Southland Conference Week 10 Preview: Undefeated SFA Faces Lamar in Marquee Showdown

Week 9 across the Southland Conference gave us a Voodoo hex, a last-second thriller, another streaking team gaining attention and SFA being SFA.

With three teams earning votes and making their way into the Top 25 conversation this week, one matchup will draw the attention of FCS Nation, while another quietly surging team puts its credentials on the line in a difficult road test.

UTRGV (4-5, 2-4 SLC) at Northwestern State (0-9, 0-6 SLC)

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m.

There is no history between these programs, as this will mark the first time the Vaqueros face the Demons in Natchitoches. Although there are two different storylines surrounding this matchup, the question for UTRGV is whether the Vaqueros can follow up their last road performance with another victory.

Northwestern State, meanwhile, has not won a home conference game since October 2022, when the Demons defeated Nicholls. "It will be no easy task for a variety of reasons," UTRGV head coach Travis Bush said when asked which team faces more pressure to win Saturday. "On one hand, we are trying to follow up our road showing from the last time we traveled, but on the flip side, you have a program that has seen some good progress when they play at home, especially when they throw different blitz packages on defense. Coach McCorkle will have his guys ready."

Northwestern State head coach Blaine McCorkle also spoke highly of the Vaqueros ahead of their first meeting.

"They have a sound program, and Coach Bush has done the right things necessary to get that ball rolling. They built a roster for a win now but also to grow as a program playing young people in all aspects. They are fun to watch."

East Texas A&M (3-6, 3-3 SLC) at Nicholls (3-6, 2-4 SLC)

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m.

This will be only the third meeting between the programs, with the Colonels winning the first two. The last time the Lions and Colonels met in Thibodaux, Nicholls edged East Texas A&M, 12-10.

East Texas A&M won the battle of the Lions last week, defeating Southeastern Louisiana on an Ozlo Rigby field goal in the closing seconds. Defensively, the Lions did not allow an offensive touchdown against Southeastern.

"It was really good to see the defense come up with four turnovers and keep us in the game. Our challenge was to establish the run game, but we had a few misreads, and it altered the play design a bit," East Texas A&M head coach Clint Dolezel said after the win.

"We will be travelling a day early to get our guys acclimated since it's been a while since we have visited Thibodaux. We will have less time to prepare, so we need to make the most of our practices this week."

Nicholls dropped its last outing against McNeese, 16-3, in a rain-soaked contest. The Colonels had plenty of opportunities inside the red zone but could not capitalize.

"The weather affected both teams, and we struggled to find rhythm. Our younger guys made some plays, but we're going to have to get them more involved as we want them to grow along," Nicholls head coach Tommy Rybacki said after the game.

"The Lions are a defensive team that likes to play swarm defense and were able to get a result at home against Southeastern."

No. 6 Stephen F. Austin (9-0, 6-0 SLC) at No. 12 Lamar (7-2, 5-1 SLC)

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m.

The eyes of FCS Nation will be on Beaumont, Texas, this Saturday as Stephen F. Austin and Lamar square off in a matchup with major Southland Conference championship implications. This Texas two-step will mark the 33rd overall meeting between the programs, but only the 11th as conference rivals.

The all-time series is tied at 16 wins apiece, although SFA holds an 8-2 advantage in conference meetings. Lamar's last home victory over the Lumberjacks came in 2013, when the Cardinals escaped with a thrilling 46-45 win.

The Lumberjacks took care of business last week, defeating Houston Christian 37-6. Quarterback Gavin Rutherford delivered another clean, balanced performance, totaling 214 yards of offense and accounting for two touchdowns.

"These are generational type games, where you have successful teams with so much on the line in November where pretenders and contenders are separated," SFA head coach Colby Carthel said when asked about facing Lamar on the road.

"In 100 years of Lumberjacks football, we have never been 9-0 before. It is going to be a fun environment, and I love coaching in these types of games." Lamar, meanwhile, went on the road last week and snapped UTRGV's undefeated home winning streak, overcoming the Vaqueros and their Valley Voodoo.

