Olivet Nazarene's surge outweighs St Francis IL's series lead

St Francis IL still holds the long view of this series, up 13-6 in 19 meetings since 2007, but that history says nothing about where these two Mid-States programs stand right now. Olivet Nazarene has climbed 26 spots in the Versus NAIA rankings this season, rising from No. 38 to No. 12, and briefly touched No. 3, the highest Versus has ever placed the Tigers. At 7-1 with an A overall grade and an A- offense, they look like the far more complete team heading into Saturday.

St Francis IL enters at 2-7, having lost 6 of its last 8, and its season has swung wildly, from a 48-point win to a 76-point loss. The Fighting Saints do carry the division's 4th-ranked strength of schedule, a sign they have not ducked tough competition, but a C offense and C- defense have left them 64th in both categories.

Versus projects Olivet Nazarene to win 41-16, an 11th straight winning season in the making for the Tigers, and gives them a 92 percent chance to take it. The game counts in the Mid-States standings, and for Olivet Nazarene it is a chance to keep climbing a ranking that has already more than doubled its spot since the year began.