The Northwest Missouri State University football team shifted to No. 6 in the second installation of the NCAA Division II NPI Super Region 4 Rankings.

Northwest (6-1 overall, 5-1 MIAA) is among four MIAA teams in the top-10 in the region. Emporia State is No. 2, Northwest is No. 6, Central Missouri is No. 8 and Washburn is No. 10. 
 
The NPI rankings will determine playoff selection. The top eight teams will earn selection into the 2026 NCAA Div. II Playoffs. Conference champions from the MIAA, GAC, Lone Star and RMAC will receive automatic bids. The final four slots will be determined by the NPI.

Northwest and Emporia State (8-0 overall, 6-0 MIAA) will collide Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Mo.
 
NPI Rankings (Oct. 25)
1. Harding                    66.960
2. Emporia State          64.622
3. CSU-Pueblo             63.807
4. Western Colorado    60.975
5. Central Washington  60.593
6. Northwest Mo. St.     59.539
7. Henderson State       57.703
8. Central Missouri        56.770
9. Ouachita Baptist      56.181
10. Washburn                55.584