Football Saturday in Oklahoma
• Louisiana (2-0) at Oklahoma State (1-1) •
It’s the ninth meeting between the schools with OSU winning the previous eight. The Cowboys beat the Cajuns in Stillwater last year, 61-34. Louisiana is 2-0 in 2012 and shutout Lamar in the season opener. After losing to Arizona in Tucson last weekend, Oklahoma State is back in Stillwater, where the Cowboys have won seven straight.
Matt’s pick: OSU 38-14 ; Joey’s Pick: 55-34
• Nicholls State (0-2) at Tulsa (1-1) •
It’s the first time these two schools will meet. Tulsa won 45-10 last weekend in its conference opener, gaining 651 yards of total offense against Tulane. Nicholls State lost to South Alabama, 9-3, in a game that featured no touchdowns.
Matt’s pick: TU 42-10 ; Joey’s pick: TU 42-13
• Central (0-2) at Emporia State (2-0) •
Central is still looking for its first win in the MIAA. To get it today, the Bronchos will have to give the Hornets their first loss of the season. ESU is putting 49.5 points on the board per game and is in the top 10 in the nation in scoring and passing yards. UCO has lost 12 straight road games.
Matt’s pick: ESU 35-10; Joey’s pick: ESU 35-17
• East Central (1-1) at Southwestern (0-1) •
The Tigers earned their first win last weekend over new Great American Conference rival Southern Nazarene. DT Armonty Bryant was named GAC Defensive Player of the Week in the win, as well being tabbed Defensive POW nationwide by D2football.com.
This will mark the 90th meeting between the schools – ECU leads the series 47-40-2. SWOSU is looking to win a home opener for the first time in five years. It’s the only matchup of Oklahoma schools today.
Matt’s pick: ECU 28-21; Joey’s pick: ECU 24-23
• Northeastern State (0-2) at No. 9 Washburn (2-0) •
The RiverHawks face a top 10 ranked opponent for the second time in three weeks. Northeastern State fell to No. 1 Pitt State in the season opener. NSU sophomore QB Johnny Deaton is passing for 265 yards per game. This will be the third meeting in this series between new conference foes and the first matchup since NSU won 35-30 in 1988.
Matt’s pick: WU 41-12; Joey’s pick: WU 31-21
• Northwestern (0-2) at Truman State (2-0) •
This is the first meeting between these schools and the second matchup this season of MIAA and GAC squads (No. 3 NWMSU defeated ECU, 33-3, in Week One). Each of the Rangers’ first two opponents are ranked this week in the Division II Top 25. NWOSU is averaging 5.0 rushing yards per game through its first two contests.
Matt’s pick: TSU 28-14; Joey’s pick: TSU 35-21
• Panhandle State (1-1) vs. Cole College (0-1) •
The Aggies won their home opener last Saturday. OPSU will travel to Denver today to take on the Cole College Jaguars, a football program in its first season. Panhandle State’s win was also the first for new coach Russell Gaskamp. Aggie RB had 22 carries for 130 yards and a 65-yard receiving touchdown in the Aggie victory.
Matt’s pick: 35-10; Joey’s pick: OPSU 52-21
• Southern Arkansas (1-0) at Southeastern (1-0) •
SOSU starts its GAC slate after a week off and a win in Week One. The Savage Storm scored mores points in the season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce (31-6) than it did in any game in 2011. Southeastern’s 24-21 win over SAU in Magnolia was the final win for the Storm in the 2011 season. Southern Arkansas shutout NAIA’s Texas College, 56-0, in its first game.
Matt’s pick: SOSU 28-21; Joey’s pick: SOSU 28-20
• Southern Nazarene (0-2) at Friends (1-1) •
The Crimson Storm has opened in Division II schedule against the two favorites to win the Great American Conference and come up short in both. The schedule gets a little easier today, but this is no gimme. Falcons’ DE Dexter Davis is the reigning NAIA Defensive Player of the Week.
Matt’s pick: FU 28-21; Joey’s pick: SNU 20-17
• Bacone (1-2) at Central Arkansas (1-1) •
This will be the first meeting between Bacone and the Division I FCS school. Bacone won it’s season opener, but has lost two straight and Conway, Ark., is going to be a tough place to end that streak.
Matt’s pick: UCA 28-14; Joey’s pick: UCA 38-14
• Langston (1-1) at St. Xavier (2-0) •
One thing is certain: Langston is not scared of anyone. The Lions travel to Chicago to take on the defending NAIA champions, No. 1 St. Xavier Cougars. The Cougars have won seven straight dating back to last season.
Matt’s pick: SXU 54-14; Joey’s pick: SXU 49-24