CHARLESTON, Ill. – After losing ground the past two weeks based on close call wins, Eastern Illinois benefited from a last second win over Tennessee State this week as the Panthers moved up in the latest FCS football polls released on Monday afternoon.
EIU (6-3, 5-1 OVC) climbed up to No. 21 in the FCS Coaches rankings while landing at No. 26 in the Sports Network poll as the first team receiving votes. EIU also was rated No. 19 by AnyGivenSaturday.com, an online fan poll. The Panthers will have an off week this weekend before playing at Jacksonville State on Nov. 10.
A split decision remained among who was No. 1 this season as Northern Iowa and North Dakota State both split the No. 1 position in the Coaches poll and Sports Network poll. UNI was No. 1 among the Sports Network writers with 59 first place votes while NDSU was the Coaches favorite with 16 first-place votes.
Montana was No. 3 in the Coaches poll but was jumped in the Sports Network poll by Massachusetts. McNeese State was No. 5 in both rankings. Northern Iowa, North Dakota State, Montana, McNeese State and Yale remain the only undefeated teams in FCS football. Yale was ranked 14th and 15th in this week's rankings.
The second half of the Top 10 was led by Southern Illinois with Delaware seventh, New Hampshire eighth, Appalachian State ninth and Wofford tenth. Richmond which knocked off James Madison moved up to No. 11 while the Dukes fell to No. 12 after a No. 6 ranking last week.
Delaware State was No. 13 with Yale and Elon trading spots at No. 14 and No. 15 in both polls. Ohio Valley Conference leader Eastern Kentucky moved up to No. 16 with Grambling State and Georgia Southern trading the next two spots in both rankings. Western Illinois was No. 19 while Hofstra fell to No. 20 with its second straight loss.
The FCS Coaches final five was led by Eastern Illinois at No. 21 followed by Alabama A&M, Youngstown State, Nicholls State and Villanova. Western Illinois, Alabama A&M and Villanova were all newcomers this week as Montana State, San Diego and Norfolk State dropped out.
The Sports Network final five had Alabama A&M, Youngstown State, Villanova, Eastern Washington and Nicholls State. Alabama A&M, Villanova and Eastern Washington were newcomers replacing The Citadel, Montana State and Norfolk State.
2007 SPORTS NETWORK
TOP 25
(Week 10)
Rk. Team 2007 Record
1. Northern Iowa (59) 8-0
2. North Dakota State (37) 8-0
3. Massachusetts (6) 7-1
4. Montana (7) 8-0
5. McNeese State (3) 8-0
6. Southern Illinois 7-1
7. Delaware 7-1
8. New Hampshire 6-2
9. Appalachian State 6-2
10. Wofford 7-2
11. Richmond 6-2
12. James Madison 6-2
13. Delaware State 7-1
14. Elon 6-2
15. Yale 7-0
16. Eastern Kentucky 7-2
17. Georgia Southern 6-2
18. Grambling State 6-1
19. Western Illinois 6-3
20. Hofstra 6-2
21. Alabama A&M 7-1
22. Youngstown State 5-4
23. Villanova 5-3
24. Eastern Washington 5-3
2.5 Nicholls State 5-3
2007 FCS Coaches Poll
(Week 10)
Rk. Team 2007 Record
1. North Dakota State (16) 8-0
2. Northern Iowa (6) 8-0
3. Montana (4) 8-0
4. Massachusetts (2) 7-1
5. McNeese State 8-0
6. Southern Illinois 7-1
7. Delaware 7-1
8. New Hampshire 6-2
9. Appalachian State 6-2
10. Wofford 7-2
11. Richmond 6-2
12. James Madison 6-2
13. Delaware State 7-1
14. Yale 7-0
15. Elon 6-2
16. Eastern Kentucky 7-2
17. Grambling State 7-1
18. Georgia Southern 6-2
19. Western Illinois 6-3
20. Hofstra 6-2
21. EASTERN ILLINOIS 6-3
22. Alabama A&M 7-1
23. Youngstown State 5-4
24. Nicholls State 5-3
25. Villanova 5-3
