The 2025 college football season has reached a turning point, offering teams a chance to right the wrongs of the first full month of the season when it matters most – conference play.

In the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, all eight teams will be back in action and ready to chase GLIAC glory for another year.

It also somehow worked out that this week’s slate of games will see the top four performers so far this season taking on the four teams that still haven’t found their strides in 2025.

Leading the way once again will be Ferris State, the defending conference and NCAA Division II national champion, favorite to win the GLIAC (with votes from six of the conference’s eight head coaches) and the No. 1-ranked team in every major Division II poll this week. 

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• Division II Football Rankings 2025 Week 5: Ferris Bye Weekl Harding, Kutztown Surge
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Of the eight teams in the GLIAC, only one played last week – Wayne State. 

Does that mean everyone else is rested and ready and free of any bad mojo? Or that those with momentum will be back in the starting blocks with everyone else? Is Wayne State at an even bigger disadvantage after falling to 0-4 last week with a 31-14 loss to Quincy?

Obviously, all of those questions will be answered Saturday, but we’re here to speculate and theorize and get the discussion rolling in the days leading up to kickoff. 

There were parts of the first four weeks of the 2025 campaign that were pretty predictable. But there also were a few surprises, including an early loss by Grand Valley State against a slow-starting Pittsburg State squad.

Hopefully all the GLIAC fans also are rested and ready to cheer for their teams during this crucial stretch of the year. 

Here’s a look at the matchups for the GLIAC teams during Week 5 of the 2025 season, along with predictions for each game.

Note: All start times for Saturday are Eastern. Games marked with an asterisk will be streamed live on FloCollege.

GLIAC Teams In Week 5

Oct. 4 (Saturday)

*Michigan Tech At Wayne State, 1 p.m.

As noted above, Wayne State was the only GLIAC team in action last week, and the result was a 31-14 loss at home to Quincy. That leaves the Warriors 0-4 for the second consecutive season.

Last year, the losing streak lasted nine games, but it ended with a pair of wins to close the 2-9 (2-5 in conference play) season.

As WSU hosts Michigan Tech this week in Detroit, there will be some things working in the Warriors’ favor. 

First, Wayne State has a great record against Michigan Tech and holds a 20-14 advantage in their all-time series. In their past five meetings, the Warriors have won twice (2019, 2023).

Next, WSU is 45-41-1 on homecoming and 2-1 against Michigan Tech in homecoming games, including a 23-21 victory in 2023. Last year, the Huskies returned the favor, celebrating their own homecoming with a 22-7 win over the Warriors.

Finally, Wayne State might be catching Michigan Tech at the right time. 

Though the Huskies started the year at 3-0 and catapulted into the Division II top 25, they stumbled against Upper Iowa on Sept. 20, losing 21-14 after giving up all 21 points in the second quarter.

Did the loss rattle Michigan Tech, or was it simply just an unfortunate 15 minutes of play? Would the odds of a Wayne State win have been higher without the bye week for the Huskies to regroup? 

PREDICTION: Michigan Tech has been living on the verge of a breakout season, but the team continues to be its own worst enemy. This could be the year the Huskies get past Grand Valley State and one step closer to dominant Ferris State. Wayne State will just be a stepping stone. Michigan Tech wins this one, 37-13.

*Ferris State At Roosevelt, 2 p.m.

There’s no evidence to suggest that Ferris State won’t continue to add to its legacy in 2025. 

The Bulldogs are 4-0 this season and outscoring their opponents 53.5-14.3, a mark boosted by a 76-0 win over Rio Grande on Sept. 20.

They’ve now won 18 consecutive contests since dropping their season opener in 2024 and top all the major Division II polls. 

Obviously, one upset can change the whole trajectory in conference play, but it would take a lot for the current momentum not to carry Ferris State back into the Division II Playoffs for a shot at a fourth national title in five years. 

The first GLIAC obstacle for the Bulldogs this year will be one-win Roosevelt, which is playing in the GLIAC – and at the Division II level – for just the second year. 

In 2024, the Lakers were 1-9 overall and 1-6 in conference games, defeating Northern Michigan for their first GLIAC and Division II victory.

