Allegheny edges past Bethany WV despite last week's rout

A 5-1 record and a 2-4 record usually tell the whole story, but not here. Allegheny's five wins came before a 3-56 loss that snapped a six-game winning streak, and Versus still grades the Gators only a C in both offense and defense, with a power rank of 140th in D3. Bethany WV's 2-4 mark hides its own swings, the Bison have been outscored badly over their last several games while also producing a blowout win and a blowout loss somewhere in that stretch.

The ratings close the gap the records suggest. Bethany WV actually carries the better offensive rank at 133rd against Allegheny's 143rd, and its strength of schedule rank of 56th dwarfs Allegheny's 187th. Allegheny's defense, ranked 137th, is not far ahead of Bethany WV's 182nd either. Versus projects Allegheny to win 30-28, a 56 to 44 split that reflects a true toss-up rather than a mismatch.

This is a Presidents conference game and it counts in the standings for both sides. Allegheny has won four straight in the series and leads it 5-1 in six meetings since 2010, but given how differently this season has unfolded from the win-loss columns, the head to head history may matter less than usual. Allegheny has also shown a tendency to play better away from home this year, which could matter with Bethany WV hosting.