Football Saturday in Oklahoma
• No. 10 Texas (3-0) at No. 22 Oklahoma State (2-1) •
The Longhorns are scoring more than 49 points a game and have seen little competition as they enter the Big 12 portion of the schedule. OSU won the last two games, both in Austin, and became the first team to beat Texas in consecutive years in Austin since 1910 and 1911. It is possible and quarterback Wes Lunt may return to the field today, but Texas will have to prepare for both he and J.W. Walsh.
Matt’s pick: UT 35-28; Joey’s pick: OSU 31-30
• Tulsa (3-1) at UAB (0-3) •
This is the fourth meeting between the schools. Tulsa is scoring 40.2 points per game, while the Blazers put up only 16.7 ppg. UAB is winless, but its last two opponents have been ranked in the top 20 (No. 8 South Carolina, No. 16 Ohio State). TU’s Dexter McCoil now has 250 career tackles and is the reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Week.
Matt’s pick: TU 42-14; Joey’s pick: TU 35-14
• Central (1-3) at No. 7 Missouri Western (4-0) •
The Bronchos picked their first MIAA (and season) win last week over then-No. 9 Washburn. UCO running back Joshua Birmingham won the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week in the effort. MWSU has won the only previous meetings in the series, in 2005 and 2006.
Matt’s pick: MWSU 42-21; Joey’s pick : MWSU 34-24
• East Central (2-2) at Harding (3-0) •
Harding owns a series lead of 7-3 in a series that dates back only 19 years, and won last season 23-16 in overtime at Ada. Armonty Bryant continues to impress for the Tigers on defense and lead D-II in sacks with seven. Harding is scoring 42 ppg and leads Division II in rushing picking up an amazing 347 ypg on the ground.
Matt’s pick: HU 32-28; Joey’s pick: HU 27-24
• Northeastern (0-4) at No. 11 Northwest Missouri (3-1) •
It’s the Game of the Week in the MIAA. The Bearcats are one of three undefeated teams in the league; the RiverHawks one of four winless teams in the league. There is a definite dichotomy. NSU’s Langston Jones leads the MIAA in tackles.
Matt’s pick: NWMSU 38-14; Joey’s pick: NWMSU 42-28
• Northwestern (0-4) at Arkansas Tech (1-3) •
The Rangers are still looking for their first win after travelling to Texas-San Antonio last weekend. NWOSU faces new conference rival Arkansas Tech, in the 10th edition of this series, the first since 1994. The Wonder Boys are 9-2 in their last 11 meetings against Oklahoma schools.
Matt’s pick: NWOSU 14-13; Joey’s pick: ATU 24-21
• No. 12 Ouachita Baptist (3-0) at Southeastern (0-3) •
It’s the 49th meeting between the schools and the second straight weekend that SOSU faces a team from Arkadelphia. Southeastern leads Division II in Time of Possession and actually outgained Henderson State in a 52-20 loss to the Reddies.
Matt’s pick: OBU 49-21; Joey’s pick: OBU 41-24
• Southern Nazarene (0-4) at Langston (1-3) •
Former CSFL rivals and co-conference champions in 2011 meet in a non-conference matchup this season. Both teams really need a win. The Crimson Storm have won the last two in the series. SNU leads this intense series 6-5 and the last three meetings have been decided on the final possession.
Matt’s pick: LU 27-18; Joey’s pick: LU 35-34
• No. 17 Henderson State (4-0) at Southwestern (1-2) •
The Bulldogs dropped a tough one-point loss last weekend to Southern Arkansas and are rewarded by getting to host the highest scoring team in Division II. Henderson State is scoring just under 60 ppg and has two of the Great American Conference three Players of the Week (Keaton Stigger – Def., Robert Jordan – Spec. Teams).
Matt’s pick: HSU 52-10; Joey’s pick: HSU 52-38
• Cole College (1-5) at Bacone (2-2) •
Bacone obliterated Haskell last weekend, 77-13, and have the potential to do the same against this weekend’s opponent, first-year program Cole College. The Jaguars earned their first victory last weekend against Concordia.
Matt’s pick: BC 40-13; Joey’s pick: BC 49-19