After a warm up week featuring just one win in four games by LSC teams, the conference's
big dogs will be unleashed beginning Thursday night.
I remember thinking last year that opening week would put the LSC in the spotlight with a
number of high-profile games, but this week looks even bigger. Rare is the week when
conference teams visit three top 10 opponents. With the added exposure of having had four
playoff teams - that's right FOUR deserving clubs, all from the seven-team LSC South -
last fall, it's safe to say a lot of eyes will be on the league this week.
The LSC is being covered in the media like never before, so I'll spare you a repeat of
all the details concerning the pending change in conference membership, and I also won't
waste time or space writing skinnies on each team.
What I will share are a handful of things I'll be keeping a close eye on as the season
and things I feel you should watch closely as well:
1. The final season of crossover games with Oklahoma schools - You know the story,
they're leaving. That's as far as I'll go into that. It will be interesting seeing some
of the Oklahoma schools for the final time in a conference-game setting. I have a feeling
that with the exception of Incarnate Word, the Texas schools will again dominate the
Oklahoma schools, giving a few of them one final reminder why they are running from the
league to begin with.
2. The progress at Incarnate Word - Without knowing much about UIW or anything at all
about Langston, I picked the Cardinals to win the opener simply based on the fact that it
was close last year and I thought they would have progressed more than Langston since
their last meeting. Langston won, but I'm still watching UIW's situation closely. Anyone
who was at LSC Media Day in San Antonio saw first-hand that the funding and
administrative support is in place for the Cardinals to quickly make up ground in the
LSC. But quickly in these terms likely means 5-7 years, not 1-2.
3. The Battle in the South - Obviously if I was putting these in order from top-to-bottom
this would be first on my list. Some teams are farther ahead than others at this point in
the season, but NOBODY actually KNOWS how the South will come out, and that's the best
thing about it. The league is so deep and strong that it's possible the fifth and sixth
best teams are among the top 30-40 in the nation (if not higher). Right now, I believe at
least five are among the top 20 or so. Last year, the South featured a four-way tie at
the top, and I don't believe anyone would be shocked to see a split again this year.
4. The only new head coach in the league - Cary Fowler was long overdue to get a head
coaching spot in this league. He has been an AFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year,
and has long been respected as a solid defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
But now he moves from top assistant to head coach at Tarleton State, where he's made bold
promises to compete for the national championship. It will be interesting to see how
Fowler does in his opening year.
5. NFL prospects - Has the LSC ever had this many NFL prospects? Everybody in the South
claims to have at least one or two. Heck, even North Division newbie Eastern New Mexico
has a pair, including one in Jesse Poku that I believe is a no brainer for "The League."
I love sitting around on Draft weekend with all my friends watching for guys from places
like Texas and Oklahoma, and I'm waiting for someone from Abilene Christian, Texas
A&M-Kingsville, West Texas A&M, etc... to get picked (or at least signed).
6. Out of conference games - No doubt, the result of Thursday's games between WT and
Grand Valley, TAMK and Northwest Missouri and ACU and Washburn are going to have some
lasting effect when regional polls start being released later in the season. The TAMK
game is the biggest, because not only is it against a defending national champion, but
like ACU-Washburn, it's an intra-regional showdown.
8. The media coverage of the league - More newspaper stories are being printed, there's
more radio and Internet coverage and television is something that is no longer a surprise
around league events. I love being able to find LSC news at the drop of a hat, and can't
wait to see how that coverage continues to expand, especially with the addition of
Incarnate Word in the middle of the media hot bed that is San Antonio (The San Antonio
paper was named best in Texas during the 2009 Texas Press Association convention, by the
way).
There's plenty more worth keeping an eye on, but these are the main ones that have my
attention.
As for games, you already know there are some big ones this week. Here's how I see them
playing out:
Texas A&M-Kingsville at Northwest Missouri State
6 p.m. Thursday
Everyone talks about Abilene Christian needing more consistent play at QB, but with a new
starter at Texas A&M-Kingsville, I think that could also be the key to the season for the
Javelinas. They certainly appear to be loaded everywhere else. Running back, check.
Trenches (both sides), check. Wide receiver, double check.
But for all the Javelinas have talent-wise, winning this one still seems to be a stretch.
TAMUK was nowhere close to the same team on the road as at home last year, and it just so
happens that NWMSU is defending national champions with a boat load of experience
returning.
Thursday will be a learning experience for the Javs. They will find their true strengths
and will have weaknesses exposed early enough to work on them before conference play,
when I believe they will be a true force.
Northwest wins it, 31-21
West Texas A&M at Grand Valley State
7 p.m. Thursday
National TV, local TV, national rankings, the list goes on...
