No. 16 Texas A&M-Kingsville at UTPB

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa

Broadcast: Lone Star Conference Digital Network

The Matchup: The venerable Ratliff Stadium has seen its share of heated high school contests since opening in 1982. On Saturday night, collegiate athletes will provide the spiciness when the Javelinas visit the Falcons.

The bad blood between these programs began at the Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl in Corsicana last December when UTPB head coach Kris McCullough was at East Central. The Tigers dominated the Javelinas on the field, but sources indicated the action off the field was intense leading up to the game.

The feud escalated during the summer when allegations of NCAA violations were reportedly made to the LSC office. According to sources, UTPB believes the Javelinas coaching staff was behind the claims of a minor offense. McCullough seemingly referenced the bad blood with a Sunday morning tweet that read ‘IT’S PERSONAL’ with all caps and two exclamation marks on each side.

The action on the field will be intriguing as well on Saturday. The Falcons have averaged 62.5 points per game this season, including 74.3 points in their three victories. UTPB scored 41 points in an overtime victory against a solid West Texas A&M defense last week. 

The Texas A&M-Kingsville defense has been stout in three games this year. The Javelinas have allowed 36 points total and are holding the opposition to 2.1 yards per rush attempt while intercepting eight passes. 

X-Factor: The matchup between UTPB’s prolific offense and the Javelinas formidable defense is undoubtedly worth the price of admission. However, the key to winning this game will be decided by the most disciplined team.

Emotions will be at a fever pitch before the teams take the field. Players and coaches will need to control their tempers during a game that is almost certain to be highly chippy. The team able to harness their emotions and avoid unnecessary personal foul penalties will have an edge in this game.

Prediction: UTPB by 3

Best of the Rest:

Tarleton at Southeastern Louisiana

When: 3 p.m. Saturday at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, La.
Broadcast: ESPN+
Prediction: Tarleton by 7

Howard Payne at No. 19 Hardin-Simmons

When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Shelton Stadium in Abilene
Broadcast: HSUAthletics.com
Prediction: HSU by 5

No. 7 Trinity at Berry

When: Noon Saturday at Valhalla Williams Field in Mount Berry, Ga.
Broadcast: BerryVikings.com
Prediction: Trinity by 10

Other Texas Non-FBS Games:

Saturday, September 30

NCAA FCS

Lincoln (Calif.) at Texas Southern, 2 p.m.

Lamar at Houston Christian, 6 p.m.

Prairie View A&M vs Grambling, 6 p.m.

Texas A&M-Commerce at Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m.

Abilene Christian at North Texas, 6 p.m.

NCAA DII

Angelo State at Eastern New Mexico, 6 p.m.

Western Oregon at West Texas A&M, 7 p.m.

NCAA DIII

Lyon at McMurry, 1 p.m.

Texas Lutheran at Sul Ross State, 1 p.m.

Southwestern at Rhodes, 2 p.m.

Austin College at East Texas Baptist, 6 p.m.

NAIA

Texas Wesleyan at Arkansas Baptist, 2:30 p.m.

Langston at SAGU, 4 p.m.

Texas College at North American, 6 p.m.

Wayland Baptist at Ottawa (Ariz.), 9 p.m.

NJCAA

Kilgore at Cisco, 3 p.m.

Blinn at Navarro, 4 p.m.

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at Tyler, 5 p.m.