Carson-Newman football ranked seventh in first regional rankings

Carson-Newman football ranked seventh in first regional rankings
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – If the playoffs started today, Carson-Newman football would be on the outside looking in.  The Eagles have been ranked seventh in the first regional poll of the season. 

However, that's not to say the Eagles can't improve upon that standing.  Carson-Newman plays the first and second ranked teams in the region in the next two weeks.  Lenoir-Rhyne opened the region rankings in first; Newberry sits in the spot behind the Bears. 

UNC Pembroke, Tuskegee and North Alabama round out the top six.  The Eagles are in front of Delta State, Valdosta State and Wingate. 

Of the top seven teams.  Carson-Newman has the worst strength of schedule amongst past competition.  The Eagles' SOS ranks 151st in the nation.  With the exception of North Alabama, every team in the top six has a SOS in the top 50 in the nation.  North Alabama's SOS is 92nd

However, Carson-Newman has the ninth most difficult schedule remaining among teams in the region.  The Eagles have the ninth toughest final three games nationally. 

Carson-Newman's strength of schedule for past and future competition will bring the Eagles up to 68, which would move the Eagles past West Alabama, who's cumulative SOS is 73.  UNCP has the toughest cumulative SOS in the region with the toughest schedule in the nation. 

The Eagles take on the number one team in the region, Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday in Hickory, N.C. Kickoff for what The Sporting News ranked as the best game in the SAC in its preseason publication is slated for 2 p.m.  Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 1 with the Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM), 106.3 ESPN Radio the Zone (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.

 
 

NCAA D-II SUPER REGION 2 RANKINGS

 

Rk

School

Division II

Overall

1

Lenoir-Rhyne

6-1

7-1

2

Newberry

7-1

7-1

3

UNC Pembroke

5-1

6-1

4

West Alabama

5-1

6-2

5

Tuskegee

6-1

7-1

6

North Alabama

5-1

5-2

7

Carson-Newman

7-1

7-1

8

Delta State

4-2

5-2

9

Valdosta State

5-2

5-2

10

Wingate

4-3

4-3

 

REMAINING GAMES

 

Team

November 2

November 9

November 16

Lenoir-Rhyne

Carson-Newman

Alderson-Broaddus

at Catawba

Newberry

Brevard

at Carson-Newman

North Greenville

UNC Pembroke

Tusculum

at Valdosta State (11/7)

Virginia-Lynchburg

West Alabama

at North Alabama

Shorter

Central State

Tuskegee

Central State

Miles

Bye

North Alabama

West Alabama

at Florida Tech

at Tarleton State

Carson-Newman

at Lenoir-Rhyne

Newberry

at Wingate

Delta State

Valdosta State

Concordia (Ala.)

West Georgia

Valdosta State

at Delta State

UNC Pembroke (11/7)

at Texas A&M-Kingsville

Wingate

North Greenville

at Mars Hill

Carson-Newman

Credit to UNC Pembroke Sports Information Director Todd Anderson for the above charts