The Northwest Missouri State University football team has been slotted at No. 4 in the NCAA Division II NPI Super Region 4 Rankings, after a 45-13 road victory against Missouri Western. The Bearcats are the No. 9-ranked team in the NPI's overall national rankings.
Northwest (8-1 overall, 7-1 MIAA) is the top-ranked MIAA team in the region that features three other league schools. Emporia State is No. 6 and Washburn is No.7 in this week's installment.
Nine of the top 10 teams in Super Region 4 won games this past weekend. Emporia State was the only top-10 Super Region 4 squad to drop a contest as it fell 20-19 at home against Washburn.
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. The 2026 NCAA Div. II playoff selection show will be shown live on NCAA.com on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. (CT).
Northwest will close the regular season Saturday, Nov. 14, at Sporting KC Park in Kansas City, Kan. against the Pittsburg State Gorillas. The Gorillas are ranked No. 21 in this week's Super Region 4 rankings. Kick is set for 1:30 p.m. between the Bearcats and Gorillas.
NPI Rankings - Super Region 4 (Nov. 8)
1. Harding 67.461
2. CSU-Pueblo 64.297
3. Western Colorado 62.837
4. Northwest Mo. St. 62.775
5. Central Washington 62.002
6. Emporia State 60.544
7. Washburn 58.859
8. Midwestern St. 58.408
9. Southeastern Okla. St. 58.106
10. Ouachita Baptist 57.644
NPI Rankings - National Rankings (Nov. 8)
1. Ferris State 70.999
2. Slippery Rock 69.007
3. Harding 67.461
4. Northwood 65.939
5. CSU Pueblo 64.297
6. East Stroudsburg 64.147
7. Benedict 62.956
8. Western Colorado 62.837
9. Northweset Mo. St. 62.775
10. Kutztown 62.771
