Firebird
09-25-2009, 11:34 AM
OK, let's do this. I forgot to update last week. We'll do power rankings and then games:
1. A&M Kingsville (4-0): The Hoggies move up over my Wildcats thanks to consistency of play. They are blowing everyone away. The LSC is good when the Hoggies are good, so this is a good thing for the conference. I am glad ACU plays them in Abilene.
2. Abilene Christian (4-0): They are ranked number two nationally, but have shown some glaring offensive weaknesses. Namely, lack of a defined starter at QB and inconsistent receiver play. The defense is one of the best in the land, but has depth issues at DB. An OT game against lowly LSC North A&M Commerce two weeks ago made me drop them. They did seem to be back on track against SE Oklahoma.
3. Midwestern (4-0): An undefeated team that just hasn't played anyone of note. Then again, they hammer everyone they do play, and introduced Incarnate Word to life in the LSC (they join next year) last week, 52-3. How they fare against Angelo on the road will say a lot about them.
4. Tarleton State (4-0): Another undefeated team. A good win against Arkansas Monticello in week one but it has been nobodies since then. One more cupcake this week (SW Oklahoma) and then they get their test against Kingsville. Midwestern and Tarleton could be interchanged here.
5. Angelo State (3-1): Well, well, the Rams look to be a factor this year. The lone loss comes to FCS contender Texas State. They have handled all DII opponents. I actually favor them against Midwestern, the conference has gotten more interesting with their emergence.
6. Eastern New Mexico (2-2): The Hounds have installed an offense that might be called "Texas Tech on Speed". They can score points with anyone (they hung 76 against A&M Commerce last week in a 76-56 win) but their defense is entirely suspect. What does QB Harp do against the ACU defense this week, and can the 'Cats withstand the onslaught?
7. West Texas A&M (1-3): Poor WT. Their record may be decieving as they played perhaps the toughest opening schedule of any LSC team, with two top five opponents. Nevertheless, the loss against Central Oklahoma showed that Carthel just doesn't have the horses this year. They'll move up, but perhaps not by much. The conference just got awful scary for the Buffs with the emergence of ENMU's wild offense and Angelo State. A tomato can from the north last week (SW Oklahoma) might be the last guaranteed win. The Hoggies, even at home in Canyon, are a tall order.
GOTW
Angelo State vs. Midwestern: The Rams get a chance to prove they belong as a playoff contender against undefeated Midwestern. Midwestern has a gaudy record and has won with style, but has played nothing but palookas. Homefield in San Angelo puts the Rams over the top. Welcome back to winning football, Angelo, 35-27.
Other Games:
ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico: The Hounds score on the ACU "D". Unfortunately, fot them, the 'Cats score more on the ENMU "D". ACU gets the ground game in gear behind the massive OL and controls the clock. ACU 40, ENMU 28.
Tarleton State vs. SW Oklahoma: A playoff conteder meets one of the worst teams in the pathetic LSC North. Tarleton rolls, 52-14.
A&M Kingsville vs. West Texas A&M: Things don't get any easier for the Buffs. Kingsville will be looking for respect against the team that knocked them from their traditional perch as LSC power. Javelinas, 30-25.
1. A&M Kingsville (4-0): The Hoggies move up over my Wildcats thanks to consistency of play. They are blowing everyone away. The LSC is good when the Hoggies are good, so this is a good thing for the conference. I am glad ACU plays them in Abilene.
2. Abilene Christian (4-0): They are ranked number two nationally, but have shown some glaring offensive weaknesses. Namely, lack of a defined starter at QB and inconsistent receiver play. The defense is one of the best in the land, but has depth issues at DB. An OT game against lowly LSC North A&M Commerce two weeks ago made me drop them. They did seem to be back on track against SE Oklahoma.
3. Midwestern (4-0): An undefeated team that just hasn't played anyone of note. Then again, they hammer everyone they do play, and introduced Incarnate Word to life in the LSC (they join next year) last week, 52-3. How they fare against Angelo on the road will say a lot about them.
4. Tarleton State (4-0): Another undefeated team. A good win against Arkansas Monticello in week one but it has been nobodies since then. One more cupcake this week (SW Oklahoma) and then they get their test against Kingsville. Midwestern and Tarleton could be interchanged here.
5. Angelo State (3-1): Well, well, the Rams look to be a factor this year. The lone loss comes to FCS contender Texas State. They have handled all DII opponents. I actually favor them against Midwestern, the conference has gotten more interesting with their emergence.
6. Eastern New Mexico (2-2): The Hounds have installed an offense that might be called "Texas Tech on Speed". They can score points with anyone (they hung 76 against A&M Commerce last week in a 76-56 win) but their defense is entirely suspect. What does QB Harp do against the ACU defense this week, and can the 'Cats withstand the onslaught?
7. West Texas A&M (1-3): Poor WT. Their record may be decieving as they played perhaps the toughest opening schedule of any LSC team, with two top five opponents. Nevertheless, the loss against Central Oklahoma showed that Carthel just doesn't have the horses this year. They'll move up, but perhaps not by much. The conference just got awful scary for the Buffs with the emergence of ENMU's wild offense and Angelo State. A tomato can from the north last week (SW Oklahoma) might be the last guaranteed win. The Hoggies, even at home in Canyon, are a tall order.
GOTW
Angelo State vs. Midwestern: The Rams get a chance to prove they belong as a playoff contender against undefeated Midwestern. Midwestern has a gaudy record and has won with style, but has played nothing but palookas. Homefield in San Angelo puts the Rams over the top. Welcome back to winning football, Angelo, 35-27.
Other Games:
ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico: The Hounds score on the ACU "D". Unfortunately, fot them, the 'Cats score more on the ENMU "D". ACU gets the ground game in gear behind the massive OL and controls the clock. ACU 40, ENMU 28.
Tarleton State vs. SW Oklahoma: A playoff conteder meets one of the worst teams in the pathetic LSC North. Tarleton rolls, 52-14.
A&M Kingsville vs. West Texas A&M: Things don't get any easier for the Buffs. Kingsville will be looking for respect against the team that knocked them from their traditional perch as LSC power. Javelinas, 30-25.