The Central Washington University football team comes into this weekend's matchup with Simon Fraser ranked no. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 and ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Super Region Four rankings.
 
The top overall seed in the NCAA Division II regional rankings will earn a first round bye, while teams ranked 2-7 will play during the first round of the NCAA Playoffs that begin on Nov. 18.  If the Wildcats secure a ranking of 1-4, they will be in line to host at least one playoff game.  There will be two more regional rankings released, one after this week and the final after the Wildcats Nov. 11 matchup with Humboldt State
 
Here are the regional rankings this week.                

1. Central Washington – 9-0
2. Minnesota State – Mankato – 9-0
3. Midwestern State – 7-0
4. Winona State – 8-1
5. Sioux Falls – 8-1
6. Colorado Mesa – 8-1
7. Texas A&M-Commerce – 7-1
8. Humboldt State – 7-1
9. Minnesota Duluth – 7-2
10. Eastern New Mexico – 7-1

 
 
GAME TIME -- 1 p.m.
LOCATION – Burnaby, British Columbia
SITE– Terry Fox Field
LIVE STATS/VIDEO – Wildcatsports.com/live
 
 
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
Nationally Ranked Offense
The Wildcats enter week 10 with the 23^rd ranked offense in the country with 456.6 yards per game, and ranks 14^th in rushing offense where the Wildcats average 230.9 yards an outing.
 
Central's ability to tote the pigskin has created a handful of third and short opportunities, and the Wildcats convert 51.2-percent of the time which ranks 8^th in the country.
 
The offensive line continues to flex its muscle in the pass game as well, ranking 13^th in sacks allowed per game at 0.77.
 
Nationally Ranked Defense
After an outstanding outing last week in the Wildcats 34-23 victory over Azusa Pacific, CWU now ranks 5^th in total defense.  Central allows just 263. 7 yards per game and features the nation's most dangerous pass rush as the Wildcats lead the country with 4.44 sacks per game, led by Billy Greer and Bo Banner who lead the GNAC with 7.5 sacks each.
 
The ability to stop opponents rushing attack has been the strength of the CWU defense all season, ranking 3^rd with 64.6 yards per game allowed on the ground.
 
The Hands of Hasty
Junior defensive back Tyler Hasty is having an unbelievable season so far, and is a key component to the Wildcats defensive success this season.  Hasty leads the GNAC in interceptions with six, and pass breakups with 10.  Last week he had five breakups, tying a single-game CWU record.
 
ABOUT SIMON FRASER
It has been a rough season for the Clan who come into this week 0-8, 0-6 in the GNAC, and are riding a 31-game winless streak dating back to 2014.
 
The Clan have been outscored 190-28 in the three games since being shutout 62-0 by the Wildcats on Sept. 30.
 
Miles Richardson quarterbacks a young offense, and is averaging 211.4 yards per game in the air.  He has thrown for 1,691 yards and nine touchdowns to date.
 
The offensive line has surrendered 39 sacks so far this year, and with the Wildcats leading the nation with 40.0 on the season, look for Richardson to move outside the pocket and utilize quick passes to try and suppress the aggressive CWU pass rush.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Dating back to the first meeting in 1967, Central Washington holds a 30-10 all-time record, with 14-7 record on the road. 
 
Central Washington has won the last six-straight meetings and 16 of the last 18.  In those five wins, CWU has outscored SFU 282-51 with an average win margin of 38.5.