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Gameday Central
ABILENE – Everything, it seems, has gone wrong for the ACU Wildcats since they ascended to the nation's No. 1 ranking for the first time since becoming an NCAA Division II member in 1981.
Last week, for the first time since 2001, the Wildcats failed to score a touchdown in a game in a 13-6 loss at Tarleton State.
For the first time since the end of the 2006 season the Wildcats have lost back-to back games.
And for the first time since the 2005 season the Wildcats lost back-to-back games in
the Lone Star Conference South Division.
At 7-2 overall, 5-2 in the LSC and 2-2 in the LSC South Division, the Wildcats' ship has definitely sailed off course.
But despite all the bad things that have happened – including, most importantly, a drop from No. 1 to No. 7 in the NCAA Division II Super Region Four rankings – all of the Wildcats' pre-season goals are still in reach.
They can still win their second straight conference championship, and they can still reach the NCAA post-season playoffs for the fourth straight season. They'll need some help to accomplish the former, but they're on their own to handle the latter.
The Wildcats open a two-game stretch to end the regular season Saturday against their old rivals from Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Javelinas are coming off a narrow 38-31 win over Eastern New Mexico, and are battling for an LSC title and playoff berth as well as the Wildcats.
While the Wildcats are ranked No. 7 in this week's regional poll, the Javelinas are at No. 5 with the top six in next Sunday's poll reaching the NCAA post-season. An ACU win Saturday would likely mean the Wildcats would move to at least No. 6 in the rankings going into the final weekend. A loss to the Javelinas, however, might well put an end to the Wildcats' playoff hopes even with next week's trip to Midwestern State for the regular-season finale still on the docket.
However, if the Wildcats can beat both the Javelinas and the Mustangs, they should comfortably reach the playoffs, and might be in line for a first-round home game if they don't finish in the top two spots.
Local fans can listen to the game on KYYW 1470 AM.
