More than a Midwest Conference title will be on the line Saturday when Monmouth (8-1) hosts St. Norbert (7-2) for a 1 p.m. kickoff at April Zorn Memorial Stadium. The winner earns the league crown and the automatic NCAA berth that goes with it while the loser's postseason is in jeopardy.

Saturday will mark the fifth time in league history the Scots and Green Knights will meet in the conference's championship game. The North Division champions, St. Norbert has won all four prior meetings, including a narrow 17-6 win in 2015, the inaugural seasons at the helm for the Knights' Dan McCarty and the Scots' Chad Braun. Monmouth finished its South Division play in style last week with its 19th consecutive victory in the Bronze Turkey Game vs. Knox.  

"We're pretty familiar with each other," said Braun of his St. Norbert counterpart. "Since we've been head coaches, it's been Monmouth and St. Norbert for the championship. Saturday should be another great game."

While the coaching history has been nearly a mirror image as each coach has a conference crown to their credit, the teams also have a lot in common this season. Both squads sport defenses among the national leaders and each tout well-balanced offensive units. Each defensive unit has been stingy as the Scots rank No. 8 in the nation in scoring defense (10.8 ppg), two points better than the Knights. It's just as even offensively, where the Scots average 422 yards per game, a mere 22 more than their visitors. Monmouth churns out more than 40 points a game, four more than their North Division rivals.

With 941 rushing yards this season, Scots' junior running back DeAndre Wright is just 59 yards from his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. He'll be tested by the Knights' defense, which ranks No. 4 in the nation, allowing just a shade over 52 yards on the ground per game.

"We're excited about our offense, but make no mistake, the St. Norbert defense is pretty good," reported Braun. "We're throwing the ball well and (quarterback) Hayden Nelson has done a great job of distributing the ball. That opens up some opportunities for a lot of guys."

The Scots' defense will get their own test after allowing just 205 total yards per game to rank No. 4 nationally. The Green Knights have found success on the ground and in the air, where senior quarterback Jack Becker has thrown for nearly 1,600 yards and connected for 24 touchdowns – 16 to Samuel Staehling. A sophomore, Staehling last week broke the Knights' single season TD reception mark and is just 92 yards from the 1,000-yard mark. His 25 TD catches ranks him third all-time at St. Norbert.

"They've got a very experienced quarterback in Jack Becker," said Braun. "He was at quarterback when they beat us for the title a couple of years ago. He's throwing to a pretty special receiver in Samuel Staehling. Their offensive line is very good and they've got a very good running back in Elijah Fort."

While playing a bit shorthanded most of the fall, Braun's defense has risen to the task with some eye-popping numbers. The Scots have seen a steady rise in production with the return of Lamar Watson in Week 3 and pass-rushing specialist Thomas Lesniewski last week against Knox.

 "We've got to get pressure on their quarterback," claimed Braun. "We've had a pretty good pass rush, but now that we're at full strength, I feel much better. Being able to get Lamar and Thomas back in the mix with Zach Hoekstra, McCauley Johnston and Josh Perschall helps our secondary with their coverage on the backend. That's especially important against St. Norbert with a great receiver."

Braun also cites more areas that could be game changers – turnovers, big plays and special teams.

"Turnovers and big plays could be huge in this one," predicted Braun as he reflected on the championship game loss in 2015. "When St. Norbert beat us for the title a couple of years ago, we turned it over five times and they got a couple of big pass plays. We also missed three field goals and they made three of four. I would think the game will come down to who takes care of the ball and makes the big plays."

A win guarantees the winner a berth in next Saturday's first round of the NCAA playoffs while a loss all but assures the loser of the end of the season.

"It's pretty simple," stated Braun of the postseason possibilities. "Win and you're in, lose and it's over. That goes for both teams. There's that finality."