The top two teams in the NSIC each face a tough test on the road in the final week of the regular season.
Augustana, MSU Mankato and Bemidji State — along with Sioux Falls, which plays host to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday — were ranked in the top eight in the final Division II Super Region Four rankings. Augustana was No. 2 (behind Colorado State Pueblo), Mankato was No. 3, Bemidji State No. 7 and Sioux Falls No. 8.
Seven teams from each of four regions make the 28-team DII playoff field. The DII (and DIII) playoff fields will be announced on Sunday.
Here are four other Minnesota college football story lines this week:
It is the second meeting of the season for the two teams. The Johnnies defeated Bethel 45-20 on Sept. 28 in Arden Hills.
St. John’s (9-0, 4-0 Northwoods Division), ranked No. 3 in the D3football.com Top 25, is coming off a 55-6 victory over St. Olaf.