Nine of the 10 games involving Oklahoma schools this week happen within state borders.
I took the lead back from Matt after the last couple of week’s worth of picks. Hope I can keep it.
Overall Joey 72-19; Matt 66-25. Last week: Joey: 7-3; Matt: 5-5.
No. 18 Oklahoma State (6-1) at No. 15 Texas Tech (7-1)
The Cowboys have won four straight and five of the last six in the series and the Red Raiders are well aware of that statistic. TTU is also acutely aware of the 125-27 point differential in the past two contests. Clint Chelf was the starting QB last week and showed that he could run a little, too. Josh Stewart set OSU and Big 12 records with his 95-yard punt return that he took in for a TD. Stewart is averaging 15.1 yards every time he touches the ball. But Tech can move the ball well, too, and leads the nation with four receivers that have 35 or more receptions.
Joey’s Pick: OSU 48-44
Matt’s Pick: OSU 41-38
Texas-San Antonio (3-5) at Tulsa (2-5)
The first meeting between these school will be a Homecoming contest at Chapman Stadium. Trey Watts continues to climb the charts in both the Golden Hurricane records lists and the C-USA lists. But the yards that Watts chews up on the field must translate to points for TU to come away with its 10th Homecoming win in 12 tries.
Joey’s Pick: TU 28-21
Matt’s Pick: TU 28-21
Lincoln (1-7) at Central (0-7)
It’s Homecoming and Senior Day in Edmond, but playing in Wantland Stadium may not be an advantage – UCO has lost seven straight at home. The Bronchos beat Lincoln last season, 56-25, in the only previous meeting between the schools, but that was in Jefferson City, Mo. Marquez Clark continues to pace the Central offense and has 100-plus receiving yards in five consecutive games. Look for the possible return of senior QB Adrian Nelson (injured against MWSU) in his final home game. Lincoln has already matched its win total from last year (1-10).
Joey’s Pick: UCO 31-27
Matt’s Pick: LU 24-21
Arkansas Tech (3-4) at East Central (4-3)
The Tigers have won three in a row, but all against Oklahoma brethren. The Wonder Boys must travel to Ada, though, where the East Central is 3-1 this season and it will be Senior Day. ECU survived ATU, 33-30, in Russellville last year and leads the series, 9-3. The Tigers have been tough on defense in the winning streak and have given up an average of only 16.7 ppg in that span. Could be a defensive battle on Saturday.
Joey’s Pick: ECU 24-20
Matt’s Pick: ATU 38-14
Southwest Baptist (1-7) at Northeastern State (0-8)
The final portion of the brutal MIAA schedule for NSU, and UCO as well, is considerably less brutal – at least according to the records – as the three teams that remain for each have combined for two wins on the season. The RiverHawks are at the bottom of the 14-team league in rushing defense, but it may be canceled out by SBU’s being at the bottom of the list in rushing offense. Both teams have struggled categorically throughout 2013 and the team that catches a break or two in this one has the real advantage.
Joey’s Pick: NSU 24-22
Matt’s Pick: NSU 21-20
Northwestern (1-7) at Pittsburg State (7-1)
The Rangers come off their first win of the season … and head to Pittsburg, Kan., home of the all-time winningest Division II program. Um, yeah. Northwestern quarterback Reid Miller had a big game last week, including a 65-yard touchdown run that proved to be the game-winner. The Gorillas took down No. 4 Missouri Western, 34-14, last week. This is the first meeting between the schools.
Joey’s Pick: PSU 52-13
Matt’s Pick: PSU 48-14
Langston (3-4) at Oklahoma Panhandle (3-6)
One of two big games in the Central States Football League on Saturday. It’s Senior Day in Goodwell and Keidrick Brewster is one of nine seniors looking to have a big game against the Lions. Aggie QB Caleb Holbrook will also need to have a big day as well. His Langston counterpart, Mark Wright, Jr., has been on a tear of late, passing for 240 or more yards in his last three games. He’s been finding a consistent receiver in Cedrick Jackson, who has had exactly four receptions in the last six Lions’ games.
Joey’s Pick: LU 35-31
Matt’s Pick: OPSU 24-21
Harding (5-2) at Southeastern (2-6)
The Savage Storm has struggled of late. This was apparent last week, not just in the loss to previously winless NWOSU, but in the 18 penalties recorded by the Storm in the first half. This game features the top two rushers in the Great American Conference in Harding’s Romo Westbrook and SOSU’s Devlon Wortham. The Bisons lead Division II in rushing yards per game and are No. 10 in the Super Region rankings this week.
Joey’s Pick: HU 41-31
Matt’s Pick: HU 28-21
Southern Nazarene (0-8) at Southwestern (4-4)
These two teams have met only twice before, including last year’s 19-12 Bulldog victory in Weatherford. SNU came very close last week to picking up a win, falling to Arkansas-Monticello, 22-19. But the Crimson Storm is giving up 51-plus points per game. Bulldog running back D.C. Walker could have an opportunity to shine against the GAC’s worst rushing defense.
Joey’s Pick: SWOSU 42-21
Matt’s Pick: SWOSU 14-10
Oklahoma Baptist (2-6) at No. 24 Bacone (6-2)
The other big game in the CSFL takes place in Muskogee. Bacone has won four straight and the Warriors’ defense has been stingy through the run as it has given up an average of only 9.3 ppg. BC is in the NAIA Top 25 for the second week. OBU’s two-game winning streak was halted last week at Langston. The Bison averaged more than 420 yards of total offense in the wins; they picked up only 220 last week.
Joey’s Pick: BC 42-17
Matt’s Pick: BC 35-10