Blitz Picks Week 13 - Area Playoffs
29 Big Country teams entered the playoffs, now 14 remain after one week of postseason action.
The bi-district winners were dominant for the most part, earning victories by an average of nearly 35 points per game to move on to the area round — where the competition will only get stiffer.
The picks weren’t bad, above 80% for the third straight week as the season percentage inches towards 80% as well.
Season: 350-443, 79%
Week 1: 31-41, 75.6%
Week 2: 29-41, 70.7%
Week 3: 30-37, 81.1%
Week 4: 31-41, 75.6%
Week 5: 33-38, 86.8%
Week 6: 23-28, 82.1%
Week 7: 25-31, 80.7%
Week 8: 28-41, 68.3%
Week 9: 31-40, 77.5%
Week 10: 33-37, 89.2%
Week 11: 32-39, 82.1%
Week 12: 24-29, 82.8%
4A DIVISION II
Sweetwater (8-3) vs Aubrey (10-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Stephenville
The Mustangs aim for an eighth straight win as they meet Aubrey in the area round in Stephenville. Sweetwater’s last trip to Stephenville was a 51-13 loss to the Yellow Jackets in the season opener, now they look to show just how far they’ve come over the past 12 weeks. While the Mustangs took care of Borger 50-15 last week the Chaparrals were beating down Bridgeport 55-3. Aubrey’s only loss of the year was to Celina in week seven and they’ve won four straight since then by an average of 37.3 points per game. Both teams have explosive offenses, but the Aubrey defense has put up better numbers this season and will be a test for Leo Holsey and the Mustang offense.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: Second meeting. Sweetwater won 30-6 in area round in 2015.
Points per game: Sweetwater 37.8 — Aubrey 44.5
Points allowed per game: Sweetwater 35.5 — Aubrey 16.6
Streak: Sweetwater won seven — Aubrey won four
Key Players
Sweetwater - QB Leo Holsey: 187-302, 3013 yds, 31 TD, 7 int; 756 yds, 16 TD rushing. WR Harrison Foster: 64 rec, 1244 yds, 10 TD. LB Cedrick Brown: 119 tackles
Aubrey - RB Braylon Colgrove: 1,000+ yards, 20 TD rushing
Winner plays Monahans/Van Alstyne winner
THE SPREAD: AUBREY BY 22
THE PICK: AUBREY
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Snyder (8-3) vs Graham (7-3) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
The Tigers picked up their first playoff win since 2013 last week, snapping a six-game postseason skid with a 31-0 shutout of Seminole, and move on to face Graham in round two. The Steers beat Sanger last week 35-14 to extend their winning streak to six. Graham started the season 1-3 with losses to Springtown, Decatur and Wichita Falls Hirschi before righting to ship to claim the District 3-4A Division II championship.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: Third meeting. Graham won 7-6 in bi-district in 1956, Snyder won 35-19 in bi-district in 2011.
