The Missouri Western Griffons will play their third ranked team in as many weeks this weekend when they host their rivals to the north the 6th ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. The Griffons are ranked 12th in this weeks AFCA poll which is the highest they have been ranked since November 7, 2006 when they were ranked 11th.

The Griffons hit 10th in the D2Football.com poll which was released on Tuesday, September 29. Western is coming off of a thrilling victory over then ranked Pittsburg State University by a score of 45-40 in a game where they saw a 19 point lead cut to five with two minutes left in the contest.

The Griffons 5-0 start is the best start since 1981 when they started 7-0 and the 3-0 start in the MIAA play is their best start since 2000 when they started 3-0.   The Bearcats, who have played in the last four National Championship games in Division II continues to dominate opponents.  After an opening season loss at then #2 Abilene Christian, the Bearcats have rattled off big wins against Pittsburg State and then last week against Truman State in a 70-0 win.