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
This article is available to our Digital Subscribers.
Click "Subscribe Now" to see a list of subscription offers.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In to access this content.