The race for the 2026 GLIAC football title begins this weekend, with four key conference games on the schedule.

The GLIAC showed its strength and depth during nonconference play, finishing with four 4-0 undefeated teams (Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Davenport and Roosevelt) and currently boasting four squads ranked nationally in the latest AFCA poll (Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Davenport and Michigan Tech).

No. 1 Ferris State (4-0) visits Northern Michigan (0-4) for each team's GLIAC opener. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Superior Dome in Marquette. 

The Bulldogs were one of the few league teams in action last week, winning 73-6 at home over Kentucky Christian, their 34th-consecutive victory. FSU compiled 668 yards of total offense, with seven players scoring touchdowns.

The Wildcats fell to Davenport, 42-7, in a nonconference contest in their last outing, on Sept. 19.

No. 6 Grand Valley State (4-0) hosts Wayne State (0-4) in a 3 p.m. Homecoming matchup at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. 

When last on the gridiron, the Lakers handed Judson a historic 96-0 loss. Quarterback Andrew Schuster leads the GLIAC in touchdown passes (14) and completion percentage (75.9). 

Wayne State fell to Quincy, 56-35, a week ago but had the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week in running back D'Vaun Bentley, who rushed for 182 yards and four touchdowns.

No. 11 Davenport (4-0) is on road Saturday, traveling cross-state to University Center to meet Saginaw Valley State (2-2) in a 2 p.m. game at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium. 

The Panthers were off last week but running back Cephus Harris still ranks third in the nation in rushing with 734 yards. 

The Cardinals are looking to get back on track following a 21-17 road loss to Kentucky State two weeks ago. Quarterback Connor Wolf ranks first in the GLIAC in passing yards with 1,083.

In a pivotal showdown on Saturday in the Chicagoland area, No. 20 Michigan Tech (3-1) faces unbeaten Roosevelt (4-0) at the home of the Lakers, Morris Field, in Arlington Heights. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

The Huskies won a thriller when last on the gridiron, defeating Upper Iowa, 33-32, at home in overtime. 

Roosevelt's offense has been highly-effective thus far this season, ranking ninth nationally in scoring offense (43.8 ppg) and total offense (486 ypg).