This game is big for several reasons. Mainly, it gives the Buffs national recognition on
a stage where they will have the opportunity to prove they are truly ready to compete for
a national championship.
I know the Buffaloes brought in a lot of talent, and I believe they will be every bit as
good as GV from a physical standpoint.
But wouldn't we all like to see WT survive a tough game without Keithon Flemming before
we go anointing the Buffs as absolutely the team to beat in the league? I know I would.
That's not to say they can't move forward without Flemming, it just means they won't have
proven it until they do it. I think they can and will, but GV is a big-time force playing
at home, and I'm going to take the Lakers in a close one. Don't be surprised, however, if
the Buffs pull off the upset.
Grand Valley, 27-24
Abilene Christian at Washburn
6 p.m. Saturday
Here's another match up of top 10 teams, and, in my opinion, the LSC's best chance at a
victory in one of those three games.
Washburn does have a couple big intangible advantages - they've been in a game before and
they are playing at home.
Other than that, I don't see a lot that doesn't lean in ACU's favor. Yes, the Wildcats
need to be more consistent at quarterback. But even without Reggie Brown, the running
back position looks good, they're big and beefy up front and have speedy play makers
outside.
And defense? ACU should be downright nasty on that side of the ball with so much
returning, including South Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Aston
Whiteside.
Washburn struggled with Colorado School of Mines, and I just don't see them moving the
ball effectively enough to top the Wildcats.
Abilene Christian, 20-14
Northeastern State at Tarleton State
7 p.m. Thursday
Tarleton is probably more ready than any school for the off-season/preseason to end and
games to begin. Since being eliminated from the playoffs by Central Washington in round
two, the Texans have been through not just a head coaching change, but the death of
player due to a brain injury suffered during a spring practice.
If there's anything Cary Fowler knows he can do besides coach defense, it's recruit. He
was recruiting coordinator at Midwestern State and Tarleton for the last nine years. He's
brought in plenty of physical talent and now must show he's brought everyone together as
one unit.
Northeastern has struggled mightily in recent seasons, and is looking to turn the corner.
The Riverhawks almost upset the Texans last year, falling 6-0 at home.
Things will be different on the road for NSU this year, not different in the win-loss
column, but on the scoreboard.
Nick Stephens appears ready for a big season at quarterback, and the Texan defense looks
faster than ever before.
Tarleton, 31-10
Eastern New Mexico at Angelo State
6 p.m. Saturday
Seven touchdown passes, Wes Wood, really?
Eastern is now in its third season of running its uptempo spread offense, and already has
a new quarterback putting up crazy numbers.
The Greyhounds have some legit talent sprinkled around the field this fall, so there's
more to prepare for than just a fast-action gimmick passing attack (which in itself is
very difficult to be ready for with just one week's preparation).
But the Hounds played Southern Nazarene, and I'm quite sure that's a team Angelo State
could blow out by a similar margin. This week, the level of competition jumps by leaps
and bounds.
ASU has Josh Neiswander, one of several LSC standout QBs, and claims to have improved its
rushing attack. If that's the case, the Rams should join the ranks of the league's
top-tier offenses.
Eastern may have moved to the North, but for the morale of the entire athletic program
needs desperately to defeat a South Division foe. This game gives them a chance, but
Angelo is at home, and has a lot to prove itself after being picked to finish sixth in
the brutally tough league.
I'm going to go with the Rams, but only by the slimmest of margins. Whoever wins, I won't
be surprised. This should be a fun one to see play out.
Angelo State, 38-35
Upper Iowa at Texas A&M-Commerce
6 p.m. Saturday
The good news for Upper Iowa is they won two of their last three games last season. The
bad news is that those wins didn't come until after a seven-game losing streak. They also
won their opener and went 3-8.
Here's more bad news for the Iowans. Right when they get off the bus Saturday they are
going to be way out of their comfort zone. Heat, and therefore depth, should definitely
have an impact on a team coming from much cooler temperatures.
There's lots of good news for TAMUC, starting with the return of Adam Farkes after
leading the Lions to the LSC North title in head coach Guy Morris' first year.
Morris' program will progress farther this fall, beginning with an easy win on Saturday.
Texas A&M-Commerce 35, Upper Iowa 17
East Central at Fort Hays State
7 p.m. Saturday
As losses continued to pile up last fall, East Central joined fellow North Division
cellar-dwellar Southwestern Oklahoma as being the punch line to a lot of bad jokes.
But, all things considered, it appears the Tigers have brought in a good recruiting class
and are looking to move forward. Moving to the new conference of Oklahoma and Arkansas
schools will certainly help, but not until next year.
For now, the Tigers will still be behind Fort Hays, which many believe will make a jump
in the MIAA this fall. FHSU is also playing at home, another advantage.
Fort Hays, 35-16
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