SLIPPERY ROCK — The PSAC’s No. 1 ranked defense against the league’s No. 1 ranked offense.

Winners of 10 of the last 11 PSAC West titles.

IUP vs. Slippery Rock.

Enough said.

Indiana (Pa.) travels to SRU for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium with more on the line than simply the satisfaction of defeating a rival school.

“Winner of this game is in the driver’s seat in the PSAC West,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “I’m not saying the winner will win the West — there’s a lot more football to be played — but that’s the way it’s been playing out.”

“I’d like to see this game played later in the season, but you play it when it comes up on the schedule,” IUP coach Paul Tortorella said. “No matter when it’s played, this game always sells out ... It’s one of the best game atmospheres in all of Division II football.”

SRU enters the game at 4-0, leading the conference with 38.5 points and 426.8 yards per game. IUP is 3-1 — its only loss being a 13-12 decision to unbeaten East Stroudsburg — and leads the PSAC with 14.3 points and 249 yards allowed per game.

“That’s the matchup that stands out when you look at all the numbers,” Tortorella said.

IUP’s defense features nine returning starters, including some three-year starters. Tororella said that unit possesses plenty of speed as well.

“It’s a group that’s grown together and will be severely tested this week,” he said.

SRU has rushed for 649 yards this year. Khalid Dorsey has 246 of those yards, Chris D’Or 175 and Isaiah Edwards 163. Brayden Long has thrown for 1,53 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception. That pick came off a deflected ball last week at Seton Hill.

Kyle Sheets has 23 catches for 418 yards, Cohen Russell 19 for 232 and Logan Ramper nine for 129. Sheets and Ramper have combined for 10 touchdown receptions.

The Crimson Hawks are allowing an average of 86 yards per game on the ground.

“We need to be able to establish the run on them,” Lutz said. “Our offensive line has to step up in that regard. Chris D’Or came into his own in the fourth quarter at Seton Hill. He’s back to the level he was at last year and that’s going to help us.”

Karst Hunter has thrown for 929 yards , nine touchdowns and four interceptions for IUP. Adam Houser and Dayjure Stewart lead the Crimson Hawks’ ground game.

IUP has three receivers standing 6-foot-3 in Quinn Zinobile, Hilton Ridley and Derek Lockhart.

“That’s their three-headed monster,” Lutz said. “Their offensive line is a little inexperienced and they shuttle guys in and out, so, hopefully, our defensive line can get some pressure on the quarterback.”

Tortorella said his receivers are effective, “but we don’t have the speed guy like they do in Russell.”

Hunter, who’s rushed for 133 yards and three TDs to go with his passing numbers, has improved over the last couple of games. IUP has scored 79 points the past two weeks after scoring just 36 in its first two games.

“Karst is settling in now. He’s with a new team and it’s taken a little while, but he’s coming into his own,” Tortorella said.

Lutz listed three keys to the game: The turnover battle, special teams and who wins the line of scrimmage.

“Those are always the keys in big games like this,” Lutz said. “We’re 29-2 against the West (since October of 2017) and our two losses are to them. Those two losses make me sick.

“We don’t like them, they don’t like us. But it’s a great rivalry. The atmosphere will be unbelievable.”

IUP leads the all-time series between the teams, 53-41-2. The teams are 8-8 against each other over the past 16 meetings, though the Crimson Hawks have won the two most recent contests. IUP defeated The Rock 20-12 in Indiana last year and hung a 48-21loss on SRU at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium in 2021.

SRU has won its last 25 home night games and its last 31 games played at 3 p.m. or later overall.