August 27th, 2025 8:00am
LSC Opening Week Preview
Class is back in session, and so is football. As seems to be the case every year, there’s all sorts of time spent waiting and waiting and waiting for the season to start, and then it’s time for the season and it feels like it’s too soon for that to happen. And then it’s December and I’m asking “where did the season go?”
So before we get to this week’s games, we all know by now that Super Region 4 is a very different beast than in previous years, but the main objectives don’t really change at all. The bottom line - if you want to gain position in the region, out-of-conference wins are essential (unless you rule your silo conference, but this isn’t the GAC column, so enough about them). This week, LSC teams have four games against RMAC teams and three games against MIAA teams. Sul Ross State decided to be different and schedule FCS opponent Texas-Rio Grande Valley (guessing there’s a check involved there, but that’s neither here nor there).
There are plenty of opportunities this week for LSC teams to immediately make noise in Super Region 4. In particular, Texas-Permian Basin is hosting MIAA champion Central Oklahoma, who looks to continue their rise to the top of the national rankings. Also, LSC champion Angelo State goes back to Fort Hays State to face the Tigers in the lone game this week between ranked teams in the region. Other LSC teams with rematches from last season include West Texas A&M, Central Washington, Midwestern State, and Eastern New Mexico.
Now some notes if you’re new to my articles:
All game times are listed in the Central time zone as that is the time zone where the LSC home office is located (Richardson, Texas specifically). If you’re not in the Central time zone, here’s the math for you:
Also, any and all national rankings listed in this column are current D2Football.com rankings.
All right, time to pull out my trusty Magic 8-Ball (or maybe I should use AI now? Nah, I’ll stick with the Magic 8-Ball!) and get to the games!
The following games are on Thursday, August 28.
Colorado Mesa (RMAC) at Central Washington, 3:00 PM
Series History: Central Washington leads 3-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Central Washington won 28-12)
Game 1 of the 2025 Season.
LSC versus RMAC – Round 1.
The first rematch of a 2024 game this week starts the LSC season, where Central Washington looks to defeat Colorado Mesa again, this time at home in the return of the Rodeo Bowl. This is CWU’s lone chance to win a non-conference game in-region, as next week they go to FCS power Montana. CMU finished the 2024 season with a 7-4 record with an upset win over Colorado Mines. The Mavericks were picked to finish fourth in the RMAC in 2025.
CMU hasn’t yet named a quarterback, but the most experienced member in the quarterback room, Liu Aumavae, returns and is the possible favorite to be the starter, although that still remains to be seen. Whoever is the CMU quarterback, the receiving corps is inexperienced, with top returning receiver Trek Keyworth gaining 165 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. The ground attack is another story, with Aiden Taylor and Brandon Belgrave, who gained 669 and 668 yards and combined for 10 touchdowns, returning along with an offensive line that will play four juniors. Defensive linemen Kade Street and Hunter Hamilton combined for 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Defensive back Kash Bradley moves to the defense to help replace CMU’s top two cornerbacks after mainly doing kick returns in 2024.
With both CWU and CMU having much more established ground games, we might not see many footballs in the air here. Whoever can keep away from having too many long third downs will have the advantage, and I think CWU will do more in the trenches to win it. Central Washington by 7 points.
https://cmumavericks.com/news/2025/8/20/football-offense-keen-on-finishing-the-job.aspx
https://www.gjsentinel.com/sports/mavericks-primed-for-big-step-forward-in-rmac/article_8c9cd447-cc58-46bd-9cff-8ed360f27996.html
West Texas A&M at #8 Western Colorado (RMAC), 7:00 PM
Series History: West Texas A&M leads 7-2
Last meeting: 2024 (Western Colorado won 26-17)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 2.
West Texas A&M starts year 3 of Josh Lynn’s tenure, which could be a turning point for the program. At Nebraska-Kearney, it was Lynn’s third year where the Lopers began to turn the corner, something WTAMU fans would love to see a repeat of. Many changes have already come at WTAMU, with a significant overhaul of the coaching staff, in particular new offensive and defensive coordinators. The debut of those coordinators brings about some optimism, but it could be a very bumpy start to the season at top-10 Western Colorado.
For WTAMU to keep it close, they will need to keep dual-threat quarterback Drew Nash in the pocket to limit his ability to extend plays (just ask Central Washington fans about that). Nash is the WCU’s top returning passer (2676 yards) and rusher (569 yards), but tight end Daniel Parsek and wide receivers DJ Allen Jr. and Victory David are returning as the Mountaineers’ second, fourth, and fifth-leading receivers. WTAMU will face a WCU defense that returns All-American defensive lineman Ricky Freymond along with three of their top 6 tacklers from the 2024 season. Keeping Freymond out of the WTAMU backfield will be essential for the Buffaloes to give their quarterback time to get the new passing attack a chance to work how they hope it might.
