Illinois State will begin a two-game road swing this weekend, when the No. 13 ranked Redbirds (3-2, 0-1 MVFC) travel to Carbondale, Illinois, to face off against the Southern Illinois Salukis (2-3, 0-1 MVFC) in a crucial MVFC matchup for both squads early in the season.

The Salukis have lost their last seven games versus ranked FCS opponents, with the last win over a ranked team coming on Oct. 14, 2017, when SIU beat No. 15 Illinois State, 42-7. 

Illinois State currently sits at No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll and at No. 14 the STATS FCS Top 25. Five MVFC teams are ranked in the polls this week, including North Dakota State (No. 1), South Dakota State (No. 3), Northern Iowa (10), Illinois State (13) and Youngstown State (17). The Redbirds have been ranked in every poll so far this season, with a high ranking of No. 6 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

Game time is 6 pm from Saluki Stadium.