There’s still three weeks of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football action left in the 2024 season, but it feels like the biggest challenge right now is figuring out how to maintain the excitement until the start of the postseason.

The anticipation and intensity that came with last week’s Anchor-Bone Classic between Ferris State and Grand Valley State had hearts racing around the GLIAC, but all of that has subsided. 

The conference title now is Ferris State’s to lose, while Grand Valley State, Davenport and Saginaw Valley all are looking to finish strong and possibly advance to the Division II Playoffs. 

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In Division II, a conference title does not guarantee a playoff spot, however, as there’s a unique Super Region system in place that helps determine the 28 teams for the playoff bracket each season.

At this point in the year, weekly regional rankings are created to organize the top teams across the four regions. At the end of the regular season, seven teams from each region will advance to the playoffs, with the No. 1 team in each receiving a first-round bye. 

Three GLIAC squads – Ferris State, Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State – landed on the first list of the 2024 campaign as teams up for postseason consideration. 

Read more: Division II Regional Rankings | How Do The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs Work

The most important thing for all the teams now is to not let up. As long as something is possible on paper, the hardware isn’t completely out of reach. 

Ferris State may be the conference front-runner and a contender for the No. 1 ranking in the Division II polls, but upsets happen. 

Yes, the Bulldogs got over their biggest hurdle with a 34-7 win against GVSU, but they can’t underestimate their last three opponents, two of which still have everything to play for (Saginaw Valley State on Nov. 9 and Davenport on Nov. 16).

Here’s a look at the matchups for the GLIAC teams during Week 10 of the 2024 season, along with predictions for each game.

Note: All start times for Saturday are Eastern. All four games will be streamed live on FloFootball.

GLIAC Teams In Week 10

Saturday, Nov. 2

All Times Eastern

Davenport At Saginaw Valley State, 1 p.m.

As mentioned above, Saginaw Valley State is among the 10 teams on the Super Region Three radar, and a spot in the Division II postseason definitely still is on the table. 

Davenport earned that honor in 2022, getting an at-large bid to reach the playoffs for the first time in program history, and reaching that level again is a logical goal each season.

Both teams are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC play this year. Both already lost to two-time defending conference champion Grand Valley State, and both still have Ferris State ahead on their schedules.

This game is a must-win for Davenport and SVSU, as there’s probably nothing more for a team with two conference losses to do other than start planning for next season. 

Through eight games this year, SVSU is outscoring Davenport by eight points per game. The Cardinals also hold the advantage in total yards per game and rushing yards per game. Davenport has a slight advantage through the air and has performed better on kick returns. They’re pretty evenly matched defensively. 

Oh, and they’re 3-3 in all-time meetings, though Davenport has won the last two – one at home, and one on the road. The 2023 matchup was a 24-21 victory for Davenport at home.

This one really could be determined by coin flip, but two factors have me leaning one way. 

SVSU’s trajectory is trending upward. The Cardinals nearly got past GVSU, and they cruised by Wayne State last weekend. They have the momentum. 

Davenport hasn’t been as strong this year compared to 8-0 starts in 2022 and 2023. The Panthers barely got by Wayne State two weeks ago and almost got bested by GLIAC newcomer Roosevelt last Saturday. 

Advantage Saginaw Valley State.

Next, the Cardinals will have the home-field advantage this week, and they’ll be seeking redemption after letting their homecoming game against Grand Valley State slip away Oct. 19 (16-9).

PREDICTION: The reasons are listed above. SVSU is much-improved and on the rise. Davenport is doing well but isn’t the team it was the last two seasons. SVSU 28, Davenport 17

Ferris State At Northern Michigan, 1 p.m.

This might be the shortest analysis and easiest prediction of the year. 

Since a season-opening loss to Pittsburg State, now the No. 1 team in the latest D2Football.com Top 25 Poll, Ferris State is outscoring its opponents 350-60. 

The Bulldogs are 7-1 overall and the only undefeated team in GLIAC play (4-0) after knocking off the No. 1 team in the Division II polls, two-time defending GLIAC champion Grand Valley State.

