Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Top Taggart Field, Big Rapids, Michigan
- Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM EDT
- Broadcast: ESPN+ / Ferris State Athletics Live Stream
Weather Forecast (Big Rapids, MI)
- Conditions: Partly sunny with scattered clouds
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling to 66°F (19°C) by the fourth quarter
- Winds: 10–12 mph from the west
- Precipitation:
- Impact: Ideal football weather; minimal disruption expected
Injury Report
- Rio Grande RedStorm:
- QB1 (shoulder soreness) – Probable
- RB2 (ankle) – Questionable
- LB1 (hamstring) – Out
- Ferris State Bulldogs:
- QB1 (wrist) – Probable
- WR2 (groin) – Game-time decision
- DB1 (concussion protocol) – Out
Key Player Matchups
- QB Battle: Ferris State’s veteran quarterback vs. Rio Grande’s young starter – experience and poise heavily favor the Bulldogs.
- RB Committee (Ferris State) vs. Rio Grande Front Seven – Ferris State’s rushing attack has been dominant, averaging over 200 yards per game in recent seasons.
- WR1 (Ferris State) vs. Rio Grande Secondary – With Rio’s top defensive back sidelined, expect Ferris to exploit mismatches on the perimeter.
- Special Teams: Ferris State’s reliable kicking game and return units could tilt field position in their favor.
Recent Team Form
- Ferris State Bulldogs (2025 Season):
- W vs. Pittsburg State 34-17 (Aug. 28)
- W at Lake Erie 63-6 (Sep. 6)
- Explosive offense, stingy defense; averaging 48.5 points per game, allowing just 11.5.
- Rio Grande RedStorm (2025 Season):
- Independent schedule; early-season struggles with consistency on both sides of the ball.
- Offense averaging under 20 points per game; defense allowing over 30.
Series History
- All-Time Meetings: First official meeting between Rio Grande and Ferris State
- Context: Ferris State is a two-time NCAA Division II national champion in the past decade; Rio Grande is in its early years of football development.
Betting Trends
- Ferris State is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 home games.
- Rio Grande is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 road contests.
- The Over has hit in 6 of Ferris State’s last 8 games.
- Ferris State is 10-0 straight up in its last 10 non-conference games.
Historical Betting Results
- 2024 (Ferris State): -27.5 vs. Valdosta State, won 49-14 → Cover, Over
- 2024 (Ferris State): -21.5 vs. Slippery Rock, won 48-38 → Cover, Over
- 2024 (Ferris State): -24.5 vs. Harding, won 41-7 → Cover, Under
Game Odds
Rio Grande RedStorm 60
Ferris State Bulldogs – 35
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
