Football Saturday in Oklahoma
Well, it’s been back and forth on the picks in September. Matthew and I tied last week, each going 8-1 on the day. I missed the Oklahoma State call and Matthew lost with Northwestern. For 2012, my record is now 32-8, while Matthew is 30-10. So here goes for the first weekend in October…
• No. 14 Oklahoma (2-1) at No. 24 Texas Tech (4-0) •
This is the 20th meeting between the two schools and OU owns a 13-6 record. The Red Raiders snapped the Sooners’ NCAA record 39-game winning streak last season in Norman, winning 41-38, and has won the last three in Lubbock. OU has the No. 15 defense in the country and the Sooner offense has scored in 10 straight quarters.
Matt’s pick: OU 35-24; Joey’s pick: OU 40-37
• Tulsa (4-1) at Marshall (2-3) •
It’s only the fourth meeting between the schools and Tulsa has won the previous three. Marshall’s Rakeem Cato is the nation’s leading passer, completing 37 passes per game at 384 yards per contest. Tulsa counters with the nation’s top defense in sacks, averaging 5.2 per game.
Matt’s pick: TU 42-28; Joey’s pick: TU 42-31
• No. 8 Northwest Missouri State (4-1) at Central (1-4) •
Another week, another top 10 opponent for the Bronchos. This will mark the third straight Saturday (UCO is 1-1 in the last two weeks) and fourth time in five weekends. It’s the fifth meeting with the series tied at 2 wins apiece and it will be the first matchup in 20 years. The visiting team has won each time.
Matt’s pick: NWMSU 35-10; Joey’s pick: NWMSU 45-27
• Northwestern (0-5) at East Central (2-3) •
It’s the first meeting since 2000 for these long-time rivals and the first as conference foes since the mid-‘90s. The Tigers have won nine straight at home and are looking to the school’s all-time record. ECU looks to its defense for big plays; NWOSU needs to get help from its defense, as the Rangers are allowing 51.2 ppg.
Matt’s pick: ECU 28-10; Joey’s pick: ECU 38-17
• No. 5 Missouri Western (5-0) at Northeastern State (0-5) •
It’s Homecoming in Tahlequah and the RiverHawks welcome to Doc Wadley the fifth-ranked team in the country. The Griffons are 2-0 against the RiverHawks and are looking to open at 6-0 for the first time in since 1981. MWSU running back Michael Hill is second in the nation with 176 yards per game gained on the ground.
Matt’s pick: MWSU 38-14; Joey’s pick: MWSU 49-27
• Panhandle State (2-2) at Texas College (2-4) •
The Aggies had a tough loss last weekend against McMurry. OPSU is facing on the Central States Football League foes in the Steers. The Aggies are giving up a ton of points at a pace of more than 40 per game. Texas College is tops in the country in NAIA in stopping its opponents on third down, allowing them to move the chains only 6.3 percent of the time.
Matt’s pick: OPSU 35-10; Joey’s pick: OPSU 28-14
• Southeastern (1-3) at Arkansas Tech (2-3) •
The Wonder Boys are 8-3-1 against the Savage Storm all-time and this is the second time the two have met as conference rivals. Southeastern has been dealing with injuries throughout the season, but nearly pulled off the upset against the No. 12 team in D-II last weekend. ATU is looking for its first conference win.
Matt’s pick: SOSU 24-21; Joey’s pick: SOSU 24-23
• Southern Nazarene (0-5) vs. McMurry (2-2) •
Both schools are in the process of transferring to Division II. Southern Nazarene is struggling on offense, racking up only 168 yards per game of total offense and an anemic 24 yards per game rushing. Former Division I coach Hal Mumme has the War Hawks scoring more than 40 per contest and gaining more than 400 yards per contest.
Matt’s pick: MU 48-14; Joey’s pick: MU 38-28
• Southwestern (1-3) at No. 11 Ouachita Baptist (4-0) •
Like SOSU last week, Southwestern gets back-to-back weeks against teams from Arkadelphia. Bulldogs’ QB Dustin Stenta is in the top 10 in the country in passing attempts and completions, but SWOSU has only four passing touchdowns. The Tigers are still dealing with quarterback issues, listing that the starter for this week is still yet to be named. OBU went with third-stringer Ty Thomas last Saturday in the win over the Savage Storm.
Matt’s pick: OBU 38-21; Joey’s pick: OBU 34-31
• Southwestern Assemblies of God (1-3) at Bacone (2-2) •
Bacone has won the last two matchups with SAGU in two high scoring affairs. The Warriors bring a balanced attack and look to get back above the .500 mark. The Lions have been stopping the pass, while going through the air to pick up their own yards.
Matt’s pick: BC 24-10; Joey’s pick: BC 28-21
• Langston (2-3) at Wayland Baptist (1-3) •
The Lions righted the ship somewhat with the three-point win over Southern Nazarene. The Lions defense is No. 10 in the NAIA, giving up only 264 yards per game. This week, it’s back to the CSFL portion of the schedule against first-year program, Wayland Baptist.
Matt’s pick: LU 34-14; Joey’s pick: LU 35-21