·        It's a series that started in the first season of Pikeville football in 2001 and has went on to be played 13 times since with Cumberlands leading the way with a 9-4 record. Most recently, the Patriots have won four of the last five meetings with the lone UPIKE win coming in 2014 by a 22-7 score in Williamsburg, Ky. Last season, Cumberlands handed the Bears their second worst loss of the year, falling 48-29 in Williamsburg on Oct. 24.

·        UPIKE is coming off its most dominant win in program history after shutting out Cincinnati Christian 59-0 on Saturday for homecoming. It is the largest margin of victory for the Bears, while also limiting the Eagles to just 89 yards of total offense, which is also a school record. Continuing the dominance was the UPIKE defense limiting the Eagles to zero passing yards and posting the sixth shutout in history, including the first at home since 2004.

·        Cumberlands had a lopsided win of its own on Saturday, topping Kentucky Christian 52-7 at home behind 111 rushing yards from Seph Burke and a defense led by three different players with five tackles. Cumberlands picked off the Knights three times while limiting them to just 243 yards of total offense. The win continued Cumberlands' strong showing at home this season, moving to 3-1, while road games have been a different story so far at 0-3.

·        UPIKE's defense will be as important as ever in stopping the potent rushing attack of Cumberlands on Saturday. The Patriots rank fifth nationally in rushing yards per game at 283 with Seph Burke leading the way, tallying 556 rushing yards, which is the 29th most in the NAIA. The strong attack has led to Cumberlands averaging 33.6 points per game, compared to the 23.7 points put up by the Bears. UPIKE, which ranks fourth nationally defending the pass, will need to adapt to stopping the run with standout linebacker Camron Parsley (0.3 fumbles forced per game) and safety Jack Hopkins (9.7 tackles per game) leading the charge.

·        In the race for the MSC East Division title and automatic bid to the NAIA Championship Series, there are two teams still undefeated in league play, including No. 10 Georgetown at 4-0 and UPIKE at 2-0. Cumberlands and Union are next in line at 2-1 each and happen to be UPIKE's next two opponents. Georgetown has just two divisional games left, ending the season at home against Cumberlands and UPIKE.

·        While Cumberlands isn't known for its passing attack, the corners will still be important for the Bears at protecting the outside, option runs. Leading those corps is the reigning MSC East Defensive Player of the Week Romon Morris who is coming off returning a blocked field goal 52 yards for his first career touchdown and picking off a pass in last Saturday's win.

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