Statistically, Eastern must like what it sees in this weekend’s match up as it looks to make it six in a row Saturday night at Tennessee State.

Throughout the first eight games, the first-place Panthers have been strong in everything the Tigers have failed in.

However, Eastern does realize that this team must win its final three games of the season to clinch not only its first Ohio Valley Conference championship since 2002, but a trip to the I-AA playoffs as well.

“We will see everybody’s best shot from here on and we have to prepared for a team’s best game,” Eastern offensive coordinator Mark Hutson said.

Eastern ranks first in the conference in turnover margin, scoring offense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. All of these statistics represent match-up problems for the Tigers as they prepare for its Homecoming game in the nation’s home of country music.

The most important issues concerning Tennessee State and first-year head coach James Webster are its ability to hold on to and move the ball.

Turnovers have plagued the Tigers all season as they have committed an average of three per game (113th in the nation of 116 schools) and had 2 costly fumbles that led to a pair of short touchdown scoring drives of 11 and 19 yards in their 31-11 loss last week to Samford.

“We put ourselves in a bad position from the beginning with our mistakes,” Webster said. “You cannot give a good team the opportunities like we did.”

The other problem is an offense that has been less than stellar in 2005. Currently, TSU ranks fifth to last in the nation in scoring by only putting up 13.6 points per game.

Momentum may be key in an emotional Homecoming game and, with that, one key stat can’t be ignored. In every game, the Tigers have gone into the locker room on a down note after coming out strong in the opening quarter. TSU, which has only two senior starters, has been outscored 67-0 in the second quarter in 2005.

The Tigers are picking a bad time to play the top defensive unit in the OVC that the coaching staff credits being the major reason Eastern has won its last two games.

“(Our defense is) playing with a determination to get the offense the ball several times a game and it’s remarkable,” Eastern head coach Bob Spoo said. “They would’ve had a shutout (in last week’s 27-6 win versus Tennessee-Martin) if had not been for a blocked punt.”

Linebacker Clint Sellers, who was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week, and safety Tristan Burge, who has an inside track on being named the top defensive player in the league, lead the Panther defense.

“I think (Tristan’s) got a serious shot at it of anyone on our team because of the eye-opening plays he’s made this season,” Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said.

Those two will have their eyes on Tigers star tailback Javarris Williams. The freshman is averaging nearly 84 yards per game and is the only skill position player that has been consistent for TSU this season.

“I told him that he was going to have to carry the load because of all the players that we lost,” Webster said.

Eastern’s offense has currently rested on the shoulders of junior tailback Vincent Webb. The St. Louis native has rushed for 100 yards in each of the last four games (all Eastern victories) and needs only 45 yards to crack the Top 10 in career rushing at Eastern.

Tennessee State’s opponents have run the ball for an average of 167 yards per game.

However, Spoo and company understand that a solid run/pass combination must be clicking if they intend on winning its final three games.

“We want to improve the passing game so that we are not one-dimensional,” Spoo said.

One of the ways of doing that was showcased last week against Tennessee-Martin. The Panthers tried a number of designed option plays for quarterback Mike Donato to use his skills running and passing.

“We feel like if we can get the defense guessing like that, we can get Mike more comfortable back there,” Hutson said. “Whatever it takes to win.”

Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. and is at the Coliseum, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.