Eagles Take Seventh in Regional Rankings, Wingate Second
Oct. 27, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS - The 16th-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles moved up two spots to seventh in this week's Division II Super Regional Two rankings the NCAA announced Monday.
Carson-Newman (6-2, 4-1 SAC) moves up on the strength of a 34-3 win at Brevard on Saturday.
The Eagles leaped Albany State, who lost to Morehouse 24-19, and SAC-foe Newberry, who fell out of the poll after a 45-33 loss at Tusculum.
Three Gulf South Conference schools rank in the region's top four, including North Alabama, who beat the Eagles 20-23 in early September. Delta State remains in the top spot, while Valdosta Stat falls to fourth after losing at North Alabama on Saturday, 41-23.
Carson-Newman's two remaining opponents are each ranked ahead of the Eagles.
C-N hosts 2nd-ranked Wingate (8-1, 4-1 SAC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Jefferson City, before facing 5th-ranked Tusculum to close the year on November 8 in Greeneville, Tenn.
The winner of Carson-Newman/Wingate showdown on Saturday claims at least a share of the South Atlantic Conference title. It also gains the inside track to a playoff berth and potential home game in the first round of the playoffs.
C-N has beaten the Bulldogs 12-straight times, dating back to a 25-24 loss at Wingate in 1995.
However, the Bulldogs are off to their best start in their senior college history, and have been ranked as high as 15th this season.
The top six teams in the regional poll advance to the NCAA Division II Playoffs at the end of the season.
NCAA II Super Regional Two Rankings
1. Delta State
2. Wingate
3. North Alabama
4. Valdosta State
5. Tusculum
6. Arkansas-Monticello
7. Carson-Newman
8. Albany State
9. Mars Hill
10. Ouachita Baptist
