The Panthers will not keep getting away with these kinds of games.

For the second straight week, Eastern did not put together a game; they put together a half.

However, they were playing two teams that are in the bottom half of the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

Against Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 14, they scored 28 points in the first quarter and then went flat.

Against Murray State on Saturday, they were shut out in the first half and then outscored the Racers 20-0 in the second half.

Sure, they won both games, 28-21 against EKU and 20-10 against Murray State.

But neither game was an indicator that this team is ready for another run through the conference to the championship.

They better be ready to show that this week.

Tennessee-Martin is one of three undefeated teams in the conference.

They have not been doing it with smoke and mirrors. This is a legitimate team that knows how to win games: defense and running.

Running the ball and controlling the clock is one of the great equalizers in football.

It is how bad teams are able to hang with good teams.

It is how Murray State was able to build its lead in the first half of Saturday’s game.

UTM’s Don Chapman is third in the conference in rushing yards.

He is one of three players averaging more than 100 yards a game, along with Javarris Williams and Vincent Webb Jr.

The Panthers will play a good team that has a good running game. There is no room for error as there has been in the last two weeks. Unlike the Racers, the Skyhawks will be able to keep it up if they control the first half.

Their defense has allowed just 12 points a game.

They have allowed just less than 150 yards passing a game and 88 yards rushing. This is more than 40 rushing yards a game less than the Panthers’ defense has allowed.

The Panthers cannot expect to score big in the first quarter to build an insurmountable lead.

The Panthers were ranked No. 14 in the latest poll but they are not playing like the dominating team that they should be.

This weekend will be a showdown, much like last season’s 10-6 win against Jacksonville State.

The Skyhawks are ranked No. 12 in the country and, like the Panthers, are undefeated in conference.

But the Panthers have to overcome some injuries. Lucius Seymour and Pierre Walters were two more casualties suffered at EKU. Seymour pulled a groin and Walters described his injury as a “twisted ankle.” He tried to go against Murray State but sat out the second half while Seymour missed the whole game.

Seymour’s injury is of the most concern. A pulled groin lingers.

For the Panthers to grab command of the OVC with a win this weekend, they will have to put together a complete game. Something the Panthers themselves say they have not yet done.