Football Saturday in Oklahoma
• No. 15 Kansas State (3-0) at No. 6 Oklahoma (2-0) •
OU is 14-0 at home under Bob Stoops against ranked opponents and is 7-0 in Big 12 openers at home. Landry Jones is one win from tying the all-time mark of 32 (held by Steve Davis). And Kenny Stills is averaging more than 120 ypg receiving. KSU quarterback has been responsible for nine touchdowns in three games (five passing and four rushing) and is a duel threat. The Wildcats are scoring more than 46 points per contest while holding their opponents to 14.
Matt’s pick: OU 45-24; Joey’s pick: OU 37-35
• Fresno State (2-1) at Tulsa (2-1) •
This is the sixth meeting in a series that has FSU winning two games at home and two on the road. Tulsa won the 2005 Liberty Bowl, 31-24, in their most recent meeting. [Ed. note: I was there.] Both teams have high scoring offenses: TU 44.6 ppg, FSU 43.6 ppg. The Golden Hurricane has had three different 100-yard rushers in three games. Fresno State is a perfect 14 of 14 scoring in the red zone.
Matt’s pick: TU 35-28; Joey’s pick: TU 45-35
• No. 9 Washburn (3-0) at Central (0-3) •
The Bronchos are back home for the first time in 23 days. The brutal MIAA schedule continues for UCO as it will face a top 12 opponent for the next three Saturdays, beginning with the Ichabods today. Central has 10 turnovers in its first three contests, but Washburn is giving up over 330 yards per game.
Matt’s pick: WU 35-24; Joey’s pick: WU 31-20
• Arkansas-Monticello (1-2) at East Central (1-2) •
ECU holds a 4-2 series lead and won 31-9 last year in Ada. UAM leads the nation in pass defense in D-II, while the Tigers are near the top in sacks in D-II and Armonty Bryant leads the way for the team. Both teams are looking for the first GAC win this season – each is 0-1 in the league.
Matt’s pick: UAM 45-12; Joey’s pick: ECU 30-14
• Emporia State (3-0) at Northeastern State (0-3) •
Speaking of a tough MIAA schedule, Northeastern is looking at one right now. Including today’s opponent, the first four on the RiverHawks schedule have a combined record of 12-0. But Northeastern has kept it close in the last two outings, losing by six and four points. NSU’s Langston Jones is leading the MIAA in tackles with 12.3 per game.
Matt’s pick: ESU 35-14; Joey’s pick: ESU 30-28
• Northwestern (0-3) at Texas-San Antonio (3-0) •
It’s a Division I opponent for the Rangers as they are dealing with a transitional schedule in their first year in the process of becoming a Division II program. NWOSU quarterback Kyle Jech is averaging 349 ypg passing in his last two outings.
Matt’s pick: UTSA 28-14; Joey’s pick: UTSA 49-21
• Southeastern (1-1) at No. 24 Henderson State (3-0) •
It’s the 23rd meeting between the two schools and second time they’ve met as GAC rivals. Henderson State won in 2011, 30-14. SOSU lost 31-24 to Southern Arkansas last week, giving up a 14 point lead in the second half. The Reddies are scoring 61.0 ppg, which is tops in Division II. HSU quarterback Kevin Rodgers has won GAC Player of the Week honors all three weeks the award has been given in 2012.
Matt’s pick: SOSU 45-24; Joey’s pick: HSU 42-14
• Harding (2-0) at Southern Nazarene (0-3) •
This game is the first of only two games for the Crimson Storm at home in Bethany in 2012. Today will mark the first meeting between Harding and new GAC member Southern Nazarene. SNU has been outscored 56-0 in the first quarter in its first three games. The Bisons have outscored their opponents 83-17 in their first two contests. The Crimson Storm will need to get its offense going today, as it has been held to negative rushing yardage in two of its first three games.
Matt’s pick: HU 35-14; Joey’s pick: HU 38-14
• Southwestern (1-1) at Southern Arkansas (2-0) •
Last season’s meeting was their first as GAC rivals and the first meeting, period. SAU won 31-22. SWOSU held on to win over ECU last week, 13-10. Bulldogs’ cornerback Terrance Franklin is the GAC Defensive Player of the Week. The Muleriders have not allowed a sack this season.
Matt’s pick: SAU 42-24; Joey’s pick: SWOSU 31-27
• Bacone (1-2) at Haskell Indian Nations •
After winning in Week One, the Warriors have lost three straight (albeit, last week’s loss to D-I Central Arkansas was an exhibition game). Haskell has lost 19 straight overall, dating back to 2010. Something’s got to give.
Matt’s pick: BC 31-10; Joey’s pick: BC 35-14
• Langston (1-2) at Lamar (1-2) •
This is the second meeting between these schools. Lamar won 14-0 in 2010. Langston lost last week to the No. 1 team in NAIA. And although, Lamar shut out the Lions two seasons ago, Langston outgained Lamar, 354-351, in total yards.
Matt’s pick: Lamar 35-12; Joey’s pick: Lamar 20-19