EWU at Southern Utah

KICKOFF: Noon at Eccles Field in Cedar City, Utah

Records: EWU 6-3, 5-2 Big Sky; SUU 4-5, 2-2 Great West

TV/Radio: 1510-AM (May change to 1050-AM or 790-AM)

Overview: “This game already has a playoff atmosphere,” Eastern coach Beau Baldwin said this week. “We’re on the road, and we either win or forget about it.” There’s not much more to say about this non-conference showdown, which pits the Eagles against an explosive Southern Utah team that has yet to win on the road but is 4-0 at home, with impressive wins over North Dakota and UC Davis. Eastern, which is tied for second place in the Big Sky standings, probably needs to win this one and next Saturday’s regular-season finale at Northern Arizona to have any hope of making the FCS playoffs. Both teams throw the ball well, but the Eagles would seem to have an edge in the running game because of sophomore running back Taiwan Jones, who is ranked No. 2 in the BSC in rushing with an average of 100.3 yards per game. SUU’s top offensive weapon is senior quarterback Cade Cooper, but the Oregon transfer has thrown five interceptions in the last three games.