Five reasons this weekend’s games are important [Nov. 15, 2014]

We’re down to the final weekend of the regular season for Division II and NAIA football with a few more games for the Division I teams.  There is still a lot on the line on Saturday.  Here are five reasons to follow along by television, radio or Internet.

• Postseason
(9-1) Pittsburg State at (8-2) Central; (3-7) Bacone at (6-3) Langston

UCO is No. 10 in Super Region 3 and, although possible with a win, its playoff chances are remote.  However, don’t rule out the postseason for the Bronchos.  Winning would put UCO on the fast track to play in a bowl game, likely the Mineral Water Bowl, which has ties with the MIAA.
Langston should already be in the playoffs regardless, but…  The Lions are the champions of the CSFL, which is a certified NAIA conference, and in the top 20 (currently No. 17) in the rankings.  A loss might put LU in murky waters awaiting the final regular season poll, but a win should assure the team will be playing another week.

• Rivalry
(6-4) Southeastern at (6-3) East Central; (2-7) Northwestern at (3-6) Southwestern

With rivalry games, the records don’t mean that much.  Fans and alumni will look at the portion of that schedule as either 1-0 or 0-1.  In Ada, both teams have secured winning records already (the first time both will finish above .500 at the same time since 2004), but each would like the send the other team into the offseason with a loss.  NWOSU and SWOSU have struggled this season, but a win in this game gives the season a little more meaning.

• Last chance
(1-9) Lindenwood at (0-10) Northeastern State; (3-7) Southwest Baptist at (0-10) Southern Nazarene

This is it.  NSU and SNU each have one more chance to pick up a win in 2014 and each is facing an opponent that is not too formidable to think this isn’t possible.  The RiverHawks’ opponent is on a nine-game losing streak. And the Crimson Storm is due.  The SNU offense has started to find a stride in the late season and has kept the team in the contest late in the last three games.

• History
(7-3) Oklahoma Baptist at (3-7) Wayland Baptist

It’s already been a historic season for OBU.  The Bison topped the 400-point mark last weekend, continuing to build on this team’s own scoring record.  A win against WBU would give Oklahoma Baptist eight on the year, matching the program’s highest total of wins, set in 1924, 1925, 1939 and 1940.

• A strong finish
(6-3) Oklahoma at (3-6) Texas Tech, (5-5) Texas at (5-4) Oklahoma State; (2-7) Tulsa at (5-3) Central Florida

Any chance of a Big 12 title for OU and OSU is done.  The same can be said for a winning record at TU.  But the season isn’t over.  There are seniors playing their last games.  There is recruiting to think about.  Picking up some wins and building confidence in young players would be big to redirect the program going into the offseason and be a lot better than the direction the teams have been heading of late.