Cortland State edges Utica in matchup of unbeaten Empire 8 rivals

Cortland State has owned this series, winning nine of the last ten meetings and leading 9-1 in ten games since 2015, and this week's rematch carries extra weight with both programs unbeaten at 4-0. It is a conference game, and with both sides sitting atop the Empire 8 standings, the head-to-head history adds a layer neither team can ignore.

Cortland State comes in graded A overall with an A+ in both offense and defense, ranked 6th in D3 power, 10th in offense and 5th in defense. The Dragons currently own the best record in college football, have posted a winning record in nine straight seasons, and have lost just five of their last 42 games. The one soft spot is a strength of schedule ranked 117th in D3.

Utica counters with an A+ across the board in overall, power, offense and defense grades, and its own share of the best record in the country. The Pioneers have climbed 39 spots in the D3 rankings this season, jumping from No. 49 to No. 10, and their schedule strength ranks a stronger 49th.

Versus projects Cortland State to win 29-25, giving the Dragons a 59 percent chance against Utica's 41, a projected margin of four points in what shapes up as the tightest test either unbeaten team has faced.