Note: All predictions are from MasseyRatings.com

West Texas A&M at Midwestern State

When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls

Broadcast: LSC Digital Network

The Matchup: Two long-time rivals will meet at Memorial Stadium Saturday night, fighting for their playoff lives. West Texas A&M enters with a 3-2 record, and both of the Buffs losses have been against two of the better teams in the Lone Star Conference.

WT earned a much-needed confidence boost last week with a 28-27 victory over UTPB at home. The Buffs have had issues taking care of the football this year, with eight turnovers in their losses to Texas A&M-Kingsville and Angelo State.

On the opposite side of the spectrum is Midwestern State, which has struggled against average competition. Execution has been the Mustangs biggest problem this year and has allowed eight scoring plays of more than 20 yards, including four touchdown passes of greater than 50 yards.

X-Factor: Turnovers are the biggest reason WT is facing playoff elimination with another loss. The Buffs had six turnovers in a 31-24 home loss to the Javelinas and face an opportunistic MSU defense that has forced 11 turnovers this year. 

Prediction: The Buffs hold a 19-15 edge against MSU and have won two games in a row and three of their last five against the Mustangs. However, MSU has won five of the last six meetings at home, but the Mustangs have already had struggles at home this year, and the Buffs take advantage of a suspect secondary with the Nick Gerber and Noah Bogardus connection.

MSU by 1

Best of the Rest:

Southern at Prairie View A&M

When: 4 p.m. Saturday at Blackshear Field in Prairie View

Broadcast: ESPN+

The Matchup: This is a super intriguing contest as Eric Dooley brings his Southern Jaguars to his old stomping grounds at “The Hill” to meet Prairie View A&M and head coach Bubba McDowell. Dooley is in his first season at Southern after leading PVAMU to a 16-8 record in Southwestern Athletic Conference play during his four years with the Panthers.

Prediction: PVAMU by 3

 

Abilene Christian at No. 22 Stephen F. Austin

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches

Broadcast: ESPN+

The Matchup: It’s time to find out about how improved Abilene Christian is in its first season under Keith Patterson. The Wildcats have a 4-1 record but will take a large jump in difficulty this week against a Stephen F. Austin squad seeking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss in the Battle of the Piney Woods.

Prediction: SFA by 4

 

SAGU at No. 23 Texas Wesleyan

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Farrington Field in Fort Worth

Broadcast: RamSports.net

The Matchup: The SAGU defense has been outstanding in Greg Ellis’ first season as head coach. The Lions have held two of the more explosive offenses in the Sooner Athletic Conference well below their season averages. However, Texas Wesleyan must feel a new sense of life after Ottawa (Ariz.) was defeated last week, leaving the SAC title still within reach.

Prediction: Texas Wesleyan by 17

 

Other Small College Games:

Texas Southern at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: UAPBLionsRoar.com

Prediction: TSU by 7

 

Texas A&M-Commerce at No. 20 Southeastern La.

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: ESPN+

Prediction: SLU by 17

 

Lamar at No. 11 UIW

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: ESPN+

Prediction: UIW by 24

 

Nicholls at Houston Christian

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: ESPN+

Prediction: Nicholls by 3

 

Tarleton at Southern Utah

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: ESPN+

Prediction: Southern Utah by 5

 

Eastern New Mexico at No. 3 Angelo State

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: LSC Network

Prediction: Angelo State by 31

 

Simon Fraser at UTPB

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: LSC Network

Prediction: UTPB by 28

 

Western New Mexico at No. 22 Texas A&M-Kingsville

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: LSC Network

Prediction: A&M-Kingsville by 11

 

Texas Lutheran at Austin College

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: N/A

Prediction: TLU by 14

 

Sul Ross State at No. 10 Hardin-Simmons

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: HSUAthletics.com

Prediction: HSU by 29

 

McMurry at Howard Payne

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: HPUSports.com

Prediction: HPU by 20

 

No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor at East Texas Baptist

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: GoETBUTigers.com

Prediction: UMHB by 31

 

Birmingham Southern at No. 5 Trinity

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: Trinity Tigers YouTube channel

Prediction: Trinity by 10

 

Wayland Baptist at Oklahoma Panhandle State

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: N/A

Prediction: OPSU by 4

 

Texas College at Ottawa (Ariz.)

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: OUAZSpirit.com/watch

Prediction: OUAZ by 43

 

Cisco at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

When: Noon Saturday

Broadcast: NEOAthletics.com

Prediction: Cisco by 3

 

Tyler at No. 1 New Mexico Military Institute

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: ESPN+

Prediction: NMMI by 8

 

Blinn at No. 14 Trinity Valley

When: 3 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: SHN Sports

Prediction: TVCC by 10

 

Resolution Prep at No. 8 Navarro

When: 3 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: Navarro Sports YouTube

Prediction: No prediction given