While it's a different season for Stephen F. Austin, the lopsided results of the past two seasons in games with Texas State have not been forgotten.

Riding a six-game winning streak that includes a 3-0 start in Southland Conference play, the Lumberjacks hope to turn the tide in their meetings with Texas State when they play the Bobcats at 2 p.m. today at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos.

To get a victory, SFA's defense has to turn a recent trend that has seen Texas State run up and down the field in blowout wins against SFA.

Texas State defeated SFA 62-21 last season. The year before, the Bobcats won 52-29.

"Our heads were spinning," SFA head coach J.C. Harper said.

Texas State (4-3, 2-1) hasn't been as prolific on offense as the last two seasons, but head coach Brad Wright's team still has a dangerous look to it.

The Bobcats' offense averages 34 points and 445.7 yards per game behind one of the more versatile offenses in the league. The unit averages 168 yards rushing and 277 yards passing.

"They keep you guessing, really," SFA junior linebacker Jaraba Williams said. "It's hard to just know what they are going to do — they mix it up so good."

"They can get in one formation and do so many plays out of it," junior defensive tackle Kenneth Charles said. "As long as we do our assignments — do our job — we should be fine."

The Bobcats have won close games against Nicholls State (34-28) and Northwestern State (20-17) the last two weekends in Louisiana after losing a 51-50 overtime game to Southeastern Louisiana to open league play three weeks ago.

The only thing that stands between Texas State and a 3-0 record in the league is blowing a 24-point, fourth-quarter lead to SLU.

The Bobcats feature senior quarterback Bradley George, who has thrown for 1,910 yards and 12 touchdowns with eight interceptions. The offense will be without junior running back Karrington Bush, who sustained a serious knee injury in a 163-yard rushing effort against Nicholls State.

"He was special," Wright said. "He rushed for 163 yards in one game and in three games, was up to 400 yards.

"We've just got to go to the next guy and see who gets the carries. We've got confidence in those guys to get the job done."

Senior Alvin Canady has rushed for 321 yards with five scores for the Bobcats, who have one of the better offensive lines in the league. Their top receiver is junior Da'Marcus Griggs, who has 52 catches for 601 yards and five touchdowns.

SFA's defense, which is allowing just 19.7 points and leads the league in total defense (294.4 yards per game), has gotten Wright's attention.

"The 2008 and 2007 seasons, they don't mean anything," the coach said. "This is a completely different team.

"This week — it's scary. Their receivers — those guys are crazy good. Their defense is really improved. Where we see the biggest difference is on the defensive side."

Kevin Gore's e-mail address

is kgore@dailysentinel.com.

Gametime: SFA plays Texas State at 2 p.m. today at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos.

Records: SFA is 6-1 and 3-0 in the Southland. Texas State is 4-3 and 2-1.

Last week: SFA defeated Sam Houston 42-3. Texas State defeated Northwestern State 20-17.

Coaches: SFA's J.C. Harper. Texas State's Brad Wright.

Intangibles: It's Texas State's homecoming game. The Bobcats have won four of the last five games with SFA.

Outlook: Texas State's versatility on offense is a huge concern for the Lumberjacks, who haven't given up many big plays lately. The Bobcats will miss RB Karrington Bush (knee), but they still must try to run the ball. QB Bradley George is a good pocket passer, has a good line protecting him and has some solid receivers. SFA's offense seemed to find its stride against Sam Houston last week. QB Jeremy Moses and his band of receivers are operating against a Texas State defense that has some flaws. SFA should be able to run and throw, with success, today.

Bottom line: While Texas State has scored 114 points against SFA the last two seasons, it will be the Bobcats' defense that is on the spot today. The Bobcats gave up 285 yards rushing to a winless Northwestern State team last week. Considering Moses (25 TD passes, nine interceptions) has been efficient without making mistakes lately, SFA's offense has to like its chances to light up the scoreboard.

Prediction: SFA 34, Texas State 23.