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2026 Ferris State vs Grand Valley State

It's Anchor-Bone Classic Week! Here's Everything To Know About DII's Biggest Rivalry Game

It's Anchor-Bone Classic Week! Here's Everything To Know About DII's Biggest Rivalry Game

Ferris State and Grand Valley State clash in the 2026 Anchor-Bone Classic. Here's everything to know about DII's biggest rivalry game.

Oct 12, 2026 by Allen Catour
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2025 Anchor-Bone Classic Highlights | Grand Valley State vs Ferris State Football8:05

The biggest game of the NCAA Division II football season is here. The Anchor-Bone Classic returns Saturday when Ferris State and Grand Valley State Football meet in a rivalry matchup with conference bragging rights and national implications on the line.

The Bulldogs and Lakers are two of the most prominent programs in Division II football, and their annual meeting is about more than a trophy. The game brings together two in-state rivals with a long history of memorable matchups and championship ambitions.

This year's game will be played at Grand Valley State's Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, with the game streaming live on FloCollege.

UPCOMING

2026 Ferris State vs Grand Valley State

Sat, Oct 17 · 7:00 PM UTC

WATCH

When Is The 2026 Anchor-Bone Classic?

  • Matchup: Ferris State vs Grand Valley State
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
  • Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Lubbers Stadium, Allendale, Michigan
  • How to watch: FloCollege

Fans can stream the game on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

What Is The Anchor-Bone Classic?

The Anchor-Bone Classic is the annual football rivalry game between Ferris State Football and Grand Valley State, two members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Although the Anchor-Bone Trophy was introduced in 2002, the programs' football rivalry dates to 1972. Ferris State won the first recorded meeting, 42-0, but the series has since developed into Division II's marquee matchup.

The trophy represents the rivalry between the Bulldogs and Lakers, whose games have frequently carried significance beyond the GLIAC standings. The teams have also met in the NCAA Division II playoffs, adding another layer to a series in which the same opponents can meet more than once in a season.

A Rivalry With National Championship History

Ferris State and Grand Valley State Football have established themselves as national powers in Division II football. Ferris State entered the 2026 season as the two-time defending national champion, while Grand Valley State was picked to finish second in the GLIAC preseason coaches poll.

The Bulldogs were selected as the conference's preseason favorite after winning the GLIAC title with an unbeaten 7-0 conference record in 2025. Grand Valley State, meanwhile, finished 7-3 last season.

That history helps explain why the Anchor-Bone Classic regularly draws national attention: It brings two programs with championship expectations together in a rivalry game where the result can shape the rest of the season.

How Have Ferris State And Grand Valley State Performed In 2026?

Both teams enter the rivalry game with strong statistical profiles on both sides of the ball.

Through six games, Grand Valley State has scored 52.3 points per game and averaged 511.7 yards of total offense. Ferris State has averaged 46.3 points and 554.7 yards per game. 

The defensive numbers are just as notable. Ferris State has allowed 6.2 points per game, while Grand Valley State has given up 13 points per game through six contests. 

Those numbers set up a compelling matchup between two high-powered offenses and two defenses that have consistently limited opponents.

Don't Miss The Anchor-Bone Classic

When Ferris State and Grand Valley State Football meet, expect four quarters of hard-hitting football, big plays and rivalry intensity. With two of Division II's top programs battling for bragging rights, the Anchor-Bone Classic is a must-watch matchup for college football fans.

The Bulldogs and Lakers know what's at stake, and neither side will want to give an inch. Whether you're tuning in for the rivalry, the championship-caliber talent or the atmosphere surrounding one of Division II's biggest games, this is a matchup you won't want to miss.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from the game will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

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