The Colonels are traveling to Edinburg, Texas, for the first time in program history to face Southland Conference foe Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Edinburg on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Colonels (3-6, 3-2 SLC) enter the game on a two-game winning streak after their 31-7 victory over Houston Christian last Saturday. Rio Grande (6-3, 2-3 SLC) is coming off a 41-17 loss to #23-ranked Stephen F. Austin and sits one spot behind Nicholls in the Southland standings.
Conference Championship Implications
As previously said, Rio Grande Valley sits in fifth place in the Southland Conference standings, one spot behind Nicholls.
For both teams, this game will essentially be an elimination game for a conference championship bid. Nicholls lost to both Stephen F. Austin and Lamar, who sit above Nicholls in the standings.
The Colonels will need both teams to lose at least two of their last three games if they want a chance at making the conference championship game. The Colonels will also need to win out their last three games, including their annual rivalry game against Southeastern, which sits in second position in the conference standings.
The New Offense is Rolling
Nicholls has now scored 30+ points in back-to-back weeks, as well as holding both opponents to seven points.
Sophomore quarterback and Thibodaux native Ean Rodrigue has been electric in his first two starts. Through two games, Rodrigue averaged 167.5 yards through the air, 83 yards on the ground, and was responsible for five touchdowns.
The biggest difference in the past two games has been time of possession and third-down conversions. Entering their game against McNeese two weeks ago, the Colonels were among the bottom ten teams in the FCS in third-down conversions.
In the past two weeks, Nicholls has converted 65 percent of its third downs while keeping its time of possession over 37 minutes.
How to Keep the Momentum
Control the Clock
The Colonels rely heavily on the run and keeping the ball from their opponents for as long as possible. The dynamic threats of Rodrigue, Shane Lee and Miequle Brock Jr. in the backfield creates a problem for opposing defenses.
Keep the Ball Out of Harm’s Way
Nicholls remains one of the least turnover-prone teams in the nation, sitting at 21st nationally. So far in Rodrigues two starts, the team has yet to turn the ball over and will need to continue this trend.
Show Up Prepared, But Rested
The trip to Edinburg, Texas, will be around 10 hours of traveling for the Colonels. The toll mentally and physically on the players and coaches cannot be overlooked in this matchup. Coach Tommy Rybacki will need to ensure that everyone is rested before Saturday’s game.
Score Prediction
Nicholls 23, UTRGV 31: As much as I hope I’m wrong, I believe the Colonels may have a bit of a reality check on Saturday. They’re facing the third-best scoring offense in the country while facing a 10-hour road trip. It’s possible, and this new offense shows upside, but will it be enough to pull off the big road win?
