The top two teams in the NSIC meet this Saturday in Mankato, Minnesota when #22 (AFCA) and #24 (D2football.com) Wayne State visits #5 (AFCA) and #3 (D2Football.com) Minnesota State in a 1 p.m. contest at Blakeslee Stadium.  WSC is 6-1 on the season and 5-1 in the NSIC (2-0 South) while the host Mavericks are 7-0 overall and 6-0 in league play (3-0 NSIC South).  Both teams are coming off the bye week after WSC won at Bemidji State October 10th 45-13 while MSU posted a 34-16 road win at Winona State.  Minnesota State holds a 15-3 lead in the all-time series but the two teams have split their last six matchups since 2021.  Last season WSC knocked off #9 Minnesota State in Wayne 35-20.  Wayne State's last trip to Mankato was 2023 and resulted in a 31-14 setback.  The 'Cats are 1-8 all-time in Mankato with the win coming in 2021 35-24.