Apologies for missing Week 5, but......life happens.
Some obvious big results since Week 4, is the Southland Title race over? With just a few weeks left, Sam Houston now has a 3 game lead, with 2 head-to-head wins over ACU. Meanwhile, everyone else keeps dropping games, making it very hard to see the Bearkats not finishing at the top.
1. Sam Houston State - 16-8 (11-0): When I said the Bearkats played better than their non-conference record suggested, I didn't actually think they'd be undefeated in SLC play this deep into the year. SHSU has already boosted impressive wins against ACU (twice), @SLU and SFA, that I originally would have picked to go the other way. The Bearkats can't turn on cruise control just yet, trips to Corpus Christi and Lamar are always sneaky.
2. Abilene Christian - 19-5 (8-3): The double OT loss at home to Sam Houston was tough. Just the first home loss of the season, and a game that now puts them 3 games behind the Bearkats in the title race. The Wildcats are still the obvious #2 seed right now, but UNO is right on their heels so they can't afford to drop many more. Like the Bearkats, ACU too has to travel twice this week (Nicholls and UIW).
3. Southeastern Louisiana - 11-13 (7-4): The Lions are rolling right now. After the 0-3 start, they've now won 7 of their last 8, with the lone loss coming to Sam Houston. Impressive road wins at Corpus and UCA have vaulted them to the 3 seed. I don't see any issues for them this week, hosting UIW and McNeese.
4. New Orleans - 13-10 (8-4): The Privateers are still fairly under the radar, but at 8-4 they are in great position to battle for that illustrious 2nd seed. They haven't played great as of late, having to win at Northwestern State in OT, and then dropping a home game to Nicholls. But a week off will help them prepare for the Islanders coming to town.
5. Texas A&M Corpus Christi - 10-13 (5-5): Two week ago I moved the Islanders into the Top 4. Since then, they've dropped 3 of the next 4. Not the best time to slow down, but if they can become the first team to knock off the Bearkats this week, they can easily regain some momentum as we close in on Katy. Corpus will also have to travel to UNO this weekend.
6. Stephen F. Austin - 12-10 (5-5): Every week is something different with the Lumberjacks. One game they'll play decent or have some wild finish, and the next they'll fall flat. It's a very strange season for SFA, and they don't seem to have many answers to their problems. Other than Kevon Harris. A 15-point home drubbing to Lamar is troubling, but they can NOT afford to drop a game to McNeese or Northwestern State this weekend.
7. Lamar - 12-12 (5-6): The next two teams are tied in the rankings, but one is trending up and the other is trending down. Right now it's Lamar that is trending up. Winners of 3 of their last 4, including the dominant win in Nacogodches where the Cardinals out rebound SFA 41-13. Lamar can continue their trend with a home game against the Demons, but the Saturday match-up with Sam Houston looks difficult.
8. Central Arkansas - 10-14 (5-6): Trending down, are the Bears from Central Arkansas. Three straight losses including two at home is putting UCA in some must win situations. They do have the weekend off, and the mid-week game against Houston Baptist should be a win at home.
9. Northwestern State - 9-15 (4-7): Believe it or not, the Demons are actually trending up. If it wasn't for an OT loss to UNO, they'd have won 3 straight. But 2 of 3 is still very positive, I'm just not sure if they'll be able to keep enough wins coming to get them to Katy. This week the Demons travel to Lamar and then get the Lumberjacks at home.
10. Nicholls State - 11-12 (4-6): Also continuing to trend down, is Nicholls State. The Colonels had lost 5 straight, including several blowouts, before getting a much needed win at New Orleans. I don't think they'll beat ACU on Wednesday, but they desperately need the road win at Houston Baptist to remain in the tournament hunt.
11. Houston Baptist - 7-14 (3-7): The Huskies have been a little unlucky, in my opinion. Their worst conference loss was only by 7 points (to ACU), and have had several games that "maybe" should have gone their way. Including last weeks game against SFA. Perhaps a trip to Conway and a home game with Nicholls could turn their luck?
12. McNeese State - 7-16 (3-7): Not a lot going right for the Cowboys right now. Their 3 wins come against the other 3 teams in the bottom 4, although they do have some "competitive losses" against the likes of ACU and SLU. This weeks looks to be rough, as they travel to both SFA and SLU.
13. Incarnate Word - 6-17 (1-9): It's been a rocky first season for Coach Cunningham, the Cardinals haven't won since January 5th. He'll need to find some positives to grow on for next season, as I don't see many wins on the calendar. UIW travels to SLU on Wednesday, before welcoming ACU in San Antonio on Saturday.
Comments