Carson-Newman Climbs To Fourth In Football Region Rankings

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Carson-Newman Eagles jumped three spots to fourth in this week's NCAA Division II Super Regional Two football rankings, the NCAA announced Monday afternoon.

Carson-Newman (7-2, 5-1 SAC) is the top-ranked South Atlantic Conference school in the poll, following three Gulf South Conference schools, led by Delta State in the top spot. North Alabama, who beat the Eagles in early September is ranked second, with Valdosta State taking the third spot.

C-N makes its move in the poll on the strength of a 35-33 win over then second-ranked Wingate on Saturday in Jefferson City. The Eagles captured a share of their 20th South Atlantic Conference title in the last 27 years.

Wingate follows the Eagles in this week's poll at five, one spot ahead of Tusculum. Tusculum plays host to Carson-Newman on Saturday in Greeneville, Tenn. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.

Tusculum (7-3, 4-2 in South Atlantic Conference) dropped one spot and have won four of their last five games including Saturday's 33-28 road win at Mars Hill.

With a win at Tusculum on Saturday, the Eagles would advance to the Division II playoffs for the first time in three years.

Mars Hill College remains ninth in this week's poll. Mars Hill wraps up the season Saturday at Wingate.

The top six teams in the final NCAA Super Regional Two advance to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Earned Access can be gained by a conference by a conference if a conference representative finishes in the top eight of the final super regional rankings.

NCAA II Super Regional Two Rankings

Rk. Team Prv.
1 Delta State 1
2 North Alabama 3
3 Valdosta State 4
4 Carson-Newman 7
5 Wingate 2
6 Tusculum 5
7 Albany State 8
8 Arkansas-Monticello 6
9 Mars Hill 9
10 Ouachita Baptist 10