TODAY’S OTHER GAMES
TCU at West Virginia
When/where: 2:30 p.m.; Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, W.Va. TV/radio: ABC; 1180 AM. Records: TCU 4-2, 2-1 Big 12; West Virginia 5-0, 2-0. Series: TCU leads 3-2. Storyline: This is the first real test for the Mountaineers, who found ways to beat Kansas State and BYU. A loss would end TCU’s chances at a Big 12 title. TCU wins if: The defense, which has allowed 40 or more points three times this season, finds a way to stop West Virginia QB Skyler Howard, a Fort Worth native. West Virginia wins if: The Hokies’ defense limits Horned Frogs QB Kenny Hill (three 400-yard passing games this season) as well as it did Tech’s Pat Mahomes last week (303 yards).
Jackson St. at Texas Southern
When/where: 2 p.m.; BBVA Compass Stadium. TV/radio: Root; 90.9 FM. Records: Jackson State 2-4, 2-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference; Texas Southern 3-3, 3-2. Series: Jackson State leads 41-18-1. Storyline: Texas Southern has not beaten Jackson State since 2010, with Jackson State winning nine of its last 10 games against TSU in Houston. In its three losses this season, TSU’s largest margin of defeat is four points. Jackson State wins if: It remains aggressive on special teams, having returned three of four blocked punts for touchdowns this season. Texas Southern wins if: It solves Jackson State’s two-quarterback system. Jackson State runs different offensive schemes depending on which QB is in the game.
Sam Houston St. at Nicholls St.
When/where: 2:30p.m.; Guidry Stadium, Thibodaux, La. Records: Sam Houston State 6-0, 5-0 Southland; Nicholls State 3-3, 3-1. Series: Sam Houston leads 19-10-1. Storyline: The Bearkats enter as the No. 1-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision and are 4-1 all-time when playing as the nation’s topranked team. Averaging 608.2 yards per game, Sam Houston State is on pace to become the first FCS team to average more than 600 yards since Mississippi Valley State (640.1) in 1984. Sam Houston wins if: The Bearkats don’t allow the Colonels’ defense to slow them down. Nicholls State has one of the better defenses Sam Houston State will face. Nicholls State wins if: The score stays close, and the Colonels make big plays. They have won their last two games in double overtime.
Houston Baptist at SE Louisiana
When/where: 4 p.m.; Strawberry Stadium, Hammond, La. Records: Houston Baptist 2-4, 1-3 Southland; Southeastern Louisiana 3-3, 3-1. Series: Southeastern Louisiana leads 2-0. Storyline: Houston Baptist is starting a stretch of three consecutive games, and four of five on the road. The Huskies will try to bounce back from a 33-30 double overtime loss to Nicholls State last week. HBU wins if: The Huskies don’t commit 13 penalties like a week ago. Southeastern wins if: The Lions create opportunities like last week, when they scored on both a 72yard return of a blocked field goal and a 41-yard interception return.
Lamar at Central Arkansas
When/where: 6 p.m.; Estes Stadium, Conway, Ark. Records: Lamar 3-3, 3-1 Southland; Central Arkansas 5-1, 4-0. Series: Central Arkansas leads 5-0. Storyline: Lamar, which has won three consecutive games, will be without Kade Harrington, the school’s all-time leading rusher, who broke his left foot last week and is out for the season. Lamar wins if: The Cardinals can sustain a running game against the Bears, who allow a conference-low 66 rushing yards a game. Central Arkansas wins if: It continues to win the battle of field position.
Oklahoma at Texas Tech
When/where: 7 p.m. AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock. TV/radio: Fox; 1180 AM. Records: Oklahoma 4-2, 3-0 Big 12; Texas Tech 3-3, 1-2. Series: Oklahoma leads 17-6. Storyline: OU quarterback Baker Mayfield returns to Lubbock for first time since he played in eight games for the Red Raiders as a freshman walk-on in 2013. Oklahoma wins if: Mayfield and running back Joe Mixon can make up for the loss of Samaje Perine, who has rushed for 414 yards against Tech the last two seasons but is out with a pulled leg muscle. Texas Tech wins if: Red Raiders QB Patrick Mahomes takes advantage of a Sooners secondary that ranks ninth in the Big 12. Of course, Tech’s own pass defense ranks 10th and must find a way to stop Mayfield.