This year, Roosevelt is 1-2 and will host Ferris State while looking to rebound from back-to-back losses.

Roosevelt appears to be finding its footing at the Division II level, at least offensively. The Lakers have scored 20 or more points in every game this season, but they’re giving up 33 – the worst in the GLIAC. 

PREDICTION: The highest-scoring offense in the conference against the weakest defense. This one will not go well for Roosevelt, but the Lakers should handle the FSU barrage better than Rio Grande did. Ferris State remains undefeated with a 59-10 win over Roosevelt.

*Northern Michigan At Saginaw Valley State, 2 p.m.

It’s the first, and easiest, question to ask – is this the week the Northern Michigan losing streak comes to an end?

On paper, most evidence points to no, though the Wildcats have been within pouncing distance a couple times this year, losing two games by seven points or less.

However, a loss is a loss, and NMU has lost 26 consecutive games.

This week’s meeting with Saginaw Valley State will be a tough one, as the Cardinals have won the last eight contests between the two teams, including a 63-14 blowout in Marquette, Michigan, last year to open conference play for the Wildcats.

SVSU holds a 26-18 advantage against Northern Michigan all-time and will be looking to celebrate its 2025 homecoming by extending that margin.

In looking at the Saginaw Valley State’s record this year, it may seem this is the most beatable iteration of the team in recent years, but that also could be misleading due to the strength of the schedule.

Despite being 1-3, the Cardinals aren’t losing by much, and their offense ranks No. 2 in the GLIAC with 384.8 total yards per game. Ferris State leads with 473.5.

The Cardinals are struggling a bit defensively, however, ranking seventh in the conference in scoring defense (32.3 ppg), seventh in total defense (410 ypg) and eighth in passing defense (325 ypg).

The place where SVSU has shined defensively is rushing defense, with the Cardinals giving up just 85 ground yards per game, which is third in the conference.

On the ground is the one place Northern Michigan really has excelled this year, averaging 215.5 yards per game, which is second behind Ferris State in the GLIAC (259.8). At the same time, NMU is eighth in passing (114.3) and seventh in total offense (329.8). 

Which will prevail here – the Northern Michigan running game or the SVSU ground defense?

PREDICTION: Saginaw Valley State is coming off a close game against a talented New Haven team that recently made the move to the Division I level. Northern Michigan is under a huge black cloud, and the team has to be tired of answering the same question every week. That can only add pressure. SVSU is stronger than its record shows. Cardinals top Northern Michigan 35-12.

*Davenport At Grand Valley State, 4 p.m.

Davenport is the only team in the GLIAC with a conference win so far this year. That’s a nice head start heading into the loaded conference slate ahead, and this week is an opportunity for the Panthers to make a huge statement.

Davenport, which celebrated its inaugural year of football in 2016, has never beaten GVSU. The Lakers are 7-0 against the young team and have held the Panthers to seven points or less six times. Last year was a 24-7 Grand Valley State victory.

For the most part, GVSU and Ferris State have been the biggest obstacles for Davenport, but for any team to rise to the top of the GLIAC, it will require slaying those giants. 

The first GLIAC game of the 2025 season saw Davenport roll past Northern Michigan 35-16 on Sept. 20.

The Panthers were supposed to carry that momentum into their final nonconference game – and home opener – last Thursday against controversial Lincoln University, but that game was canceled.

That gave Davenport an unexpected bye week, which either meant more time to properly prepare for Grand Valley State, or a slow down of any forward progress.

GVSU, a perennial favorite to at least contend for the GLIAC title, suffered a 17-14 loss to Pittsburg State on Sept. 13 and hasn’t played since. That’s two long weeks without redemption, so there might be some pent-up frustration waiting for the Panthers at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan. 

Both teams may be 2-1, but they’re just different. 

Pittsburg State likes to bully the GLIAC teams, but look what happened after the Gorillas beat Ferris State to kick off the 2024 season – 18 consecutive wins for the Bulldogs.

PREDICTION: GVSU may not be at Ferris State’s level right now, but the Lakers still are a top-10 team nationally and will get back on track against Davenport this week. Expect Grand Valley State and Ferris State to both be 1-0 in the GLIAC after this weekend. GVSU 42, Davenport 16.

