SLIPPERY ROCK — Shawn Lutz isn’t afraid to say it.

“Every game is a playoff game for us now,” the Slippery Rock University football coach said. “We’re taking it one game at a time, of course, but our guys know we need to run the table if we want to participate in the national playoffs.

“A loss and we put it in the (Division II playoff) committee’s hands. Nobody wants to do that.”

SRU (6-1, 3-1) looks to win its third straight game and extend its winning streak against California (Pa.) to four games when it takes on the Vulcans (4-3, 3-1) at 3:30 p.m. at Adamson Stadium.

The game is Calfornia’s homecoming. That’s significant because the Vulcans have won 15 of their last 16 homecoming games,. One of those wins is a 48-26 upset of then 19th-ranked SRU in 2014. The Rock has not served as California’s homecoming opponent since.

“We know they’re going to be ready for us. Their defense is legit,” Lutz said.

And their record is misleading.

Two of California’s three losses are to the respective leaders of the PSAC East and West Divisions — unbeatens Shepherd and Indiana (Pa.). Shepherd edged the Vulcans, 26-23, in overtime and IUP escaped with a 22-21 win over Cal when the Vulcans never got off a short field goal attempt in the closing seconds. A Vulcan player lined up in the neutral zone and the 10-second run-off ended the game.

California’s other loss is a 24-19 decision to Kutztown in the second week of the season.

“Cal could be 7-0 and a top-5 ranked team nationally right now,” Lutz said.

SRU and California are ranked 1-2 in the PSAC West against the run this season. The Rock allows 67.3 rushing yards per game and has allowed only three rushing touchdown all year. The Vulcans allow 68.9 rushing yards per game and have allowed five rushing TDs on the campaign. The teams ran sixth and eighth, respectively, nationally, against the run.

A pair of Seneca Valley graduates — a brother act in Gabe and Josh Miller — start at outside linebacker for the Vulcans. Gabe has 27 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, Josh 26 tackles and four quarterback sacks. Noah Dillow, an inside linebacker, leads the team with 51 tackles.

The Vulcans’ defense has 23 quarterback sacks. The offense has allowed only 10.

“They blitz 95% of the time,” Lutz said. “And their quarterback gets rid of the ball so quickly, it’s hard to get to him. Noah Mitchell is outstanding. He’s probably the second-best quarterback in the region behind the Shepherd guy (Tyson Bagent).”

A fourth-year starter, Mitchell needs 219 passing yards Saturday to become the 10th quarterback in PSAC History to throw for 10,000. He is tied for 14th in PSAC history with 84 TD passes. This year, Mitchell has thrown for 1,621 yards, 15 TDs and only three interceptions.

He has struggled against The Rock, however. In his previous three starts vs. SRU, Mitchell has completed only 44% of his passes for 545 total yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

JaQuae Jackson, standing at 6-foot-3, is by far Mitchrll’s favorite trarget. He’s caught 50 passes for 788 yards this season and has produced five 100-yard receiving games. His nine TD catches rank second in the country.

“Their next leading receiver (Cam Tarrant) has 23 catches, so it’s clear who they’re gonna throw to,” Lutz said. “We’re not going to stop JaQuae every time, but we have to stop him enough times to win this game.”

Eric McKan III is Cal’s leading rusher with 467 yards and seven TDs on the ground. Freeport graduate Matt Charlton starts at right guard for the Vulcans.

For The Rock, Jake Odom should return to the lineup at receiver after missing a couple of games. Jawon Hall, out last week with a concussion, should rejoin SRU’s receiving corps as well.

“Jake and Noah (SRU QB Grover) are best friends and roommates,” Lutz said. “Getting Jake back will be a boost for us, definitely. But we’re coming off one of the best all-around games we’ve played in a while and we need to keep that going.”

SRU throttled Gannon, 40-14, last Saturday. The defense generated six sacks, defensive end D.J. Adediwura getting three of them, and Chris D’Or produced his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

“The play up front will decide this game,” Lutz said. “We want to establish the run and make them one-dimensional.”

SRU leads the all-time series between the teams, 50-33-3. The series dates backs to 1905.

California coach Gary Dunn could not be reached for comment.