But once kickoff arrives, a shootout is probably the best Mississippi College can hope for. And if history has taught anything, it's that Mary Hardin-Baylor might be the only one doing the shooting.
Third-ranked UMHB (5-0, 4-0 ASC) and MC (4-1, 3-0) clash at 1 p.m. today at Robinson-Hale Stadium in a matchup that will all but decide the conference title.
"It's going to be a challenge," UMHB coach Pete Fredenburg said. "And it's always fun to have to react to a challenge."
They are the only two teams unbeaten in ASC play, and both can score points in bunches.
But that's where the similarities end.
The Choctaws will have a home field advantage in front of what is expected to be a near-capacity crowd, but it's the Crusaders who have a stifling defense to go with their high-octane offense.
UMHB's defense ranks fifth nationally against the run (50 yards per game), seventh overall (225.6) and sixth in points allowed (9.8).
The Crusaders' defensive line - a projected weak spot entering the season - has been solid, helping UMHB tally 23 sacks.
"The biggest surprise along that line is Chris Brent," Fredenburg said. "He's really turned into an outstanding player for us, and David Danforth is coming on.
"Our ends are also playing extremely well. We knew Brenson Bristow, Marco Coppola and Micah Spicer were good players, and Korey Steward and Darnell Armstrong are probably two of the best linemen that we've ever recruited."
The Choctaws will counter with an offense that ranks fourth in the country in scoring (45.4 points per game) and has gotten back on track after struggling last year with an inexperienced group of receivers and injuries at the quarterback position.
"Last year we had lost that whole group of receivers to graduation and our quarterback to injury, so we had to adapt to a different philosophy," ninth-year MC coach Norman Joseph said. "Now our receivers have some experience and our quarterback is healthy."
Choctaw senior quarterback Adam Shaffer has shown no ill effects from last year's injury, throwing for 1,345 yards and 16 touchdowns, with only one interception.
MC will need Shaffer to be at his best, especially if its defense follows recent form.
The last time the Choctaws hosted the Crusaders with their title hopes still alive was in 2007, when UMHB rushed for 613 yards in a 69-30 win.
"We're excited because normally by this time, we're not in it any more," Joseph said. "But our defense is still a mystery to me.
"I see the same things on film that opposing coaches see, and we try to correct them. Sometimes, it just doesn't get done."
It hasn't gotten done this year, yet.
MC will try to combat dual-threat quarterback LiDarral Bailey, explosive tailback Quincy Daniels and the rest of the Crusaders with one of the country's worst defenses, statistically.
Out of 235 teams, the Choctaws rank 180th against the run (179.2 yards per game), 217th in points allowed (38.2) and 230th overall (469.8 yards).
The only five teams with a worse overall defense have a combined record of 1-24, yet MC has managed to win four games.
"Their defense is not quite as reckless as it has been in the past," Fredenburg said. "They brought in a bunch of transfers, so they're playing a little better."
With the head-to-head tiebreaker figured in, today's winner will essentially own a two-game lead over the rest of the ASC with only three conference games remaining. Also, UMHB can tie the ASC record for consecutive conference victories at 34.
The magnitude of the game didn't escape either coach.
"We know they're a tremendous team," Joseph said. "We know they're going to run the football and play tremendous defense.
"What we're stressing to our guys is that we can't a single play off. If we take a play off, then they're going to score points."
Added Fredenburg: "This is what you love. You coach and play to be in games like this."
