Venue & Logistics
Location: Ray & Sue Smith Stadium, Holland, Michigan (home of Hope College)
Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT)
Conference: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) – both teams are league rivals
Weather Forecast (Holland, MI – Sept 27, 2)
Temperature: ~69°F (21°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Partly sunny with scattered clouds
Winds: 6–10 mph from the west
Precipitation: ~15% chance of light showers
Impact: Mild fall conditions, no major disruptions expected
Injury Report (as of latest updates)
Alma Scots: No major reported injuries; QB depth remains a watchpoint after a physical non-conference slate.
Hope Flying Dutchmen: No confirmed long-term absences; defensive backfield rotation expected after giving up big plays to Mount St. Joseph.
(Note: DIII programs often release limited injury details, so official confirmations may be sparse.)
Key Player Matchups
Quarterback Play:
Alma: QB has been efficient, leading a 53–27 win over Denison (Sept 13, 2025) and a 24–23 win over Hanover (Sept 20, 2025).
Hope: QB has been sharp, guiding a 62–0 rout of Loras (Sept 6, 2025), a 38–17 win over Franklin (Sept 13, 2025), and a 31–28 win over Mount St. Joseph (Sept 20, 2025).
Running Game:
Alma: RB corps has been steady, producing multiple TDs in back-to-back games.
Hope: Ground game has been dominant, averaging 200+ rushing yards per game in September.
Defensive Edge:
Alma: Defense has been opportunistic, forcing turnovers in the Denison win.
Hope: Defense has been stout, pitching a shutout vs. Loras and holding Franklin to 17.
Recent Team Form
Alma Scots (1–2 in 2025)
L 33–45 @ Wisconsin–River Falls (Sept 6)
W 53–27 vs. Denison (Sept 13)
L 23–24 @ Hanover (Sept 20)
Mixed form: Explosive offense, but defense vulnerable in close games
Hope Flying Dutchmen (3–0 in 2025)
W 62–0 vs. Loras (Sept 6)
W 38–17 @ Franklin (Sept 13)
W 31–28 vs. Mount St. Joseph (Sept 20)
Momentum: Undefeated, averaging 43.6 points per game
Series History
All-time head-to-head: Hope leads the series historically, but Alma has been competitive in recent years.
Recent Results:
2024: Hope 34 – 13 Alma
2023: Alma 35 – 17 Hope
Trend: Split results in the last two meetings, each team winning once by double digits.
Betting Trends
Alma is 1–2 ATS (against the spread) in 2025
Hope is 3–0 ATS this season
The Over has hit in 2 of Alma’s 3 games
Hope has covered in 5 of its last 6 MIAA games
Alma has failed to cover in 4 of its last 6 road games
Historical Betting Results
2024: Hope (-6.5) covered in a 34–13 win (Total: Under 49.5)
2023: Alma (+3.5) covered and won outright 35–17 (Total: Over 52.5)
Totals: Split results – one Over, one Under in the last two years
Game Odds
Alma Scots 56
Hope Flying Dutchmen – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
