• Weekly Prediction Standings

1. Tavian 7-3

2. Owen 6-4

3. Jalen 5-5

4. Lexi 4-5

Wildcats-Bearkats PREDICTIONS

Owen: It can always be challenging to come out swinging after a bye week. But for the Wildcats, the bye week couldn’t have been timed better. After riding a three-game winning streak, it helped ACU rest a banged up core, with playoff implications on the line. If the Wildcats were to win its next two games, the FCS playoffs are a high probability. Their success is going to start with its offense. The Bearkats are just giving up 17.6 points per game defensively. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have scored 31 or more points in the past three games. Last season against Sam Houston State, the Wildcats came out on top, 17-10. A large part in that victory was ACU winning the turnover margin. Coach Dorrel has emphasized from the beginning of the season how important that is to him. With sophomore quarterback Sema’J Davis and senior running back Tracy James both carrying the team on the ground, I expect ACU to remain undefeated at home.

SMU vs. Memphis: ACU: 27 SHSU: 23

Tavian: The Wildcats are all rested and are looking to continue its winning streak as they take on the Bearkats of Sam Houston State. In order to keep its FCS Playoff hopes alive, this is a must win game Saturday at Anthony Field. ACU is currently 4-3 in conference play and Sam Houston is 4-2 in conference play. Earlier in the year, I would’ve said that ACU had no shot, but now there’s a sudden burst of life for the Wildcats. Sam Houston comes in averaging 32.7 points per game and giving up only 17.6 compared to the Wildcats giving up 26.6 points per game. The Wildcats are going to need impact player senior running back Tracy James to come alive on offense and senior linebacker Jeremiah Chambers to anchor the defense. James will need to rush for over 100 yards if the Wildcats are wanting to win this one. Chambers will also need a big along with the defensive backs to shutdown Sam Houston’s offense. Wildcats will win this one.

ACU vs SHSU: ACU: 34 SHSU 27

Lexi: The Wildcats play Sam Houston on Saturday, and it’s going to be a game to see. The Wildcats are 4-3 in conference, while the Bearkats are 4-2. I’m not going to lie, last year I would probably have said that Sam Houston would get the win. This year is completely different. The Wildcats have been playing so well on both sides of the ball, so I feel like this will be an evenly matched game. From looking at all the scores of our games and looking at all the scores of Sam Houston, for the most part, they are pretty even. The Wildcats had their bye week, so I feel like they are going to come out even stronger after a well needed break. The Bearkats are fourth in conference right now and the Wildcats are sixth. I feel like if we can come out and play with the same energy we’ve had for the last two games, there will be no doubt that the Wildcats will get their fifth win of conference play.

ACU vs SHSU: ACU: 45 SHSU: 38

Jalen: Coming off a bye week, the Wildcats will be back in action this weekend as they host the Bearkats of Sam Houston State. ACU is currently in fifth place in the Southland Conference and have been on a three game winning streak. Senior running back Tracy James has been the driving force for the Wildcats in its winning streak rushing for 298 yards and five touchdowns and averaging over five yards per carry. The Wildcats are also averaging 33.9 points a game this season, which is third in the Southland Conference. The Bearkats’ season has been backed by its dominant defense, which ranks first in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense. They’ve held its opponents to 17.6 points per game and also rank first in sacks by a team. I believe this will be a dog fight between the two teams and we should expect a lot of excitement. The key factor will be ACU’s offense figuring out the Bearkats’ defense and take advantage of its schemes. This will be the most interesting home game this year, and the Wildcats will extend its win streak to four. Wildcats come out on top.

ACU vs SHSU: ACU: 35 SHSU: 28