wichita Falls, Texas (Rider HS)

Daron Allman, OLB, Soph, Killeen, Texas (Shoemaker HS)

West Texas A&M

Khalil Harris, RB, Soph, Frisco, Texas (Heritage HS)

Nick Gerber, QB, Sr, Levelland, Texas (Texas Tech)

JT Cavender, LB, Fr, Midlothian, Texas (Midlothian HS)

Key to Victory: I mentioned above that both teams begin each game intending to establish the running game, which makes winning the line of scrimmage critical for both teams.

This year, WT has been outstanding in its rushing attack, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt and scoring 17 touchdowns on the ground. However, ASU is terrific at stopping the run allowing a measly 1.8 yards per attempt and 57.4 rushing yards per game.

The Rams offense has performed well in the running game this year, averaging five yards per attempt and scoring 12 rushing touchdowns, while the Buffs defense is allowing 3.2 yards per attempt and 113.8 yards per game.

Prediction: This game is nearly certain to finish with under 45 combined points. That’s the best prediction I have for this game. This is because they are so evenly matched. However, Dave Campbell’s doesn’t pay me to chicken out of a prediction.

WT has struggled with turnovers at times this year. That will make the difference in a brutal affair.

Angelo State by 3

Best of the Rest:

Saturday, Oct. 9

SFA at No. 22 Jacksonville State, 3 p.m., ESPN+

Centre at Trinity, 1:30 p.m., TrinityTigers.com

Other Small College Games:

Saturday, Oct. 9

NCAA FCS

Lamar at No. 1 Sam Houston, 2 p.m., ESPN+

Southern vs Texas Southern in Arlington, Texas, 4 p.m.

Northwestern State at Houston Baptist, 6 p.m., ESPN+

Abilene Christian at Eastern Kentucky, 6 p.m., ESPN+

NCAA Division II

Saginaw Valley State at Texas A&M-Commerce, 4 p.m., LSC Network

Lincoln (Calif) at UT Permian Basin, 6 p.m., LSC Network

Texas A&M-Kingsville at No. 20 Midwestern State, 7 p.m., LSC Network

NCAA Division III

North American at Sul Ross (Exhibition), 4 p.m., SRLobos.com

NAIA

Texas Wesleyan at SAGU, 2 p.m., SAGU Sports Net

Oklahoma Panhandle State at Wayland Baptist, 2 p.m., WBUAthletics.com

No. 11 Ottawa (Ariz) at Texas College, 7:30 p.m.

NJCAA

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at Tyler, 11 a.m., ApacheAthletics.com

Blinn vs Navarro in Midlothian, Texas, 3 p.m.

No. 15 Kilgore at Cisco, 3 p.m.