Points per game: Snyder 34.7 — Graham 24.1
Points allowed per game: Snyder 18 — Graham 20
Streak: Snyder won two — Graham won six
Key Players
Snyder - QB Hunter Stewart: 87-128, 1007 yds, 8 TD, 6 int passing; 529 yds, 8 TD rushing. RB Jorge Martinez: 1069 yds, 12 TD rushing. WR Tim Henderson: 33 rec, 476 yds, 4 TD. LB Bryce Ford: 108 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 int
Graham - QB Ty Thompson: 100-185, 1194 yds, 9 TD, 6 int passing; 368 yds, 3 TD rushing. RB Noah Jilek: 1102 yds, 9 TD rushing. WR Tre Alveraz: 50 rec, 603 yds, 6 TD. Bobby Smith: 115 tackles, 6 sacks. Hugo Murillo: 114 tackles
Winner plays Celina/Perryton winner
THE SPREAD: GRAHAM BY 5
THE PICK: SNYDER
Photo: @Snyder_Tigers
3A DIVISION I
Jim Ned (11-0) vs Muleshoe (6-5) - Friday, 3:30 p.m. - Lowrey Field, Lubbock
The Indians championship defense tour heads northwest this week to meet Muleshoe in Lubbock. Jim Ned is battling through the loss of starters due to injury, but they keep rolling. Muleshoe finished second to Bushland in District 2-3A Division I, losing to the Falcons but beating River Road, Dalhart and Littlefield to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. They beat Brownfield 21-17 in the bi-district round. The teams have a common opponent in Snyder: Jim Ned beat the Tigers 22-15 while the Mules lost to them 45-33.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: First playoff meeting
Points per game: Jim Ned 42.7 — Muleshoe 31.3
Points allowed per game: Jim Ned 11.6 — Muleshoe 33.7
Streak: Jim Ned won 25 — Muleshoe won four
Key Players
Jim Ned - QB Tate Yardley: 79-141, 1511 yds, 20 TD, 4 int passing, 147 yds, 6 TD rushing. RB Xavier Wishert: 2013 yds, 24 TD rushing; 61 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int. WR Braden Lewis: 26 rec, 494 yds, 6 TD. Tanner Hussman: 84 tackles, 1.5 sacks
Muleshoe - QB Zach Hasley: 152-289, 2129 yds, 26 TD, 9 int passing. RB Daniel Sianez: 688 yds, 4 TD rushing. RB Zeke Kasel: 645 yds, 6 TD rushing. WR Irvin Torres: 64 rec, 972 yds, 12 TD. Brennen Davis: 121 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int
Winner plays Brock/Amarillo River Road winner
THE SPREAD: JIM NED BY 38
THE PICK: JIM NED
Photo: Prelude Production
Early (9-2) vs Shallowater (9-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Clyde
The Longhorns won their first playoff game since 2007 last week and are looking for more as they meet Shallowater in Clyde Friday night. Early got off to a great start in a 43-21 upset of Pilot Point and would love to do the same against a Mustang team that took care of Dalhart 56-18 in the bi-district round. The Mustangs only two losses of the season were to state ranked Abernathy 28-16 in week one and state ranked Childress 30-28 in week four.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: First playoff meeting
Points per game: Early 39.5 — Shallowater 38.8
Points allowed per game: Early 17.3 — Shallowater 14
Streak: Early won four — Shallowater won seven
Key Players
Early — QB Jaxyn Price: 126-216, 1916 yds, 28 TD, 4 int. RB Tre Beam: 1366 yds, 12 TD; 22 rec, 339 yds, 5 TD. WR Jeremy Brown: 48 rec, 657 yds, 5 TD. WR John-Stewart Gordon: 36 rec, 551 yds, 8 TD. Tucker Hale: 96 tackles, 1 int. Caleb McCullough: 94 tackles, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles. Kaleb Ozuna: 94 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int, 2 fumble recoveries
Shallowater — QB Garrett Foerster: 5-8, 122 yds, 1 TD passing; 95 yds rushing vs Dalhart. Kaleb Cox: 92 yds, 3 TD rushing vs Dalhart. Keegan Campbell: 57 yds, 2 TD rushing, kickoff return for TD vs Dalhart.
Winner plays Bushland/Whitesboro winner
THE SPREAD: SHALLOWATER BY 1
THE PICK: SHALLOWATER
3A DIVISION II
Ballinger (6-5) vs Abernathy (10-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Andrews
The Bearcats joined Stanton and Riesel as one of three four-seeds to upset district champs in the bi-district round of the 3A Division II bracket, now they get set for a tough task against Abernathy. The Antelopes only have one loss this season, a 58-56 defeat to unbeaten Lubbock Roosevelt about a month ago. They took care of Friona 33-14 in the first round while the Bearcats took down Crane 35-34.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: First playoff meeting
Points per game: Ballinger 30.7 — Abernathy 43
Points allowed per game: Ballinger 22.8 — Abernathy 16.8
Streak: Ballinger won one — Abernathy won three
Key Players
Ballinger — QB Carter Arrott: 63-121, 852 yds, 7 TD, 7 int, 621 yds rushing, 9 TD. QB Briley Clinton: 44-68, 664 yds, 8 TD, 2 int. RB Beau Perkins: 511 yds, 5 TD rushing; 80 tackles. WR Trey Matschek: 42 rec, 523 yds, 5 TD. DL Nakia Villarreal: 90 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries.
