Week 6 Ohio Valley Conference Game Breakdowns
Besides UT-Martin who put up a valiant effort against ranked Eastern Kentucky, it was a good day to play at home in the OVC last Saturday. Eastern Illinois and Murray State exploded putting basketball scores on the scoreboard with 65 and 70 points respectively in their victories. Tennessee Tech dropped their third straight and the season that looked promising is close to facing the harsh reality. Tennessee State improved to 5-0, their reward, getting to face EKU this week. Jacksonville State bounced back and put a W in the conference win column as well.
#12 Eastern Kentucky (4-1) at Tennessee State (5-0), Saturday, 2:00
The Colonels’ game last week against pesky UT- Martin was too close for comfort and T.J. Prior had two fourth quarter touchdown passes to lead EKU to a 28-16 win. The Tigers of Tennessee State also needed a comeback Saturday, it just wasn’t as dramatic. Only halfway into the first quarter Tennessee State was down 10-0 to Arkansas- Pine Bluff. The Tigers rallied though and outscored APB 40-3 over the next three quarters for the 40-13 victory to move to 5-0. The Tigers forced three turnovers and will need another stellar defensive performance this weekend if they want a shot at EKU. EKU’s dual threat of Prior’s passing and Matt Denham’s rushing seems poised to trouble every OVC opponent.
Projection score: Eastern Kentucky 34, Tennessee State 20
Eastern Illinois (3-2) at Tennessee–Martin (3-2), Saturday, 3:00
Beware of the Panthers! EIU should no longer be under the radar after their 65-15 thrashing of Austin Peay. EIU has scored more than 50 points in three straight games and scored 49 or higher against all FCS opponents. The Panther’s only FCS loss came in double OT to #14 Illinois State, and to cap it off, QB Jimmy Garoppolo has entered the Walter Payton Award conversation with his 18 TD passes and only 5 INTs. UT- Martin gave #12 Eastern Kentucky all they wanted last week holding the lead heading into the fourth, but the Skyhawks couldn’t close the deal on the upset. This week UTM could again keep it close and have a decent battle but until EIU shows a falter, it is hard to go against them.
Projection score: Eastern Illinois 38, Tennessee-Martin 17
Murray State (2-3) at Austin Peay (0-5), Saturday, 7:00
This is not going to be pretty. The Racers hung 70 on Tennessee Tech last week as senior quarterback Casey Brockman continued his explosive season passing for 381 yards on 32-38 passes with two TDs and another rushing TD. Murray State fell in a hole early with a tough schedule but is working to get back on track. As for the Govs… a 50 point loss last week may soon not be their biggest loss.
Projection score: Murray State 52, Austin Peay 13
Jacksonville State (2-2) at Tennessee Tech (2-3), Saturday, 8:00
Jacksonville State managed to take control in the second half against Southeast Missouri State to go on to a 31-16 win, but questions about the defense still remain. The Gamecocks go into Cookville looking to take advantage of a team that was just carved up by Murray State. The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles scored 35 points last week, but were still doubled up by the Racers. Defensively this may be a sloppy game and the winner may be decided by who can stop the opposing offense just a few times.
Projection score: Jacksonville State 28, Tennessee Tech 23
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