I recently read an unbelievable article about antibiotics and bacteria's ever-growing resistance to them during research conducted by the Harvard Medical School. A team of researchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology joined Harvard in showcasing a giant-sized petri dish where the survival of the fittest concept was very much alive and well by various bacteria.

If the South Atlantic Conference and its members were the subject of this science experiment, each year's preseason favorite would be the antibiotic. The other seven league teams would be the bacteria that at times would work together and, on occasion, against each other in order to survive and adapt to their new environment.

Thus far in 2016, the league appears to be in a science lab. (Without a game of SAC play mind you.)

Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne both sit with winless records after their first two weeks of competition, while Wingate is a Kentucky mile ahead in terms of Division II wins. Carson-Newman and Newberry are sleeping giants on paper after suffering early week one losses, but try convincing any SAC coaching staff these two teams are even a centimeter shorter than the Jolly Green Giant.

Tusculum and Brevard are another pair of squads in search for their first win. The Pioneers have the best chance of notching a win as they travel to Lenoir-Rhyne this weekend. Brevard is hosting Wingate in what is figured to be a long afternoon for the Tornado faithful and a short stint by the Wingate starters.

Overtime was needed at Meares Stadium when Mars Hill outlasted Shorter 23 to 18. Running back Jamel Harbison rushed for nearly 140 yards and scored the winning touchdown, while the defense racked up six sacks. Shorter dominated the time of possession by nearly eight minutes, while introducing a new pass-first offense.

Week 3 2016 SAC Football Schedule
Last Week's Prediction Record (7-1)
Overall Prediction Record (12-4)

Wingate (2-0)(0-0 SAC) at Brevard (0-2)(0-0 SAC)
Saturday, September 17th. 1:00 PM
Brevard, NC

Wingate: 44 Brevard: 21
The Scoop: Bulldog running back Lawrence Pittman has tallied 270 yards and seven touchdowns in two games. If Brevard can slow down the early season league MVP candidate, the Tornados will face tough sledding on offense when facing stud defensive end Andre Foulks. The senior has led Wingate with four tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. I expect Wingate to be in the D2Football.com Top 25 poll if they can win this week and knock off Catawba the following Saturday.

Carson-Newman (1-1)(0-0 SAC) at Catawba (0-2)(0-0 SAC)
Saturday, September 17th. 1:30 PM
Salisbury, NC

Carson-Newman: 33 Catawba: 21
The Scoop: The past two contests between these two rivals has been one of many points in 2014 and stout scoring defenses in 2015. Two years ago, the Eagles topped the Indians 35 to 33, while last year's contest was a 14-7 victory for Catawba. One of the keys to this Saturday's game is surprise downfield throws to Eagle wide out Darvia DuBose on first and second down. Carson-Newman has thrown zero interceptions on the young season and has lost no fumbles either. Will Catawba's defense be up to the challenge after being worn down by Winston-Salem State for 43 rushes and over 200 yards? The split-back veer will answer that question.

Mars Hill (1-1)(0-0 SAC) at Limestone (2-0)(0-0 IND)
Saturday, September 17th. 7:00 PM
Gaffney, SC

Mars Hill: 28 Limestone: 27
The Scoop: I truly believe this is a toss-up match up. I have been pretty impressed with the play of Limestone's freshman quarterback Ivan Corbin thus far in 2016. Last week in a tight win over Benedict, Corbin fired for 232 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions have not yet recorded an interception this season, and this weekend would prove to be a convenient time to get their first one. No sighting or participation from Mars Hill's Gilbert Johnson or Keshaun Taylor has set back this offense in a profound way. Limestone can send a shock-wave message throughout the SAC with a win over Coach Tim Clifton's Lions.

Newberry (1-1)(0-0 SAC) at North Greenville (2-0)(0-0 IND)
Saturday, September 17th. 7:00 PM
Tigerville, SC

Newberry: 40 North Greenville: 33
The Scoop: The Crusaders hung on for dear life against West Alabama in a wild 24-23 season-opening win two weeks ago. Last Saturday, North Greenville intercepted Lenoir-Rhyne three times and bruised the Bears by a 45-0 margin. Newberry's Raleigh Yeldell completed nearly 85 percent of his passes for 289 yards and two scores in a rebound win over Virginia Union. Senior corner Rashaad Smith has snagged an interception in back to back weeks, and is certainly on pace for postseason accolades should his stellar play continue.

Tusculum (0-2)(0-0 SAC) at Lenoir-Rhyne (0-2)(0-0 SAC)
Saturday, September 17th. 7:00 PM
Hickory, NC

Tusculum: 14 Lenoir-Rhyne: 10
The Scoop: Will this weekend's contest be plagued with turnovers and miscues by both programs under new head coaching leadership? Or is Week 3 the time where their play is becoming more on par with what their fan bases wish it to be? I am afraid that perhaps a little bit of both scenarios will play out on Saturday night. Ben Skradski came in early at quarterback during the Pioneer's 24-10 loss to Virginia State, and struggled mightily. By day's end, three interceptions thrown and only 58 yards were found through the air. Bear running back Calvin Edwards was the lone bright spot in a 45-0 thumping by the hands of North Greenville. Edwards tallied eight carries for 57 yards. Jarrod Kellar and Kaleb Scott combined for three interceptions behind center. The loser of this game will likely have to fight off Brevard for last place in the SAC during 2016.