SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University vs. Indiana (Pa.).

Both football teams undefeated in the PSAC West. Both teams gunning for the Western Division title.

And it's SRU's homecoming.

Nothing new happening here.

“This isn't just rivalry week, it's championship week,” Rock coach Shawn Lutz said. “We've told our guys ... If you want to win the PSAC West, it starts now.”

Sixth-ranked SRU (6-0, 3-0) entertains IUP (4-1, 3-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday for homecoming at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Rock has its 19-game PSAC West winning streak — dating back to October of 2017 — on the line.

The Rock is 7-7-1 in its 15 homecoming games against the Crimson Hawks. SRU has won five of the last seven meetings with IUP and five of the last six games between the teams at home.

“No question about it,” Lutz said of this game being the biggest rivalry in NCAA Division II. “The only one that may rival it is Grand Valley and Ferris State.

“A true rivalry can't be one-sided. IUP used to dominate this series. We've gained some ground in recent years and that's what's made it the rivalry it is today.”

Adding to it is what's at stake. The winner gets a leg up toward winning the West as SRU, IUP and California (Pa.) are all 3-0 in the league.

“We're both unbeaten in the league almost every year when we play,” fourth-year IUP coach Paul Tortorella said. “This game starts a playoff, almost. Between us, Slippery Rock and California, whoever defeats both of the other two wins the league.

“There's no downplaying the importance of this game.”

Rock nose guard Jeff Marx suffered a foot injury last week and will not play Saturday. Jevon Lang, a sophomore, will start for him.

Besides that, The Rock is relatively healthy. Running back Evyn Holtz is medically cleared to return to action and speedy receiver Izzy Adeoti made his season debut last week at Edinboro.

IUP quarterbacks Harry Woodberry and Javon Davis have yet to throw an interception this season. Woodberry, a transfer from Eastern Illinois, has started the last three games and has 630 yards and nine touchdowns passing.

“Harry won the competition for the job in camp, but was hurt and didn't play our first two games,” Tortorella said. “He's a good athlete, but not really a running quarterback.”

The Crimson Hawks have only one turnover — a lost fumble— all season.

“It will be big for us if we can force a couple of turnovers,” Tortorella said. “Slippery Rock has the kind of offense ... you're not going to shut them down. You only hope to contain them.

“Henry Litwin, Jermaine Wynn, Cinque Sweeting, that's the best trio of receivers in all of Division II. There's no doubt about that. We have to answer whatever they do. If they score 34 points, we have to score 35. If they score 39, we have to score 40.”

IUP has a good receiving tandem in its own right. Duane Brown has 27 catches for 411 yards and averages 18.5 yards per punt return. Irvin Charles, originally signed by Penn State, has 22 catches for 332 yards and five scores.

“There is going to be outstanding wide-receiver talent running all over that field Saturday for both teams,” Lutz said.

SRU quarterback Andrew Koester ranks among the national leaders in numerous passing categories. He's thrown for 1,863 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“He doesn't run like (Roland) Rivers did, but that's the only difference,” Tortorella said. “That guy has been fantastic for them.”

SRU ran for a season-high 263 yards in last week's win over Edinboro — its highest rushing total since tallying 263 at New Haven in the 2018 playoffs.

While SRU uses Tim Smith and Chris D'Or in the backfield, IUP uses three backs in Central Catholic graduate Justice Evans, Malik Anderson and Dayjure Stewart.

“We use them all and they've been productive,” Tortorella said.

Defensively, IUP starts five freshmen, including a pair of safeties. Malachi Newll, a graduate student and outside linebacker, is the team's leading tackler. He is a transfer from Youngstown State.

Seneca Valley graduate Dylan Grubbs, a sophomore punter, is among the nation's leaders with a 43-yard average, including six punts of 50 or more yards.

“Dylan handles our kickoffs, too,” Tortorella said. “He's constantly giving us good field position.

“Slippery Rock is more experienced on defense than we are. Chad Kuhn up front, (Tim) Vernick at linebacker, Dalton Holt in the secondary are their leaders.”

Lutz figures both teams will have their share of success offensively.

“The defense that gets the most stops, no matter how many that is, will probably be the team that wins this game,” Lutz said.

“We're a chippy team, we play with an edge, and I'm OK with that. We're just telling our guys to maintain focus on the field, win your one-on-one battles and don't take any stupid penalties. We can't afford to hurt ourselves in this game.”

IUP leads the all-time series 51-41-2, but has not defeated SRU since posting a 34-17 win at The Rock in 2017.