In the latest American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll, Ferris State is No. 2 behind Valdosta State, but easily could’ve landed at the top after handling the Lakers in the 2024 Anchor-Bone Classic.

Northern Michigan is approaching two calendar years without a victory. The Wildcats are 0-8 overall and 0-4 in league play, including a 39-9 loss to Michigan Tech in their Miner’s Cup game last Saturday. 

Though NMU nearly picked up its first win since Nov. 12, 2022, two weeks ago against GLIAC newcomer Roosevelt, a fumble in overtime saw that opportunity slip away and allowed the Lakers to escape with a 16-10 victory – their first GLIAC win and first win at the Division II level.

As nice as it would be to see Wildcats get back into the win column, especially at home and with some careers winding down, it’s not going to happen against Ferris State. 

PREDICTION: Ferris State has put up 50 or more points in half its games this year, and this will be another opportunity for a big performance. The Bulldogs won’t get within reach of the record 84 points they scored against AIC, but 50 certainly is doable. Through eight games, Northern Michigan is giving up a league-most 39.3 points per game. Ferris State 59, NMU 10

Michigan Tech At Roosevelt, 2 p.m.

Though conference play continues to be an issue for Michigan Tech, the Huskies are a better team this year, as evidenced by a four-game winning streak that started after a season-opening loss.

They’re 5-3 overall and 2-2 coming into their Week 10 matchup with Roosevelt (1-6, 1-3), having just beaten Northern Michigan to get back in the win column after a pair of tough conference losses.

Falling to Davenport and Ferris State is nothing to be ashamed of, as those are two of the three best teams in the strong GLIAC, and the Huskies rightfully rallied back against NMU, one of the victory-challenged teams in the conference.

This week should offer Michigan Tech another opportunity for a conference win, though it will have to happen on the road against Roosevelt, which may be a stronger team than the standings suggest.

Since the Lakers are new to Division II and the GLIAC, a learning curve certainly would’ve been expected for the team’s inaugural season in its new surroundings, but Roosevelt really has been holding its own.

Roosevelt hasn’t been shut out this year, and the Lakers have only given up more than 30 points two times, with one being a 55-13 blowout against Ferris State. 

The Lakers defeated winless Northern Michigan in overtime for their first Division II/GLIAC win (16-10) and nearly got past Davenport last week (19-14).

Roosevelt is a season or two from being a solid middle-of-the-pack team in the GLIAC and could be poised for a big upset somewhere in the near future, too. The Lakers have enjoyed progress and success at each level of their journey, and that will continue.

Michigan Tech right now is the team Roosevelt soon will be – improving, but not quite ready for the top tier of the conference. 

The Huskies also were routed by Ferris State this year and still have Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State ahead on the schedule for the final two weeks. 

Realistically, this could be the last winnable game for Michigan Tech this season, though Roosevelt will give the Huskies all they can handle.

PREDICTION: This will be a close one, but Michigan Tech holds a slight edge based on momentum and experience. The Lakers will stay in it, but it’s not their week. Michigan Tech 24, Roosevelt 17

Wayne State At Grand Valley State, 3 p.m.

Grand Valley State’s offensive output has come to a crawl, and while that’s never good, it has happened at the worst time, too.

The Lakers (7-1, 3-1) barely got past Saginaw Valley State in a 16-9 nailbiter on Oct. 19, and they were silenced by Ferris State in the 2024 edition of their rivalry, the Anchor-Bone Classic, which has been the deciding game for the conference title in recent years.

As of now, Ferris State tops the GLIAC standings at 4-0, with Grand Valley State, SVSU and Davenport tied for second place at 3-1. The good news for GVSU is that the other two teams are playing each other this week, so someone will be exiting the race.

Ultimately, the title is Ferris State’s to lose, but that’s also not all there is to play for. In fact, when GVSU took the crown in 2022, Ferris State still made the playoffs and went on to win its second consecutive national title. 