Abernathy — QB Jess Hoel: 145-237, 2705 yds, 41 TD, 7 int; 627 yds, 6 TD rushing; 74 tackles. WR Anthony White: 44 rec, 794 yds, 12 TD. WR Luke Houston: 32 rec, 629 yds, 13 TD. Jakob Sanchez: 61 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 int
THE SPREAD: ABERNATHY BY 30
THE PICK: ABERNATHY
Photo: Chad McDuffee/BallingerNews.com
Eastland (6-5) vs Bells (8-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Boyd
The Mavericks and Panthers are set to meet in the area round for the second straight season, and Eastland would love history to repeat itself after winning a year ago 49-22. Eastland doubled-up City View last week 42-21, while Bells blasted Blooming Grove 40-12. Two of the Panthers three losses this season have been to state ranked Holliday 27-14 and state ranked Gunter 41-14. The other was to a Whitesboro squad that is still alive in the 3A Division I bracket. Both teams have wins over Breckenridge and losses to Holliday this season and the winner will likely get another shot at the Eagles in the next round. The Mavericks know they will have to stop the run against a Panther team that only threw 17 passes all season.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: Eastland won 49-22 in area round in 2020
Points per game: Eastland 34 — Bells 40
Points allowed per game: Eastland 36 — Bells 20.3
Streak: Eastland won three — Bells won five
Key Players
Eastland — QB Keaton Hicks: 94-153, 1339 yds, 18 TD, 6 int; 678 yds, 9 TD rushing. QB Cooper Wright: 88-128, 932 yds, 7 TD, 1 int; 506 yds, 3 TD rushing; 64 tackles, 1 int. RB Judson Beard: 772 yds, 9 TD; 52 rec, 648 yds, 8 TD; 75 tackles, 1 int. WR Jared Cruz: 42 rec, 687 yds, 6 TD.
Bells — QB Blake Rolen: 8-16, 137 yds, 4 TD, 2 int; 272 yds, 8 TD rushing; 108 tackles, 1 int. RB Bo Baker: 1227 yds, 10 TD; 4 rec, 80 yds, 3 TD; 81 tackles. RB Brock Baker: 860 yds, 11 TD; 77 tackles. RB Spencer Hinds: 763 yds, 10 TD. Koehler High: 105 tackles, 2 forced fumbles.
Winner plays Holliday/Leonard winner
THE SPREAD: BELLS BY 13
THE PICK: BELLS
Photo: Torin Halsey/Times Record News
2A DIVISION I
Hawley (11-0) vs Sundown (8-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Big Spring
The Bearcats and Roughnecks meet for the fourth straight season in the playoffs. Hawley stayed perfect with a 56-9 win over San Saba, while Sundown rolled past Sanford-Fritch 52-13. The Roughnecks only losses on the season have been to 3A Muleshoe 33-14 in the season opener, 50-13 to state ranked Abernathy in week three and a 42-14 loss to New Deal in a battle for the district title in the season finale. Hawley has been impressive all season, only allowing 51 points — tied with Coleman (who played one less game) for the fewest allowed for the year in 2A Division I.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: Sundown won 37-36 in OT in area in 2018, Hawley won 22-21 in regionals in 2019, Hawley won 34-20 in area in 2020
Points per game: Hawley 45 — Sundown 28.9
Points allowed per game: Hawley 4.6 — 15
Streak: Hawley won 11 — Sundown won one
Key Players
Hawley— QB Rodey Hooper: 116-196, 1822 yds, 23 TD, 9 int. RB Austin Cumpton: 689 yds, 11 TD rushing. RB Lawson Bailey: 670 yds, 9 TD rushing. WR Kason O’Shields: 38 rec, 627 yds, 8 TD. WR Aeneas Segura: 30 rec, 444 yds, 6 TD. Kyle Nichols: 83 tackles, 11 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries. Hez Parker: 81 tackles, 1 int. Will Scott: 80 tackles, 7 int, 3 forced fumbles.
