We are heading into Week 4 with a lot of questions starting to be answered. Which DII football teams are pretenders and which are for real? There are some tremendous matchups this week that will shed even more light on that.
DII football 101: Week 3 Power 10 | Player of the year watchlist | DII in the NFL
Remember, this is not the five best games of the weekend, although the last two weeks, the games picked sure did entertain. As a beat writer for all DII football, I track all games, so there are usually more than five games of importance each Saturday. However, I tend to focus on five per week that standout and can affect the regional rankings.
5 can’t-miss DII football games for Week 4
All times ET
Pittsburg State at Emporia State 2 p.m.
Welcome to one of the oldest rivalries in DII football. Throw away the records, throw away the stats... there is no love lost in this matchup, as the two meet for the 103rd time in a battle for Kansas.
The Gorillas' resurgence is what to watch here, as they have a chance to get over .500 for the first time this season. Yes, much has been made about the Pittsburg State schedule, so let’s make some more of it. This team started its season against four nationally ranked teams in a row, including the reigning national champions, defending MIAA champions, one of the winningest programs in DII football history and a MIAA top 25 rival. To be sitting at 2-2 after the 0-2 start is impressive.
Matchup to watch: Ben Harris against the Pitt State secondary. The Emporia State quarterback is off to a hot start, with consecutive games in which he passed for more than 360 yards and at least two touchdowns. However, he is interception prone, and safety Jordan Rogers and the Gorillas' defensive backs have been solid thus far, allowing just 169.25 passing yards per game and two touchdowns to six interceptions.
Number to know: 65-35-2. That’s the all-time record between these two through the first 102 games. It is overwhelmingly in Pittsburg State’s favor; however, Emporia State pulled off the stunning 24-21 victory last year to end the Gorillas’ six-game series win streak and looks to win again to stay in the Super Region Four conversation.
Central Oklahoma at Northwest Missouri State, 2:30 p.m.
The new-look Super Region Four is maybe the deepest in the country, and this is a huge game in the rankings. Central Oklahoma is battling a major injury, and the Bearcats are once again relevant after a few down seasons… at least down in their standards. This is the matchup that will tell us if the Bearcats are back.
We know the recipe for Central Oklahoma. It’s almost as if the Bronchos play “catch me if you can,” having allowed quite a bit of points the past two seasons. However, that has been difficult for the Bronchos in 2025. Last year, they scored 48 or more points in six of their first seven games, and this year, they have yet to score more than 34. Of course, that is due to a new-look wide receiver room and the injury to quarterback Jett Huff, who finished second in DII in passing a year ago.
The Bearcats are trying to return to the glory that has made them a national presence since the late 90s. They have to attempt to get to 4-1 against Adam Dorrel, the head coach that led the Bearcats to three championships in four years a decade(ish) ago. You want storylines? They are running rampant in this key MIAA showdown.
Matchup to watch: The Bearcats offense against the Bronchos defense. Well, duh, right? But Northwest Missouri State leads the MIAA with 29.5 points per game, and Central Oklahoma is allowing 28.7 points per game, tied for the second-most in the conference. This is a good test for the Bearcats — and a bigger test for the Bronchos.
Number to know: 25.0. The Bronchos are scoring 25 points per game one year after posting the third-best scoring offense in DII with 44.4 points per game. They were already adapting to a newer wide receiver room before the injury to Huff happened. This team needs to get the offense going, so we shall see if it starts this week.
UNC Pembroke at Valdosta State, 4 p.m.
This is a big one on many levels. The new-look Blazers are 2-1 coming off a national runner-up campaign but lost their only matchup against a team in the rankings (Johnson C. Smith). UNC Pembroke is 3-1 in its quest to be the first champion in the newly formed Conference Carolinas. The Braves have a top 25 loss to Wingate but knocked Delta State from the national rankings in a Week 2 upset. Whichever team wins here will also get a huge boost in the Super Region Two field of 32 projections.
