The two biggest football powers in the NCAA's Division II are within 70 miles of each other, and this weekend, they go head to head. Again.

Ferris State And Grand Valley Meet Saturday As The Top Two Teams In The Nation

Top Taggert Field on the campus of Ferris State will be the location for this year's annual  Anchor Bone Trophy showdown between the Bulldogs of Ferris and the Lakers of Grand Valley State.

The two teams are ranked first and second in the nation according to the latest NCAA Division II football poll, and the GLIAC title may again be on the line, as well playoff positioning in the always squirrely Super Region 3.

It is the 14th time in series history that both teams are in the top 25, but the first time it is No. 1 vs. No. 2. Grand Valley State has a 29-22-1 edge in the series, but Ferris State has won eight of the last nine meetings.

Both schools own big victories over other top 25 teams, with GVSU having edged 10th ranked Colorado-Mines at home back in week one, 25-22; and Ferris having defeated #22 Lenoir-Rhyne on the road, 27-5, in week two.

Grand Valley And Ferris Are Carbon Copies Of Each Other

Both the Bulldogs and Lakers can put points on the board quickly, with GVSU averaging over 41 points per game heading into Saturday, while Ferris has put up over 40 points per game. GVSU has the edge in defense, giving up just 10 points a game to Ferris' 12.

They both use multiple quarterbacks, and both are equally skilled at passing AND rushing the ball.

They have played one common opponent, GLIAC rival Saginaw Valley State, with GVSU taking out the Cardinals 29-10 in Allendale back on October 1, while Ferris rallied for a 33-28 win in Saginaw last Saturday. The Bulldogs had to score the last 13 points to eek out that win on the Cardinals homecoming.

Once Again, Expect A High Scoring Shootout, And A Rematch In The Playoffs

The teams like to score on each other, In 2021 the Anchor-Bone Classic went to Ferris 35-28, and they topped GVSU again 54-20 in the second round of the DII football championship tournament. Ferris went on to win the 2021 DII National Championship.

With both teams having explosive skill players, the difference to this game may be which offensive line can control the tempo of the game to keep their team on the field.

It will once again be an epic battle, but I'm taking the home field advantage and Ferris State -- my prediction: Bulldogs 42, Lakers 38.

But the rematch in the Regionals may wind up differently, and barring an upset they WILL play again.

The game will be streamed live on FloSports. You can watch the game by clicking here. Please note, this is a pay site.

 

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