How Did The GLIAC Football Teams Perform In Week 4?

*GLIAC teams in bold

• Lincoln (Calif.) at Davenport – Canceled
• Quincy 31, Wayne State 14

Watch More GLIAC Football On FloCollege

Here’s a look at the Division II rankings, the schedule for Week 5 of the 2025 college football season and more.

Latest Division II Rankings 

FloCollege D2 Football Rankings: Week 5

1. Ferris State (Prev. 1)
2. Harding (Prev. 2)
3. Kutztown (Prev. 4)
4. West Florida (Prev. 3)
5. Angelo State (Prev. 5)
6. Western Colorado (Prev. 7)
7. Minnesota Duluth (Prev. 10)
8. West Alabama (Prev. 9)
9. UT Permian Basin (Prev. 11)
10. Grand Valley State (Prev. 8)
11. Minnesota State (Prev. 13)
12. Augustana (SD) (Prev. 14)
13. Central Washington (Prev. 20)
14. Slippery Rock (Prev. 6)
15. CSU Pueblo (Prev. 17)
16. Pittsburg State (Prev. 21)
17. Virginia Union (Prev. 18)
18. Michigan Tech (Prev. 16)
19. California (PA) (Prev. NR)
20. Emory & Henry (Prev. 23)
21. Delta State (Prev. NR)
22. Charleston (WV) (Prev. 25)
23. Indianapolis (Prev. NR)
24. Wingate (Prev. 15)
25. UNC Pembroke (Prev. NR)

Also Received Votes: Johnson C. Smith, Valdosta State, Carson-Newman, MSU Moorhead, Walsh, Albany State, Northwest Missouri State, Frostburg State, Benedict, Catawba, Clarion, Findlay, Indiana (PA), Nebraska-Kearney, Edward Waters.

AFCA Division II Coaches Poll For Week 5 Of 2025 Season

Sept. 27, 2025

1. Ferris St. (Prev. 1)
2. Harding (Prev. 2)
3. West Florida (Prev. 3)
4. Kutztown (Prev. 5)
5. Angelo St. (Prev. 6)
6. California (Pa.) (Prev. 8)
7. Western Colorado (Prev. 7)
8. Augustana (S.D.) (Prev. 9)
9. UT-Permian Basin (Prev. 11)
10. Grand Valley St. (Prev. 10)
11. West Alabama (Prev. 13)
12. Colorado St.-Pueblo (Prev. 12)
13. Minnesota-Duluth (Prev. 16)
14. Slippery Rock (Prev. 4)
15. Minnesota St. (Prev. 14)
16. Central Washington (Prev. 17)
17. Pittsburg St. (Prev. 18)
18. Virginia Union (Prev. 21)
19. UIndy (Prev. 22)
20. Delta St. (Prev. 23)
21. Findlay (Prev. 25)
22. Carson-Newman (Prev. NR)
23. Frostburg St. (Prev. NR)
24. Northwest Missouri St. (Prev. NR)
25. UNC Pembroke (Prev. NR)

Dropped Out: Central Oklahoma (15), Wingate (19), Valdosta St. (20), Henderson St. (24)

Others Receiving Votes: Central Oklahoma, 30; Wingate, 26; Ashland, 25; Johnson C. Smith, 19; Charleston, 16; Nebraska-Kearney, 15; Indiana (Pa.), 11; Fort Hays St., 10; Walsh, 9; Colorado School of Mines, 8; Edward Waters, 7; Clarion, 4; Southern Arkansas, 4; Catawba, 2; Henderson St., 2; Upper Iowa, 2; Albany St., 1; Benedict, 1; Lenoir-Rhyne, 1.

When Do The 2025 NCAA Division II College Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Playoffs will be Nov. 22.

The 2025 Division II Football Championship title game will be played Dec. 20, 2025, at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas

Rio Grande vs. Ferris State Football Highlights | 2025 Division II Football

Watch the highlights from Ferris State’s 76-0 win against Rio Grande on Sept. 20, 2025.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2025 College Football Season On FloCollege

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Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

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