Figuring out the playoff race
Despite last week's loss to West Texas A&M, ACU football fans don't need to panic -- not just yet. The Wildcats can probably afford another loss in their last three games and still make the playoffs. But if they win out, it'll make it a lot easier for them and they'd likely be home for the first round of the playoffs.
Central Washington and Northwest Missouri State, currently Nos. 1 and 2 in the region respectively, will probably win the rest of their regular-season games. Central Washington plays Humbolt State this week at home before going on the road to Dixie State and Western Oregon. Northwest Missouri plays Washburn at home this week, before going to Fort Hays State, then returning home to play Central Missouri.
Washburn, ranked No. 16 in the nation and No. 5 in the region, poses the biggest risk to the Bearcats, and Central Missouri is No. 21 in the nation and No. 8 in the region. But if the Bearcats win out, then both Washburn and Central Missouri drop in the region rankings - a boon to the Lone Star Conference teams like Midwestern State (No. 6 in the region), A&M-Kingsville (No. 7), Angelo State (No. 9) and Tarleton State (No. 10). It also takes some pressure off ACU.
Missouri Westen State, No. 12 in the nation and No. 3 in the region, also could win out with games against Missouri Southern State at home this week, before going to Emporia State and returning home to play Nebraska-Omaha. All are unranked.
If Central Washington, Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western win out, then that leaves three playoff spots available. ACU and Washburn might be able to lose one more, especially if Washburn's other loss is to Northwest Missouri. That means either Kingsville, Midwestern State, Angelo State ord Tarleton State must run the table to get in.
Kingsville has home games against Eastern New Mexico and Angelo State with a trip to ACU in between.
Midwestern State has home games against Central Oklahoma and ACU with a road game against Eastern New Mexico in betwee.
Tarleton State has ACU this week, then a road game against Angelo State, before coming home to play West Texas A&M.
Angelo State is on the road against West Texas A&M this week, then home against Tarleton State, before going to Kingsville.
ACU has Tarleton State this week, then Kingsville at home, before finishing on the road against Midwestern State.
Of course, it could get ugly with the LSC South teams beating each other up -- or there could be a shake up at the top of the region while ACU wins out, maybe, just maybe, moving up to a coveted No. 1 or 2 spot in the region.
It should be fun to see how it all plays out.
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