GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (7-3, 5-2) vs. IDAHO STATE (2-8, 1-6)

At Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho, 5:35 p.m.

Radio: KCSN-FM (88.5)

Idaho State’s media guide cover claims this is the Year of the Tiger. Maybe in Bangladesh, but not in Pocatello. These Tigers are more like Garfield than Shere Khan. They are stumbling and fumbling their way to a third consecutive miserable season and second under Tom Walsh, the former Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders offensive guru who is coaching the Bengals tonight for the last time, two weeks after receiving a pink slip. Some are warning that Idaho State, in trying to give Walsh a proper send-off, might torpedo Cal State Northridge’s Big Sky Conference title hopes. Don’t bet the spud farm on it. A victory gives the Matadors at least a share of the championship with Montana or Montana State and possibly the conference’s automatic berth to the Division I-AA playoffs, uncharted territory for the Matadors since they moved up from Division II in 1993. Northridge, ranked No. 23 in one poll and No. 25 in the other, has posted 8-3 records twice, under Bob Burt in 1986 and under Jack Elway in 1976. The Matadors, in their third Big Sky season, can tie Idaho as third-fastest to win a title after joining the conference. The Matadors have won three in a row, including a 42-38 nonconference victory at Southwest Missouri State last week. Redshirt freshman Marcus Brady passed for 466 yards against the Bears, the second-most yards passing in a game for a Big Sky quarterback this season, and now has 2,662 yards. He ranks eighth in I-AA in passing efficiency. Idaho State is last in most Big Sky defensive categories, so Brady & Co. should be able to pick the weak spots at will. The Bengals lost last week to Montana State, 66-35. The Matadors will know where they fit in the playoff picture by late Sunday morning, assuming Idaho State doesn’t pull off an upset.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* MOORPARK (8-1, 6-0) vs. VALLEY (4-5, 3-3)

At Valley, 7 p.m.

Moorpark, ranked fourth in Southern California, has won eight in a row since a season-opening loss to Ventura and seems to be peaking at the right time. The Raiders have clinched the Western State Conference Southern Division championship and await an invitation to a bowl game. Carl Richardson and Emory Holmes rank among the top 10 WSC rushing leaders. Richardson has rushed for 1,181 yards, Holmes for 685. The Raiders’ defense--ranked second in the conference overall and first against the rush--has done the rest. Valley, riddled with inconsistency, is playing out the season for the second year in a row after making four consecutive bowl-game appearances. Monarch quarterback Eric Holtfreter has passed for 1,419 yards and nine touchdowns. Milton Wynn has hauled in 37 passes for 670 yards and seven touchdowns.

* VENTURA (7-2, 3-2) vs. PIERCE (1-8, 0-5)

At Pierce, 4 p.m.

Ventura is ranked 10th in Southern California and likely earned a bowl bid with last week’s victory over Canyons. The Pirates’ defense played hungry against the Cougars, sacking quarterback Kevin Carrasco three times. Defensive end Torrance Heggie, who had two sacks, and linebacker Ryan Cuthbert were selected WSC players of the week. Ventura ranks third in defense in the WSC. The Pirates’ Travis Rogers has rushed for 1,504 yards, most in the conference. Backup Maurice Atwood, who had an 85-yard touchdown run against Canyons, plays more each week and has posted 433 yards and five touchdowns. Pierce quarterback Calvin Zinck has passed for 1,956 yards and 12 touchdowns. Vaughn Corley ranks second in the WSC with 62 catches.

* SANTA BARBARA (1-8, 1-4) vs. GLENDALE (2-7, 1-4)

At Glendale High, 1 p.m.

Long seasons come to an end for two teams trying to remain ahead of last-place Pierce in the WSC Northern Division. Glendale has lost three in a row, while the Vaqueros got their first victory last week against Pierce. Glendale’s Mike Frost, who has passed for 1,684 yards and 15 touchdowns, can air it out with the departure of running back Darrell Durham, who was dismissed two weeks ago for not practicing. Chad Heydorff and Tommy Lee each have 36 receptions. Heydorff has caught eight touchdown passes, Lee has caught two. Santa Barbara quarterback Danny Nunez has passed for 1,056 yards and five touchdowns.

* ANTELOPE VALLEY (3-6, 0-2) vs. VICTOR VALLEY (1-8, 0-3)

At Victor Valley, 1 p.m.

Antelope Valley’s 31-7 victory last season over Victor Valley earned the Marauders the right to host the inaugural McDonald’s Charity Bowl at Antelope Valley College. The game is meaningless this time around, except for Antelope Valley’s attempt to post a 13th consecutive victory over the Rams. Also, the loser finishes last in the Foothill Conference Northern Division. Victor Valley was defeated, 62-7, last week by Chaffey, and has allowed at least 40 points five times. Antelope Valley’s Casey Young has rushed for 456 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Monte Gutowski has passed for 932 yards and eight touchdowns.