Kudos to new head coach Graham Craig for having the Blazers above .500 with all the turnover this roster saw both on the field and with the coaching regime. Being idle last week was probably much needed to give this team more time to jell ahead of such a pivotal matchup. UNC Pembroke is off to its best start since 2016, when the Braves went 4-0 to start the season.
Matchup to watch: The Blazers' running back room vs. UNC Pembroke's front seven. The Braves are allowing 129 rushing yards per game and have already allowed seven rushing touchdowns through four games. The Blazers' Corey Reddick Jr. and Eric Watts are each averaging north of 70 yards rushing per game with seven combined touchdowns on the ground. This seems like the focal point of the game.
Number to know: 2016. That was the last time the Braves made the DII football championship. However, UNC Pembroke is off to this hot start and looks like the team to beat in Conference Carolinas. Right now, it's likely the winner of the conference will be the only team to make the bracket, so a win here will put UNC Pembroke well ahead of the pack and potentially return to the tournament for the first time in a decade.
Cal (PA) at Slippery Rock, 6 p.m.
This is a massive showdown on many levels. The Vulcans and The Rock are tied at No. 10 in the latest Power 10 rankings. Slippery Rock is No. 9 in the D2 Football poll, Cal is 16 and both are in the top 10 in the AFCA poll. The two are No. 2 and 3 in the latest field of 32 projections. There is a lot riding on this game, including a potential spot in the PSAC championship game this November.
Both teams score points and defend well. Both teams saw change at pivotal positions, but the two also returned some key pieces to lead the restructuring process. If history dictates this outcome, Slippery Rock is very happy. The Rock have won seven of the last eight matchups by an average of 14 points per game. Both are coming off 42-point, dominating victories, so momentum is flowing through both. While this is a big test, it seems like it is much more of a statement game for Cal.
Matchup to watch: Bobbie Boyd Jr. vs. the Slippery Rock rush defense. The Rock has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season, and the three touchdowns they have allowed came to the same person, meaning they've held running backs out of the end zone in two of three games thus far. Boyd Jr. is one of the better running backs in DII, scoring in each of his last two games. I think this is the matchup to keep tabs on in what should be a back-and-forth battle.
Number to know: 108.7. The Rock's JayJay Jordan ran for 45 yards in limited time last year. Now, as the full-time starter, Jordan has taken the opportunity and... well, ran with it. He's topped the century mark in two of his three games and has rushed for 326 yards (a top-20 mark in DII) and three scores already. Like Slippery Rock, the Vulcans have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher, so Jordan must be gearing up to show this defense what he's all about.
Southern Arkansas at Henderson State, 7 p.m.
Yes, there is a bigger game in the GAC on Saturday, as Harding faces off against Ouachita Baptist. But whether Harding wins or loses, the Bisons are likely playoff bound, so keeping tabs on the other GAC teams that may make the tournament becomes equally important.
Henderson State is off to a 3-0 start, entering the AFCA Coaches Poll this week. Southern Arkansas was rolling until last week’s matchup against Harding, giving the Muleriders their first loss of the young season. Thus far, the Reddies have been an offensive juggernaut, scoring 41.3 points per game, but it is important to point out they have played three defenses allowing 28 or more points per game.
Matchup to watch: Southern Arkansas' offensive line vs. the Reddies' front seven. The Reddies have been relentless in their defensive attack in 2025, leading the GAC with 47 sacks. The pressure has also led to a conference-best seven interceptions — tied for fourth-most in DII. Conversely, Southern Arkansas has allowed just two sacks this year and has only two turnovers to seven touchdowns.
Number to know: 2.8. In a conference highlighted by big-time rushing attacks, Andrew Edwards has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks, not only in the GAC but his super region. He’s averaging 2.8 touchdown passes per game over his career and already has seven through three games in 2025. His top two targets — Maddox Davis and Cayden Davis — are Nos. 1 and 2 for receiving stats in the GAC. Edwards keeping the pedal to the metal will be key to victory.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
