2pm, Sam Houston at Oklahoma - If Sam Houston stands a chance in this game, it will be because they concentrated on practicing defense this week. A&M & Tech exploited their weakness out wide. They must shore up this space to prevent another blowout. Oklahoma has already proven that their midfield and back three are threats. Oklahoma must mimic the A&M & Tech wins - keep the ball from being smothered by Sam's big forwards, prevent Sam's Flyhalf, Drost, from running the ball, and quickly attack with the wing. Oklahoma should win this one.
Note: I really like Drost. I think Coach Rizzo has to play him at Flyhalf. However Drost is a tall fellow who is in his element in space. Give Drost an inch of space and he's 20 meters the other way. Drost would be a real weapon at outside center.
2pm Texas A&M at Baylor - Coach Lane has already stated how young his team is. They are earning their spurs the hard way. This will not bode well against an A&M team that is more than experienced. Coach Mills has named a brutal roster for this weekend. Chris Frazier is leading same pack that had Sam going backwards for most of the game and forced BYU to work harder at the breakdown. Theodore is in at scrumhalf delivering to the unselfish captain, Conor Mills. Mills has new favorite JD Smiley and old favorite Brian Guillen in the midfield - they who produced a hat-trick apiece last week. Jacobson moves back to fullback, so kicking for position becomes a poor choice for Baylor. All that and Coach Mills still has an formidable injury bench getting ready for the harder games. If A&M plays to their pattern, they should win this game and in fine fashion.
5:15pm UT-Dallas v LeTourneau
7pm Angelo State v UT-San Antonio
UT-Dallas v LeTourneau - While LeTourneau has been the belle of the ball this year, they are still a first year team and this is their first playoff round ever. Make no doubt about it, Coach van Reenen will prepare them well, but UT-Dallas has been here before and walked away victors in a very tough match (UTD 15-10 UTSA). I think the Comets will best the Yellowjackets on this day, but it will not be a blowout. LeTourneau has worked hard to get to this point and will not go gently into that good night. Coach Tony Wagner and his Comets know this all too well.
Angelo State v UT-San Antonio - These teams have also met already with UTSA walking away victors. Angelo State will put up a fight, but will not be able to best the Roadrunners on their home turf. UTSA should be meeting UTD at high noon on Sunday. UTSA will have something to prove this year as they will be competing in the Division 1A environs of the SWC.