Quarterback Aiden McCown continued his stellar play in Edinburg, totaling 206 yards of offense and accounting for three touchdowns. "We are really going to need Cardinal red to show up; ticket sales have been robust, and it is going to be a championship-caliber atmosphere. We will need everybody," Lamar head coach Pete Rossomando said about facing SFA on Saturday.

"We cannot afford to give them short fields at all; we need to find ways to make them work offensively because (Gavin) Rutherford can hurt you in several ways." With SFA looking to preserve its perfect record and Lamar attempting to tighten the conference championship race, this showdown carries enormous implications for both programs.

McNeese (4-5, 3-3 SLC) at Houston Christian (4-5, 3-3 SLC)

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m.

This will be the ninth meeting between the Cowboys and Huskies in a series dating back to 2017. McNeese leads the all-time series with six victories but has dropped two of the last three meetings. Houston Christian's only home win in the series came in 2024, when the Huskies prevailed 43-22.

McNeese returned to the win column last week, weathering heavy rain to defeat Nicholls 16-3. The Cowboys' defense stood tall, forcing four fumbles and returning one for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

"It was bit of a struggle to get our passing game going but once we got our first score we settled a bit much but happy for the result we got," McNeese head coach Matt Viator said after the victory. When asked about facing HCU, Viator added: "They have been the surprise of the conference this season. They move the ball around very well, so we need to adjust a few things from a scheming point, but the guys have been responding well in practice."

Houston Christian has suffered back-to-back losses in recent weeks, with its latest setback coming against SFA on the road. "It has been a rough couple of weeks for us, facing two quality teams. I hope they can both make the playoffs and have deep runs," HCU head coach Jason Bachtel said after the game.

"We get to be back in our friendly confines and get to play another quality opponent in McNeese. They have been through some QB issues, but their defense has been their glue to getting results."

With both programs sitting at 3-3 in conference play, Saturday's matchup offers an opportunity to gain momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

No. 25 UIW (5-4, 4-2 SLC) at Southeastern Louisiana (4-5, 2-3 SLC)

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m.

This will be the 14th meeting between the Cardinals and Lions as the two programs square off in Hammond, Louisiana. UIW holds a narrow 7-6 advantage in the all-time series and looks to secure another road victory against Southeastern Louisiana. The Cardinals are 3-3 on the road in this series, while Southeastern is seeking its first home victory over UIW since 2022.

UIW has been playing some impressive football lately, entering November after closing its three-game homestand with a dominant 66-14 victory over Northwestern State. The Cardinals' recent performances have pushed them into the national conversation surrounding potential FCS playoff teams.

Quarterback Emmett Brown delivered another efficient performance, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jayden Hibbler rushed for 102 yards on just eight carries and scored three touchdowns.

"I told them, 'If you want to be a championship-level football team, you've got to be able to dominate games like this,'" UIW head coach Clint Killough said after the victory. "So it shouldn't come as a surprise to those guys."

When asked about facing Southeastern on the road, Killough emphasized the importance of winning away from home. "You don't get into the playoffs without being able to win on the road," Killough said. "We have not been able to do that yet, so that's going to be a big challenge for the team this week. This is a really good football team that deserves to be in the playoffs. And that's what they're working for."

Southeastern Louisiana, meanwhile, dropped a heartbreaking 10-7 decision against East Texas A&M, missing an opportunity to send the game into overtime as time expired. "Our turnovers have been at critical times this season, and against a really good defense like East Texas A&M," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said during his weekly press conference.

When asked about the challenge UIW presents, Scelfo highlighted the Cardinals' offensive versatility.

"They have an explosive offense that can hurt you in different ways. Their O-line plays very well and has meshed throughout the season. Brown has been very effective for them on offense; he also runs the ball, if necessary, as well."

With UIW making a late season push for playoff consideration, Saturday's road test against Southeastern Louisiana represents another opportunity for the Cardinals to strengthen their postseason résumé.