Last week was one of the craziest weeks that I have seen in LSC out-of-conference matchup weeks. I probably would have better predictions last week throwing darts at a dartboard and coming up with winners and scores.
However, it did provide for some great football games. Several games came down to the wire for the win or loss: Findlay-Tarleton, WT-CSUP, TAMC-Delta, and Midwestern-Mesa (OT).

Final: WT 31 #2 CSUP 30
thn for the Buffaloes and helped engineer the offense for the team to win the game.

Final: #10 Delta State 51 #18 TX A&M Commerce 44
What do we say about this game? WOW! This game live up to be everything we expected it to be. This came all the way down to the wire. This came down to 1 minute and 9 seconds when Delta State took the lead in the 4th

Final: Findlay 35 Tarleton 34
This was another game that came down to the 4th QTR. The Texans had a phenomenal 2ndthrd QTR.

Final: Midwestern State 16 Colorado Mesa 13 OT


Final: Angelo State 48 Western State (CO) 20
Not much to say about this game, it went pretty much the way we all expected. The all-star running back Ekeler for Western State did not play last week, I believe due to an injury sustained in week 1. I still would have thought the Rams would have won; but, with a closer score margin. Kyle Washington was a beast in this game accounting for 6 TDs (3 pass, 3 rush). Ryan Byrd looked a lot better running the ball, averaging 9.6 yards a carry for 108 total yards. So far, Washington has 10 TDs on the season (5 pass, 5 rush). He is the only player with a rushing TD in the running game. Without Ekeler, the Western State running game was held in check with 47 rushing yards. The Rams defense gave up 383 total yards, better than last week; but, more work is to be done if they want another run at the NCAA playoffs.

Final: ENMU 44 Adams State 30　
In a game that appeared closer than the score, the Greyhounds had a slow first half going against Adams State. They also had a slow start against NMHU. I fully expected this to be more of a one-sided game. In the end, Buurma and company went on to beat the Grizzlies. On the year, ENMU appears to be having more success running the ball than last year (2015: 362.6 per game/2014: 327.5 per game) However, their passing numbers have shifted from last year, so far (2015: 104.5 per game 2014: 142.1 per game) Those pretty much keep them close to last season in terms of offensive production. I am still a little suspect of the defense. They gave up 534 yards to Adams State. This week will be their big test!

Final: TX A&M Kingsville 38 Missouri S&T 20


Tragedies have brought purpose to Tarleton State Football community.


For those that have missed this wonderful story about the tragedies in the Tarleton State Football program can check it out here: http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/tarleton-state-football-tragedies-brought-purpose-cary-fowler-091515

The story is by Reid Forgrave on Fox Sports. This is one of the best, if not the best LSC stories that I may have read to date. If you have not read this story, than you are missing out. Most of you know the tragedies that have plagued the Tarleton State Program. Through adversity and troubled times, this program will continue to press forward.

I will say this:




Week 3 Previews and Predictions:


#12 Angelo State (2-0) v. Bacone (NAIA) (0-2), 7:30 p.m. Kickoff (LSC Festival)

Arlington, TX, AT

What do we know about Bacone? Not much. They play in the same NAIA conference with Wayland Baptist and Texas College. They have played FCS Lamar and FCS TX Southern in their first 2 games and been completely throttled by a scoring margin of 129-3. They have scored a total of 3 points all season playing these 2 teams.
Bacone is a running preferred team; however, their offensive production in both games never exceeded a total of 130 yards, in either game. They are led by QB Trey Seward (140 total passing yards) and RB Roderic Mackey (141 total rushing yards).







Prediction: Angelo State 56 Bacone 14


#22 Texas A&M Commerce (1-1) v. Texas A&M Kingsville (1-1), 7 p.m. Kickoff

Kingsville, TX, Javlina Stadium
Weather: Mostly clear: High: 94 degrees Low: 71 degrees with east wind around 5 to 11 MPH

The battle of the A&Ms will commence on Saturday. This is the only non-LSC Festival game on the slate this week for the LSC.
We have Commerce coming into this game with a heartbreaking loss amongst ranked opponents in the final minutes last week and a Javelina team that earned a convincing win over the Miners of Missouri S&T.







Look for the Lions to get back in the right direction.

Prediction: Texas A&M Commerce 49 Texas A&M Kingsville 24


West Texas A&M (1-1) v. Tarleton State (0-1), 3:30 p.m. Kickoff (LSC Festival)



West Texas A&M is coming off one of their biggest wins under Mike Nesbitt. They came out on tope last week in a heated battle against the Thunderwolves of CSUP. The WT defense held CSUP to a total of 271 yards (173 rushing-98 passing). The Buffalo defense appears to be for real this season with the likes of Hunter Streuling, Ethan Morris, Alex Tucci, Iosia Iosia, LaPear Willrich, Tevin Creeks, RaShawn DuPree just to name a few. The WT Secondary is tied for #3 in the nation in Interceptions (6).
If you take away the Special Teams Return for a TD and 2 Brinkley INTs for TDs, the defense really held the Thunderwolves in check, minus an 80 yard breakoff play for Cameron McDondle.



