As D2 powerhouses like Ferris State, Harding, Minnesota State, Kutztown, and Grand Valley State continue to dominate the Division 2 football discourse, it's always important to take a look elsewhere and see who is under the radar.
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With that in mind, we've picked out three matchups that could pay dividends as teams look to climb up the NCAA power index, and towards a D2 playoff berth.
Four of the teams below are undefeated, and coincidentally, all four come from the G-MAC, where Hillsdale, Northwood, Lake Erie, and Walsh have jumped out to blistering starts. Two of those programs will take their first L this weekend.
The other matchup sees a midday bout between the Peacocks and the Huskies.
Here's what to know.
Hillsdale Travels To Midland For Undefeated Matchup
Saturday, Sept. 19, 12 p.m. ET
Why?
- Through two games, both teams are undefeated. Hillsdale pops into the RV section of the FloCollege Top 25 after demolishing Wayne State (MI), 49-0. Northwood has moved all the way up to No. 11 in our rankings.
- The Chargers, after shutting out Wayne, have given up a grand total of 24 points. They are No. 12 in the nation in D2 scoring defense, right behind Minnesota State and right ahead of Findlay.
- Northwood's Ethan Hamby is the reigning G-MAC offensive player of the year. This season, he's completing nearly 74-percent of his passes, with four touchdowns. He tossed for 391 yards against Saginaw Valley.
- This game is also known as the Riepma Cup, named after Pat Riepma, who played for Hillsdale and was later a coach at Northwood.
Upper Iowa Looks To Spoil Michigan Tech Homecoming Again
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. ET
Why?
- The Upper Iowa Peacocks, who disappointingly don't have peacocks on their helmets, are 1-1 after a close loss to Missouri Southern two weeks ago. UIU is coming off a bye, heading to Michigan Tech on their homecoming week. The Peacocks already spoiled the part last year, defeating MTU 21-14.
- Michigan Tech comes into the matchup ranked No. 25 in the FloCollege Top 25, after beginning the season with wins against Bemidji and Midwestern State before losing to Emporia.
- Peacocks' dual-threat quarterback Zamar Wise will be central to their offense. He's averaging 95 rushing yards and 161 passing yards a game.
Lake Erie Puts No. 1 Scoring Defense To The Test
Saturday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. ET
Why?
- After going 2-9 last year, Lake Erie has jumped out to a 2-0 record, but even more impressively, they've only allowed 14 points over two games. That puts them tied with Harding for the best D2 scoring defense in the nation.
- The Storm's defense is led by Quinterrius Jemison. The linebacker has totaled 14 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and two sacks through two games.
- Walsh also comes into the matchup undefeated, but they bring the offense. The Cavaliers are averaging 408 yards a game, with running back Jake Gill accounting for 73 of those on the ground. Even better, Gill has also put up five touchdowns. .
D2 Football Rankings 2026: Top 25
- Ferris State (3-0)
- Harding (2-0)
- CSU Pueblo (3-0)
- Minnesota State (3-0)
- Kutztown (2-0)
- Northwest Missouri State (2-0)
- Grand Valley State (3-0)
- Findlay (2-0)
- Western Colorado (3-0)
- Western Oregon (2-0)
- Northwood (2-0)
- Northeastern State (3-0)
- Slippery Rock (2-0)
- Valdosta State (3-0)
- Henderson State (2-0)
- Benedict (2-0)
- Minnesota Duluth (2-1)
- Augustana (SD) (2-1)
- Virginia Union (2-1)
- Carson-Newman (3-0)
- Newberry (1-1)
- California (PA) (2-0)
- Johnson C. Smith (2-1)
- Indiana (PA) (2-0)
- Michigan Tech (2-1)
Received Votes
Indianapolis (1-2), Kentucky State (2-1), Edinboro (2-0), East Stroudsburg (2-1), UT Permian Basin (1-1), Hillsdale (2-0), Northern State (3-0), North Greenville (2-0), Shepherd (2-0), Davenport (3-0), West Alabama (3-0)
Previous Rankings:
How The FloCollege D2 Football Rankings Are Determined
The FloCollege Division 2 football rankings are driven by a mix of objective data and input from voters.
Ranking factors include:
- Voter Points
- Wins
- Margin of Victory
- Away Wins
- Strength of Schedule
D2 Football Week 2 Schedule On FloCollege
Here's every Division 2 football game happening on FloCollege this week.
Saturday, Sep 19
- 2026 Hillsdale vs Northwood University
- 2026 Franklin Pierce vs Saint Anselm
- 2026 UW-La Crosse vs Wayne State (MI)
- 2026 Findlay vs Kentucky Wesleyan
- 2026 Davenport vs Northern Michigan
- 2026 Ohio Dominican vs Ashland
- 2026 Upper Iowa vs Michigan Tech
- 2026 UW-Stout vs Roosevelt
- 2026 Anderson (SC) vs Tusculum
- 2026 Post vs Bentley - Men's
- 2026 Thomas More vs Tiffin University
- 2026 American International vs Southern Connecticut - Men's
- 2026 Bluefield State vs Greensboro College
- 2026 Newberry vs Wingate
- 2026 Emory & Henry vs Catawba
- 2026 Mars Hill vs Lenoir-Rhyne
- 2026 Carson-Newman vs UVA Wise
- 2026 Lake Erie College vs Walsh
- 2026 Judson University (IL) vs Grand Valley State
- 2026 North Greenville vs West Alabama
- 2026 West Texas A&M vs Angelo State
- 2026 Western N.M. vs Midwestern State
- 2026 UT Permian Basin vs Sul Ross State
- 2026 Eastern N.M. vs A&M-Kingsville
- 2026 Western Oregon vs Central Washington
How To Watch D2 Football In 2026
Hundreds of Division 2 football games will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.
Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.
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