Another in-state rivalry renews on Saturday, as No. 18 Illinois State (3-2, 0-1 MVFC) heads to Carbondale, Illinois, to take on No. 19 Southern Illinois (2-3, 0-1 MVFC) in a key matchup between a pair of ranked squads looking to keep pace in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The Redbirds dropped a 42-10 decision to second-ranked North Dakota State last weekend at its Homecoming game. 

SIU has dropped its last two games, with a 38-21 loss to rival Southeast Missouri State two weeks ago and last week a 42-13 loss to South Dakota in the MVFC opener.

The Salukis are without starting quarterback DJ Williams, who is sidelined after having surgery following the team's third game of the season. Hunter Simmons is now at the helm and is completing 57 percent of his passes, with 692 yards in the air with three touchdowns.