Well guys, it's that week again. It happens every year and is one of the more fun weeks of the year for one of the most underrated rivalries in Texas. It's going to be fun this Saturday in what has shaped up to be a pretty good contest. I've got my tickets and will be there decked in purple.

The 'Jacks have managed to take care of business since the opening loss at Texas A&M, with every phase of the game contributing. Everyone seems to talk about the SFA offense, but if you look closer you will see that the defense and special teams have scored six touchdowns this season with INT returns, kick & punt returns, as well as a pair of blocked kicks that scored. Oh, and there are a pair of safeties in there too. It's always a luxury to be able to score points when you don't directly have the football.

With that being said, it's not like they are not vulnerable. This is the best defense in the SLC this year, all statistics aside, with a solid offensive line and an outstanding group of backers. The thing I will be interested to see is how David Gibbs' plans to attack the SHSU rushing game, more specifically Tim Flanders.

Flanders has quickly proven that he is the best back in the SLC, a league that has had its fair share of good RBs; however, the only RB to rush for 100 yards this year was Cristine Michael of A&M in the first game of the year. Since then, the only 100-yard rusher was the QB from UNI, who really bulked his stats with two really big runs, but no RB has really been close to the century mark.

I'm curious as to what type of offense Fritz has installed there at SHSU this year since I have not had a chance to watch them this season up to this point. From what I can tell, a spread attack has been much more effective in moving the football against the SFA defense rather than a pro-style attack (again, with the exception of the A&M game). On Saturday against UCA the Bears had much more success in the hurry-up game rather than when they lined up in the I-formation and ran it right at the D.

I know Brian Bell ran a pass-happy spread offense at China Spring, but I also see that he has not been asked to throw the ball much at all this year, which is the smart thing to do when you have run the ball as effectively as you have.

Somehow this game reminds me of last season's Southeastern/SFA game in Hammond, though, as the Lions were the surprise of the SLC late in the season before hosting SFA in the second-to-last week of the season. The 'Jacks went in there and dominated that game, and when this team is clicking, they are explosive enough to do that on Any Given Saturday (like the plug?).

Again, I'm very much looking forward to this Saturday and a great game and I am extremely impressed at the progress the Kats have made in such a short time; but, I think this really has the chance to be a reality check for SHSU. But if they can keep it close, maybe the Kats could pull an upset, I just don't see it happening. The 'Jacks are seasoned and tested and in the last five weeks have won games in nearly every way possible.

Either way, it's just going to be great to be there. Go Jacks!