McNeese Football Stay #2 In Country Entering Last Week Of Season
The pokes of McNeese State had a much need week off last week and getting prepared for the last game of the regular season against the Lamar Cardinals. The Cowboys who have already won the Southland Conference (SLC) football championship and an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs needed the week off to let players heal from any injuries and get a game plan together for the final game of the year and the playoffs.
Even though McNeese was off, they still stayed strong in the national polls. The new polls were released today and the Cowboys are still ranked the number two team in the nation. The Cowboys held steady at No. 3 in the STATS poll too this week.
FCS Coaches’ Poll
1. Jacksonville State
2. McNeese
3. North Dakota State
4. Coastal Carolina
5. South Dakota State
6. Illinois State
7. William & Mary
8. Charleston Southern
9. Chattanooga
10. James Madison
11. Portland State
12. Sam Houston State
13. North Carolina A&T
14. Fordham
15. Northern Iowa
16. Richmond
17. Montana
18. Southern Utah
19. Eastern Washington
20. Northern Arizona
21. Harvard
22. Bethune-Cookman
23. Dartmouth
24. The Citadel
25. Central Arkansas
STATS Poll
1. Jacksonville State
2. North Dakota State
3. McNeese
4. Coastal Carolina
5. South Dakota State
6. Illinois State
7. William & Mary
8. Chattanooga
9. Charleston Southern
10. Sam Houston State
11. Portland State
12. James Madison
13. Fordham
14. Richmond
15. Northern Iowa
16. North Carolina A&T
17. Montana
18. Eastern Washington
19. Harvard
20. Southern Utah
21. Dartmouth
22. Grambling
23. Eastern Kentucky
24. Northern Arizona
25. The Citadel
“There’s a lot to play for,” said head coach Matt Viator. “First, an undefeated season. Second, a possible top national seed. Number three, we’re playing against a rival. And four, to win the conference championship outright.
“In my opinion, this is as important a game as any and I think the players see that.”
The Cowboys who are 9-0 on the year and 8-0 in the SLC will close out the regular season this coming Saturday at Lamar at 6 p.m.