Sam Houston's problem is the other way around. The Bearkats beat Nicholls 59-0 in September. In their 3 games since, they've scored 14 at Texas Tech, 3 at Liberty and 3 at home against Western Kentucky. Their only points against the Hilltoppers came on a 42-yard field goal from Sam Carpenter in the second quarter. The defense held up its end that night: Western Kentucky scored 1 touchdown and 3 field goals. The offense gave it nothing to work with.
Nicholls59-0
The schedule gives Sam Houston one real advantage. The Bearkats last played Western Kentucky on October 14, so they'll come into Springfield with almost 2 weeks off. Missouri State is on a normal week and coming back from a trip to Newark where its defense was on the field for 61 points. Sam Houston will also be without tight end B. Kuhl, who has been shut down for the rest of the season with an undisclosed injury. That leaves an offense with 2 field goals in its last 2 games even thinner.
This matchup is simple to read. Missouri State can throw it, and Myers just had the kind of night that wins conference games when the defense holds. Sam Houston has a defense that has kept games within reach and an offense that hasn't reached the end zone since the Texas Tech loss. If the Bearkats can't punish a Bears defense that just gave up 30 points in a half, Belin and Myers should have room to work. If they can, the extra week of prep becomes the story. The forecast in Springfield is cloudy and 64 degrees with almost no wind, so neither passing game will have weather as an excuse.