The Traveling Trophy Showdown: The historic Traveling Trophy is on the line, and has not spent more than two consecutive years in the same location since the Harding Bisons won 10 straight times between 1991 and 2000.

Top Rush Offense Meets Struggling Rush Defense: Harding boasts the No. 1 rushing offense in Division II, which will be attacking an Ouachita rushing defense ranked No. 111 in D2.

Harding's Underrated Defense: While Harding's offense gets the spotlight, their defense is also elite, ranked No. 2 in Division II in total defense (204.7 yards allowed per game) and has allowed only two touchdowns, tied for the fewest in the nation.

A Long-Standing Rivalry: Saturday marks the 66th meeting between Harding and Ouachita Baptist, with Harding holding the historical edge in the series, 34-27-4.

Home Field Advantage Trend: The home team has emerged victorious in the last five meetings between the Bisons and the Tigers, a trend Harding will look to continue as they host the game in Searcy.

Record-Setting Quarterback: Harding QB Cole Keylon will make his 44th career start, boasting a 39-4 record and holding the title of the winningest quarterback in GAC history. He needs just one rushing or passing touchdown to tie for 3rd in career total touchdowns at Harding.

D2's Rushing Leader: Harding's SB Braden Jay is the NCAA's active career leader in yards per rush (12.6) and is 6th all-time at Harding in rushing yards, needing just 107 more to move into the top five.

Harding's Scoring Efficiency: Harding has been an offensive machine, scoring 17 offensive touchdowns (tied for 2nd in D2 among teams with three games) with 16 of those coming on the ground—the most rushing touchdowns by any team that has played only three games.

Tackling Machine: Harding linebacker Clark Griffin is a defensive stalwart and the NCAA D2 active leader with 308 career tackles. He leads the GAC with 10.7 tackles per game and is 23 tackles away from setting the all-time HU NCAA-era record.

Elite Status Confirmed: Harding enters the game ranked No. 2 in the AFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll and has been ranked in 81 consecutive polls. They were also selected first in the GAC preseason poll, ahead of preseason No. 2 Ouachita.

Close Matchups: The Bisons are looking for revenge after Ouachita won last year's low-scoring contest 17-13, despite Harding holding the Tigers to only 198 total yards.