The GLIAC is off to a red hot start to the 2026 season, posting a collective 12-3 record through Weeks 0 and 1, and is the only Division II conference to boast six 2-0 teams. 

Those marks will be put to the test on Saturday, as three of the eight games on the Week 2 schedule feature showdowns of nationally-ranked squads. The GLIAC will need to be road warriors, as every conference team is on the road with the exception of Davenport. 

The marquee matchup, both in the GLIAC and nationally, will pit No. 1 Ferris State (2-0), which is riding a 32-game winning streak, against No. 9 Central Washington (0-1). The heavyweight bout will take place in Ellensburg, Wash. at the home of the Wildcats, Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. 

Last week, the Bulldogs held defending NE10 champion Bentley out of the end zone in a 38-3 victory at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. CWU, the preseason favorite in the GNAC, dropped a 24-17 decision to FCS foe Cal Poly in its season opener.

No. 6 Grand Valley State (2-0) visits No. 19 Ashland (0-1) to renew a former intraconference rivalry. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the Eagles' Jack Miller Field/Martinelli Stadium. 

Led by GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, quarterback Andrew Schuster, the Lakers stayed undefeated with a dominating 56-14 home win over West Texas A&M. The Eagles kicked off the 2026 season with a 34-24 loss to No. 22 Indiana (Pa.).

No. 20 Michigan Tech (2-0) will face a stern road test Saturday, traveling to Kansas to meet No. 24 Emporia State (2-0) at 2 p.m. ET at Francis G. Welch Stadium.

The Huskies are coming off a 48-27 victory over Midwestern State in its 2026 home opener. Chase Koch was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week and Avery Kucharski earned GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week for their standout performances in Week 1.

Emporia State moved to 2-0 and into the national rankings following its 21-10 win over No. 10 Pittsburg State.

Davenport (2-0) is home for the third-straight week, welcoming GLVC preseason favorite No. 17 UIndy (1-1) to Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. Kick off is set for 12 p.m.

Last weekend, the Panthers avenged a last-second heartbreaking loss to postseason qualifier Truman State in 2025, winning 28-14. UIndy suffered a stunning 30-10 home loss to Findlay. 

Saginaw Valley State (2-0) will make its first road trip of the season when it makes the short trek to Midland to face rival Northwood (2-0) in the 51st edition of the Axe Bowl (12 p.m.).

The Cardinals downed Texas A&M-Kingsville, 41-24, a week ago. SVSU's offense has been clicking on all cylinders thus far this season, averaging 44.5 points and 474.5 yards per game. 

Roosevelt (2-0) is on the road for the third-straight week, squaring off with Southwest Baptist (1-1) at 2 p.m. ET in Bolivar, Mo. 

The Lakers topped Quincy, 41-28, in Week 1, throwing for 371 yards and scoring 40-plus points for the second-consecutive week. 

Northern Michigan (0-2) travels to the Twin Cities to face Division I opponent St. Thomas (1-1) in a 2 p.m. ET game at O'Shaughnessy Stadium.

Wayne State (0-1) will hit the road for the first time in the Terrence Isaac Sr. era with a road trip to former GLIAC foe Hillsdale (12 p.m.).