I think that with all WTAMU’s offseason changes, it’s going to take some time for the Buffaloes to get things together. I think WTAMU will need a few weeks, and they will be an improved team later in the season, but that won’t help them this week. The Western Colorado defense is not who you want to go up against when you’re trying out your new offense for the first time in actual competition. WCU is built to make a run at the bigger things that WTAMU is hoping for a chance at in the future. Western Colorado by 13 points.
#12 Angelo State at #20 Fort Hays State (MIAA), 7:00 PM
Series History: Fort Hays State leads 1-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Fort Hays State won 21-7)
LSC versus MIAA – Round 1.
On the road again….
In an odd twist in this rematch of last year’s game played at Fort Hays State, Angelo State is going back on the road to do it all over again. However, unlike last year, the Rams will not be performing experiments at the quarterback position as Braeden Fuller is now firmly established as QB1. Who Fuller throws to will likely be a case of “next man up” with the Rams losing their top 3 receivers in terms of receiving yards but returning nearly everyone else. With departures from last year, you could make the argument that Angelo State’s strength going into this game is (gasp) its offense.
Fort Hays State is coming off an 8-3 season and were picked to finish third in the MIAA preseason poll. Quarterback Caleb Heavner was a mid-season replacement and went 5-1 as the starting quarterback, with his only loss am 18-17 loss to Pittsburg State. Second-team All-American Shane Watts has departed, leaving a big hole in the Tiger backfield. The top returning rushers are Joshua Clark and Keyan Miller and their 137 combined rushing yards. The Tigers do return 3 of their top 5 receivers from 2024. On defense, FSHU returns just 3 of their top 12 tacklers from 2024, so unless they have pieces ready to go, their offense may also be ahead of the defense.
In my opinion, this could be the most exciting game of the week, although the UTPB/Central Oklahoma game could give it a run for their money. With two teams where the offenses may be ahead of the defenses, I think we may have a shootout. Angelo State gets their revenge from last year and finally gets a non-conference win. Angelo State wins by 7 points.
New Mexico Highlands (RMAC) at Eastern New Mexico, 7:00 PM
Series History: Eastern New Mexico leads 38-14-1
Last meeting: 2024 (Eastern New Mexico won 63-37)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 3.
In the start of the latest edition of the New Mexico Round Robin, we have ENMU hosting Highlands in a rematch of last year’s 100-point shootout won by the Greyhounds. ENMU looks to be strong on the offensive line, which should help the rushing attack in the first game of the post-Mario Sanchez era. Kurt Taufa’asau starts his second year as Highlands head coach hoping to avoid the same fate as last year. The Cowboys’ top offensive players are running backs Tevita Valeti (880 yards and 8 touchdowns) and Cayden Walton (213 yards) and wide receiver Mike Jones (465 yards and 4 touchdowns). Who will run the offense is unknown, but Highlands does have quarterbacks on their roster who transferred from Portland State and Grand Valley State, so maybe one of them? On defense, Highlands returns four of their top five tacklers, linebackers Fabiano Valdez, Jagger Mosqueda, Ben Watson, and defensive back Adrian Bonilla from a defense that gave up over 44 points a game in 2024.
Both squads have significant holes to plug in their lineups, particularly at quarterback. With a veteran offensive line and their overarching commitment to the ground game, I think ENMU will have enough here to start on the right foot, although Highlands may give them their money’s worth. The Quartieri brothers and the ENMU defense will keep Highlands off the scoreboard just enough to win, but don’t be surprised if this is another high-scoring affair. Eastern New Mexico by 10 points.
The following games are on Saturday, August 30.
Midwestern State at Missouri Southern (MIAA), 6:00 PM
Series History: Midwestern State leads 1-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Midwestern State won 18-11)
LSC versus MIAA – Round 2.
Yet another rematch from the 2024 season, with the Mustangs winning an 18-11 grinder in Wichita Falls last season on a late Devin Cross touchdown run. MSU is still looking to solve many of the same offensive questions they had from last year, particularly at the quarterback position.
MSSU also needs an answer at quarterback, and with five hoping to be the Lions’ top quarterback, they may try multiple people under center against the Mustangs. However, it seems the most pressing issue for the Lions is on defense, where they gave up 41 points per game while scoring just 21 points per game. MSSU was picked to finish last in the MIAA in their preseason poll while their record hasn’t improved past 4 wins in Atiba Bradley’s previous four years as head coach. The Lions return their top three running backs, Victor Chionuma, De’Shawn Larson, and Nathan Glades, who was out for the 2024 season with an injury. They also return top receiver Draper Parker (744 yards and 5 touchdowns) and their top five tacklers on defense, including linebacker Colton Bass, who lead the team in tackles and interceptions in 2024.
