November 2, 2015

Eagles drop a spot to seventh in region rankings

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Carson-Newman football fell a spot to seventh in the second iteration of the region rankings, but would still be playoff bound if the season ended today.

The Eagles slipped to seventh after beating Limestone 69-28. C-N likely took a strength of schedule hit by playing the 2-6 Saints, which, coupled with a Valdosta State thrashing of regionally-ranked West Alabama 55-21, moved the Blazers up four spots from 10^th to sixth.

The top seven teams in each super region make the playoffs. Unbeaten West Georgia is number one in the region followed by North Alabama, who swapped spots with Tuskegee, who holds an 8-1 record.

The Eagles' opponent this week – North Greenville in fourth. The Crusaders are an interesting case with a 5-1 record in countable games.

According to the NCAA rule book:

In order to be considered during the selection process, a team must:

● Have an overall won-lost record of .500 or better against Division II opponents;

● Play at least eight Division II opponents during the regular season (there will be an appeals process available in 2015 if a given institution is not able to satisfy this requirement);

● Play at least 10 opponents during the regular season. An institution may submit a waiver request to the football committee for their consideration if a given institution is not able to satisfy this requirement.

With Charleston Southern, Ave Maria, God's Chosen and Virginia Lynchburg on the schedule, North Greenville doesn't satisfy either the second or third conditions for playoff eligibility. However, the Crusaders may appeal and make the playoffs.

Catawba dropped a spot to fifth, as North Greenville got a strength of schedule boost by defeating Wingate, who was ranked seventh last week.

Following the Eagles in the rankings are Florida Tech, Wingate and UNC Pembroke. Florida Tech has a 5-2 Division II record. Wingate is 6-3 and UNC Pembroke 5-3.

The first place team in the region receives a first round bye in the playoffs, which begin Nov. 21. The two-seed hosts the seven, the three-seed the six, and the four-seed the five.

If North Greenville is eligible for the playoffs, the Eagles would have a first round date in Florence, Ala. with North Alabama. If North Greenville is ineligible for the playoffs, Carson-Newman would be headed to Tuskegee to play the SIAC's Golden Tigers.

The last time Carson-Newman made the playoffs (2013), the Eagles debuted at seventh in the poll, dropped a spot to eighth and then vaulted to fourth with wins over Newberry and Wingate for the final iteration of the poll.

The following schedules were prepared by D2Football.com poster TU Patpaw:

Gulf South:

West Georgia (Gulf South: 5-0, NCAA DII: 9-0, overall: 9-0)
@ Florida Tech (overall: 6-3)
vs Shorter (overall: 2-6)
North Alabama (Gulf South: 4-1, NCAA DII: 6-2, overall: 6-2)
@ Shorter (overall: 2-6)
vs West Alabama (overall: 6-3)
Florida Tech (Gulf South: 4-1, NCAA DII: 5-2, overall: 6-3)
vs West Georgia (overall: 9-0)
@ Valdosta State (overall: 6-2)
Valdosta State (Gulf South: 3-2, NCAA DII: 5-2, overall: 6-2)
@ Delta State (overall: 5-4)
vs Florida Tech (overall: 6-3)
West Alabama (Gulf South: 2-3, NCAA DII: 5-3, overall: 6-3)
vs Mississippi College (overall: 2-6)
@ North Alabama (overall: 6-2)

South Atlantic:

Catawba (South Atlantic: 4-1, NCAA DII: 6-2, overall: 7-2)
@ Tusculum (overall: 4-5)
vs Lenoir-Rhyne (overall: 4-4)
Carson-Newman (South Atlantic: 4-2, NCAA DII: 6-2, overall: 7-2)
vs North Greenville (overall: 7-2)
vs Tusculum (overall: 4-5)
Wingate (South Atlantic: 3-2, NCAA DII: 6-3, overall: 6-3)
@ Mars Hill (overall: 4-5)
vs Newberry (overall: 5-4)
Newberry (South Atlantic: 3-3, NCAA DII: 5-3, overall: 5-4)
vs Limestone (2-6)
@ Wingate (6-3)

SIAC:

Tuskegee (Southern Intercollegiate: 4-0, NCAA DII: 8-1, overall: 8-1)
vs Miles (Southern Intercollegiate: 4-0, NCAA DII: 5-4, overall: 5-4)
Fort Valley State (Southern Intercollegiate: 3-0, NCAA DII: 5-3, overall: 5-3)
vs Albany State (Southern Intercollegiate: 3-0, NCAA DII: 5-3, overall: 5-3)
SIAC Championship: Matches winners of above games

Independent:

North Greenville University (NCAA DII: 5-1, overall: 7-2)
@ Carson-Newman (overall: 7-2)
vs Virginia-Lynchburg (non-countable opponent)
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (NCAA DII: 5-3, overall: 5-3)
@ Kentucky Wesleyan (overall: 4-4)
vs Limestone (overall: 2-6)

		In-Region Record	Division II Record
1	West Ga.	9-0	9-0
2	North Ala.	6-1	6-2
3	Tuskegee	8-1	8-1
4	North Greenville	5-1	5-1
5	Catawba	6-2	6-2
6	Valdosta St.	5-2	5-2
7	Carson-Newman	6-2	6-2
8	Florida Tech	5-2	5-2
9	Wingate	6-3	6-3
10	UNC Pembroke	5-3	5-3