I think my brain is still hurting from Week 5 and I may have gone a little cross-eyed after another surprising week of performance from these LSC Football teams. I believe that I may have to reassess my analysis of the WTAMU Buffaloes as I have only correctly predicted 2 games out of 5. Additionally, I never would have thought that the Angelo State Rams could bring in their 3rd string quarterback (Carsen Cook) and have the type of success that they had against a hot Texas A&M Kingsville team. That is going up to the top of my list on strange and odd things in the 2016 Football Season. It says a lot about how much a QB in the Lone Star Conference is critical to a football team and the world of difference that it can make from one game to the next.

The Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas have not won a LSC conference game since November of 2012. Nevertheless, the Javelinas have lost 3 straight LSC Conference games this season by a combined total of 5 points (less than a touchdown). I truly believed that trend would have ended last week; however, ASU Coach Will Wagner had a different thought in his mind. The Javs had some costly fumbles at the most inopportune time last week that left Kingsville fans shaking their heads. The Rams drove the length of the field during mid to late in the 4th

Week 6 Previews and Predictions:



Western New Mexico (2-3) v. Tarleton State (2-3), 7 p.m. Kickoff

Stephenville, TX

Western New Mexico has really come on strong over the last 3 weeks. It clearly was shown when they played MSU last week and just had a case of some unfortunate opportunities and could not overcome the late game woes. The WNMU Mustangs did compile 467 total offensive yards on MSU, which was shocking to me. They outgained MSU by around 75 yards. If I had to say that the LSC had an underestimated team, I would call that team the WNMU Mustangs. I would not be surprised at all if the Mustangs beat Tarleton State this week. This will not be a pushover opponent for the Texans. The tandem of QB-WR between Javia Hall and Wideout Xavier Ayers may be tops in Division 2 Football. Ayers leads the LSC in receiving yards with 556 yards and 7 TDs.





Prediction: Tarleton State 40 WNMU 36


Oklahoma Panhandle State (1-4) v. Angelo State (2-3), 6 p.m. Kickoff
San Angelo, TX

Who saw these Rams coming out of nowhere to knock off Texas A&M Kingsville, not I.

Like the WT Buffaloes, I have struggled gauging Angelo State. I have certainly no issues with stating that. They appear to have found a quality QB to finally get behind as they move forward. QB Carsen Cook (14-28 passing last week) along with the help of RB Josh Stevens and some confidence got the Rams back on the road to winning last week. Well, it is a new week and they have a very favorable chance to make it 2 in a row against a struggling OPSU team that is trying to have increased offensive production. The Rams did just enough to bring down the Javelinas. Now, they get a home contest and await the arrival of the Aggies. The Ram defense is still having their woes; but, the secondary has limited teams to 168 yards per game; a very difficult challenge in the LSC.

The Aggies had a difficult time last week, scoring on the Commerce Lions. It took the 2nd half for them to finally get on the scoreboard and they held the Lions completely scoreless in the 2nd half. QB Shane Truelove continues to be the life source of the Aggies offense. It seems at times that he tries to do too much, which will result in a sack or two. RB Rod Moore has looked good on the season and has been looked to for 76 rushing attempts with 356 rushing yards. Like several other LSC defenses, the Aggies defense has struggled in the secondary the most with 1,551 passing yards and 949 rushing yards. Overall, the defense has been the component that has lead to their team win-loss record.



Prediction: Angelo State 38 OPSU 31


Eastern New Mexico (3-2) v. UT-Permian Basin (2-3), 7 p.m. Kickoff

Odessa, TX




Game Analysis: The Falcons have just not gotten there with the other LSC teams and I fully expect that to continue this week. This game is all ENMU and the Falcons get to see a premier running game.

ENMU wins 2 in a row...

Prediction: ENMU 45 UTPB 27




Texas A&M Kingsville (2-3) v. West Texas A&M (3-2), 5 p.m. Kickoff

Canyon, TX


I suspect that the Buffalo secondary will be challenged with Autry and Carr coming in as one of the best QB-WR duos in the conference. Myles Carr heads into this game with only 1 INT, a 66.18% completion, 1,238 passing yards and 12 passing TDs; very considerable compared to last season. The rushing attack has been consistent with 843 rushing yards. The Javelinas defense has to be one of the biggest improvements (1,396 total yards given up; 279.2 per game along with 11 turnovers).

West Texas led the Greyhounds by 21 points at one time last week during the game, to only lose the game in the 2nd half. Turnovers were a big part of the issue for the Buffs. On top of that, the running game has been completely dreadful with only a total of 411 rushing yards (the very bottom of the LSC). RB Devon Paye has considerable skills and speed at the RB position but needs to push from the offensive line to move the ball into the open field. The lack of running hinges the Buffs offense on the passing game that has been efficient but suspect at times with untimely turnovers and inconsistent play. The Buffalo secondary has still continued to dominate with 6 INTS, given up 744 passing yards and 5 TDs given up.




Prediction: Texas A&M Kingsville 37 West Texas A&M 36


Game of the Week: Midwestern State (4-0) v. Texas A&M Commerce (4-0), 7 p.m. Kickoff (ESPN 3)

Commerce, TX

The game that everyone had circled at the beginning of the season has finally arrived.

The Commerce Lions come into this game as one of the LSC favorites, coming on the laurels of hoisting the conference crown the last several seasons. The Lions appear to be the same offensive juggernaut that we have seen over the past several years. The Lions have accumulated 1,861 total yards in 4 contests with relying on the passing game for the bulk of their yardage (1,260). On the defensive side, they are giving up almost as many yards and in the same categories. The Lions have rushed for 601 yards and given up 591 rush yards; they have passed for 1,260 passing yards and given up 919 passing yards. The rush defense has been stellar in 4 games by racking up 37 TFLs (#16 in the nation). If you look at the Lions and compare them to a powerhouse like Northwest Missouri statistics; you see the 1 major difference: Defense. NWMSU: 1,117 yards (5 games) given up, Commerce: 1,510 yards (4 games). Commerce 377.5 yards per game given up and NWMSU 223.4 yards per game given up.

The Lions rushing game has not been quite up to what we imagined it would be; unsure of the exact reason because the offensive line has played pretty well; however, they may not be getting the push needed in the running game. Richard Cooper is averaging around 107 yards rushing per game. I expected those numbers to be around the 150 yards per game mark; however, those are still good numbers to have an effective run and passing offense. The big surprise continues to be QB Luis Perez with his pass efficiency (70.25%). It has been quite some time that a passer that throws the ball as much as the Lions has this type of completion percentage. Did I also add that he only has 1 INT and it came last week?

With all these good things going, if this team wants to keep their momentum and pick up steam as the season enters the 2nd half; they must improve on the defense. They will need and rely on their rush defense this week against a run first Midwestern State team that will be tough and determined. They need the defensive leaders like DL Tavita Faaiu to continue to be a reckoning ball in the opposing offense backfields.



The Mustang defense as we look at the aforementioned Northwest Missouri statistics is on the same scale as the Commerce Lions. The Mustangs have given up 1,587 total yards (659 rush and 928 pass). Teams are pushing the running game against the Mustangs defense the most (171 attempted rush). The Mustangs are tops in the LSC with scoring in the 2nd half. They specialize with putting their offensive onslaught in the 2nd half of the game to overcome the LSC foes and win those close games.


Texas A&M Commerce in a close game.

Prediction: Texas A&M Commerce 37 Midwestern State 33