SLC Week 3 Preview
UCABEAR (AnyGivenSaturday.com), SLC Contributor | September 17, 2015
Southland Conference Preview: Games for September 19, 2015
Nicholls State at UIW- 2 p.m.
The Colonels (0-1) travel to San Antonio to take on the Cardinals (1-1) of Incarnate Word.
The Colonels fell last week to the University of Louisiana- Monroe 47-0. Nicholls relies on a run heavy game where last week they attempted 44 runs for 159 yards and only 19 passes for 101 yards. Their leading rusher was Michael Henry who rushed 15 times for 78 yards. Leading passer was Tuskani Figero who went 10 for 17 for 101 yards.
Colonel weaknesses: Passing game: 101 yards total (but it is one game)
Colonel strengths: Focus on rushing game may keep the ball out of the opponents hands which may pay off in the conference race.
The Cardinals defeated Texas A&M- Kingsville in week one by 2 points using a pass heavy game. UIW’s loss to McNeese last week by the score of 43-6 reflected the opposite game plan that the Colonels implemented in week one. UIW passed for 215 yards while only rushing for 12 yards. The Cardinals were led in receiving by Cole Wick for 92 yards.
UIW Weakness: 3rd down conversions: 12 of 32 on the year.
UIW Strengths: Tend to score more in the fourth quarter
Predicted outcome: Nicholls should win this game by controlling the clock.
Colonels 35 Cardinals 7
Houston Baptist at Abilene Christian- 6 p.m.
The Wildcats (0-1) will host the Huskies (1-1) this Saturday in Abilene.
The Wildcats rely on a pass heavy offense that has accrued 213 yards thus far this season in their one loss against Fresno State. The rushing game has been unsuccessful only gaining 34 yards on 29 attempts. However the defense had 2 picks for 46 yards that game.
ACU strengths- Good coaching and no fear of going for it on fourth down.
ACU weakness- So far no run game but they did play an FBS team.
The Huskies have played two games this year and have averaged over 30 points a game. The present a well balanced offense with over 400 yards rushing and 400 yards passing on the season. They also aren’t afraid to go for it on fourth down either hitting a 50% in that statistic.
Huskies strength: Balanced offense with strong punt return team. Scores 100% of the time in the red zone.
Huskies weakness: Eats up the clock between the 20s which may lead to disaster if they can’t get into the red zone.
Prediction: The Wildcats take this one fairly easy 42-14
Southeastern La. At Ohio- 1 p.m. Athens, Ohio
The Lions (2-0) travel to Athens to take on FBS Ohio University Bobcats (2-0).
The lions are showing their defense wins games by holding opponents to just 18 points per game. Their offense however is crippled by injury to starting QB D’Shaie Landor. It took a comeback to Florida Tech to keep the undefeated season alive. But impressive was the defense as they took 9 turnovers to defeat the Panthers.
Lion’s strength: Defense. 9 turnovers in one game. Look for more.
Lion’s weakness: No QB to replace the starter. It will be a struggle for their offense and defense can’t keep scoring like they did last game all season.
Ohio- FBS team that has been bowl eligible for the past 6 years. Averages 400 yards rushing and 400 yards passing a game. Only allows 19 points per game by the opposition.
Ohio strengths: More scholarships. Balanced offense. Home game.
Ohio Weaknesses: Poor field goal kicking.
Prediction: With little offense the lions will have their hands full with the bobcats.
Score: Ohio 52 SLU 14
Northwestern State at Mississippi State – 3 p.m. Starkville, Miss.
The Demons (0-2) travel to SEC Mississippi State (1-1) to take on the Bulldogs.
The Demons of Northwestern State are averaging 18 points per game and get 170 yards rushing and 140 yards passing per game. However teams are passing at a clip of over 10 yards per pass against the Demons. Games against SLU and UL-Lafayette are the easiest they’ve seen thus far this year.
Demons strength: Field goals. They are 3/3.
Demons weakness: Passing and rushing defense. Demons offense.
Mississippi State- SEC team that ran with LSU (loss by 2 points) and let the foot off the gas against Southern Mississippi in a HARD hitting game nationally televised last week. The Bulldogs are averaging 124 yards rushing and 286 yards passing per game against their two recent competitors.
Bulldogs strengths: Passing game. Nearly 300 yards per game.
Bulldogs weakness: Low clock time of possession. 24 minutes compared to opponents 36.
Prediction: Mississippi State runs away with this one early.
Score Mississippi State 56 NWST- 7
McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin-Nacogdoches, Texas- 6 p.m.
The Cowboys (1-0) travel to take on the Lumberjacks (0-2) this Saturday for a mark in the conference record. The Cowboys were spared a game against LSU in week one but conference play begins in Nacogdoches against a very hungry Lumberjack team. After defeating the UIW Cardinals 43-6 last week the cowboys offense now presents it’s balanced offense (220 yards rushing, 186 passing) and it’s defense (6 sacks and 200 yards allowed) to a team that struggled last week to get any offense against a top 5 FBS team.
Cowboy Strengths: Defense. Smart reads and quick hits.
Cowboy weakness: After one game the cowboys offense has started slow.
The lumberjacks have struggled so far this year allowing 52 points per game average. The team has averaged about 150 yards rushing and passing per game also. Will starting QB and SLC favorite Zach Conque be able to handle the Cowboy defense? Is he inured and out for the game?
Lumberjack Strength: Over 4 yards per rush. Home game.
Lumberjack Weakness : Defense. Allowing too many points and too many yards so far.
Prediction: McNeese should win this by a few touchdowns. Score Cowboys 42 SFA 28
Lamar at Sam Houston State -Huntsville, Texas- 6 p.m.
The Cardinals (1-1) will travel to take on the Bearkats (0-1) this Saturday.
The Bearkats came off a good game with Texas Tech and amassed over 600 yards of offense. However their defense gave up 28 points in the second quarter which allowed the Red Raiders to pull away enough to let up on the gas. How well the Bearkats play on defense against FCS competition is yet to be seen.
Bearkat strengths: Offense. 600 yards against and FBS team is very noteworthy.
Bearkat weakness: Defense. Gotta say this because TT scored quickly against them.
The Cardinals destroyed Bacone College (as expected) and hung with FBS Baylor through halftime. Cards are hard to read this year. Averaging 48 points per game and allowing 34. They are heavily penalized at nearly 100 per game though. Averaging 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing per game.
Cardinal Strengths: Defense. The cards looked good the other day for a good part of the game against their FBS opponent.
Cardinal Weakness: Not getting a good read on this team because of the extreme opponents they have played. I’d have to say penalties per game.
Prediction. If the Bearkats move up the field like that again the Cardinals will have no chance to stay in this game AT Huntsville.
Score: Bearkats 38 Cardinals 28. (Although I do think it will be greater). This will be a good game for both teams to get a measure of where they are.
Overview: It’s paycheck for some SLC teams and gut check for others. Weather doesn’t appear to be a factor in any of these games and home crowds better show up early in the season because if the slide continues for some of these teams, the crowd sure won’t be there come hunting season.