It is possible that this year’s matchup may be one of the tightest games of the week, but it might also be its sloppiest, particularly with so much uncertainty at quarterback and at many other positions. I see this being a battle of who can take better care of the football. With MSSU bringing back several key players, particularly on defense and especially with how Midwestern State struggled with MSSU last season (and MSU not having their top two rushers from last season), I think the Lions wining in a close, defensive-minded game. Missouri Southern by 7 points.
#3 Central Oklahoma (MIAA) at Texas-Permian Basin (at Midland, TX), 6:00 PM
Series History: First meeting
LSC versus MIAA – Round 3.
UTPB head coach Kris McCullough has not been shy about scheduling tough teams in-region, scheduling non-conference games against Super Region 4 playoff teams in 2023 and 2024. This season, they finally get that big non-conference game in their building, and it’s against the highest-ranked team the Falcons have faced in their program’s history.
Central Oklahoma are the defending 2024 MIAA champions and want to get rid of the sour taste of a humiliating 78-17 loss in the second round of the Super Region 3 playoffs to eventual national champion Ferris State. UCO has been picked to repeat as MIAA champions in their preseason poll. Head coach Adam Dorrel has turned the Broncho program around from a losing record as recently as the 2023 season. Quarterback Jett Huff is returning to command the powerful UCO offense that averaged 44 points a game (UTPB averaged 35 points a game). Top receiver Terrill Davis departed to Oklahoma State, but wide receiver Ashton Schumann (749 yards and 7 touchdowns) and tight end Dominique Dunn (403 yards and 2 touchdowns) return. Top rushers Jaylen Cottrell (1284 yards and 13 touchdowns) and William Mason (827 yards and 7 touchdowns) also return. Linebacker is the strength of the UCO defense, where they return Jack Puckett and Connor Johnson, who were both at the top in sacks and tackles for loss.
UTPB does have some offensive firepower and can potentially give UCO some problems, especially considering the Bronchos gave up more than 30 points in 7 games in 2024 and gave up 33 points a game. However, the UCO offense, with what they have coming back, should be able to match and possibly outdo the Falcons (but we won’t know that until they’re on the field). It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this one was a shootout, maybe even with whoever having the ball last being the winners. Central Oklahoma by 7 points.
Adams State (RMAC) at Western New Mexico, 7:00 PM
Series History: Adams State leads 39-28-3
Last meeting: 2024 (Western New Mexico won 39-30)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 4.
The first game of Levi Gallas’ coaching tenure at Adams State takes him back to the LSC with a trip to WNMU. In 2024, WNMU used a 33-point second half to break open a close game and win their first of two games against RMAC opponents. Adams State was picked to finish at the bottom of the RMAC in their preseason poll.
Adams State will look to establish the run and take their chances with the deep ball. Head coach Gallas would like to develop an offensive system similar to the WTAMU offensive system from last season, which was at its most successful when they were running the ball. They also want to have a physical offensive line. Their top returning offensive player is running back Ahmare Merrida, who ran for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns. Merrida is also the Grizzles’ top returning receiver with 279 yards and a touchdown. Top returning defenders include defensive back Seth Shaw (54 tackles) and linebacker Zachary Ray (39 tackles). Even with the optimism that comes with hiring a new coach (and someone who is an alum too), it’s going to be a long way back (very much like WNMU) for a program that hasn’t won more than 4 games since the 2013 season and gave up 49 points per game (yep, 49!) in 2024.
For what it’s worth, WNMU is at home and hasn’t had as many changes to their program as Adams State, and unless the Grizzlies managed to make some significant changes (and with the transfer portal, anything is possible, I guess) that stability, however minimal it may be, should be enough to (barely) put the Mustangs over the top. Western New Mexico by 7 points.
Western New Mexico by 3 to 6 points.
Sul Ross State at Texas-Rio Grande Valley (Division 1 FCS-Southland Conference), 7:00 PM
Series History: First meeting
LSC versus FCS – Round 1.
This is the first of four LSC versus FCS games this season and the first of two games versus FCS opponents for Sul Ross State. It is also the first-ever game for the UTRGV Vaqueros football program, one of two new FCS programs in 2025 (New Haven is the other), starting their program completely from scratch under head coach Travis Bush.
While both teams are in a state of transition, Sul Ross State is trying to develop a viable Division 2 program from the Division 3 level while UTRGV has spent the last 2 years training and preparing a Division 1 program. Last year, Sul Ross State wasn’t ready for the physicality of LSC football, and now they’re going up against a (brand new, but still) Division 1 program with a new coaching staff. I would love to see an upset happen, but the Lobos would honestly be better off competition-wise (and I know that isn’t completely why they’re heading to UTRGV this week and to Stephen F. Austin next week) having a non-conference schedule more like the New Mexico schools. Unless likely starting quarterback Andrew Martinez can have a huge game, I just can’t see the Lobos staying in it for very long, even if I have no clue who UTRGV is putting on the field. Texas-Rio Grande Valley by 17 to 24 points.
Texas A&M-Kingsville and Western Oregon have the week off.