The top of the PSAC West standings is at stake Saturday.

The winner of the football game between Slippery Rock University (3-4, 2-1) and Edinboro (5-2, 3-1) will find itself in first place in the league with two games remaining.

If the host Fighting Scots win, they will be alone atop the standings. If The Rock wins, it will share the league lead with California (Pa.) and possibly Indiana (Pa.).

"A playoff spot is on the line for Edinboro, too," SRU coach George Mihalik said. "They're a nationally ranked program. This is a chance for us to see exactly where we're at as a football team."

The Scots enter the game ranked No. 22 by D2Football.com. More importantly, they're ranked No. 7 in the Northeast Region. The top six teams in the region advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

"We take things game by game around here," Edinboro coach Lou Tepper said. "We're not even thinking about the playoffs. We're thinking about Slippery Rock.

"We have a great deal of respect for that program. They started off against three incredibly tough opponents and they've won three of four since. They're the most improved team in the league."

Among those three Rock wins is a 28-21 win over California — the same California team that defeated Edinboro 36-26 two weeks ago.

"Cal is very talented and we did a credible job against their running game," Tepper said. "We didn't play well against their passing game and our special teams were horrible. It was our worst special teams performance in my six years here."

Edinboro's defense allows a paltry 52.3 yards rushing per game and ranks second in the nation in that category. The Scots rank third in the nation in total defense at 212 yards per game.

The Scots have racked up 19 quarterback sacks, 13 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. Ben Stroup leads the team with 54 total tackles, 10½ tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks.

Defensive back Chris Avery leads the PSAC with six interceptions — 19 for his career — and has scored touchdowns in the past two games. One was on an interception return, the other on a blocked punt.

Seth Fragale, last year's PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year, has only 28 tackles and five tackles for loss this year, but teams are staying away from him.

"You can't say it's just their front seven who are tough because that whole unit is good," Mihalik said of Edinboro's defense. "Nobody's run on them, but that's our game. … You go into any game trying to do what you do best.

"But if you can't do it, you have to have a back-up plan."

Josh Kniess has 705 yards rushing, Corey Manfull has 421 and quarterback Nate Crookshank 227 for SRU. Crookshank also has thrown for 1,158 yards and hasn't recorded an interception in two games.

"He's making better decisions," Mihalik said of his quarterback. "Some of his rushing yardage has been by design, but he's learning how to improvise."

Edinboro has numerous weapons on offense. Quarterback Justin Bouch has completed 88 of 162 passes for 1,013 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Bouch will be starting his 38th game at Edinboro — only Knoch graduate and senior tackle Greg Bzorek has started more (41) — and is at the top of the Edinboro all-time charts in most passing categories.

"Their offense is very business-like, very efficient," Mihalik said. "They don't make mistakes, so we can't make mistakes."

Ulysee Davis leads the Scots' ground attack with 616 yards rushing while Kelvin Collins has 444 yards.

"We use two or three backs and ample receivers," Tepper said. "A lot of people have contributed."

Notes:

There is a Butler County flavor to Edinboro's roster. Redshirt freshman Josh Bzorek has started every game at tackle. Redshirt freshman guard Scott Christie (Karns City) has seen game action. Freshman inside linebacker Josh Fiscus (Karns City), receiver Curtis Compton (Knoch) and tackle Josh Wachter (Butler) all are being redshirted. Wachter was moved to tackle from tight end. … The four teams to defeat SRU are a combined 25-5 this year. Bloomsburg, Youngstown State and Shepherd — SRU's first three opponents — are 22-1. … Injured offensive lineman Dave Mulvihill is expected to return to the Rock lineup Saturday.