Sundown — QB Hunter Tindol: 69-130, 1052 yds, 13 TD, 4 int; 242 yds, 6 TD rushing. RB EJ Hernandez: 746 yds, 11 TD. WR Koy Torres: 23 rec, 428 yds, 4 TD. WR Kevin Garcia: 24 rec, 354 yds, 4 TD; 149 tackles.
Winner plays Coleman/Post winner
THE SPREAD: HAWLEY BY 21
THE PICK: HAWLEY
Photo: Alexander Garza
Coleman (10-0) vs Post (5-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Colorado City
The Bluecats take a perfect record into a matchup against Post in the area round. The Bold Gold may have a losing record, but they’ve won four straight to get things rolling after a 1-6 start to the season, plus many players have plenty of playoff experience coming of back-to-back losses in the state championship game. Coleman may not have the recent playoff pedigree, but they sure do have talent and one of the best defenses in the state. The 12 points they allowed Anson last week, in a 62-12 victory, is the second highest number they’ve given up all season behind the 13 Colorado City scored in a 63-13 loss. This is the fifth meeting between the two schools and the series is currently tied 2-2.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: First playoff meeting
Points per game: Coleman 44.2 — Post 23.8
Points allowed per game: Coleman 5.1 — Post 20.8
Streak: Coleman won ten — Post won four
Key Players
Coleman — QB Jadin Jackson: 30-81, 820 yds, 9 TD, 5 int; 765 yds, 12 TD rushing. RB Ryland Gentry: 739 yds, 12 TD. RB Devinar Roberson: 233 yds, 3 TD; 4 rec, 138 yds, 2 TD. WR Braxton Smith: 16 rec, 378 yds, 5 TD
Post — QB Will Fairbanks: 26-70, 448 yds, 5 TD, 7 int; 154 yds, 4 TD rushing. RB Steven Huff: 1172 yds, 15 TD; 102 tackles. RB Isaiah Crawford: 630 yds, 5 TD; 88 tackles. Sebastian Chapa: 160 tackles, 2 sacks. Steve Gonzales: 108 tackles, 3 sacks. Zach Courtney: 102 tackles
Winner plays Hawley/Sundown winner
THE SPREAD: COLEMAN BY 18
THE PICK: COLEMAN
Cisco (9-2) vs Panhandle (6-5) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Vernon
The Loboes hit the road to meet Panhandle, the champion from District 1-2A Division I. The Panthers lost their first five games of the season but have rallied to win six straight, including a 56-0 shutout of Floydada in the bi-district round. Cisco cruised past Haskell 55-28 to advance to at least the area round for the eighth time in nine years.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: Cisco won 48-33 in area in 2002, Panhandle won 41-21 in area in 2003
Points per game: Cisco 39.6 — Panhandle 41.2
Points allowed per game: Cisco 16.5 — Panhandle 31
Streak: Cisco won three — Panhandle won six
Key Players
Cisco — QB Hunter Long: 51-101, 843 yds, 10 TD, 5 int; 1591 yds, 24 TD rushing. RB Trent Huston: 1104 yds, 13 TD. WR Tre Brackeen: 13 rec, 275 yds, 2 TD; 6 int. TE/LB Dawson Hearne: 8 rec, 113 yds, 5 TD; 2 int
Panhandle — QB Landyn Hack: 193 yards, 4 TD rushing, 195 yards, 3 TD passing vs Floydada. RB Wyatt Brookshire: 95 yards, 2 TD rushing vs. Floydada. WR Nick Mize: 4 rec, 122 yds, TD vs Floydada.
