Delta State vs. West Alabama: More on the Line Than Meets the Eye

When the Division II No. 1 Delta State Statesmen play host this Saturday to the visiting No. 20 University of West Alabama Tigers, there will much on the line.

Of course there are playoff implications for both teams, but there is much that doesn't meet the eye in 8,000 seat McCool Stadium.

Coach Ron Roberts led the Statesmen to the D-2 National Championship game last season, and lost to the University of Minnesota-Duluth on a last second field goal. Since then, Delta State at 8-1, has but one blemish on its record—a one-point loss to D-1 Northwestern State in the second game of the season.

However, since that time the Statesmen have averaged nearly 40 ppg and, although they went into OT versus North Alabama, no one else has been close.

Delta State will be looking to continue their winning ways. But more importantly, they will be looking to secure home field advantage for the upcoming D-2 playoffs.

They will also be looking to give Coach Roberts his fourth Gulf South Conference title in five years and with a win Saturday, a title run would also give Roberts 50-wins in five seasons at the helm in Cleveland.

The 7-2 West Alabama Tigers enter the matchup eager to prove that the past two winning seasons haven't been a fluke. Following a heart-breaking last second 22-21 loss to conference foe Valdosta State, the Tigers defeated in-state rival, and then No. 5 North Alabama last week 31-26.

The Tiger squad has guaranteed the school their first three-season winning streak since 1983. 

First-year coach and 2003 Harlon Hill Award winner Will Hall will hope to lead the team to the school's first-ever home playoff game, where they are 5-0 this season. He and the Tiger squad will also be making their first playoff appearance since reaching the playoffs second round in 2009, and only the school's second since 1975.

Delta State will have much on the line, including their seven-game winning streak, when they kickoff this weekend. But, West Alabama will have much to play for and this year it's more than just pride.