It was news that North Dakota State football coach Craig Bohl did not want to hear.

Patty Viverito, commissioner of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, said earlier this week that probably only two league teams are playoff-bound.

"Unfortunately, we've played our way out of it," Viverito told the Fargo (N.D.) Forum newspaper. "We've made it too easy on the committee."

Northern Iowa, which has clinched a share of the title and is done with a 7-1 league record, and Southern Illinois, 6-1, are the likely Valley playoff teams.

Bohl seemed confident following last week's victory at Missouri State that his team, with a possible 7-4 final overall record, could earn an at-large selection to the FCS playoffs.

But only eight four-loss teams have received at-large playoff bids in the past 21 years.

Despite Viverito seemingly bursting his bubble, Bohl remained hopeful during Wednesday's coaches' teleconference.

"In the past there have been some teams selected with seven wins, and I would like to nominate our football team for that," Bohl said.

"I would like to think that in the years forward in our conference, if it's as competitive as we say it is, I would hope our conference has enough respect to get three teams in."

Before the Bison can reach a 7-4 record, they have to beat their longtime rival, South Dakota State, on Saturday in Fargo, N.D.

"There's not bad blood between the two schools or two coaching staffs," Bohl said. "But come game time, fur flies."

South Dakota State actually has a better league record (5-2) than the Bison (4-3), but is only 6-5 overall.

Jackrabbits coach John Stiegelmeier said the rugged nature of the Valley will make him consider easier nonconference schedules in the future.

South Dakota State has nonconference losses to Iowa State, Stephen F. Austin and Cal Poly.

"When you play two teams nonconference (Cal Poly and Stephen F. Austin) that were ranked in the top five at the time we played them ... you risk knocking yourself out of the playoffs early if you don't win," he said.

"We'll really take a look at who we play and where we play them."

Panthers dismiss two

There are no playoff worries for Northern Iowa, although the Panthers have some personnel issues entering a nonconference game at Southern Utah.

Coach Mark Farley earlier this week dismissed leading wide receivers Johnny Gray and Victor Williams from the team. They were arrested on drug charges last week.

Farley said the Panthers will move forward just fine without the two.

"If you want to bet against this team, go ahead, but I'd be very careful," he said.

Johnson status TBA

Denver Johnson's future as Illinois State's coach will be evaluated next week, athletic director Sheahon Zenger told the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph.

The Redbirds are 3-7 this season and 7-14 over the last two. Johnson is 48-53 in nine seasons at ISU.

Record chase

Western Illinois senior Herb Donaldson, with 4,511 career rushing yards, needs 204 to match Tom Koutsos' league rushing record. Koutsos played at Southern Illinois from 1999-2003.