We're going to get to the Humboldt State/Western Oregon preview in a bit, but let's take a look at the regional rankings released on Monday.

1. Midwestern State (9-0)
2. Washburn (9-1)
3. Pittsburg State (8-1)
4. Missouri Western (8-2)
5. Abilene Christian (7-2)
6. Northwest Missouri (8-2)
7. Ouachita Baptist (7-2)
8. Humboldt State (8-1)
9. West Texas (6-3)
10. Central Missouri (7-3)

The top three are in. At worst a loss for Midwestern, Washburn and Pitt State would just drop them down in the rankings where it would sacrifice either the first round bye or home field advantage in the opening round.
The wins and losses that needed to happen for Humboldt State to get in should have happened last week...and didn't. This weekend's slate doesn't look prime for Humboldt to jump into the top six.
Midwestern takes on a 7-3 Northeastern State team (a team on a six-game winning streak, of course, all teams NSU was supposed to beat). Both these teams are familiar with each other as NSU used to be part of the LSC until the LSC broke apart after last season. It's hard to imagine Midwestern losing this one, but NSU could give them a game.
Washburn has one of the more intriguing matchups within the SR4's top 10, as they take on Central Missouri. UCM is out of the playoffs, as a win would bump them up the rankings, but not four spots. UCM is a decent team, but have lost to NW, Pitt and MoWest this year. Win or lose, Washburn is in, but a win certainly would solidify a first round bye and home field advantage in the second round for the Ichabods.
Pitt State hosts Missouri Southern (3-6), and the Gorillas should have this one in the bag.
MoWest takes on a 4-6 Ft. Hays State team that has lost to the big four of the MIAA. The thing that Ft. Hays has in its favor is the fact that it is playing at home. However, while the win over NW last weekend was huge for MoWest, a letdown here could knock the Griffons out of the top six. Can't see MoWest losing here.
While ACU may be replaced at the top of the LSC standings this year, the Wildcats still have plenty of firepower to dispatch Incarnate Word. UIW is 3-6 this year with wins over Eastern New Mexico, Texas A&M-Commerce and a middle of the road Texas A&M-Kingsville squad. UIW won't get win No. 4 against ACU.
NW takes on 5-5 Emporia State in Maryville. This one should be done by halftime for the Bearcats.
You could make an argument that Henderson State could knock off Ouachita Baptist, even though OBU is playing at home. Henderson doesn't have any big time wins on its schedule (neither does OBU, getting beat by Valdosta State and Delta State by a combined 85-27; Henderson lost to Delta State by three) and two of Henderson's losses have been at the hands of FCS teams. Ouachita needs this to have any glimmer of hope. OBU has a stronger SOS than Humboldt coming into the weekend (although HSU's will jump by playing a WOU team that is 6-3 in D2 games). Maybe Henderson will play spoiler.
For Humboldt (and a more in-depth preview is on its way) a win certainly solidifies the GNAC title that slipped its grasp last year. We'll work on the X's and O's shortly.

Jon Guddat covers the GNAC for D2football.