Winner plays New Deal/Forsan Winner
THE SPREAD: CISCO BY 12
THE PICK: CISCO
Photo: Gary Stennett
2A DIVISION II
Roscoe (10-1) vs Santo (10-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Cisco
The Plowboys take a ten-game winning streak with them to meet fellow 10-1 Santo in Cisco Thursday night. Roscoe trailed Quanah early last week but rallied to win 38-16, while Santo shut out Petrolia 31-0. The Wildcats are having one of the better season in school history — they have reached double-digit wins for just the fourth time — and their only loss was to powerful Albany 33-6. The Plowboys lone loss was to unbeaten Hawley, so both teams have played one of the better teams in the state this season.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: First playoff meeting
Points per game: Roscoe 35.7 — Santo 35.5
Points allowed per game: Roscoe 14 — Santo 10.8
Streak: Roscoe won ten — Santo won two
Key Players
Roscoe — QB/DB Jax Watts: 133-192, 1974 yds, 23 TD, 11 int. RB Jake Gonzales: 561 yds, 8 TD. WR Antonio Aguayo: 62 rec, 975 yds, 10 TD; 380 yds, 6 TD rushing. WR Seth Wilcox: 19 rec, 419 yds, 6 TD. WR Ivan McCann: 27 rec, 279 yds, 5 TD
Santo — QB Case Procter 21-54, 418 yds, 5 TD, 3 int; 631 yds, 11 TD rushing. RB Sam Henderson: 949 yards, 14 TD. RB Hutson Thornton: 565 yds, 7 TD; 6 rec, 113 yds, 2 TD. Billy Sandoval: 11 rec, 285 yds, 5 TD
Winner plays Archer City/Windthorst winner
THE SPREAD: ROSCOE BY 6
THE PICK: ROSCOE
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Albany (10-0) vs Olney - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Graham
The Lions look to remain perfect as they face Olney in the area round Thursday night. Albany has cruised to their ten wins this season by an average of 52.2 (!!!) points per game — their closest contests were 27 point victories over Dublin and Santo. After beating Era 68-0, they are in the area round for the 19th straight season. Olney, on the other hand, is just 6-5 on the year but coming off an easy 49-14 win against Ralls in the bi-district round — their first playoff victory in 21 years.
THE NUMBERS
Playoff History: Olney won 34-12 in bi-district in 1950
Points per game: Albany 55.8 — Olney 32.2
Points allowed per game: Albany 4.5 — Olney 25.3
Streak: Albany won ten — Olney won two
Key Players
Albany — QB Cole Chapman: 96-134, 1757 yds, 26 TD, 2 int; 556 yds, 6 TD rushing. RB Jaheim Newton: 1232 yds, 18 TD rushing. Robert Bailey: 478 yds, 6 TD rushing. Coy Lefevre: 332 yds, 4 TD rushing; 4 rec, 66 yds, TD. WR Cooper Fairchild: 39 rec, 592 yds, 7 TD. Taren Farmer: 97 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 int. Brooks Neece: 95 tackles
Olney — QB Gatlin Guy: 408 yards, 4 TD, 4 int; 1563 yds, 19 TD rushing. RB Jovani Rockmore: 971 yds, 13 TD rushing. Cole Turner: 61 tackles, 1 int. Noah Enriquez: 57 tackles, 2 int
Winner plays Muenster/Seymour winner
THE SPREAD: ALBANY BY 32
THE PICK: ALBANY
Photo: Jerry Puckett
1A DIVISION I
Westbrook (7-4) vs Rankin (10-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Garden City
The Wildcats get set to meet District 6 champion Rankin after easing past Ira 64-14 in the bi-district round. Rankin beat Fort Davis 77-30 in round one. Much like Westbrook, the Red Devils played a tough non-district slate, winning games against Balmorhea, Springlake-Earth and Borden County. Their only loss was to Bracken Christian, who is unbeaten on the season and in the TAPPS Division III quarterfinals this week. Westbrook is certainly battle tested as well and ready to face the Red Devils.
