Five SAC Football Teams Ranked In First NCAA Region Poll

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA Division II Football Committee has released this year's first regional poll, with the South Atlantic Conference placing two teams in the top six, and five teams in the top 12.

Carson-Newman College (6-0) is ranked fourth in the region poll, the highest SAC team. Catawba College (6-0) is ranked fifth.

Mars Hill College (4-2) is ninth, with Wingate University (5-1) in 10th. Newberry College (4-2) is ranked 12th.

Valdosta State (5-0) out of the Gulf South Conference is the top-ranked team in the team, followed by two more GSC schools - Delta State (5-0) and North Alabama (5-0).

The top 12 teams by region are listed along with their records through games of October 6, 2007.

The South Region consists of schools from the South Atlantic, Gulf South, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic conferences. The top six teams at the end of the season advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Earned access to the playoffs can be gained by a conference if a conference representative finishes in the top 10 of the final regional rankings.

1. Valdosta State (5-0)
2. Delta State (5-0)
3. North Alabama (5-0)
4. Carson-Newman (6-0)
5. Catawba (6-0)
6. Virginia Union (6-0)
7. Albany State (Georgia) (5-1)
8. Morehouse (4-2)
9. Mars Hill (4-2)
10. Wingate (5-1)
11. Fort Valley State (5-2)
12. Newberry (4-2)