WILDCATS-CARDINALS PREDICTIONS
Owen: It’s something every team has to learn. Coming off a loss where you should finish out with a win and fail to do so is always a challenge. However, the Wildcats are 2-0 this season coming off of a loss. Meanwhile, Lamar is still looking for its first conference win of the season, sitting at 2-3 on the season. The key factor in this matchup is what kind of Wildcat offense shows up to play. After boasting one of the top offenses in the FCS earlier in the season, ACU has been held to just around 20 points per game in the past two weeks and particularly have struggled to get started earlier in games. Looking on the other side, Lamar has a dual threat of pass and run averaging around 200 yards a game each on the ground and in the air. They have three running backs over 200 rushing yards this season while the Wildcats have essentially put their money on senior running back Tracy James for the majority of carries last week after senior running back Billy McCrary has been sidelined for the remainder of the season. With a banged up ACU offense and a Lamar team looking to capitalize on home-field advantage, The Cardinals come out on top.
Wildcats vs. Cardinals: ACU: 23 Lamar: 27
Tavian: After suffering a brutal loss this last weekend to UIW 31-24, the Wildcats are looking to rebound against Lamar who has one of the best rushing offenses in the conference. Both ACU and Lamar sit at 2-3 overall and have something to prove going into this game. This week, ACU’s offense should look more like a rebuilding week since the Wildcats threw three interceptions in Saturday’s loss. We know both teams can score since Lamar is averaging 28.4 points per game compared to the Wildcats 33.6 points per game. However, ACU gives up 27.2 points per game while Lamar gives up 33.6 points per contest. So far the Wildcats have struggled on the road, and I’d expect that to continue. A crippled Wildcat offense will be the underlying factor in this matchup. Wildcats drop to 2-4 on the season.
Wildcats vs. Cardinals: ACU:9 Lamar:24
Lexi: Last week was a surprising loss for the Wildcats, so I am hoping they will come back mad this week and put it on Lamar. ACU and Lamar are both 2-3 overall, but the Wildcats are 1-2 in conference and Lamar is 0-2. Lamar was picked to finish 6th in conference while ACU was picked to finish 7th in the Southland Conference preseason poll. Last week Luke Anthony threw three picks in the game against UIW, so if he can bounce back and make the needed corrections, I feel like they will have a better shot. Some players that shined last weekend were Jeremiah Chambers with 13 tackles and Jack Gibbens with 13 tackles. Tracy James ran 97 yards which put him past the 2,000 yard mark. I am predicting that it is going to be a pretty close game but I have a feeling that after the loss they took last week, and if those guys can come together along with the offense and the rest of the defense, I have no doubt that the Wildcats will come out with the win.
Wildcats vs. Cardinals: ACU:31 Lamar:24
Jalen: Coming off a shocking loss to UIW last weekend, the Wildcats will travel to Beaumont to face the Lamar Cardinals and hope to bounce after suffering their second straight loss. ACU’s offense was not flowing throughout the game, turning the ball over four times and produced only 330 yards of total offense. Junior quarterback Luke Anthony played his worst game of the season so far by only throwing 197 yards and three interceptions. The Cardinals are coming off their third straight loss to Stepehen F. Austin 24-17. They are currently ninth in the Southland Conference with ACU being one spot ahead of them in eighth. Senior Tracy James led the team against UIW as he ran for 97 yards and a touchdown. James ranks number one in categories including total touchdowns and scoring. The Wildcats’ running game will be the key factor against the Cardinals, and I believe that James will get a great amount of touches in this matchup. The Wildcats will bounce back offensively and grab their first road win of the season.
Wildcats vs. Cardinals: ACU: 24 Lamar: 10
Weekly Prediction season records:
- Owen (4-1)
- Tavian (4-1)
- Jalen (3-2)
- Lexi (2-3)