THE NUMBERS
Points per game: Westbrook 50.7 — Rankin 69
Points allowed per game: Westbrook 26.8 — Rankin 15.5
Streak: Westbrook won five — Rankin won won six
Key Players
Westbrook — Jimmy Roberts, Jeremiah Ramirez
Rankin — Blake Wise, Baret Jackson, Braxxton Kirkland, Kalob Aguero
Winner plays Van Horn/Sterling City winner
THE SPREAD DCTF: PICK ‘EM
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: RANKIN BY 11
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
May (11-0) vs Jonesboro (11-0) - Thursday , 6:30 p.m. - Dublin
This is a top-five matchup worthy of the state championship game that, unfortunately, has to take place in the area round. May is #1 and Jonesboro #3 in the sixmanfootball.com rankings and they were 1-2 in the final Dave Campbell’s state rankings. May knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs a year ago in the same round, 62-16, on their way to Jerry World. Jonesboro has 45’d ten of 11 opponents this season, with a 64-50 win over Saint Jo being the lone “close” game on their ledger. May has been just as dominant and has ended ten of 11 early as well.
Points per game: May 66 — Jonesboro 62
Points allowed per game: May 17 — Jonesboro 16
Streak: May won 11 — Jonesboro won 11
Key Players
May — Kaden Halk: 639 yds, 15 TD rushing; 13 rec, 247 yds, 6 TD. Avery Williford: 604 yds, 16 TD rushing; 11 rec, 307 yds, 7 TD; 67 tackles, 25.5 TFL, 4 int. Blake Harrell 36-60, 908 yds, 18 TD passing; 365 yards, 9 TD rushing; 69 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries. Damian Salinas: 83 tackles, 4 int, 4 fumble recoveries; 158 yds, 5 TD rushing; 6 rec, 157 yds, 5 TD.
Jonesboro — Caleb Christel: 657 yds, 13 TD passing; 924 yds, 17 TD rushing; 83 tackles. Jacob Cisneros: 158 yds, 5 TD passing; 297 yds, 8 TD rushing. Ian Shoaf: 504 yds, 14 TD rushing. Nat Hilliker: 21 rec, 619 yds, 10 TD; 76 tackles.
Winner plays Water Valley/Lometa winner
THE SPREAD DCTF: MAY BY 16
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: MAY BY 16
THE PICK: MAY
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
1A DIVISION II
Loraine (8-3) vs Jayton (10-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Trent
The Bulldogs look to keep their season alive as they meet perennial power Jayton in Trent. Loraine won a playoff game for the first time in seven seasons with their 68-28 win over Sanderson last week, while Jayton took down Benjamin 52-41 in the bi-district round. The Jaybirds only loss is to top ranked Motley County, while Loraine fell to Westbrook, Ira and Highland: all Division I schools, plus Westbrook and Ira were ranked most of the season.
Points per game: Loraine 55.1 — Jayton 53.5
Points allowed per game: Loraine 31.8 — Jayton 24.1
Streak: Loraine won five — Jayton won one
Key Players
Loraine — AJ Williams: 410 yds, 6 TD passing; 1340 yds, 36 TD rushing; 1 rec, 35 yds, TD. Davion Walthall: 336 yds, 5 TD passing; 920 yds, 21 TD rushing; 6 rec, 80 yds, TD; 115 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries. Malaki Williams: 201 yds, 8 TD rushing; 11 rec, 225 yds, 3 TD. Damion Delgado: 94 tackles, 6 sacks, 6 forced fumbles. Wrangler Little: 91 tackles, 3 forced fumbles.
Jayton — Carson Sessums: 1,614 yards, 29 TD rushing; 97 tackles. Kaden Valerio: 100 tackles. Joel Williams: 911 yds, 21 TD passing. Caleb Beck: 15 rec, 339 yds, 7 TD. Jaydon Rivera: 14 rec, 230 yds, 8 TD.
Winner plays Motley County/Balmorhea winner
THE SPREAD DCTF: JAYTON BY 12
THE SPREAD SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM: JAYTON BY 45
THE PICK: JAYTON
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
college football
#1 SAM HOUSTON STATE VS ABILENE CHRISTIAN
The Wildcats have a huge test as they finish up their season Saturday as top-ranked and defending national champion Sam Houston State will be in Abilene. ACU got back to .500 with a 29-3 win over Tarleton last week, while the Bearkats clinched the conference title and automatic bid to the playoffs with a 42-28 win over Eastern Washington.
THE PICK: SAM HOUSTON STATE
