Missouri Southern State University’s football team got a tough draw to open the MIAA portion of its 2026 schedule. The Lions face the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Maryville. The Bearcats are ranked No. 5 in the nation by D2football.com and No. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association DII poll.
The Bearcats, who were the MIAA coaches’ pick to win the MIAA this season, seem to be back in the national conversation the past two seasons after a couple of uncharacteristically mediocre seasons in 2023 and 2024. They finished 6-5 in both seasons.