The Northwest Missouri State University football team moved up three slots to No. 3 in the third release of the NCAA Division II NPI Super Region 4 Rankings, following a 59-14 victory over Emporia State.

Northwest (7-1 overall, 6-1 MIAA) is among four MIAA teams in the top nine in the region. Northwest is the top MIAA school at No. 3, Emporia State is No. 4, Central Missouri is No. 7 and Washburn is No. 9. In the national rankings, Northwest is ranked No. 8.
 
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 will travel to Missouri Western Saturday to take on the Griffons with a 2 p.m. kick at Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo. The following week the Bearcats will close the regular season Nov. 14 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., against the Pittsburg State Gorillas.
 
NPI Rankings (Nov. 1)
1. Harding                       67.031
2. CSU-Pueblo                64.918
3. Northwest Mo. St.        63.326
4. Emporia State              62.884
5. Western Colorado        61.450
6. Central Washington      61.447
7. Central Missouri           58.270
8. Southeastern Okla. St. 57.418
9. Washburn                     56.912
10. Midwestern St.            56.766