Even if the chance for a GLIAC three-peat is waning for GVSU, the chance of closing the season with three more wins is very doable, with Wayne State, Michigan Tech and Roosevelt ahead on the schedule. Those teams have combined for six wins overall and three conference victories in 2024.

Most likely, Wayne State’s season finale against Northern Michigan will determine who finishes last in the conference this year, which means this week is a great opportunity for GVSU to iron out some issues against a struggling Wayne State squad.

In the loss to Ferris State, GVSU was plagued by injury (quarterback Avery Moore) and turnovers, along with another week of struggling to even see the end zone. All of that will need to change immediately, if Grand Valley State has any aspirations of another postseason run.

Wayne State (0-8, 0-4) has had a tough season overall but also is coming off a challenging three-week stretch that included Ferris State, Davenport and Saginaw Valley State. 

The Warriors gave Ferris State the biggest test of its season (outside if its season-opening loss) in a 27-14 contest that was played over two days due to inclement weather but then fell flat against Davenport, giving up 31 second-half points to lose 43-26.

Last week, Wayne State lost its homecoming game to SVSU, 37-10. 

PREDICTION: Simply enough, the Wayne State Warriors have to be exhausted after the stretch they’ve had, and the GVSU Lakers have to be very motivated by their recent struggles, along with falling from the top of the Division II polls after losing to Ferris State. This is the start of the GVSU redemption tour. Grand Valley State 36, Wayne State 17

How Did The GLIAC Football Teams Perform In Week 9?

All eight GLIAC teams saw conference action on Oct. 26.

• Michigan Tech def. Northern Michigan, 39-9
• Saginaw Valley State def. Wayne State, 37-10
• Davenport def. Roosevelt, 19-14
• Ferris State def. Grand Valley State 34-7

AFCA Division II Football Rankings For Week 10

Oct. 28, 2024

1. Valdosta St. (Ga.) (18) 7-0 - Prev. 2
2. Ferris St. (Mich.) (8) 7-1 - Prev. 3
3. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) (2) 8-0 - Prev. 5
4. Kutztown (Pa.) 8-0 - Prev. 4
5. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) (1) 7-1 - Prev. 6
6. Harding (Ark.) 7-1 - Prev. 7
7. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 7-1 - Prev. 1
8. Western Colorado 8-0 - Prev. 8
9. Charleston (W.Va.) 8-0 - Prev. 11
10. Colorado St.-Pueblo 7-1 - Prev. 12
11. Emporia St. (Kan.) 7-1 - Prev. 14
12. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 7-1 - Prev. 16
13. Central Oklahoma 7-1 - Prev. 9
14. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 6-1 - Prev. 15
15. West Alabama 6-1 - Prev. 18
16. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) 8-0 - Prev. 19
17. Central Washington 6-2 - Prev. 20
18. Colorado School of Mines 6-2 - Prev. 10
19. Indianapolis (Ind.) 7-1 - Prev. 21
20. Augustana (S.D.) 6-2 - Prev. 25
21. West Florida 5-2 - Prev. 23
22. Minnesota St. 6-2 - Prev. 13
23. California (Pa.) 7-1 - Prev. NR
24. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 7-1 - Prev. 17
25. Findlay (Ohio) 7-1 - Prev. NR

Dropped Out: Southern Arkansas (22), Delta St. (Miss.) (24)

Others Receiving Votes: Angelo St. (Tex.), 46; Emory & Henry (Va.), 45; Wingate (N.C.), 35; Virginia Union, 31; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 28; Southern Arkansas, 20; Ashland (Ohio), 7; Davenport (Mich.), 7; Assumption (Mass.), 3; Colorado Mesa, 3; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 3; Delta St. (Miss.), 2; Miles (Ala.), 1; New Haven (Conn.), 1; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 1.

To see the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll, click here.

When Do The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs Start?

The playoffs begin on Nov. 23 and end on Dec. 21 at District Stadium in McKinney, Texas. 

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