After an interesting Week 2 in which perennial Southland bottom dweller Nicholls State almost took out Georgia, McNeese hanging in with Louisiana-Lafayette, and SFA almost falling to D2 West Alabama, I imagine that week 3 will have plenty of drama for the fans. Last week I was atrociously incorrect in my predictions, so let’s see how this week goes.
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Incarnate Word at Nicholls State
So riddle me this: how does Incarnate Word go from losing to D2 Texas A&M-Kingsville at home and go to Turpin Stadium on the road and beat Northwestern State? An improved defense and solid play from quarterback Trent Brittain. The Cardinals travel to the swamp to take on the Colonels in Thibodoux. The Colonels, fresh off of what could have been the biggest upset in FCS history (had they won), are going to be carrying that momentum into this week’s game. I think Nicholls gets their first conference victory of the year 24-21.
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Northwestern State at Central Arkansas
The Demons come in 0-2 after the fore mentioned loss to Incarnate Word and they do not have any sort of positive momentum heading into this game. UCA couldn’t do enough on the stripes last week, losing a close one to Southern Conference foe Samford, but the Bears should right the ship and handle the Demons easily. I look for UCA to win big here, 42-21.
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Stephen F Austin at McNeese State
Oh SFA, how it kills me to root for you sometimes. I was right in my estimate that the Jacks would play down to West Alabama, and it took a last second defensive play in the end zone to save the game . The only highs from that game were defense and special teams, and if Zach Conque cannot improve from last week, it’s time to can the nepotism and have him hold the clipboard. McNeese hung in with Louisiana-Lafayette but just didn’t have enough to get the W. Given the advantage that the Hole gives McNeese, I think they get up early on SFA and never look back. 35-17 McNeese.
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Sam Houston State at Lamar
This is truly the game of the week in the Southland. Last year, Lamar went into Huntsville and shocked the Kats, and I imagine the Kats spent their bye week looking at how to stop Kade Harrington, who is, in my opinion, the best running back in the conference. An interesting tidbit for this game is that Lamar banned the local media from their practices, and it makes me wonder what Lamar has up their sleeve. Even though this is in Beaumont, Sam has too many weapons and takes this 49-17.
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Abilene Christian at Houston Baptist
There isn’t that much to discuss here. ACU lost a barnburner to Northern Colorado and HBU is just awful. ACU wins big 55-7.