NAIA-CFB Game Preview: Saint Mary Spires (1-4) vs. Tabor Bluejays (2-3)

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Venue & Logistics

  • Stadium: Joel H. Wiens Stadium, Hillsboro, Kansas (home of Tabor College).
  • Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM CDT.
  • Capacity: ~2,500.
  • Surface: Artificial turf.
  • Event: Tabor College Homecoming Game.

Weather Forecast (Hillsboro, KS)

  • Conditions: Mostly sunny, mild fall afternoon.
  • Temperature at kickoff: ~24°C (75°F).
  • Winds: 10–15 km/h from the south.
  • Chance of rain: 10%.
  • Impact: Excellent football weather — no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

  • Saint Mary Spires (1–4):
    • QB1 healthy, averaging ~215 passing yards/game.
    • RB1 questionable with a hamstring strain.
    • Defense missing one starting linebacker (out for season).
  • Tabor Bluejays (2–3):
  • QB1 healthy, averaging ~200 passing yards/game.
  • WR1 probable after minor ankle tweak.
  • OL depth thin after losing a starter in Week 3.

Key Player Matchups

  • Saint Mary QB vs. Tabor Secondary:
    Saint Mary’s QB has been productive (9 TDs, 4 INTs). Tabor’s secondary has allowed 230+ passing yards in 3 of 5 games.
  • Tabor QB vs. Saint Mary Pass Rush:
    Tabor’s QB has been pressured heavily (12 sacks in 5 games). Saint Mary averages 2.5 sacks per game.
  • Ground Game Battle:
    Tabor averages 150 rushing yards/game, while Saint Mary has allowed 180+ rushing yards in 4 of 5 games.
  • WR1 Battle:
    Saint Mary’s WR1 (averaging 85 yards/game) vs. Tabor’s CB1 — a matchup that could swing momentum.

Recent Team Form

  • Saint Mary (1–4):
    • L vs. Evangel (62–14).
    • L at Ottawa (35–27).
    • L vs. Bethany (49–41).
    • W at Avila (48–19).
    • L vs. Bethel (38–37).
    • Trend: Offense can score (27 PPG), but defense giving up 40+ PPG.
  • Tabor (2–3):
  • W at Sterling (34–9).
  • L vs. Southwestern (28–21).
  • L at McPherson (49–7).
  • L vs. Friends (Sept. 20).
  • W at Kansas Wesleyan (Sept. 27).
  • Trend: Inconsistent, but defense has shown flashes; offense averaging 22 PPG.

Series History

  • All‑Time Head‑to‑Head: Tabor leads the series.
  • Recent Meetings:
    • 2024: Tabor defeated Saint Mary.
    • 2023: Tabor won by double digits.
  • Trend: Tabor has won 4 straight vs. Saint Mary.

Betting Trends

  • Tabor Bluejays:
    • 2–3 ATS this season.
    • 3 of last 5 games have gone under due to offensive inconsistency.
  • Saint Mary Spires:
  • 2–3 ATS this season.
  • 4 of last 5 games have gone over due to defensive struggles.

Historical Betting Results

  • 2024: Tabor –6, won 31–20 → Cover, Under.
  • 2023: Tabor –7, won 28–14 → Cover, Under.
  • 2022: Tabor –10, won 35–21 → Cover, Over.

Game Odds

Saint Mary Spires            56

Tabor Bluejays                  – 7.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025