Call it the bubble. Call it limbo. By whatever name, Baker University’s football team is either on it or in it.

“It’s a shame,” BU coach Mike Grossner said, “but we are.”

If the Wildcats knock off Avila University in their regular-season finale today, they’ll have a shot at an at-large berth in the NAIA playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. at Liston Stadium in Baldwin City.

“Number one, we have to win,” Grossner said, “and then we have to have one or two things happen.”

Baker (7-3) could have clinched a playoffs berth last week, but the Wildcats dropped a 42-41 double-overtime heartbreaker to unbeaten MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe. BU slipped only one slot in the weekly NAIA poll – 15th to 16th – after that defeat, but the ranking doesn’t guarantee Baker will be one of the 16 teams selected.

Baker boasts one of the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s most potent offenses with quarterback Mack Brown, tailback Richie Bryant and wide receiver Tyrell Spain. Bryant leads the NAIA in scoring with 21 touchdowns, and Brown, a junior who is already Baker’s career passing leader, has thrown for 20 TDs. Spain has 52 receptions and 11 TDs.

Moreover, Baker leads the NAIA in turnover margin. The Wildcats have 32 takeaways and only 10 giveaways.

Avila (3-7) has a decent defense, but the Eagles’ offense has been tepid all season. The Kansas City, Mo., school is averaging only 10.6 points a game. In producing only 217 yards a game, Avila ranks last in the HAAC in total offense.

Baker is the obvious favorite, but not if the Wildcats are suffering a hangover from the MANU loss.

“I’m a little bit concerned about that,” Grossner said, “but our kids have shown they can stay focused. We haven’t really laid an egg all year. And it’s also the last guaranteed game for our seniors.”

Sixteen seniors, including Bryant and Spain, are on Baker’s roster. At least one of them, however, won’t suit up today. Philip Weinmaster, a senior defensive lineman who prepped at Free State High, suffered a high ankle sprain during practice this week.

“It’s tough for Philip, him being a four-year starter and not being able to play on Senior Day,” Grossner said.

Weinmaster will be replaced by junior Ryan Burns. Also unlikely to start because of an injury is sophomore safety Colton Miller. Red-shirt freshman Madison Morris will open in his place.

Haskell to close at Peru State

Haskell Indian Nations University will be hoping to snap a five-game losing streak when the Fightin’ Indians finish their season today at Peru (Neb.) State. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

Bolstered by a prolific passing offense led by freshman quarterback Ryan Alden, HINU won two of its first five games. But a 43-37 overtime home loss to Lincoln U. began a tailspin that has been punctuated by injuries, attrition and turnovers.

Haskell (2-8) is last in the NAIA with 41 turnovers – 29 interceptions and 12 lost fumbles. HINU and Peru State have a common foe in Waldorf College. Haskell spilled the Iowa school, 39-10, and the Bobcats thumped them, 47-21.

Haskell has played Peru State at least once every season since becoming a member of the NAIA in 2000. The Bobcats (3-6) own a 7-2 edge in the series. The Indians are coming off a 24-7 loss at Avila U. last week in Kansas City, Mo.