When Northwest has the ball:

The Bearcats have managed to keep their offense balanced this season, averaging 272 yards through the air via senior quarterback Joel Osborn’s arm and 199 yards on the ground via running back LaRon Council’s combination of power and moves. Council ranks 12th nationally in rushing, averaging for 118.6 yards per outing. Osborn doesn’t throw down field often — the offense certainly isn’t as wide open as Abilene Christian’s — but he is accurate with his throws and generally makes good decisions. Osborn threw 137 passes without an interception during the past five games, logging eight touchdowns in that span.

Council had yet to get untracked in these teams’ first meeting, gaining only 61 yards but finding the end zone twice. Since then, he has become one of the top backs in the region, if not the nation. The key will be the offensive line he runs behind. His offensive linemen are capable and figure to be more physical than the Lone Star Conference teams Abilene Christian generally sees. If the Bearcats get a significant lead like they did early in the first meeting, look for Council to eat up chunks of time along with some pretty decent yardage.

Advantage: Northwest

When Abilene Christian has the ball:

Bernard Scott is the engine that makes the high-octane Abilene Christian offense run. And the Wildcats’ running game is what makes them an aberration in the pass-happy Lone Star Conference. Scott, the odds-on favorite to win the Harlon Hill Trophy — Division II’s version of the Heisman — rushed for 1,987 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 8.3 yards per carry and 180 yards per game. That ranks him second nationally. Scott managed 177 yards against the Bearcats last time out, but that was against a young Northwest defense that has had an entire season to mature and improve. The rookie mistakes of those making their first collegiate start likely won’t be repeated.

Quarterback Billy Malone is no slouch, either. The senior and national leader in passing efficiency has thrown for 34 touchdowns and 2,944 yards for this team, which has blown out nearly every opponent it has played (the 17-point differential at Northwest was the smallest all year). His target of choice is Johnny Knox (52 receptions, 1,052 yards, 11 touchdowns), though Scott is a close second with 42 catches for 750 yards. With Northwest’s steep learning curve on defense, the Bearcats’ best hope is that they have improved significantly more than the Wildcats’ offense over the past 11 games.

Advantage: Abilene

Special Teams:

The most special thing about Northwest’s special teams may be Kendall Wright, who finished second in the conference in punt returns and ranks 22nd nationally. Speed and daring are his trademarks. And if the Bearcats need to settle for a field goal, senior Tommy Frevert found the consistency of late that made him an All-MIAA first-teamer as a junior. He has hit six of nine attempts, including his past three. Abilene’s Matt Adams has had plenty more opportunities, making 11 of 14.

Advantage: Even

Players to Watch:

Myles Burnsides, Northwest safety. This junior from Maryville, Mo., has intercepted a pass in three of his past four games and is coming off a career-high 12 tackles in last week’s game against Pittsburg State.

Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian running back. Who else? He was second to Danny Woodhead in the Harlon Hill voting last season and is the frontrunner for this year’s award. He will almost surely top 2,000 rushing yards for the season today. Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma says Scott is so fast that if he gets past the linebackers, nobody’s going to catch him.

Quotable:

“It’ll be in the back of your mind as to how you’re going to stop a team that’s that high-octane. We’ve got to rely on our past experience with them and go from there.”

— Northwest defensive end Tyler Northway

Commenting on defending an Abilene Christian offense that put up 93 points last week

— Rick Dunaway