The Texans will be coming in to this game with a must needed win. They have to be disappointed with the end result last week, after being up on the Oilers. However, this game between the 2 team of WT and TSU have proven to be some great drag out fights amongst LSC opponents. Folwer and company barely edged the Buffaloes last season and they will look to continue their success against the Buffaloes.

On the defense, the Texans should be looking to step-up compared to their performance last week against Findlay and giving up too many yards (500+).
The Texan offense really came on strong last week as they tried to outscore the Oilers in a scoring affair
.


I really felt that the Texan offense looked great last week. They just fell a little short when it came down to the end of the game. The problem is not the offense. The defense really needs to do some work in the Secondary or it will be a game of scoring back and forth amongst all opponents and a race to the end.





Prediction: West Texas A&M 45 Tarleton State 34


Game of the Week: Midwestern State (2-0) v. Eastern New Mexico (2-0), Saturday, 11:30 a.m. Kickoff (LSC Festival)

Arlington, TX AT&T Sta

ENMU and Midwestern State will walk into this game with unblemished records of 2-0. However, that will change after this game, someone will have to go home with an L.

ENMU Head Coach Josh Lynn Interview:

What are your thoughts about your running game this season compared to last year (week 1- 352 yards; week 2-373 yards)?

Coach Lynn: We have done some good things so far. I still do not believe that we ran the ball like we need to. We are currently are still trying to find out the correct formula at fullback. Buurma has done a good job of getting us into the correct plays and distributing the ball.

What will be the offensive and defensive keys to defeating Midwestern State?

Coach Lynn:
1. Who controls the Line of Scrimmage. MSU is physical and well coached on both offensive and defensive fronts.
2. Which team can eliminate big plays defensively.

What would a win over the Mustangs do for ENMU starting your LSC gauntlet schedule with a win?

Coach Lynn: Any win in the LSC is big. MSU would be a great win for us starting the LSC Schedule. It will be a challenging task for the Greyhounds. When you talk about the best programs in our conference and in the nation year in and year out/MSU has to be on that list.

Defensive LB Keylon Hollis has looked really good through 2 games (3 TFLs and 3 sacks). What are your thoughts on his recent play for the defense?

Coach Lynn: Keylon has done a good job for us defensively so far. He has restored a pass rush that we have been missing. I am looking forward to matchups Saturday morning with the very good MSU offensive line.

How excited is your team heading into this game starting LSC play?

Coach Lynn: We are very excited to start conference play. You never know exactly how good you are as a team until you actually start LSC action. The LSC has solid football teams every week.




Midwestern State Head Coach Bill Maskill Interview:

What are your thoughts about your running game and offensive production this season compared to last year (2014:274 rushing yds per game; 2015: 151 rushing yds per game)?

Coach Maskill: Our offense did increase in week 2 compared to week 1. We are having a little les production this year; but, we have a lot of young players. We have several kids playing that are redshirt starts. Our offense is very young and is still growing and maturing. We have also played some good defense.

What will be the offensive and defensive keys to defeating ENMU?

Coach Maskill: We have to move the ball on offense and match score for score with ENMU. Once ENMU gets ahead, they are controlling with the ball and play their game. We have to get their offense out of rhythem. The defense has to create turnovers to win and minimize turnovers on the offense, as well as, eliminating the long runs/big plays.

What would a win over the Greyhounds do for Midwestern starting your LSC schedule?

Coach Maskill: The first LSC game is the most important in my mind. It helps the team going forward with the rest of the season. We need to focus on playing our game of football and do well with our kicking game.

Defensively, Laudermilk and Christian have looked really good through 2 games (5 TFLs and 1 sack). What are your thoughts on their recent play for the defense and the overall play of the defense?

Coach Maskill: Laudermilk and Christian are seniors and are playing their best football since they came to MSU. They play consistently and are aggressive. The Defensive Line is allowing Laudermilk enough time to get free and make some big plays. I feel that the defense can always improve; but, will be looking to play well this week.

The unsung hero Kicker Alkazshvilly, what are your thoughts about his kicking and helping the team win in overtime?

Coach Maskill: Andy A., as I like to call him had a great summer and just got nothing but better. His overall fundamentals are better and he is kicking more consistently this year and that is exactly what we need.

How excited is your team heading into this game starting LSC play?

Coach Maskill: We were anxious last week but had a wonderful trip going to Grand Junction, CO. The team is excited to play at Cowboys Stadium We are glad this game is here and we are anxious to get started.

This game comes down to a defensive struggle between Midwestern State and ENMU. However, I am a little concerned with the lack of production in the Midwestern offense. They have really dropped off some this season and they will need a lot of firepower to put this game away. Offensively for ENMU, they have been playing great with a little lack of passing; however, they do run a triple option.

Concluding Thoughts: I think that this will be a tight game and come down to if Midwestern can jump out to an early lead. They will need to force ENMU to change up their offensive game plan and try and make the Hounds try and come back.

Prediction: Midwestern State 28 ENMU 27
Attached Files