ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman's football program has been picked to finish eighth overall in the South Atlantic Conference and third in the Mountain Division in the annual preseason SAC Coaches Poll, released by the league office Friday morning.
C-N, with its league-best 21 SAC titles, has been picked to win the league in all but 10 of the last 35 preseason rankings.
The top three teams in the poll are all from the Piedmont Division. Lenoir-Rhyne was picked to repeat as champion with 104 points and six first-place votes. Wingate, who went 8-3 a year ago, clocked in in second with 94 points and three first-place votes. Limestone finished two points behind Wingate in third. The Saints appeared in last year's NCAA playoffs, falling in the first round 62-41 to No. 14 Valdosta State.
The top three teams in the poll all feature new head coaches.
Mars Hill, who retains the dean of SAC coaches Tim Clifton, collected the other two first place votes and was picked fourth overall, but to win the Mountain Division. The Lions had 87 points.
Mountain Division teams and Piedmot Division teams swap spots through the next five positions. Newberry (73) in fifth and Catawba (51) in seventh sandwich Tusculum (60) from the Mountain Division. C-N (49) follows in eighth, two points ahead of ninth-place Barton.
Emory & Henry, UVA Wise and Anderson round out the final three spots in the poll.
Carson-Newman opens the season on Aug. 29 on Thursday night against Reinhardt. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 5 p.m. with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A video stream is available with a subscription to FloSports at cneagles.com/FloFB.
Rank School (first place votes) Points
1. Lenoir-Rhyne (6) 104
2. Wingate (3) 94
3. Limestone 92
4. Mars Hill (2) 87
5. Newberry 73
6. Tusculum 60
7. Catawba 51
8. Carson-Newman 49
9. Barton 47
10. Emory & Henry 33
11. UVA Wise 20
12. Anderson 16
