I had a 2-2 week and missed out on the WT-ENMUand TSU-ASU games this week. I move up to 29-11 (72.5%) on the season. I hopefully will end better than last week. There are several one-sided games this week that should help.

　
Week 10 Previews and Predictions:

　
McMurry (2-6) v. West Texas A&M (5-4), Saturday, 6 p.m. Kickoff
Canyon, TXKimbrough Memorial Stadium

I thought deep down that last week could be a letdown for the Buffs and it was. Records go out the door in the Wagon Wheel game. And in WT's case, you just don't know what team is going to show up each week. However, the rough week that the team had seemed to take a toll, in addition to having several key players out. The staff stated that the weekly events did not effect their game. I may disagree with that because the team struggled all game, while ENMU was in the driver's seat the whole time and could not be stopped. It didn't help not having Watson and Jones and several other big time players on the field. It appears that the wheels have fallen off the team. The Dustin Vaughan days are definitely over.

On the other side of the ball, McMurry has had an injury at the QB position. McHugh has gone down and now the offense is riding on the shoulder's of a new freshman QB. The team subbed out several last week and got blasted by TAMC 91 to 13. Ouch! I will hand it to WR Jeret Smith, he is a true game-changer and beast at the wide receiver position. He should have a good chance at being the Wide Receiver of the Year in the LSC. He has a real knack at finding the ball in the open field and running great routes. He has accumulated 1,011 yards and still has 2 games to go. He is averaging 126.38 yards per game. Definitely one of the top in the LSC.

With all the QB troubles that the Warhawks are having, I suspect that WT will win this game with ease. It is hard to rebound after being throttled last week. WT by 3 plus TDs.

Prediction: West Texas A&M 52 McMurry17
　

Texas A&M Kingsville (1-8) v. Eastern New Mexico (5-4), 7 p.m. Kickoff
Portales, NM Blackwater Draw

The Javlinas are still in a downward spiral. They could only get a single TD against Midwestern and will need to play well against another run dominant team in ENMU. The offense has struggled all year in trying to score points and it continues to keep them down. The most point that they have scored in any game is 31 points. They are averaging a marginal 16.11 points per game, while their opponents average 43.00 points per game against them. The team has some decent yardage but just too many inconsistencies.

ENMU keeps the Wagon Wheel for another year, which is probably talked about more than how their season record is amongst Hound fans. I know that Coach Lynn gets more compliments or discussions about the Wagon Wheel than probably more obvious discussions than a fan would think. Kudos for the Hounds on executing very well against WT last week and really dominating every facet of the game (S/T. defense, offense). They certainly proved that they are a very good time-consuming offense and stay on the field for long periods of time.

The game against Kingsville earlier in the season was closer than I anticipated with only a 31 to 0 margin. I expect this game to be similar to the game earlier in the season by the Hounds may put some more points up and I expect the Javelinas to score this time.

Prediction: ENMU 35 Texas A&M Kingsville 7
　

Game of the Week I: Midwestern State (6-2) v. Angelo State (6-2), 7 p.m. Kickoff
San Angelo, TX LeGrand Stadium

The Mustangs have a chance to avenge a loss that they had earlier in the season to the Angelo Rams. The Mustangs played the Rams a little over a month ago in the Falls and Angelo walked out with a 14 point victory. The Mustangs will have a little something to say about last game. The things that we can see from the Mustangs are: lots of running plays, good defense, and Maskill strategory (not sure if that's a word but it's what I'm going with). The Mustangs upset the Lions a couple of weeks ago in OT and will hope to turn the tides against the Rams. Am I the only that ever wonders how Maskill has a very good team each and every year? I expect some good play from the Stangs.

Maskill has been using multiple QBs and I expect this week to continue that trend. He will be using Jake Glover, Quade Coward and Hutchinson. Their passing hasn't been amazing but they have seemed to squeek by with enough to get the job done. I have seen past MSU teams that had more success in the pass but all you need is a successful formula and game plan to win each and every week. They have had plenty of success in scoring points in different ways and that is all that matters (26 rushing TDs, 13 passing TDs).

The Rams have played some great football through the end of the season. They had an early letdown against WT and could not bring home against a TAMC game that was in their hands the whole way and could not come through. They have won several games by close margins, just like they did last week in the final 31 seconds against a good Texan team in Tarleton State.

Kyle Washington and company will need to buckle down their chinstraps down this week to take on a hard and determined Midwestern team that wants to prove that they are better than when they last played. Last go around with the Stangs, Kyle Washington had his way with Midwestern by rushing for 250 yards and passing for 3 TDs. They will need to have success early and often and get ahead first in this game. Teams like MSU and ENMU are teams that you don't want to get behind early because they can have long time-consuming drives that can eat away at a game.

The Rams still have a possibility at making the playoffs. They absolutely have to win out to even have a shot. If they can win out, I will put my stock into them making the playoffs and being in the top 8 of the regional rankings. However, this is all moot if they don't win. I would say that the Mustangs might have a chance as well but they are not in the top 10, I expect they are either 11 or 12.
What happens in this game? My thoughts are that the records are out the door and we have another battle to the bitter end. Maskill and Wagner will throw everything in this one, as neither team can afford a loss. They are battling for the NCAA playoffs and all bets are off. I call a toss-up.

With this game being in Angelo, I will give a small advantage to the Rams...Hold on to your seat in this one and see everything left on the field...Rams make a statement.

Prediction: Angelo State 41 Midwestern State 38
　

Game of the Week II: Tarleton State (4-4) v. Texas A&M Commerce (7-2), 4 p.m. Kickoff
Commerce, TX Memorial Stadium

The Texans solidified their place in the LSC playoffs by their rebounded second half of the season. They had a letdown last week in the final seconds to the Rams but fought hard throughout. The Texans have had some injuries as of late and look for Woerner to probably get the start at the QB position.

The Texans had the opportunity to upset the Rams and just fell short in a game that had 3 turnovers against the Rams. However, the Texans had some key injuries happen and just could not seal the deal.

This team has had its ups and downs all season, they will probably continue this week against a very good Commerce team that blasted them a little over a month ago with a 53 to 25 loss in October. Coach Fowler will need to rally this team on another difficult road trip to Commerce, TX. The worst loss on the season for the Texans, comes at the hands of the Lions.

The Commerce Lions won their first LSC title since 1990. They have some things to be proud of by accomplishing that tall order. Does anyone remember their record 2 seasons ago? I believe it was 1-9. What a miraculous turnaround. It is a very difficult task to reboot a struggling program compared to starting up a new football program. That is why I used the word: miraculous.

These Lions have had some great games this season and can solidify their ticket to the NCAA playoffs by simply winning out. Wait. Did I say simply? I meant to say that they have to win out and it will be a gauntlet playing 2 teams for the second time that have good records and a statement to make. Can they do it? Yes. They really need to get some players back as they have suffered some injury problems on both sides of the ball. Here is one thing that they can do: score points. The biggest challenge will be trying to stop other teams. They will probably need to outscore to win the last two games and stay ahead on the scoreboard.

I think the Texans will have a similar game as last time with the Lions, the woes of having some key injuries will not help. Overall, I think the talent level and athleticism is on the side of Commerce. I expect Commerce to come ready to play, especially with knowing their own fate. The Lions win and have one game to go with NCAA playoff implications on the line...

Prediction: Texas A&M Commerce 48 Tarleton State 35