Lamar aims to repeat last year's narrow win at UTRGV

The last time these two met, in October 2025, Lamar escaped with a 23-21 win, and this Southland Conference game looks like it could come down to the same kind of margin. Both teams also played Nicholls St this season, with Lamar winning by 31 and UTRGV falling by 3, a gap that lines up with where Versus has each program ranked now.

Lamar sits at No. 11 in FCS, 39 spots clear of UTRGV at No. 50, and the Cardinals carry an A overall grade built on an A- offense and an A defense. Their 6-2 record includes a 3-1 mark in one-score games, and they've climbed 14 spots in the Versus rankings this season after opening at No. 25. The one soft spot is schedule strength, where Lamar ranks 32nd against UTRGV's 49th.

UTRGV counters with a B overall grade and a defense, at B+, that outgrades its B- offense. The Vaqueros have won 10 straight games at home, a streak that gives their 4-4 record some weight even after dipping from a Week 1 peak of No. 19. Versus projects Lamar to win 27-21, a 6-point margin with the Cardinals given a 66 percent chance, and the result counts in the Southland standings for both sides.