This week there are several good matchups in the GAC. Expect rivalry week to be filled with barn burners.

Southwest Baptist (3-7) at Southern Nazarene (0-10)
Southwest Baptist
Southern Nazarene
ThoughtsToss up, lean Southwest Baptist


The Blood Rivarly: Northwestern Oklahoma (2-7) at Southwestern Oklahoma (3-6)
Northwestern Oklahoma
Southwestern Oklahoma
Thoughts: Usually a game starring two anemic offenses against two good defenses equals defensive battle. It would be a surprise if this game turned into an offensive shootout. Expect a hard fought defensive struggle. This game will likely come down to turnovers and whichever offense consistently has a shorter field to work with.

Given that the game is in Weatherford, edge to SWOSU.
Toss up, lean Southwestern Oklahoma


The Great American Classic: Southeastern Oklahoma (6-4, 5-4) at East Central (6-3)
Southeastern Oklahoma
East Central
Thoughts: SOSU literally had the win slip through their hands last season, you can bet they are determined to win in Ada this year and bring home the new trophy. ECU will play extra tough with the festive atmosphere from both the rivalry and ceremonies related to the official renaming of their stadium. Expect a barn burner in Ada, but given the game is in Ada and the special atmosphere, the edge goes to East Central.
Lean East Central


Arkansas Tech: The defense has been outstanding this year, jumping up from being the seventh best last year to being the third best this year. It has been the defense combined with great return game in special teams that have kept ATU in games all season long. Offense has been an issue this year. The Wonder Boys have shown they can put together drives, but have had problems finishing those drives with scores.

Harding: HU does three things really well: defense, running the ball thus maintaining possession for long stretches of time and scoring touchdowns. All season long HU has been great at making adjustments on both sides of the ball, particularly at halftime. Most opponents have only been able to produce any offensive output in the first half before the Bisons shut them down.

ThoughtsLean Harding


Battle of the Timberland: Southern Arkansas (4-5) at Arkansas-Monticello (2-7)
Southern Arkansas: SAU is a 4-5 team that is better than their record would indicate, due to their high powered offense. The only game the Muleriders were never really in from start to finish was the game against HU. The biggest bane this year for SAU has been mistakes and miscues at critical moments in games, particularly in games where the Muleriders had a chance to get the win. Offensively, SAU is capable of racking up yards and can put points on the board, however, the pass blocking has been suspect at times forcing the quarterback to buy time or take off with the ball. The run game, while solid, has not had the go-to back the Muleriders had the past few years. Defensively, the NWOSU and ATU games were the only games in which the opposing team did not post more than three scores on the Muleriders.

Arkansas-Monticello: UAM is a 2-7 team whose games against the three GAC heavyweights were the only games that were not close from start to finish. Offensively, UAM has had a good passing game, but the lack of good run blocking has stunted the run game, even with one of the better physical running backs lining up in the Boll Weevil backfield. Defensively, UAM is great at pass coverage, but the lack of a good pass rush and the inability to stop the run this season have cost the Boll Weevils at critical moments in a few games.

Thoughts: SAU has won the last three meetings. The last two weeks both teams have played HSU and OBU, SAU has played both close, UAM has been blown out by both. However, common opponents can be misleading, especially when talking rivalry games that have a history with both pride and a trophy at stake. UAM will play SAU tough, but unless UAM can force turnovers out of SAU, the Muleriders likely make it four in a row against the Boll Weevils.
Southern Arkansas


Battle of the Ravine

Ouachita Baptist (9-0) at Henderson State (9-1, 8-1)
rd Down Conversion Offense: 47.3% 3rd Down Conversion Defense: 35.8%
Sacks Against: 10 Sacks By: 32
rd Down Conversion Offense: 41.3% 3rd Down Conversion Defense: 38.3%
Sacks Against: 12 Sacks By: 19
+ 14 + 5
Background



::
Keys Summary
  1. Turnovers
  2. Explosive plays
  3. Three-and-outs
  4. Special teams


Thoughts
: Toss up, lean Ouachita Baptist



: 5-0
Season Record to date: 46-7

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