The regional rankings are out. The DII football postseason lurks right around the corner. But thereās still plenty of exciting football to be played before the regular season concludes.
Here are three games to keep an eye on this Saturday.
MORE: The first DII football regional rankings were released. Here's what we learned.
No. 12 West Chester at No. 15 Kutztown š„ WATCH ON TWITTER | FACEBOOK
This top 25 showdown between undefeated teams will play a huge roll in determining the winner of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The winner of this game will be the last remaining undefeated team in the entire conference.
Homecoming Weekend was a success!!! #KUFB #BearsCompete pic.twitter.com/FA7OoxGVqj
ā Kutztown University Football (@KUBearsFootball) October 18, 2018
Kutztown and West Chester both boast offenses that can put up big numbers. The Golden Bears are the No. 2 offense in the PSAC, while West Chester is No. 3. But it's on the defensive side of the ball where the Golden Rams may have the edge, their PSAC-best defense allowing just 14.6 points per game. They pace DII football with a whopping five sacks per game, led by Tyler Morrissey, Chāaim Smith, Nate Barnes, and Diquan Gilbert who all have six or more sacks already this season. That will put a lot of pressure on Kutztownās quarterback Collin DiGalbo, who is having the best season of his career and coming off of a 504-yard performance (402 passing, 102 rushing) last week against Shippensburg.
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WCU quarterback A.J. Long will be the X-factor. Long has been dangerous on the ground and through the air this season but missed last weekās game. Mike Piperno and Zach Gilbert were able to hold it down in his stead, as the Golden Rams put up 53 points, but Kutztown is more dangerous than East Stroudsburg. If Long returns to action, this will be a duel between two of the better QBs in DII football this season.
No. 19 LIU Post at Assumption š„ WATCH LIVE
Assumption entered the season in the top 25, looking to build on its big 2017 that ended in the national quarterfinals. While the Greyhounds have played solid football, LIU Post is the Northeast-10 team finding itself garnering national attention.
MORE: DII football Week 8 by the numbers
This should be a great game, as a win by Assumption puts them right back in the mix for the NE10. There are plenty of exciting players on both sides of the ball that make this one worth watching. Assumptionās Deonte Harris, DII footballās record-setting return man, remains one of the most explosive players on the field who can beat you, very quickly, in so many different ways.
Pioneers quarterback Chris Laviano is having a huge season, already throwing for 1,951 yards and 19 touchdowns. Defensively, LIU Postās Kevin Petit-Frere is amongst DII footballās sack leaders, while defensive back Nazir Streater is second in DII football in interceptions per game. This should be a wild one in Worcester, Mass.
Hey @ESPNAssignDesk, we think this catch by Michael Hartgrove is #SCTop10 worthy...thoughts?? pic.twitter.com/puIox9VuZv
ā LIU Post Pioneers (@liupostpioneers) September 8, 2018
No. 8 Tarleton State at No. 10 MSU Texas
We knew the Mustangs would be here, but how about the Texans? Here we are, entering the ninth weekend of DII football and Tarleton State and MSU Texas are set to face off to decide the Lone Star Conference. Not only is it a top 10 showdown, but itās also the first one in Tarleton State history.
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Thereās been no shortage of football power coming from the LSC the past few seasons. Mustangs quarterback Layton Rabb is amongst the best in DII football with 2,247 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and just one interception. But he has weapons everywhere, like running back Vincent Johnson who has 695 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground and receiver Juwan Johnson who has 902 yards and seven touchdowns of his own.
FOOTBALL: @MWSUFootball clinched its 19th consecutive winning season with a 69-14 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville. It's the longest current streak in the @LoneStarConf and of any four-year scholarship program in the State of Texas. #24Strong #StangGang pic.twitter.com/ouTh9TxuRG
ā 2017 LSC Champs š (@MWSUFootball) October 17, 2018
The Texans bring the No. 2 scoring offense in DII football to Wichita Falls, Tx. on Saturday. Tarleton State is averaging 47.3 points per game and hasnāt scored below 47 points in the past four weeks. The dangerous duo of Daniel McCants and Xavier Turner have combined for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns out of the backfield, while quarterback Ben Holmes (1,641 yards, 18 touchdowns) is enjoying a fine first season in Stephenville.
If this game comes down to defense, Tarleton State has the edge with the LSCās top-ranked squad. But this could also come down to who makes the one mistake. It should be a thriller from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
Other games to pay attention to:
South Dakota Mines at No. 6 Colorado School of Mines: Like offense? Tune in to this one. The Orediggers are third in DII scoring 46.4 points per game while the Hardrockers are sixth dropping 44.3. Plus, how can you possibly turn down a matchup between the Orediggers and Hardrockers? Those are easily two of the most fun nicknames in DII football.
No. 9 Grand Valley State at Saginaw Valley State: The Battle of the Valleys has much more to it than expected at the beginning of the season. Saginaw Valley State is amid its first winning season in five years and came in at No. 10 in Super Region Three. You know how they can move up the rankings? With a big upset this weekend against the Lakers.
MORE: AFCA Top 25 | Week 8 poll reaction
